Topic: How To Invest

Pat: What are your thoughts on West Fraser Timber as a play on China? Thank you.

Article Excerpt

Most forestry stocks have high debt, and markets for their products tend to be volatile. Moreover, they must frequently deal with trade barriers and environmental opposition. Lumber prices have improved, due to rising demand from China. However, low U.S. housing starts continue to weigh on lumber demand. West Fraser Timber, $39.89, symbol WFT on Toronto (Shares outstanding: 43.4 million; Market cap: $1.7 billion; www.westfraser.com), is the largest North American softwood lumber producer. West Fraser has 5.5 billion board feet of capacity in western Canada and the southern U.S. The company also produces wood-based panels, market pulp and newsprint. West Fraser is making money, and it has low debt. The company’s sales to China are growing rapidly. In the latest quarter, West Fraser’s Chinese sales rose 56.0%, and China accounted for 21% of the company’s overall sales, up sharply from 13% a year earlier. Even though lumber prices have improved, the high Canadian dollar will hurt West Fraser, as will weaker pulp prices…