Russel expands U.S. reach

Article Excerpt

RUSSEL METALS $29.39 (Toronto symbol RUS; TSINetwork Rating: Extra Risk) (905-819-7777; www.russelmetals.com; Shares o/s: 61.9 million; Market cap: $1.8 billion; Dividend yield: 5.2%) is one of North America’s largest metal distributors. It serves over 28,000 clients at 51 locations in Canada and 12 in the U.S. Russel has acquired DuBose Steel for an undisclosed amount. DuBose is a structural steel service operation with processing capabilities. From its facilities in Roseboro and Fayetteville, North Carolina, it serves customers along the U.S. East Coast, including the southeast. Total revenue for DuBose over the last year was roughly $85 million. That’s small in comparison to Russel’s annual sales of over $3.3 billion. But DuBose will add immediately to profits and let Russel expand further into the U.S. Russel Metals is a buy. buy…