Couche-Tard builds niche

Article Excerpt

ALIMENTATION COUCHE-TARD $81.15 (Toronto symbol ATD.B: TSINetwork Rating: Average) (1-800-361-2612; www.couchetard.com; Shares outstanding: 564.4 million; Market cap: $45.8 billion; Dividend yield: 0.6%) continues to expand into the market for cannabis. Its latest move is an investment in Fire & Flower Holdings Corp. (symbol FAF on Toronto). This includes a $26 million debenture convertible into 24.3 million shares of Fire & Flower at $1.07 each. If Couche-Tard opts to convert the debentures, it’ll own 9.9% of Fire & Flower. The company also received warrants exercisable into a 50.1% interest in Fire & Flower. That firm is a licensed cannabis retailer in Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and the Yukon. It’s also a consultant and licensor to Fire & Flower-branded retail locations in the province of Ontario. Alimentation Couche-Tard is a top pick for 2019. 2019…