Here’s two buys from different markets

Article Excerpt

ALIMENTATION COUCHE-TARD $61.97 (Toronto symbol ATD.B: TSINetwork Rating: Average) (1-800-361-2612; www.couchetard.com; Shares outstanding: 567.4 million; Market cap: $35.3 billion; Dividend yield: 0.7%) operates 12,701 convenience stores throughout North America and Europe. In the three months ended July 22, 2018, sales jumped 50.2%, to $14.79 billion from $9.85 billion a year earlier (all figures except share price in U.S. dollars). The jump was mostly due to acquisitions, including convenience-store chain CST Brands (symbol CST on New York). Earnings per share, excluding one-time items, climbed 31.3%, to $0.88 from $0.67. Growth by acquisition adds risk, especially with deals as big as CST. Still, the company’s outlook remains positive as it continues to successfully integrate its purchases. Couche-Tard has also launched a number of fresh food initiatives and promotional campaigns that should pay off. Alimentation Couche-Tard is a buy. NORTH WEST CO. $27.82 (Toronto symbol NWC; TSINetwork Rating: Extra Risk) (604-231-1100; www.northwest.ca; Shares outstanding: 48.7 million; Market cap: $1.4 billion; Dividend yield: 4.6%) sells food goods and everyday products and services through its 237…