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  • Richard 

    I worry about the USMCA trade agreement being re-negotiated in favour of the U.S. and with Trump having attacked our economy with tariffs, and now meddling in our recent federal election. Just how much pain will the U.S. inflict on manufacturers like Mattr ? I’m staying diversified but manufacturing does have a 28% weighting in my portfolio. I do like the dividend though.

    • Scott 

      Thanks for your question.

      We addressed the issue you raise in our recent update on Mattr in the Successful Investor Hotline. Here’s what we said:

      $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

      MATTR CORP., $10.83, Toronto symbol MATR, remains a buy for highly aggressive investors.

      Formerly called ShawCor Ltd. (old symbol SCL), the company recently sold most of its pipeline coating business to Tenaris S.A. (New York symbol TS) for $241.2 million.

      The remaining firm makes plastic tanks and industrial products such as electrical cables and sheaths.

      Mattr’s revenue in the three months ended December 31, 2024, rose 8.5%, to $207.8 million from $191.5 million a year earlier. That’s due to higher sales of plastic pipes (up 6.9%) and wire and cable products (up 10.8%). The latest revenue figure also topped the consensus forecast of $192.0 million.

      If you exclude unusual items, Mattr lost $0.02 a share (or a total of $1.4 million) in the latest quarter compared to a profit of $1.47 a share (or $102.9 million). That’s due to higher sales of less-profitable products, as well as the costs related to building new facilities. Even so, the latest earnings were better than the consensus estimate of a $0.05-a-share loss.

      In January 2025, Mattr completed its acquisition of AmerCable Inc. for $280 million U.S. (about $404 million Canadian). Based in Arkansas, this firm makes a variety of power cables and wires for industrial customers.

      The new operations should increase Mattr’s revenue in 2025 by over 40% to $1.3 billion. As well, earnings will probably improve about 90% to $1.30 a share, and the stock trades at just 8.3 times that estimate.

      About 30% of Mattr’s revenue comes from cross-border sales of finished goods. However, the company points out that all of its products comply with the USMCA trade agreement. If governments impose tariffs, Mattr expects it can pass along the higher costs to its customers.

      Mattr is still a buy for highly aggressive investors.

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