Research powers Sierra

Article Excerpt

SIERRA WIRELESS $21.56 (Toronto symbol SW; TSINetwork Rating: Extra Risk) (604-231-1100; www.sierrawireless.com; Shares outstanding: 32.1 million; Market cap: $689.1 million; No dividends paid) makes digital components that connect products, including smart electricity meters and vehicles, to the Internet. This is known as machine-to-machine networking, or the Internet of Things. In the quarter ended September 30, 2016, the company made sales of $153.6 million. That’s a slight drop from $154.6 million a year earlier (all figures except share price in U.S. dollars). In the latest quarter, Sierra earned $0.13 a share. That’s down 43.4% from $0.23. The company is preparing to launch 40 new products. That plan has held back sales and profits as customers wait on the new components before they place their orders. Sierra devotes a high 12% of its revenue to research. It holds cash of $112.1 million, or $3.50 a share, and has low debt. Sierra Wireless is a buy. buy…