Growing Backlog Cuts Bombardier’s Risk

Article Excerpt

BOMBARDIER INC. (Toronto symbols BBD.A $6.04 and BBD.B $6.07; Aggressive Growth Portfolio, Manufacturing & Industry sector; Shares outstanding: 1.75 billion; Market cap: $10.6 billion; SI Rating: Extra risk) continues to win new orders for its aircraft and railcars. Its total backlog is now a record $51.6 billion, or just over three years’ revenue (all amounts except share price and market cap in U.S. dollars). Meanwhile, Bombardier’s earnings in its third fiscal quarter ended October 31, 2007 rose 66.7%, to $0.05 a share (total $91 million) from $0.03 a share ($53 million) a year earlier. Revenue grew 23.5%, to $4.2 billion from $3.4 billion. Besides the strong earnings, the stock moved up after Bombardier confirmed it has had discussions with a Russian company regarding a possible investment in Bombardier’s railcar division. While a deal is far for certain, the company earns higher profits from aircraft sales than trains, so selling part of the train operation would improve its overall profitability. Bombardier is a buy…