SHERRITT INTERNATIONAL $4.74 (Toronto symbol S; TSINetwork Rating: Speculative) (1-800-704-6698; www.sherritt.com; Shares outstanding: 296.9 million; Market cap: $1.4 billion; Dividend yield: 3.6%) reported cash flow of $0.20 a share in the three months ended March 31, 2013. That was down 35.4% from $0.31 a year earlier. A decline in coal sales and lower nickel, cobalt and oil prices were the main reasons for the drop.
Sherritt recently raised its quarterly dividend by 13.2%. The shares now yield 3.6%.
The company needs an improving global economy to fuel commodity demand. But its low production costs and ongoing geographic diversification enhance its prospects.
Sherritt International is a buy.