Russel can handle U.S. tariffs

Article Excerpt

RUSSEL METALS INC. $21 (Toronto symbol RUS; Cyclical-Growth Dividend Payer Portfolio, Manufacturing & Industry sector; Shares o/s: 62.1 million; Market cap: $1.3 billion; Dividend yield: 7.2%; Dividend Sustainability Rating: Above Average; www.russelmetals.com) is one of North America’s largest metal distributors. Russel continues to pay quarterly dividends of $0.38 a share; the annual rate of $1.52 yields a high 7.2%. The U.S. has imposed tariffs of 25% on steel imports. However, Russel is a steel distributor, rather than a producer. It also processes that alloy into products according to customer specifications. Restrictions on steel imports into the U.S., such as tariffs, also push up steel prices in that country. In the short term, that raises the value of Russel’s steel inventory. At the same time, it can pass price increases on to its customers. Russel Metals is still a buy. buy. …