Topic: How To Invest

Pat: What is your recommendation on Loral Space & Communications? I believe it owns Telesat. Thanks.

Article Excerpt

A: Loral Space & Communications Ltd., $36.51 symbol LORL on Nasdaq (Shares outstanding: 30.9 million; Market cap: $1.1 billion, www.loral.com), is a holding company with interests in two satellite communication providers: Loral holds 62.8% of Ottawa-based Telesat. (Canada’s Public Sector Pension Investment Board owns the remaining 37.2%.) This business owns 15 satellites that distribute video signals for broadcasters, cable networks and satellite TV providers. Its clients include major broadcasters in Canada and the U.S. as well as satellite TV providers such as Bell TV in Canada and EchoStar/DISH Network in the U.S. In Addition, Telesat provides data and voice transmission services to businesses and government departments. Loral also owns 56.0% of XTAR, a joint venture with a group of Spanish telecommunications providers. XTAR provides satellite communication services to U.S. and European military and diplomatic clients. Under accounting rules, the holding company has no revenue and only a proportional share of the earnings at XTAR and Telesat. Loral earned $52.6 million, or $1.54 a share,…