Fording May Get a Bid…

Article Excerpt

FORDING CANADIAN COAL TRUST $35.59 (Toronto symbol FDG.UN; SI Rating: Average) has gained roughly 40% since early April, partly due to growing demand for coal from Chinese steel makers. Right now, these companies get most of their coal from Australia. However, some Australian ports are having trouble coping with the rising volumes, and Chinese companies are looking to alternative sources, such as Canada. Fording did reach as high as $37 recently after Teck Cominco announced a friendly takeover bid for Aur Resources (a pick of our Stock Pickers Digest newsletter, with a gain of 1,285% since we first recommend it at $3 in 2002). Fording holds a 60% interest in Elk Valley Coal in B.C., the world’s second-largest supplier of metallurgical coal, a key ingredient in steelmaking. Teck Cominco directly owns the remaining 40% of Elk Valley. Teck is actively looking at more acquisitions, and Fording Canadian Coal is a possible target. Teck already holds an 8.74% interest in Fording. That’s not reason enough…