Small buy for cash-rich Weston

Article Excerpt

GEORGE WESTON LTD. $83.48 (Toronto symbol WN; Shares outstanding: 129.1 million; Market cap: $10.8 billion; SI Rating: Above Average; Dividend yield: 1.7%) owns Weston Foods, which makes fresh and frozen baked goods. As well, it has a 62% interest in Loblaw Companies. Weston is buying U.S.-based Keystone Bakeries for $185 million U.S. Keystone is made up of Freed’s Bakery, a leading supplier of frozen cupcakes; Granny’s Kitchens, which makes pre-fried and “thaw-and-sell” doughnuts, and Heartland Baking, a supplier of “thaw-and-serve” cookies. Weston holds cash of $5 billion, so it can easily afford Keystone. Looking ahead, Weston could use its high cash balance to increase its stake in Loblaw. It could also buy other companies like Keystone Bakeries, or grocery-store chains in western Canada or the U.K. The company may also raise its dividend or pay a special dividend. George Weston is a buy. buy…