ALIMENTATION COUCHE-TARD $35.09 (Toronto symbol ATD.B; TSINetwork Rating: Extra Risk) (1-800-361-2612; www.couche-tard.com; Shares outstanding: 565.8 million; Market cap: $20.0 billion; Dividend yield: 0.5%) reported higher sales and record earnings in the latest quarter, as well as a dividend increase.
In the three months ended July 20, 2014, Couche-Tard’s sales rose 3.2%, to $9.2 billion from $8.9 billion a year earlier. Per-share earnings gained 23.1%, to $0.48 from $0.39.
The company raised its quarterly dividend by 12.5% with the September 2014 payment, to $0.045 a share from $0.04. The stock now yields 0.5%.
Couche-Tard was our #1 buy for 2012. It has risen over 245% for us since then, but we think it has more gains ahead.
Alimentation Couche-Tard is a buy.