Updating MDS Inc., The Westaim Corp., Metro Inc. and Nova Chemicals Corp.

Article Excerpt

MDS INC. $19 (Toronto symbol MDS; Conservative Growth Portfolio, Consumer sector; Shares outstanding: 122.5 million; Market cap: $2.3 billion; SI Rating: Average) is now 16.8% owned by activist investor ValueAct Capital Management LLC. That’s up from 6.6% in May, 2007. ValueAct will likely spur MDS to move more aggressively with its current restructuring plan. Meanwhile, MDS has agreed to sell two of its product lines for an undisclosed sum. These businesses, which make radiation equipment that sterilize blood and treat cancer, account for 3% of MDS’s annual revenue. The sale will let MDS focus on its more promising medical isotope business. MDS is still a hold. THE WESTAIM CORP. $0.23 (Toronto symbol WED; Aggressive Growth Portfolio, Manufacturing & Industry sector; 94.0 million; Market cap: $21.6 million; SI Rating: Speculative) will sell half of its Canadian holdings of illiquid asset-backed commercial paper. These assets have a book value of $7 million, and Westaim will receive $6.0 million. If the buyer re-sells these assets within…