Two cyclical stocks with reliable dividends

Article Excerpt

RUSSEL METALS INC. $28 (Toronto symbol RUS; Cyclical- Growth Dividend Payer Portfolio, Manufacturing & Industry sector; Shares outstanding: 61.8 million; Market cap: $1.7 billion; Dividend yield: 5.4%; Dividend Sustainability Rating: Above Average; www.russelmetals.com) is one of North America’s largest metal distributors, serving 43,000 clients, at 50 locations in Canada and 14 in the U.S. Oil and gas clients supply about 35% of the company’s revenue. Its Canadian business accounts for 67% of its overall revenue, with the remainder from the U.S. Russel continues to pay quarterly dividends of $0.38 a share; the annual rate of $1.52 yields a high 5.4%. In the three months ended June 30, 2017, the company’s revenue rose 30.9%, to $816.5 million from $623.7 million a year earlier. That’s largely because of the 68.4% jump in revenue at its energy products business due to higher rig counts, stronger pricing and increased volumes. The operation supplies pipes for oil and gas drillers. Earnings in the quarter rose 98.2%, to $32.5…