Imperial is Still a Buy

Article Excerpt

IMPERIAL OIL $43.49 (Toronto symbol IMO; SI Rating: Average) is Canada’s largest integrated oil company, with operations in all phases of the petroleum industry. Imperial had to cut production by 50% at its Nanticoke refinery in Sarnia, Ontario due to a fire in December, 2006. This plant accounted for about 25% of Imperial’s refining capacity, and the slowdown led to shortages at many of its Ontario gas stations. The plant restarted at the end of February, and has now returned to full capacity. It’s unlikely the fire will have a material impact on Imperial’s 2007 profits. The company now trades at 16.1 times the $2.70 a share it’s likely to make in 2007. It also trades at 11.2 times its forecast cash flow of $3.90 in 2007. Imperial Oil is still a buy. buy…