Updating CAMECO CORP., INTACT FINANCIAL and SYMANTEC

Article Excerpt

CAMECO CORP. $17.79 (Toronto symbol CCO; TSINetwork Rating: Extra Risk) (306-956-6200; www.cameco.com; Shares outstanding: 390.0 million; Market cap: $6.9 billion; Dividend yield 2.3%) has dropped its hostile takeover bid for Hathor Exploration (symbol HAT on Toronto). However, Cameco could still profit from Hathor’s uranium properties (see below). Hathor’s main exploration properties, including its Midwest Northeast property, are on the east side of the Athabasca Basin. This region contains all of Canada’s producing uranium mines and accounts for 23% of global production. Cameco holds cash of $1.2 billion, or $3.30 a share, so it can afford to make acquisitions that enhance its growth prospects. However, it dropped its Hathor bid because it felt the price had risen too high. However, Cameco has uranium-processing facilities in the area, and mining giant Rio Tinto, whose takeover bid for Hathor was successful, doesn’t. As well, Canadian law prohibits foreign companies from owning majority stakes in Canadian uranium mines. A mine at Midwest Northeast is still years away, but…