Outsourcing specialist has a bright future

Article Excerpt

CGI GROUP INC. $20 (Toronto symbol GIB.A; Aggressive Growth Portfolio, Manufacturing & Industry sector; Shares outstanding: 258.9 million; Market cap: $5.2 billion; Price-to-sales ratio: 1.2; No dividends paid; TSINetwork Rating: Extra Risk; www.cgi.com) is Canada’s largest provider of computer outsourcing services. It also operates in 15 other countries. Canada and the U.S. each accounted for 47% of its revenue in the latest fiscal year; Europe and Asia supplied the remaining 6%. The company often uses acquisitions to fuel its growth. It cuts the risk of this strategy by focusing on smaller companies that enhance its products or expand its geographic reach. Big purchase starting to pay off CGI’s most important purchase in the past few years was its $932.2-million acquisition of Stanley Inc. in September 2010. Stanley provides computer outsourcing services to military and civilian agencies of the U.S. government. These clients could face budget cuts in the coming years. But even if they do, Stanley should keep winning contracts, because its services…