Tims switches to Canada

Article Excerpt

TIM HORTONS $28.93 (Toronto symbol THI; SI Rating: Average) (905-845-6511; www.timhortons.com; Shares outstanding: 181 million; Market cap: $5.2 billion) operates 3,457 coffee-and-donut shops, including 2,930 in Canada and 527 in the U.S., where the company is incorporated, despite the fact that the U.S. accounts for less than 10% of its revenue. Tim Hortons was a wholly owned subsidiary of U.S.-based Wendy’s International Inc. (now part of Wendy’s/Arby’s Group Inc., New York symbol WEN) until March 2006. Tim Hortons now plans to become a Canadian company in order to take advantage of lower Canadian income-tax rates. Corporate tax rates in the U.S. are now over 30%, and Canada’s combined federal and provincial rate will be around 25% in two years. Shareholders will continue to own the same number of shares and have the same interest in the company. As well, Tim Hortons’ shares will still trade in both Toronto and New York under the “THI” symbol. Tim Hortons is still a buy. buy…