Takeover Talk Spurs Fording

Article Excerpt

FORDING CANADIAN COAL TRUST $37 (Toronto symbol FDG.UN; Aggressive Growth Portfolio, Resources sector; Units outstanding: 147.0 million; Market cap: $5.4 billion; SI Rating: Average) owns 60% of B.C.’s Elk Valley coal mine, which is the world’s second-largest supplier of metallurgical coal to steelmakers. TECK COMINCO LTD. $48 (Toronto symbol TCK.B; Conservative Growth Portfolio; Resources sector; Shares outstanding: 428.1 million; Market cap: $21.0 billion; SI Rating: Average) owns the remaining 40% of Elk Valley, as well as 8.47% of Fording. Teck recently agreed to acquire copper producer Aur Resources Inc., and still has plenty of cash for more acquisitions. That has led to speculation that Fording could be Teck’s next target. While Fording’s takeover potential adds to its appeal, it’s not the sole reason to buy. Rising demand for coal by Chinese steelmakers should let Fording raise its $2.60 distribution, which yields 7.0%. Teck is a buy for long-term gains. Fording is a buy for somewhat more aggressive investors. investors…