dividends paid
SASOL LTD. (ADR) $46.49 (New York symbol SSL; TSINetwork Rating: Extra Risk) (082-883-9697; www.sasol.com; ADRs outstanding: 641.4 million; Market cap: $29.9 billion; Dividend yield: 5.3%) is a South Africa-based company that has developed a technology to convert coal and natural gas into motor fuels. In the six months ended December 31, 2011, Sasol’s revenue rose 23.9%, to $11.0 billion from $8.9 billion a year earlier (all figures in U.S. dollars). Earnings per ADR rose 81.8%, to $3.04 from $1.67. Higher oil prices were the main reason for the gains. A stronger U.S. dollar against the South African rand also pushed up the value of sales outside South Africa. Last year, Sasol paid $2.2 billion for a 50% interest in two major shale gas properties held by Talisman Energy (symbol TLM on Toronto) in the Montney Basin region of western Alberta and northeastern B.C....
NVIDIA CORP. $13 (Nasdaq symbol NVDA; Aggressive Growth Portfolio, Manufacturing & Industry sector; Shares outstanding: 616.0 million; Market cap: $8.0 billion; Price-to-sales ratio: 2.0; No dividends paid; TSINetwork Rating: Average; www.nvidia.com) designs chips that make computer games run more smoothly and appear more lifelike.
In its 2012 fiscal year, which ended January 29, 2012, the company’s earnings rose 54.2%, to $734.4 million from $476.4 million in fiscal 2011. Earnings per share rose 46.9%, to $1.19 from $0.81, on more shares outstanding. Nvidia spent 25.1% of its sales on research in fiscal 2012, so it’s more profitable than it appears.
Sales rose 12.8%, to $4.0 billion from $3.5 billion. Nvidia continues to see strong demand for its new Tegra chips from mobile device makers. That’s helping offset slowing sales to computer makers.
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In its 2012 fiscal year, which ended January 29, 2012, the company’s earnings rose 54.2%, to $734.4 million from $476.4 million in fiscal 2011. Earnings per share rose 46.9%, to $1.19 from $0.81, on more shares outstanding. Nvidia spent 25.1% of its sales on research in fiscal 2012, so it’s more profitable than it appears.
Sales rose 12.8%, to $4.0 billion from $3.5 billion. Nvidia continues to see strong demand for its new Tegra chips from mobile device makers. That’s helping offset slowing sales to computer makers.
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DUNDEE CORP. $24 (Toronto symbol DC.A; Aggressive Growth Portfolio, Finance sector; Shares outstanding: 55.0 million; Market cap: $1.3 billion; Price-to-sales ratio: 6.6; No dividends paid; TSINetwork Rating: Average; www.dundeecorp.com) is a holding company with subsidiaries in wealth management, real estate, resources and agriculture. Dundee is riskier than the big five banks. That’s because sales of individual investments can have a big impact on its earnings. For example, in 2011, it recorded an $870.8-million gain on the sale of subsidiary DundeeWealth. Without that gain, Dundee’s earnings fell 13.1%, to $173.2 million from $199.3 million in 2010. Earnings per share rose 5.9%, to $2.17 from $2.05, on fewer shares outstanding. Revenue fell 15.7%, to $574.0 million from $680.8 million. Dundee is still a buy.
Companies that supply equipment and services to oil and gas explorers give investors another way to profit from rising oil prices. To cut your risk, stick with proven market leaders like Precision Drilling and ShawCor. PRECISION DRILLING CORP. $8.91 (Toronto symbol PD; Aggressive Growth Portfolio, Resource sector; Shares outstanding: 276.1 million; Market cap: $2.5 billion; Price-to-sales ratio: 1.3; No dividends paid since February 2009; TSINetwork Rating: Extra Risk; www.precisiondrilling.com) provides contract drilling services to land-based oil and gas producers, mainly in North America. It had 337 rigs in service at the end of 2011....
GABRIEL RESOURCES $2.94 (Toronto symbol GBU; TSINetwork Rating: Speculative) (416-955-9200; www.gabrielresources.com; Shares outstanding: 379.6 million; Market cap: $1.1 billion; No dividends paid) is down almost 35% since the company suffered setbacks in early April in its bid to build a mine at its 80.46%-owned Rosia Montana gold and silver project in Romania.
The court of appeals in Alba County, Romania, has now annulled a zoning permit relating to an area that Gabriel plans to incorporate into its mine. The lawsuit was started by two groups that oppose the project.
Gabriel sees the ruling as just another setback to be overcome, and feels that it shouldn’t affect the ongoing permitting process for the project. As well, most of Rosia Montana’s 2,800 residents believe that the project will bring back the much-needed jobs the area lost when a state-owned gold mine closed in 2006.
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The court of appeals in Alba County, Romania, has now annulled a zoning permit relating to an area that Gabriel plans to incorporate into its mine. The lawsuit was started by two groups that oppose the project.
Gabriel sees the ruling as just another setback to be overcome, and feels that it shouldn’t affect the ongoing permitting process for the project. As well, most of Rosia Montana’s 2,800 residents believe that the project will bring back the much-needed jobs the area lost when a state-owned gold mine closed in 2006.
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ADOBE SYSTEMS $33.39 (Nasdaq symbol ADBE; TSINetwork Rating: Average) (408-536 -6000; www.adobe.com; Shares outstanding: 496.1 million; Market cap: $16.6 billion; No dividends paid) reports that in its fiscal 2012 first quarter, which ended March 2, 2012, its earnings fell 21.1%, to $185.2 million, or $0.37 a share. A year earlier, it earned $234.6 million, or $0.46 a share. Without unusual items, earnings per share fell 1.7%, to $0.57 from $0.58. Sales rose 1.7%, to $1.05 billion from $1.03 billion.
Customers are waiting for the new version of Adobe’s Creative Suite of publishing programs, which it will release later this year. That was the main reason for the lower earnings and weak sales growth.
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Customers are waiting for the new version of Adobe’s Creative Suite of publishing programs, which it will release later this year. That was the main reason for the lower earnings and weak sales growth.
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INTERNATIONAL ROAD DYNAMICS $0.28 (Toronto symbol IRD; TSINetwork Rating: Speculative) (306-653-6600; www.ird.ca; Shares outstanding: 14.0 million; Market cap: $3.9 million; No dividends paid) makes products and systems that manage highway traffic, including automated toll-road and weigh-station systems for trucks. The company’s weigh-in-motion system weighs trucks while they’re moving, rather than at less -efficient roadside weigh stations.
International Road continues to report rising losses and declining sales. That’s because governments are spending less on highway infrastructure as they struggle with ballooning budget deficits.
The company’s total debt of $6.7 million is a high 171.8% of its market cap. Its cash flow is negative, so it may need to borrow more money to sustain its operations. The cash shortfall could also make it hard for the company to maintain the marketing and research spending necessary to stay ahead of the competition.
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International Road continues to report rising losses and declining sales. That’s because governments are spending less on highway infrastructure as they struggle with ballooning budget deficits.
The company’s total debt of $6.7 million is a high 171.8% of its market cap. Its cash flow is negative, so it may need to borrow more money to sustain its operations. The cash shortfall could also make it hard for the company to maintain the marketing and research spending necessary to stay ahead of the competition.
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AMAZON.COM $191.07 (Nasdaq symbol AMZN; TSINetwork Rating: Extra Risk) (206-266-1000; www.amazon.com; Shares outstanding: 455.1 million; Market cap: $87.0 billion; No dividends paid) has agreed to buy Kiva Systems for $775 million. Kiva makes small orange robots that help manage warehouse inventory.
Amazon’s shipping volumes continue to rise. In response, the company plans to add 17 more warehouses, bringing its total to 69.
The Kiva purchase will let Amazon better control its labour costs. Amazon can also sell the robots to other retailers. Kiva’s clients already include the Gap, Staples and Saks.
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Amazon’s shipping volumes continue to rise. In response, the company plans to add 17 more warehouses, bringing its total to 69.
The Kiva purchase will let Amazon better control its labour costs. Amazon can also sell the robots to other retailers. Kiva’s clients already include the Gap, Staples and Saks.
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AEROPOSTALE INC. $21.81 (New York symbol ARO; TSINetwork Rating: Extra Risk) (646-485-5410; www.aeropostale.com; Shares outstanding: 81.0 million; Market cap: $1.8 billion; No dividends paid) is a mall-based retailer of casual clothing and accessories. It now has 983 stores, and mainly targets 14- to 17-year-old women and men. Its active-oriented clothing has a reputation for high quality and low prices.
Aeropostale also has 71 P.S. from Aeropostale stores, which are aimed at seven- to 12-year-old elementary school students.
In the three months ended January 28, 2012, Aeropostale’s sales fell 3.7% to $808.4 million from $839.3 million a year earlier. Same-store sales declined 9%. Sales from the company’s e-commerce business rose 8%, to $83.2 million from $77.3 million. Earnings dropped 57.6%, to $16.4 million, or $0.44 a share, from $45.4 million, or $0.95 a share.
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Aeropostale also has 71 P.S. from Aeropostale stores, which are aimed at seven- to 12-year-old elementary school students.
In the three months ended January 28, 2012, Aeropostale’s sales fell 3.7% to $808.4 million from $839.3 million a year earlier. Same-store sales declined 9%. Sales from the company’s e-commerce business rose 8%, to $83.2 million from $77.3 million. Earnings dropped 57.6%, to $16.4 million, or $0.44 a share, from $45.4 million, or $0.95 a share.
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NISSAN MOTOR CO. (ADR) $20.45 (Nasdaq symbol NSANY; TSINetwork Rating: Above Average) (310-771-3111; www.nissanmotors.com; Shares outstanding: 2.3 billion; Market cap: $47.0 billion; No dividends paid) reported record U.S. sales in March.
Overall, the company sold 136,317 cars and trucks in the U.S. during the month. That’s up 12.5% from 121,141 vehicles in March 2011.
The Nissan division’s sales jumped 14.8%, to a record 126,132 vehicles. Infiniti sales rose 9.8%, to 10,185 vehicles.
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Overall, the company sold 136,317 cars and trucks in the U.S. during the month. That’s up 12.5% from 121,141 vehicles in March 2011.
The Nissan division’s sales jumped 14.8%, to a record 126,132 vehicles. Infiniti sales rose 9.8%, to 10,185 vehicles.
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