100% gain for Aastra

Article Excerpt

AASTRA TECHNOLOGIES $18.67 (Toronto symbol AAH; SI Rating: Speculative) (905-760-4200; www.aastra.com; Shares outstanding: 13.3 million; Market cap: $248.3 million) has seen its share price more than double since late February when it reported 41% higher cash flow per share, to $1.76 from $1.24 a year earlier. Aastra’s revenues rose 68.7%, to $261.8 million from $155.2 million. The increase was mostly the result of Aastra’s April 2008 purchase of the business communications division of Swedish telecom giant Ericsson. But even if you exclude the Ericsson acquisition, Aastra’s revenues still rose 13.2%. Aastra holds $98.2 million, or $7.35 a share, in cash and has no long-term debt. Aastra continues to expand by buying money-losing product lines that distressed sellers have invested large sums developing. These acquisitions add risk, but, as the Ericsson example shows, Aastra has a good track record of integrating new businesses. Aastra is still a buy. buy…