Topic: How To Invest

Q: Pat: I have Methanex in my portfolio. How do you see the stock? Is it worth holding?

Article Excerpt

A: Methanex Corp., $74.16, symbol MX on Toronto (Shares outstanding: 89.8 million; Market cap: $6.6 billion; www.methanex.com), is a Vancouver-based methanol producer and distributor. In fact, it’s the world’s largest supplier of methanol, with an estimated market share of 14%. The company produces 27% of its methanol in the U.S., 26% in New Zealand, 25% in Trinidad (where it holds a 63.1% stake in Atlas Methanol), 8% in Medicine Hat, Alberta, 7% in Egypt (where it owns 50% of the facility), and 6% in Chile. In addition, Methanex resells methanol produced by others. Also known as wood alcohol, methanol is a clear, liquid hydrocarbon that is water-soluble and biodegradable. It is usually made by mixing natural gas with steam to create a liquid. This liquid is then distilled to create pure methanol. Methanex buys most of the natural gas it needs under contracts that tie its cost to the selling price of methanol. This helps cut its risk. Methanol is traditionally used to manufacture…