New products set to fuel sales

Article Excerpt

MOLSON COORS CANADA INC. is still a hold. The brewer (Toronto symbols TPX.A $83 and TPX.B $82; Conservative Growth Portfolio, Consumer sector; Shares outstanding: 216.5 million; Market cap: $18.0 billion; Price-to-sales ratio: 1.1; Dividend yield: 2.7%; TSINetwork Rating: Average; www.molsoncoors.com) aims to spur its long-term growth by focusing on its core brands and expanding its line of premium priced products. It also plans to launch more non-beer products, such as whiskey and non-alcoholic beverages. Molson expects the new plan will increase its annual sales by between 1% and 5% (excluding currency rates). Earnings before unusual items should also rise around 9% annually. As well, the company intends to buy back $2 billion U.S. of its shares over the next five years. However, rising costs for ingredients, labour and transportation add risk. Molson Coors is a hold. hold…