Topic: How To Invest

Hello again Pat: I bought Parkland Fuel Corp. about 18 months ago and have enjoyed the wonderful yield and am up 60% on the stock value. I am tempted to realize my capital gain. What are your thoughts on this stock?

Article Excerpt

A: Parkland Fuel Corp., $19.56, symbol PKI on Toronto (Shares outstanding: 67.7 million; Market cap: $1.3 billion, www.parkland.ca), operates gas stations, convenience stores and a fuel distribution business, mostly in western Canada and Ontario. The company was called Parkland Income Fund prior to its conversion to a dividend-paying corporation on December 31, 2010. Parkland owns 141 rural gas stations and convenience stores. Its brands include Fas Gas Plus, Race Trac Gas and Short Stop (convenience stores). Many stations sell propane in addition to gasoline and diesel fuel. The company also operates Esso gas stations in western Canada and Ontario under a licensing deal with Imperial Oil Ltd. (symbol IMO on Toronto). Parkland continues to sell its company-owned stations to franchisees. This lets it collect rent and commissions on fuel sales without having to staff and operate the stations. As well, the company sells fuel to commercial customers and 583 independent gas stations. In addition, Parkland recently converted its Bowden oil storage tanks near Red…