2 Resource Service Stocks Worth Holding

Article Excerpt

MAJOR DRILLING. $47.60 (Toronto symbol MDI; SI Rating: Speculative) (www.majordrilling.com; 1-866-264- 3986; Shares outstanding: 23.4 million; Market cap: $1.1 billion) is one of the world’s largest drilling service companies serving the mining industry. In the three months ended April 30, 2007, Major Drilling’s revenues rose 45.1%, to a record $129 million from $89 million. Earnings rose 91.5%, to a record $17.8 million or $0.77 a share, from $9.3 million or $0.40 a share. Cash flow per share was $1.07 a share in the latest quarter. Major Drilling holds cash of $25 million or $1.08 a share. Long-term debt is low at $18.1 million or 8% of equity. Major Drilling continues to benefit from high prices of nickel, copper, gold, silver and zinc, which spur exploration activity. The company has also diversified its drilling services, and currently has seven rigs drilling for oil and gas in the U.S. Earlier this year, the company sold its manufacturing division and closed its unprofitable operations in China. It…