Updating RIM, SNC-Lavalin and Transcontinental

Article Excerpt

RESEARCH IN MOTION LTD. $7.57 (www.rim.com) has delayed the launch of smartphones that use its new BlackBerry 10 software to the first quarter of 2013. That’s because the company is having difficulty adapting this software to its email and messaging servers. RIM had planned to launch these devices in the second half of 2012, in time for the important back-to-school and Christmas shopping seasons. Hold. SNC-LAVALIN GROUP INC. $38 (www.snclavalin.com) has paid an undisclosed sum for Toronto-based engineering firm DBA Engineering. This firm specializes in paving and environmental cleanup, and should help SNC win more infrastructure contracts. SNC’s stock has come under pressure in the past few months over unusual payments related to certain construction contracts. However, these amounts are small next to its earnings. Buy. TRANSCONTINENTAL INC. $9.60 (www.tctranscontinental.com) now owns 100% of Metro Montreal, a free commuter newspaper, after buying out its joint venture partner for an undisclosed amount. Owning all of this paper should make it easier for Transcontinental…