Topic: How To Invest

Q: Hi Pat, what are your thoughts on AutoCanada at the current price?

Article Excerpt

A: AutoCanada Inc., $23.44, symbol ACQ on Toronto (Shares outstanding: 27.5 million; Market cap: $638.4 million; www.autocan.ca), has 57 franchised car dealerships in eight provinces. The company sells 22 makes of vehicles, including Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Ram, Fiat, Chevrolet, GMC, Buick, Cadillac, Nissan, Hyundai, Subaru, Audi, Volkswagen, Mercedes and BMW. However, Chrysler cars and trucks (including Dodge, Jeep, Ram, Alfa Romeo and Fiat) supply around 41% of its revenue. The company continues to fuel its growth by acquiring more dealerships. In May 2017, it paid $16.1 million for Mercedes-Benz Rive-Sud in Montreal. Other recent purchases include two Guelph, Ontario, dealerships: Guelph Hyundai, purchased for $14.1 million in December 2016, and Wellington Motors, purchased for $30.7 million in October 2016. Wellington sells Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, and Ram vehicles. AutoCanada’s revenue rose 6.3% in the three months ended June 30, 2017, to $894.9 million from $842.3 million a year earlier. The total number of new-vehicle sales was up 11%, to 13,429. Revenue from those transactions (62% of the…