Topic: How To Invest

Hi Pat: Could I have your opinion on Flint Energy Services Ltd.? I have concern about their debt levels. Thanks.

Article Excerpt

Flint Energy Services Ltd., $13.87 (Toronto symbol FES; Shares outstanding: 46 million; Market cap: $629.9 million; www.flintenergy.com), provides transportation, manufacturing, construction and maintenance services to the oil and gas industry in western North America. In the three months ended March 31, 2011, Flint’s revenue fell 22.8%, to $326.8 million from $423.2 million. The company lost $4.5 million, or $0.10 a share. That was much worse than the consensus estimate of a profit of $0.10 a share. A year earlier, the company earned $18.0 million, or $0.39 a share. The declines came partly from poor weather and delayed project start-ups. However, the lower results were mainly caused by the company’s failure to replace all of its expiring contracts with new ones. Flint’s debt of $202.3 million is a reasonable 32.1% of its market cap. About $130.5 million of that debt is due this month. But the company should be able to negotiate new loans. As well, it holds cash $102.5 million, so…