Lower debt brightens Teck’s outlook

Article Excerpt

TECK RESOURCES LTD. $34 (Toronto symbol TCK.B; Conservative Growth Portfolio, Resources sector; Shares outstanding: 588.7 million; Market cap: $20.0 billion; Price-to-sales ratio: 2.3; SI Rating: Extra Risk) is a leading producer of metallurgical coal, a key ingredient in steelmaking. It also mines copper, zinc, lead, gold, silver, molybdenum and other metals. The company continues to lower its debt following its $13.6-billion purchase of Fording Canadian Coal Trust last year. It has already repaid a $5.8 billion U.S. bridge loan, and $1.3 billion U.S. of a $4-billion U.S. term loan. As a result, Teck’s long-term debt is now $7.6 billion (Canadian), or a manageable 38% of its market cap. The company holds cash of $1.1 billion, or $1.84 a share. To raise a further $1.2 billion U.S. for debt repayments, Teck is selling some of its gold mines, a third of its Waneta Dam hydroelectric facility in B.C. and other operations. These sales should close over the next few months. Meanwhile, Teck earned $337 million…