Pick of the Technology Stocks – Outlook is Bright for Aastra and Tucows

Article Excerpt

AASTRA TECHNOLOGIES $25.82 (Toronto symbol AAH; SI Rating: Speculative) (905-760-4200; www.aastra.com; Shares outstanding: 16.0 million; Market cap: $413.7 million) develops and markets products and systems for accessing communication networks, including the Internet. In the three months ended March 31, 2008, Aastra’s revenues fell 8.6%, to $140 million from $153.3 million. Earnings per share excluding one-time items fell 36.5%, to $0.33 from $0.52. Lower European sales and the strong Canadian dollar hurt revenues and earnings. Higher expenses and continued weakness in the U.S. market also hurt profits. Aastra holds cash and marketable securities of $153.8 million, or $9.61 a share. Aastra continues to expand successfully by acquiring money-losing product lines in which distressed sellers have invested large sums in research and market development. The acquisitions add risk, but the company has a good track record in integrating new businesses. Aastra recently completed the purchase of the enterprise communications business of Swedish telecom giant Ericsson. The acquisition expands Aastra’s presence in Western Europe in particular,…