Russel’s up 3 ways

Article Excerpt

RUSSEL METALS $28.01 (Toronto symbol RUS; TSINetwork Rating: Extra Risk) (905-819- 7777; www.russelmetals.com; Shares o/s: 61.8 million; Market cap: $1.7 billion; Divd. yield: 5.4%) is one of North America’s largest metal distributors. It serves over 28,000 clients at 51 locations in Canada and 12 in the U.S. Russel has now gained on three fronts: an expanding U.S. economy has pushed up steel prices and demand; resurgent oil and gas production has boosted sales for the company’s drilling pipe; and the U.S. Department of Commerce has suggested it will soon restrict low-cost steel imports, further pushing up prices. In the three months ended September 30, 2017, the company’s revenue rose 33.1%, to $850.9 million from $639.2 million a year earlier. Earnings were $33.7 million, or $0.55 a share. That’s a 111.9% increase from $15.9 million, or $0.26, a year earlier. The company holds cash of $145.8 million, or $2.36 a share; its $296.3 million of long-term debt is a low 17% of its market…