MDI’s future is bright

Article Excerpt

MAJOR DRILLING $4.39 (Toronto symbol MDI; TSINetwork Rating: Speculative) (1-866- 264-3986; www.majordrilling.com; Shares outstanding: 80.1 million; Market cap: $360.6 million; Dividend yield: 0.9%) is a large contract driller that mainly serves the mining industry. In the three months ended October 31, 2015, Major’s revenue fell 2.9%, to $84.7 million from $87.2 million a year earlier. The company’s loss narrowed to $5.3 million, or $0.07 a share, from $10.1 million, or $0.13. However, the year-ago quarter included $2.8 million of pre-tax restructuring charges related to the closure of its operations in South Africa and Namibia. Major’s results could remain weak into next year, but its longer-term outlook is bright. The company continues to report positive cash flow, despite the significant industry downturn: its cash flow was $9.8 million, or $0.12 a share, in the latest quarter, up from $3.6 million, or $0.05, a year earlier. Its balance sheet is also strong, with cash of $49.6 million, or $0.62 a share. The…