Topic: How To Invest

Pat, Could you provide your current view on Winpak Ltd.? Thank you.

Article Excerpt

Winpak Ltd., $9.10, symbol WPK on Toronto (Shares outstanding: 65 million; Market cap: $591.5 million), makes and distributes packaging materials and packaging machines. Winpak’s products are mainly used for perishable food, beverages, pharmaceuticals, and in medical applications. The U.S. is Winpak’s largest market, accounting for 75% of its sales. Canada supplies 20%, while the rest of world accounts for the remaining 5%. Although it sold 3.2% more packaging in the three months ended June 28, 2009, Winpak’s revenue fell 1.8%, to $125.3 million from $127.6 million a year earlier. (All figures except share price and market cap in U.S. dollars.) That’s because the higher U.S. dollar hurt the contribution of its Canadian and international sales. The recession also prompted the company to lower its selling prices. However, earnings jumped 64.5% in the three months, to a record $11.9 million, or $0.18 a share, from $7.2 million, or $0.11 a share. Lower prices for raw materials, such as plastic resins and aluminum, were…