Gaining Ground

Keyera (TSX: KEY, OTC: KEYUF) reported a solid third quarter as recently completed capital projects drove higher cash flows for the period.

Adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization jumped 24% to CAD188 million, compared to the prior year. All three of its businesses, Gathering and Processing, NGL Infrastructure and Marketing performed well with operating margins improving 28%, 21% and 24%, respectively.

Distributable cash flow (DCF) rose to CAD127 million, or CAD0.75 per share, up from CAD124 million, or CAD0.74 per share the prior year’s quarter. DCF payout ratio remained flat at 49%.

Keyera announced it will acquire a 50% stake in TransCanada’s planned Grand Rapids pipeline, which will transport up to 225,000 barrels per day between Edmonton and Fort Saskatchewan. It also plans to invest about CAD600 million to CAD800 million in capital spending next year.

After acquiring True North Apartment REIT, Northern Property REIT has become Canada’s third-largest multifamily REIT with a portfolio of over 24,000 residential suites. The company also announced it will change its name to Northview Apartment REIT, which will trade on the TSX under the ticker NVU.UN.

For the third quarter, the company reported net operating income rose 1% to CAD30.9 million due to contributions from newly acquired properties. Funds from operations (FFO) for the third quarter rose 0.4% to CAD21.6 million. On a per-share basis, FFO rose 1.5% to CAD0.68 per share, which generated a FFO payout ratio of 60%.

Shaw Communications (TSX: SJR/B, NYSE: SJR) reported fourth-quarter earnings jumped 44% to CAD276 million, or CAD0.57 per share. The company’s bottom line benefited from sale of its wireless spectrum to Rogers Communications after it decided to give up on becoming a national wireless carrier.

Revenues for the quarter rose 6.3% to CAD1.34 billion due to contributions from ViaWest which was acquired in Sep 2014. Revenues picked up despite fiercer pricing competition and the company’s declining customer base, which fell 3.8% to 5.3 million accounts.

For the full year 2015, revenues rose 4.7% to CAD5.5 billion but net income fell 1% to CAD880 million.

TransForce (TSX: TFI, OTC: TFIFF) posted a strong quarter due to contributions from acquisitions made in the past 12 months and favorable currency exchange. Total revenues from continuing operations rose 13% to CAD1.07 billion, and revenues before fuel surcharge rose 18% to CAD971.1 million.

Net income from continuing operations rose to CAD43 million, or CAD0.43 per diluted share, compared with CAD38.6 million, or CAD0.38 per share last year.

The company lifted its adjusted EPS guidance range for 2015 by 10 cents to CAD2.07 to CAD2.22. During the quarter the company announced it will sell its Matrec solid waste division to GFL for CAD800 million. Management said it will shop around for acquisitions in 2016 with a focus on U.S. truckload firms.

After weighing down its third quarter, Magna International’s (TSX: MG, NYSE: MGA) production issues will continue to drag on its earnings. For the third quarter, the company reported total earnings fell to $470 million, or $1.13 per share, from $487 million, or $1.14 per share last year. Revenues decreased 7% to $7.66 billion due to negative currency impacts from a strong U.S. dollar of about $870 million. On a constant currency basis, revenues were up 3%.

Management expects operational glitches in three of its plants will continue into the first half of 2016.

 

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