SHERRITT INTERNATIONAL (Toronto symbol S; www.sherritt.com) is a natural resource company that produces nickel, cobalt, thermal coal, oil and gas. It also manages 356 megawatts of power generation capacity in Cuba, with an additional 150 megawatts starting up this year. The company is a major nickel producer, with operations in Cuba and Canada. As well, it is now starting up its 40%-owned Ambatovy mine on the island nation of Madagascar, off Africa’s east coast. Sherritt also produces oil and gas in Cuba, Spain and Pakistan and is Canada’s largest thermal coal producer. In the three months ended December 31, 2012, Sherritt’s revenue fell 12.8%, to $467.9 million from $536.8 million a year earlier. Lower nickel and cobalt prices and a decline in thermal coal sales were the main reasons for the drop. Cash flow fell 56.4%, to $39.5 million, or $0.13 a share, from $90.7 million, or $0.31. That was due to the lower revenue and higher production costs. [ofie_ad]
Mining stocks: Sherritt raises dividend, seeks to diversify away from Cuba
The company’s long-term debt of $2.0 billion is equal to 154% of its market cap. However, it holds cash of $526.8 million, or $1.77 a share. Sherritt has raised its quarterly dividend by 13.2%, to $0.043 from $0.038. The shares now yield 4.0%. The company gets most of its revenue and earnings from Cuba and is that country’s largest foreign investor. However, it is diversifying away from Cuba. Sherritt needs an improving global economy to fuel commodity demand. But its low production costs and ongoing geographic diversification enhance its prospects. In the latest edition of Stock Pickers Digest, we look at how Sherritt is seeking to offset the risk of Cuba’s uncertain political and economic situation with investments in other nations. We conclude with our clear buy-hold-sell advice on this stock. (Note: If you are a current subscriber to Stock Pickers Digest, please click here to view Pat’s recommendation. Be sure to log in first.) COMMENTS PLEASE—Share your investment knowledge and opinions with fellow TSINetwork.ca members Political risk can be a key factor with natural resource stocks. Do you tend to stay away from stocks that do a large part of their business in countries with unstable, dictatorial or socialist regimes? If you are willing to take on that risk, have you had success with stocks operating in such potentially damaging circumstances? Let us know what you think.
