Sale of notes enhances Tim’s flexibility

Article Excerpt

TIM HORTONS INC. $34 (Toronto symbol THI; Aggressive Growth Portfolio, Consumer sector; Shares outstanding: 175.0 million; Market cap: $6.0 billion; Price-to-sales ratio: 2.7; Dividend yield: 1.5%; SI Rating: Average) has sold $200 million of seven-year notes. After commissions paid to underwriters, the company received $199.2 million. These new notes increased Tim Hortons’ total debt to around $611 million. Despite the increase, that’s still just 10% of its market cap. The company owns its main bakery through a joint venture with Swiss-based Aryzta AG. It is now negotiating to either sell its stake in this business to Aryzta, or buy out its partner. The cash from these new notes will help pay for this buyout, or help Tim Hortons build a new bakery. Tim Hortons is a buy. buy…