Broader focus positions CAE for growth

Article Excerpt

CAE INC. $9.71 (Toronto symbol CAE; Conservative Growth Portfolio, Manufacturing & Industry sector; Shares outstanding: 256.5 million; Market cap: $2.5 billion; Price-to-sales ratio: 1.6; Dividend yield: 1.2%; SI Rating: Average) makes military and airline flight simulators. It also runs commercial and military pilot-training schools in 20 countries. CAE’s shares have held up well, despite recent stock-market volatility. That’s because it has diversified its operations over the past few years. Military clients now supply 53% of CAE’s revenue. As well, steady revenues from pilot training account for two-thirds of its civilian business. These factors cut CAE’s reliance on new simulator sales for growth. CAE still dominates its niche market Revenue rose 50.1%, from $1.1 billion in 2006 to $1.7 billion in 2009 (CAE’s fiscal year ends March 31). Revenue fell 8.2% in 2010, to $1.5 billion, as the recession cut flight-simulator demand. The company sold 20 simulators in 2010, down from 34 in the prior year. Despite the drop, CAE still controls 70% of…