Cyclical Bombardier has long-term appeal

Article Excerpt

BOMBARDIER INC. (Toronto symbols BBD.A $5.40 and BBD.B $5.39, Aggressive Growth Portfolio, Manufacturing & Industry sector; Shares outstanding: 1.7 billion; Market cap: $9.2 billion; Price-to-sales ratio: 0.5; Dividend yield: 1.9%; SI Rating: Extra Risk) is the world’s third-largest commercial-aircraft maker, behind Boeing and Airbus. Its aerospace division supplies roughly half of its revenue. The other half comes from its transportation division, which is the world’s largest maker of passenger railcars and commuter trains. Bombardier’s revenue rose 33.4%, from $14.8 billion in 2006 (its fiscal year ends January 31) to $19.7 billion in 2009 (all amounts except share price and market cap in U.S. dollars). However, its 2010 revenue fell 1.8% to $19.4 billion. That’s because it received fewer aircraft orders. This decline more than offset stronger railcar sales. Restructuring savings fuelled profits The company’s earnings soared from $0.06 a share (or a total of $140 million) in 2006 to $0.56 a share (or $1 billion) in 2009, mainly because it restructured its railcar business…