Lower Capital Spending Will Help Nova

Article Excerpt

NOVA CHEMICALS CORP. $5.44 (Toronto symbol NCX; Conservative Growth Portfolio, Manufacturing & Industry sector; Shares outstanding: 83.2 million; Market cap: $452.6 million; SI Rating: Extra risk) expects to spend $160 million U.S. on capital upgrades in 2008, down from its original target of up to $225 million U.S. It will also cut its 2009 spending by $100 million U.S. Nova makes a variety of plastic products for the struggling automotive, building and construction industries. Conserving cash by cutting capital spending will help it cope with the current downturn. As well, Nova’s heavy use of natural gas from Alberta gives it a cost advantage over its main competitors in the U.S. Gulf Coast region, which rely on more expensive crude oil. Nova Chemicals is still a buy. buy…