Two resource services stocks set to prosper

Article Excerpt

Demand for Major Drilling’s specialized services has now mostly recovered. Meanwhile, Computer Modelling is benefiting from expanding oil and gas drilling in response to overall higher energy prices. We think there are still gains ahead for both stocks. MAJOR DRILLING, $9.68, is a buy. This large contract driller (Toronto symbol MDI; TSINetwork: Speculative) (majordrilling.com; Shares outstanding: 82.1 million; Market cap: $794.7 million; No dividends paid) is an industry player, mainly serving miners. In the quarter ended January 31, 2024, the company’s revenue fell 11.0%, to $132.8 million from $149.2 million a year earlier. The main reason was a 21.7% drop in revenue in the Canada-U.S. region. The decrease reflects a seasonal shutdown of certain drill programs earlier than in previous years. The early shutdowns were due to budgets being exhausted by inflationary pressures, and a lack of junior and intermediate financing. Major Drilling reported a loss of $2.3 million, or $0.03 a share, in the quarter, compared to a profit of $6.3 million, or $0.08. The loss…