Two Trusts With Growth Ahead

Article Excerpt

SLEEP COUNTRY CANADA INCOME FUND $20.89 (Toronto symbol Z.UN; SI Rating: Extra Risk) is the largest retailer of mattresses in Canada. Mattress sets account for about 90% of its sales. Other products include head boards, foot boards, pillows, mattress pads, bed frames and sheets. In the three months ended September 30, 2007, Sleep Country’s sales rose 7.1%, to $104.7 million from $97.8 million a year earlier. Cash flow per unit rose 11.3%, to $0.89 from $0.80. In January 2006, Sleep Country bought Dormez-Vous Sleep Centres, a Montreal mattress retailer with five stores. In March 2006, Sleep Country purchased Sleep America, an Arizona mattress retailer. There are now 24 stores in Quebec and 44 in Arizona, in addition to 126 stores in Canada outside Quebec. Sales in Canada rose 9.7% in the latest quarter, including new Dormez-Vous stores opened in Quebec. That was offset by 2.6% lower sales at Sleep America, due to weak market conditions. The fund pays a monthly distribution of $0.1208 per…