Topic: How To Invest

Dear Pat: Could I have your opinion on Solium Capital? Thanks.

Article Excerpt

Solium Capital, $5.85, symbol SUM on Toronto (Shares outstanding: 42.8 million; Market cap: $253.0 million; www.solium.com), is a Calgary-based company that provides software and support services to clients who administer stock-based compensation for their employees (including grant-based incentive programs, such as stock options and share-purchase plans). It also helps its clients comply with financial reporting and other regulations related to stock-based compensation. The administration side of equity compensation is highly complex because of changing regulations and employee turnover. But at the same time, an estimated 97% of major companies compensate their employees with shares. This represents an estimated 100 million employees in the U.S. alone. Solium’s Canadian clients include TransAlta, Shaw Communications and Shell Canada. Its customers represent 75 of the top 100 companies listed on the TSX. In the three months ended June 30, 2013, Solium’s revenue rose 31.3%, to $15.6 million from $11.9 million a year earlier. Earnings per share rose to $0.032 from $0.012. Solium provides its products as “on-demand software”…