Topic: How To Invest

Hi Pat: Thanks for the many years of great advice. Please give me your thoughts on Element Financial. Thank you.

Article Excerpt

Element Financial Group, $14.05, symbol EFN on Toronto (Shares outstanding: 264.1 million; Market cap: $3.7 billion; www.elementfinancial.ca), is a leading independent North American equipment-finance company. Element operates across the continent through four segments: Commercial and Vendor Finance, Aviation Finance, Fleet Management and Rail Finance. Commercial and Vendor Finance focuses on equipment for a range of markets, from transportation and construction to industrial, health care, golf and office products. Aviation Finance provides loans for helicopters, simulators, business aircraft and related gear. Fleet Management mainly leases vehicles, and Rail Finance provides railcar leasing. The company continues to grow rapidly. In June 2013, it completed its $570-million purchase of GE Fleet Canada, which it has combined with its Fleet Management segment. In December 2013, Element bought $348 million U.S. worth of helicopter and railcar leases from GE Capital and Trinity Industries (symbol TRN on New York). Also in December 2013, it entered into an alliance with Trinity to finance leases for up to $2 billion worth of railcars…