Topic: How To Invest

Q: Hi Pat: Thank you for all your great advice. What is your thinking on Aecon?

Article Excerpt

A: Aecon Group Inc., $17.66, symbol ARE on Toronto (Shares outstanding: 57.4 million; Market cap: $1.0 billion; www.aecon.com), is one of Canada’s largest infrastructure developers. The company and its predecessors helped to build Canadian landmarks such as the CN Tower, the St. Lawrence Seaway, the Calgary Olympic Oval and the Halifax Shipyards. Aecon has three main divisions: The energy group accounted for 43% of the company’s revenue in the latest quarter. It builds facilities and components for clients in the power industry, including nuclear reactors. The infrastructure group (32% of revenue) builds roads, bridges, tunnels and public transit projects. It also sells asphalt and aggregates (crushed stone and gravel); they’re key ingredients for making concrete. The mining group (24% of revenue) develops, builds and maintains mines and oil and gas properties. It also builds related infrastructure such as roads and waste-management systems. Additionally, the group helps clients restore their sites and replant trees. Aecon develops, finances and operates public infrastructure projects. They include the Highway…