Updating Shermag Inc., Computer Modelling Group and Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co.

Article Excerpt

SHERMAG INC. $1.91 (Toronto symbol SMG; SI Rating: Speculative) (819-566-1515; www.shermag.com; Shares outstanding: 13.3 million; Market cap: $25.5 million) makes high-quality residential furniture at plants in Quebec and New Brunswick. It has suffered in the past few years from the strength of the Canadian dollar, which cuts the price of imported furniture and raises Shermag’s export prices. Shermag’s sales fell 17.4% in the three months ended December 29, 2006, to $38.4 million from $46.5 million. The company lost $7.7 million or $0.58 a share, compared to a loss of $4.3 million or $0.32 a share a year earlier. In addition to the impact of the higher Canadian dollar, Shermag had to absorb startup costs at a new distribution centre in Montreal. The latest quarter also included a $3.5 million charge to shut down two plants in Quebec, as part of its shift of production to Asian suppliers. Competition from China remains a threat, but Shermag is on track to ultimately shift 50%…