Topic: How To Invest

Dear Pat: I would like to have your opinion on WSP Global. Thank you very much.

Article Excerpt

WSP Global, $33.70, symbol WSP on Toronto (Shares outstanding: 62.3 million; Market cap: $2.1 billion; www.wspgroup.com), consults on engineering projects for public and private sector clients around the world. It employs about 17,500 people, mainly engineers, technicians, scientists, environmental experts and architects, in more than 300 offices across 30 countries. In the three months ended September 27, 2014, WSP’s revenue jumped 31.8%, to $537.4 million from $407.6 million a year earlier. Earnings per share gained 9.3%, to $0.46 from $0.43. WSP continues to grow rapidly by acquisition. The latest is its $1.35-billion purchase of Parsons Brinckerhoff, U.K.-based Balfour Beatty plc’s professional service business. The deal lets Montreal-based WSP build on its established business in the U.K., increase its relatively small presence in the U.S. and gain exposure to growing regions like Asia and Australia. The company made three other acquisitions earlier this year: On April 10, 2014, WSP concluded the acquisition of Focus Group Holdings, an 1,800-employee engineering firm in Alberta. On April 7, 2014, WSP…