Topic: How To Invest

Pat: Westport Innovations recently took a big drop. Can you tell me why? Thanks.

Article Excerpt

Westport Innovations, $27.31, symbol WPT on Toronto (Shares outstanding: 54.8 million; Market cap: $1.5 billion; www.westport.com), makes natural-gas-powered engines and develops technology that lets engines use natural gas and other alternative fuels, like hydrogen. In the three months ended December 31, 2011, Westport’s revenue jumped 154.7%, to $100.6 million from $39.5 million a year earlier. (All figures except share price and market cap in U.S. dollars.) However, the company lost $14.5 million, or $0.30 a share. A year earlier, it lost $13.5 million, or $0.31 a share. Westport shares rose to a peak of $49.68 in late March 2012, but they have since plunged almost 45% to today’s price. The drop was caused by news that Cummins Inc. (symbol CMI on New York) and Navistar International Corp. (symbol NAV on New York) will begin making 15-litre natural gas engines that will directly compete with Westport’s own models. Right now, the company has a 50/50 joint venture with Cummins, called Cummins Westport Inc., which sells…