Buys For Yield Plus Capital Gains

Article Excerpt

PRECISION DRILLING TRUST $27.11 (Toronto symbol PD.UN; SI Rating: Extra risk) (403-716-4500; www.precisiondrilling.com; Shares outstanding: 125.6 million; Market cap: $3.4 billion) is Canada’s largest provider of drilling and related services to the oil and gas industry. Precision’s drilling fleet consists of 244 land drilling rigs with depth capacities ranging up to 6,700 meters. Precision reported lower results in the three months ended March 31, 2007. Revenues fell 23.5%, to $410.5 million from $536.4 million. Earnings per share fell 29.6%, to $1.26 from $1.79. Cash flow per share fell 22.4%, to $1.56 from $2.01. Demand and prices for drilling services have fallen since last year, along with natural gas prices. Gas in storage remains above the five-year average. Precision’s customers have cut their 2007 natural gas drilling plans, although oil drilling will probably stay relatively constant. Natural gas represents about 75% of all drilling in Western Canada. Despite the lower activity, Precision’s cash flow remains relatively strong. The trust trades for just 4.3 times…