Topic: How To Invest

Hi Pat: Could you give us an update on Parkland Fuels? They are continuing to make acquisitions, and the stock continues to rise. Would you consider it a buy now? Regards.

Article Excerpt

Parkland Fuel Corp., $22.18, symbol PKI on Toronto (Shares outstanding: 75.0 million; Market cap: $1.7 billion, www.parkland.ca), operates gas stations, convenience stores and a fuel distribution business, mostly in Western Canada and Ontario. It was called Parkland Income Fund before it converted to a dividend-paying corporation on December 31, 2010. The company owns 144 rural gas stations and convenience stores. Brands include Fas Gas Plus, Race Trac Gas and Short Stop. Many of Parkland’s stations sell propane in addition to gasoline and diesel fuel. The company also operates Esso stations in Western Canada and Ontario under a licensing deal with Imperial Oil (symbol IMO on Toronto). It recently signed an agreement to use the Chevron brand in B.C. 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. The company also sells fuel directly to businesses and 555 independent gas stations. It recently converted its Bowden…