Retail buys for growth and income

Article Excerpt

BMTC GROUP $18.50 (Toronto symbol GBT.A; SI Rating: Extra Risk) (514-648-5757; No web site; Shares outstanding: 26.0 million; Market cap: $481 million; Dividend yield: 1.1%) is one of Quebec’s largest retailers of furniture, electronics and household appliances. It sells these through its two affiliates: Brault & Martineau Inc. and Ameublements Tanguay. The company has 20 large stores in the Montreal, Quebec City, Repentigny, Laval, Saint-George, Sainte-Therese, Chicoutimi, Trois-Rivieres, Sherbrooke, Rimouski, Riviere-du-Loup and Gatineau areas. It also has six liquidation centres, six Sleep Gallery stores and two distribution and administration centres in Montreal and Quebec City. In the three months ended March 31, 2010, BMTC’s sales rose 8.5%, to $183.1 million from $168.8 million. Earnings per share rose 27.3%, to $0.14 from $0.11. Cost cuts and higher investment returns helped push up earnings. BMTC holds cash of $69.5 million, plus $47.8 million of investments. These total $4.51 a share. It has no long-term debt. The shares yield 1.1%. The company’s earnings outlook this year is…