Aimia’s dividend looks safe

Article Excerpt

AIMIA INC. $9.39 (Toronto symbol AIM; TSINetwork Rating: Extra Risk) (514-897-6800; www.aimia.com; Shares outstanding: 157.8 million; Market cap: $1.4 billion; Dividend yield: 8.1%) owns and operates Aeroplan, Canada’s largest loyalty program, plus other loyalty plans in the U.K, the Middle East, Italy and Mexico. In the three months ended September 30, 2015, Aimia’s revenue fell 2.6%, to $529.3 million from $543.4 million a year earlier. The company’s earnings per share declined 22.2%, to $0.14 from $0.18. Weaker economic conditions in Canada and Europe cut consumer spending, which meant less use of credit cards and Aeroplan miles. Aimia now plans to cut costs by closing offices and laying off 200 of its 4,000 employees. It will also look at selling non-essential assets, such as its analytics division or Club Premier in Mexico. Meanwhile, the company’s results should improve with economic growth. The asset sales will bolster its already-strong balance sheet. Aimia’s shares yield 8.1% but its high distribution appears sustainable: the…