Long-Term Investing – Hold despite short-term difficulties

Article Excerpt

TIM HORTONS INC. $33 (Toronto symbol THI; Aggressive Growth Portfolio, Consumer sector; Shares outstanding: 183.2 million; Market cap: $6.0 billion; SI Rating: Average) earned $75.0 million in the second quarter of 2008, up 11.5% from $67.2 million a year earlier. Per-share earnings rose 14.5%, to $0.41 from $0.36, on fewer shares outstanding. Sales grew 9.8%, to $510.7 million from $465.3 million, thanks to successful new menu items such as green tea and whole grain muffins. Same-store sales rose 5.7% in Canada, and 3.1% in the United States. Tim Hortons began trading in April, 2006 at $27.00 a share. Although it was a new issue, we recommended it due to its strong market share and the high earnings potential of its brands. We still like its long-term investing outlook. However, weaker consumer confidence and high gasoline prices could hurt the company’s sales growth in the next few months. It also faces higher labour and food costs. Tim Hortons is still a hold. hold. …