Expansion should pay off for these two

Article Excerpt

FORTRESS PAPER $34.90 (Toronto symbol FTP; SI Rating: Extra Risk) (1-888-820-3888; www.fortresspaper.com; Shares outstanding: 12.1 million; Market cap: $423.9 million; No dividends paid) operates a plant in Switzerland that makes security paper used in banknotes, passports and visas. The company’s German plant makes high-quality wallpaper-base products. In April 2010, Fortress bought an idled pulp plant in Thurso, Quebec, for $3 million. It restarted pulp production, but plans to convert the plant to produce a type of cellulose mainly used in viscose-fibre (rayon) products, including clothing. This fibre has strong growth prospects, particularly in warmer regions with growing economies, such as Asia and South America. The Quebec and federal governments will contribute grants, tax credits and loans for most of the $153-million conversion. Start up is scheduled for mid-2011. In the three months ended June 30, 2010, Fortress’ revenue rose 22%, to $60.5 million from $49.6 million a year earlier. Excluding one-time items, earnings per share rose 42.3%, to $0.37 from $0.26. Strong…