Topic: How To Invest

Pat: What is your opinion of Thompson Creek Metals? Thanks.

Article Excerpt

Thompson Creek Metals Co. Inc., $0.72, symbol TCM on Toronto (Shares outstanding: 220.9 million; Market cap: $152.4 million, www.thompsoncreekmetals.com), owns the Thompson Creek molybdenum mine in Idaho, a roasting facility in Langeloth, Pennsylvania, 75% of the Endako molybdenum mine and mill in B.C. and 100% of the Mount Milligan copper/gold mine, also in B.C. Molybdenum prices have fallen to 12-year lows, forcing Thompson to shut down both the Thompson Creek and Endako projects. Molybdenum is either mined directly or recovered as a by-product of copper mining. The metal strengthens and prevents rust in alloys and high-temperature steels. Thompson’s results now rest on Mount Milligan, which has yet to fully resolve the operating problems it has experienced since it started up early last year. Copper and gold prices also remain low, and the company’s weak balance sheet adds a lot of risk: it holds cash of $238.2 million U.S., but it also has a high $865.1 million U.S. of long-term debt. We don’t…