CGI closes in on buyback target

Article Excerpt

CGI GROUP INC. $63 (Toronto symbol GIB.A; Aggressive Growth Portfolio, Manufacturing & Industry sector; Shares outstanding: 304.8 million; Market cap: $19.2 billion; Price-to-sales ratio: 1.8; No dividends paid; TSINetwork Rating: Extra Risk; www.cgi.com) is Canada’s largest provider of computer outsourcing services. The company helps its clients automate routine functions such as accounting. That makes them more efficient and lets them focus on their main businesses. The company will now repurchase 2.75 million of its class A shares from a private seller at a discount to the market price. This move is part of the company’s plan to buy back up to 21.4 million of its class A shares, or roughly 10% of the total outstanding, by February 3, 2017. Share buybacks raise earnings per share and give the remaining investors a larger stake in the company. CGI Group is our top Aggressive buy for 2016. 2016…