Rising sales buoy these growth stocks

Article Excerpt

TOROMONT INDUSTRIES LTD. $46.80 (Toronto symbol TIH; TSINetwork Rating: Extra Risk) (416-667-5511; www.toromont.com; Shares outstanding: 78.3 million; Market cap: $3.6 billion; Dividend yield: 1.7%) distributes a broad range of industrial equipment, including machinery made by Caterpillar Inc. It also makes refrigeration systems through its CIMCO division. In the quarter ended December 31, 2016, Toromont’s sales rose 1.8%, to $480.7 million from $472.0 million a year earlier. Earnings per share also increased 1.8%, to $0.58 per share from $0.57. Revenue and profits rose because strong sales of refrigeration systems in Canada and the U.S. offset flat demand for equipment rentals and maintenance services. Delays in government infrastructure spending have slowed equipment sales and rentals. The slowdown in Western Canada has also increased competition and lowered rental and sales prices. Solid balance sheet, rising dividends The company’s financial position is strong: it holds cash of $110.4 million, or $1.41 a share; its $150.6 million debt represents just 4.2% of its market cap. Toromont has raised its dividend…