Smart growth strategy gives CGI an edge

Article Excerpt

CGI GROUP INC. $63 (Toronto symbol GIB.A; Aggressive Growth Portfolio, Manufacturing & Industry sector; Shares outstanding: 299.8 million; Market cap: $18.9 billion; Price-to-sales ratio: 1.8; No dividends paid; TSINetwork Rating: Extra Risk; www.cgi.com) is Canada’s largest provider of computer-outsourcing services. It helps its clients automate routine functions such as accounting and buying supplies. That makes companies more efficient and lets them focus on their main businesses. CGI follows what it calls its “Build and Buy” strategy. The “build” part refers to the expansion of its relationships with current clients as well as the development of new ones. The “buy” part involves making acquisitions. CGI tempers the risk of buying other companies by targeting firms that complement its expertise or help it expand geographically. Big acquisition continues to pay off For example, in August 2012, CGI paid $2.7 billion for U.K.-based outsourcing firm Logica. As a result, the company’s revenue jumped 120.0%, from $4.8 billion in 2012 to $10.5 billion in 2014 (fiscal…