Large reserves help cut Teck’s risk

Article Excerpt

TECK RESOURCES LTD. $25 (Toronto symbol TECK.B; Conservative Growth Portfolio, Resources sector; Shares outstanding: 577.7 million; Market cap: $14.4 billion; Price-to sales ratio: 1.4; Dividend yield: 0.8%; TSINetwork Rating: Extra Risk; www.teck.com) is a leading producer of metallurgical coal, a key ingredient in steel making. The reserves at its six coal mines (five in B.C. and one in Alberta) should last between 9 and 46 years. Asian customers buy 75% of the company’s coal. In 2016, coal supplied 44% of Teck’s revenue and 57% of earnings. In addition, the company produces zinc (34% of revenue, 35% of earnings); it’s added to steel to prevent rusting. Teck is also a major supplier of copper (22%, 8%) and other metals like gold, lead and molybdenum (used in steelmaking). Revenue, earnings recover in 2016 Weaker prices for its commodities cut Teck’s revenue by 20.1%, from $10.3 billion in 2012 to $8.3 billion in 2015. However, higher coal and zinc prices helped revenue rebound to $9.3 billion in…