Strong Outlook Spurs Dividend Hike

Article Excerpt

SHAWCOR LTD. $27 (Toronto symbol SCL.A; Aggressive Growth Portfolio, Manufacturing & Industry sector; Shares outstanding: 74.0 million; Market cap: $2.0 billion; SI Rating: Average) is profiting from recent acquisitions, as well as its plan to improve efficiency at its pipeline coating plants. In 2006, income from continuing operations rose 13.6%, to $1.25 a share from $1.10 a year earlier. Revenue grew 5.0%, to $1.06 billion from $1.01 billion. Energy prices will probably remain high in 2007, which should continue to spur demand for ShawCor’s products and services. Thanks to its improving outlook, ShawCor raised its quarterly dividend 27.8%, from $0.045 a share to $0.0575. The new annual rate of $0.23 yields 0.9%. The stock trades at 20.0 times its projected 2007 profit of $1.35 a share. ShawCor is a buy for aggressive investors. investors…