Pick of the Resource Service Stocks – Hold These Two Resource Service Stocks

Article Excerpt

MAJOR DRILLING. $59.65 (Toronto symbol MDI; SI Rating: Speculative) (www.majordrilling.com; 1-866-264- 3986; Shares outstanding: 23.6 million; Market cap: $1.4 billion) is one of the world’s largest drilling service companies serving the mining industry. In the three months ended October 31, 2007, Major Drilling’s revenues rose 53.3%, to a record $156.1 million from $101.8 million. Excluding one-time items, earnings rose 76.1%, to a record $22.8 million or $0.97 a share, from $13 million or $0.56 a share. Cash flow rose 58.5%, to $31.3 million or $1.33 a share from $19.8 million or $0.86 a share. Major Drilling holds cash of $15.7 million or $0.67 a share. Longterm debt is low at $13 million. During the latest quarter, the company acquired two businesses: Harris Drilling in Chile for $23.5 million U.S. and Paragon Drilling in Ecuador for $6.7 million U.S. The acquisitions added 18 drilling rigs. Major Drilling now operates almost 500 drilling rigs worldwide. Major Drilling continues to benefit from high prices of nickel, copper,…