Topic: How To Invest

Pat: Could you give your opinion on Savaria, SIS? Thank you.

Article Excerpt

A: Savaria Corp., $7.29, symbol SIS on Toronto (Shares outstanding: 32.6 million; Market cap: $227.8 million; www.savaria.com), makes products for people with limited mobility. The company has two main businesses: Accessibility (87% of revenue) makes stairlifts, platform lifts and elevators for homes and businesses. Adapted Vehicles (13%) installs ramps and lowered floors in minivans so they can take wheelchairs. This business serves both private vehicles and taxi fleets. Savaria operates two plants in Canada and one in China. It mainly sells its products and services through 300 independent dealers; its major markets are the U.S. (55% of revenue), Canada (36%) and other countries (9%). Thanks to the successful launch of new products and the company’s acquisition of related businesses, Savaria’s revenue rose 45.9%, from $65.3 million in 2011 to $95.3 million in 2015. Earnings fell from $0.09 a share (or a total of $2.0 million) in 2011 to $0.07 a share (or $1.6 million) in 2012. The drop was mainly due to higher interest costs and…