STOCKCHASE

Relatively high dividend and these kinds of stocks have moved. Very economically sensitive. If you are thinking of selling something that was up that was a yield play, this would fit more than others.

2012-02-06

Comment

24.790

Sandy McIntyre

Steel service centers. Big inventory. Cyclical business. Believes we are in a growth phase of the business cycle and people are overreacting to a lot of the political/economic noise. They did a convertible debt issue that he participated in.

2012-01-18

BUY

23.120

Brooke Thackray

We moved into the positive season for metals. The sector has been so compressed over the last couple of months that we have started the season early. We have broken through the trend line, which is very positive.

2011-10-27

BUY

20.800

Greg Newman

Dividend very safe, well run company. They had second year or year growth for second quarter. Steel demand is moderating here as is steel pricing. Management has a great ability to grow the company and make acquisitions. This is a name you could try to buy down here. A bit of a higher risk company.

2011-09-22

BUY

22.620

Douglas Kee

Well managed and a decent yield. Increased their dividend twice in the last 12 months. Overall, the economy isn’t great, but steel prices held in reasonably well. Have stated they are going to payout 80% of their earnings in dividends so if the steel market gets bad, they will be cutting their dividends.

2011-08-29

Comment

23.710

Recently sold his holdings in order to de-risk the portfolio and raise cash. Well managed and he thinks the dividend is safe. 70% Canadian and 30% US and would be at risk in an economic dip.

2011-08-15

Comment

23.470

Charles Oliver, HBSc CFA

Steel distribution. Well run. Has done very well with China spurring the steel market. Also benefit from the oil and tubular goods in the oil patch. Good yield. His concern would be the potential slowdown in China.

2011-07-28

HOLD

25.600

Good balance sheet and very well run. They are metal benders. They cut the distribution. 70% Canadian. There is room for a dividend increase but not this year. As long as momentum continues he is happy to hold it.

2011-05-10

DON'T BUY

25.250

Brian Acker, CA

Probably at its high. The high he could see would probably be around $28. His model price is $30 and he doesn’t see much upside.

2011-05-06

PARTIAL SELL

26.370

John O'Connell, CFA

Thinks they will be reasonably cautious going into this environment. Very well run company. 4.1% yield but doesn’t expect a big dividend increase in the near term. A cyclical name so if you own and have made a profit, consider taking some off the table. Thins trader so it can get pushed around pretty quickly.

2011-04-11

BUY

22.150

Stan Wong

Likes this one. Stock has done well. Likes the industrial sector. If you believe that we are trudging along and the economy is moving, this is one that you want to own.

2010-11-18

BUY

19.990

Brooke Thackray

Metals and mining does well ¾ way through November. A very positive (ascending triangle). Very positive - when the lows are getting higher and higher. If the market starts to go it go will up.

2010-11-01

BUY

21.360

Douglas Kee

Well managed company. Cyclical business. Good dividend. Cut dividends 18 months or so ago but did it for the right reasons. Have cash in the bank, which hopefully they will spend on buying more assets.

2010-10-25

PAST TOP PICK

19.450

(A Top Pick July 20/09. Up 34.78%.) Holds some of their convertible debentures but not the shares.

2010-08-26

PAST TOP PICK

18.880

(A Top Pick July 20/09. Up 22.3% excluding dividends.) Got out of most of his holdings but still owns a convertible debenture. Can be very cyclical.

2010-08-16

DON'T BUY

19.210

Steel service centre, which makes them a very cyclical company tied into the economy.

2010-08-11

WAIT

19.620

Christine Poole

Metal distributor and is a North American play on industrial activity. Steel prices have improved this last year because of increased input costs. Capacity utilization is still quite low at about 70% and in order for steel prices to really stick, it has to be closer to 80%. Attractive dividend yield at 5.1%.

2010-07-26

HOLD

19.290

David Cockfield

Handled themselves very well. The auto sector is not at important to them as you would think. They will kick up their dividend as soon as they are able.

2010-07-22

PAST TOP PICK

18.800

(A Top Pick July 20/09. Up 29.57%.)

2010-07-19

SPECULATIVE BUY

18.980

David Cockfield

Recent numbers are beginning to show a distinct improvement. Deal with structural steal. Dividend looks okay, but is a bit more speculative.

2010-02-26

BUY

17.480

Lyle Stein

Likes it for it’s high yield. High yield is >3%. They are quire levered to the price of steel. The dividend is reasonably safe and that’s why it’s in his portfolio. He hasn’t added to it lately. It is a half position.

2010-02-12

HOLD

17.300

A good hold for the dividend. Not expecting it to go up anytime soon. A window onto the steel industry and the outlook is better but it's slow in coming.

2010-01-29

HOLD

18.940

Douglas Kee

Good business and great management. Reasonable yield. If the steel business does not come back over the next 18 months they'll probably cut the dividend again.

2010-01-08

TOP PICK

16.940

Andrew McCreath

7.5% Convertible debentures. Very well run. Strong balance sheet so he knows he will get paid. Downside protection of a bond and if economy turns out stronger than he expects, he will make money from the free equity option.

2009-11-09

DON'T BUY

17.550

Benj Gallander

Just did an equity issue. Does not like it enough. There are so many turn around companies with much better upside.

2009-10-22

BUY

17.020

John Zechner

Has decent cash flow, decent dividend. You are getting a recovery. Valuation is reasonable. Cash flow will start to grow again. Would prefer a producer. Third quarter should look better because of the up tick in the auto industry.

2009-10-06

SPECULATIVE BUY

17.110

Prakash Hariharan

It’s a proxy on steel and iron. It’s a leveraged play. It depends on your opinion on what China is doing. If you think iron spot contract prices will have upward momentum, it is a good play to get into. Even though it is a dividend paying stock, it is still a proxy.

2009-09-29

TOP PICK

15.430

Well managed company and pays a good dividend. Very cyclical and he thinks we are coming back to the point in the cycle where the car plants are starting up again and construction will get some stimulus.

2009-07-20

HOLD

14.650

Jaime Carrasco

Likes this one. Has a good dividend. Have done extremely well through this period. Thinks they will get through this tunnel but we have to wait for steel demand to pick up.

2009-07-06

Comment

14.400

Jaime Carrasco

Likes this, but is a little bit cautious on it. Long-term it is a great hold. If you own, you could add a little bit here, otherwise wait. Almost 7% yield.

2009-05-22

PAST TOP PICK

13.900

Sandy McIntyre

(A Top Pick May 5/08. Down 51.06%.) Steel service centres. Sold his holdings after the Lehman failure. Back on his radar screen.

2009-05-14

DON'T BUY

11.820

Is a risky end of the market. Have not yet seen a rebound in cars or manufacturing, yet investors are willing to go back into this company. Doesn’t think dividend is safe. Wait for evidence that manufacturing is growing.

2009-04-14

Comment

11.190

David Cockfield

Essentially a distributor of steel products. Drilling pipe for Western Canada has really backed off. Cut the dividend but still has excellent yield of 9%. Good cash flow. Any kind of a pickup in Western Canada will improve their sales.

2009-04-09

HOLD

10.970

Veronika Hirsch

(Market Call Minute.) Has been beaten up.

2009-04-02

BUY

9.980

Jaime Carrasco

(Market Call Minute.) He is getting ready to buy this. Has a pretty good dividend. Very well-managed.

2009-03-13

PAST TOP PICK

10.240

Don Vialoux

(A Top Pick April 3/08. Down 59% but up 18% June 13 as recommended.) Sector is showing early signs of trying to bottom. Will probably be a MACD Buy signal today or tomorrow.

2009-03-10

DON'T BUY

10.040

Robert Lauzon

Not only are they in the steel industry but also just cut the dividend. Pushing up against some of their covenants in their debt agreements, which they should be able to work out with the bank but it could lead to another dividend cut. Until auto companies start ramping up again you want to sit on the sidelines.

2009-03-02

BUY

14.450

Thinks dividend is safe. Paid it through the last downturn and are very clear in saying they will do it again. Have enough free cash flow to do it. Businesses that use their metals are going to be weak because of the general economy. Probably a good entry point because you get paid to wait.

2009-02-23

SELL ON STRENGTH

18.700

Robert McWhirter

9.5% dividend. Growth ranks fairly well in his model and is in the top 15% of his database. Earnings estimates have been chopped by about 30% in the last 30 days. He is expecting a market rally in this company would benefit. He would view that as an opportunity to Sell.

2009-01-26

BUY

19.570

Gavin Graham

Excellent company. Paid out exceptional dividends when they have had a really good year so dividends may be lower than last year. Should benefit from any infrastructure play.

2009-01-14

Comment

19.800

Chris Smith

Steel distributor, not manufacturing. Very well run company and the balance sheet is in good shape. Will benefit from a volume pickup if the infrastructures spend occurs. Dividend should be sustainable. If you want to play steel, you are better off owning a steel producer.

2009-01-12

BUY

19.950

Beth Hamilton-Keen

RUS Beaten up. Earnings outlook for 2009 is quite low. Unique in that they are counter cyclical. In this recession they are drawing down inventory so cash flow is quite strong and allow them to support the dividend for a good 2 to 3 years. 9% yield.

2009-01-09

DON'T BUY

21.250

Over 8% yield. An economically sensitive company. With auto parts industry and manufacturing in general falling, feels the stock and dividend are vulnerable.

2008-11-06

Comment

19.300

Brendan Caldwell

(Market Call Minute.) In this sector, it would be a Buy. Great dividend.

2008-10-27

BUY

20.030

Bill MacLachlan

Exposed to the overall decline in commodity prices and fears of a slowdown. Not a typical metals company, more of a distribution arm, which gives them a little more protection. If you have a 3 to 5 year time horizon it is a compelling value. Good yield and well managed.

2008-10-23

BUY

18.940

Don Lato

Economically sensitive and that’s why the multiple has come down. Address their niche markets very well. IF we go into a prolonged slowdown then there will be some pressure on their earnings, but his research suggests the dividend is safe.

2008-10-08

HOLD

23.760

Thinks they will hold their dividend. Good balance sheet.

2008-09-29

DON'T BUY

29.850

(Market Call Minute.) Held up better than he expected.

2008-09-02

BUY

29.200

Don Lato

Metals distributor company, primarily steel. Very strong cash flows. Pays a very strong dividend.

2008-08-13

BUY on WEAKNESS

28.860

David Driscoll

This one has always been a difficult call. It all depends on what steel prices are doing. Dividend is quite good. Well run, well-managed company. Would be interested on any kind of a weakness.

2008-06-09

TOP PICK

30.430

Sandy McIntyre

Chose this for the regular distribution. No net debt. $500 million in inventory. Beneficiary of an uptick in tubular for the oil patch. 6% dividend with a history of paying out all of its earnings in a dividend. Long-term growth profile.

2008-05-05

Comment

28.480

This is a great yield stock at 6.4%. They can probably maintain their dividend, but where they are going to be hit is on the rebar side. Doesn't see a lot of building going to be going on.

2008-04-15

HOLD

28.400

Great dividend as well as a great balance sheet. Management is excellent and have said that they will live through the cycle. So much free cash flow and such a good balance sheet that even though there is economic sensitivity they will pay through the downturn.

2008-04-11

TOP PICK

25.880

Don Vialoux

Has been forming a potential reverse head and shoulders pattern. If it breaks above $26.80 it should go up to about $31. Fundamentally, the company has very strong first-quarter results. Earnings for the whole year are going to be up about 15%-20%.

2008-04-03

HOLD

26.050

A hold here. The cycle seems to be heading down. The yield is good.

2008-03-27

HOLD

24.570

Suspect of the share price in the past. Terrific operator, good yield on the stock, but the dividend is a bit suspect. Target in the high twenties.

2008-03-20

HOLD

25.050

Largely a distributor of rebar and metals that go into building projects. There has been a slowdown, which could affect this stock. For a long-term holder, he has no problems with this one. Has a pretty generous dividend at 7.2%.

2008-03-05

DON'T BUY

25.550

He would be suspect of the 7% dividend.. Have a very good operation in terms of trading steel, et cetera. Have shown some good numbers. Very good operator. This is a cyclical, so when the economy is rolling down, they will suffer somewhat.

2008-02-29

BUY

22.000

Brian Acker, CA

He has a model price of $37.40, which is a 70% positive differential. Looks good here.

2008-02-07

HOLD

20.280

The balance sheet is tremendous. Management is really good. Debt-free. They will continue to cover the dividend through cash flow. Yield is over 9%. Not overly exposed to the US.

2008-01-23

DON'T BUY

22.180

Would still wait a little while on this one. He would like to see an improving tone on the economy. Don't be in a big hurry on this one.

2008-01-15

BUY

25.030

Gavin Graham

Changes steeled into H-bars, I-beams, et cetera. Demand for steel is not so strong now. Very well managed company and when demand for steel picks up, it will do well again and in the meantime, you get 7.2% yield.

2008-01-02

PAST TOP PICK

25.450

(A Top Pick March 6/07. Down 9.2%.) Yield is almost 7%, which is attractive. Steel service centre, about 70% Canadian 30% US. Cdn$ has hurt their Canadian customers. Great balance sheet and really well managed. Still likes.

2007-12-31

HOLD

24.490

John Zechner

Feels the earnings are going to be a little challenged in the short term on most of the industrial companies. They seem to have skated pretty well through steel pricing issues. Had great cash generation and good dividend. Fighting headwinds on the currency on global growth. Thinks the profits will head down in the next year or two.

2007-12-05

DON'T BUY

24.300

Not bullish on this company because the manufacturers/construction/autos sectors in which they sell is going to be under continued pressure. Dividend is probably sustainable for a couple of quarters but their margins and sales volumes must be under pressure.

2007-11-29

BUY

23.500

Peter Hodson

Started buying it back again as he can't turn down a $7 dividend yield on a metal stock when everybody else has been taken over. The nice thing about this company is that because of their working capital turnover and inventory, a North American slowdown is not that bad for them from a cash flow point of view. Fabulously managed. Use $20 as your stoploss.

2007-11-26

Comment

24.840

A steel service so is economically sensitive. Had a great ride and did well with steel prices. As the economy slows and steel prices come off it will probably be getting hurt. 7.25% yield could be suspect in a slowdown. If you're a short-term investor, you might want to get out. If you’re long-term, this is a great company to own.

2007-11-20

WEAK BUY

24.970

Gavin Graham

Has been absolutely whacked in the last few months. Has a big Canadian exposure. Get a 6% dividend yield while you wait. Economically sensitive.

2007-11-19

Comment

27.360

Cyclical. Probably a trade for up a couple of $’s. Very shrewd managers. A winding down of the US economy and a potential for the Canadian economy to slow somewhat, pricing could come down. 6% dividend will eventually be cut.

2007-11-14

DON'T BUY

28.130

Bill Carrigan

Yield of 6.3%, which is quite high and would frighten him.. Stock had quite a long uptrend, which was violated in July. Commodity sensitive and he doesn't think the down is over yet.

2007-11-13

Comment

28.150

Alex Ruus

Had a pretty good run and there may be some profit taking now. Steel is pretty cyclical and has had a good run over the last 5 years.

2007-11-05

WEAK BUY

31.180

They pay a pretty impressive dividend, 5.83%. The metal distribution business is sensitive to the building environment. Well run company. We’ve been looking closely at it. If you’ve got a longer term view, you could buy here.

2007-10-26

Comment

31.200

Has done extremely well and has a very strong payout. You have to believe that the steel market and steel pricing will continue to hold up. If the construction cycle starts to wind down, you could get hurt.

2007-10-12

HOLD

30.160

Just made a small acquisition. Targets on the stock are around $34. Very astute operator.

2007-09-06

BUY

28.650

Derek Webb, CFA

The last steel company in Canada that could be acquired. Very high dividend yield. Earnings are going up. Very strong possibility they could be taken out.

2007-08-28

BUY

28.000

Peter Hodson

Spectacular management. Very fast inventory turnaround. "Would have been an income trust before that party ended."

2007-08-17

BUY

29.450

Veronika Hirsch

Dividend yield of 6% is incredibly attractive. Reported numbers that were a little weak due to the weakness in oil/gas exploration. Excellent management.

2007-08-01

Comment

32.190

5.5% dividend. There are increasing rumours on a takeover and he could see $40 on this. Without the takeover, $34-$35 would be his target. Would take some profit at $35.

2007-07-09

BUY

31.450

One of the best yielding stocks on the TSX, yields around 5% or better. The current pull back is an opportunity.

2007-06-15

SELL

30.810

In the steel distribution business. It has been a great period to be in the steel fabricating business. Good yield. Getting closer to the end and if you own, it might be wise to take some profits and keep a core position.

2007-05-30

PARTIAL BUY

30.790

Michael Smedley

Splendid dividend growth. A fine hold. You could buy a small bit at a time.

2007-05-25

PAST TOP PICK

33.620

Ian Nakamoto

(A Top Pick Aug 3/06. Up 17.4%.) The most shareholder friendly of all companies he follows. Consistently increases their dividends. Dividend of 5% plus. Low PE. Undervalued.

2007-05-14

HOLD

33.810

Alex Ruus

Would buy it back at the right price. Had a big run recently. Pretty good dividend.

2007-05-07

HOLD

30.410

Steel fabrication/warehousing. Very nice dividend. In the near-term, it looks OK.

2007-04-16

BUY

28.950

Brian Acker, CA

His model price is $43, but he would revise this down to $37.70. Cheap. Not big enough to qualify for his portfolio, but there is value there.

2007-04-12

BUY

28.500

Cheap at 10 X earnings. 5.8 % yield. Feels there's a 50% chance that it will be taken over in the next 12 months. No net debt. $35 on a takeover.

2007-04-02

PAST TOP PICK

28.340

Ian Nakamoto

(A Top Pick Aug 3/06. No change.) Nice dividend yield of about 5.75%. Very well run company. Still prices are turning around. Still likes.

2007-03-29

HOLD

27.710

Ron Meisels

This has been a fantastic stock. The 200-day moving average has followed the stock very well. Is now starting to flatten out. It could be subject to profit taking. Use $25 as your stop loss level.

2007-03-21

Comment

27.400

Pays out a high percentage of its earnings in dividends. Has the ability to make more acquisitions. They are in a cyclical business, so if there is a downturn in the economy and a softening in demand for steel products, the dividend may not be secure.

2007-03-13

Comment

27.700

Ross Healy

Hitting heavy resistance at about 2 X its book value. His FMV is 2.5 to 3 X the current price.

2007-03-07

TOP PICK

27.300

Fabricator and tubular steel. More cash than debt on the balance sheet. Trades at 10 X earnings. 6% yield. Takeover candidate.

2007-03-06

HOLD

28.060

Good dividend and appears to be relatively safe. Can't see any incentives for buying this today.

2007-02-20

HOLD

27.650

Would look at this as a bit of a trade. Very good dividend. Outlook for the steel industry is mixed. You want to own this one in a bullish economic cycle. Very good operators.

2007-02-13

HOLD

27.800

Veronika Hirsch

Very attractive dividend yield. One of the better managed companies in Canada.

2007-02-07

DON'T BUY

25.990

Pays a high dividends because people don't think the earnings are sustainable. Cyclically sensitive. Auto-parts industry is facing difficult times.

2007-01-10

DON'T BUY

26.520

Steel warehousing and distributing. Generates a lot of cash. A cyclical business and in an economic turndown they may not be able to pay the big dividend.

2006-12-20

DON'T BUY

26.680

John Zechner

If you want something beyond the next year or two, this is a good pick. Less cyclical than a lot of the steel businesses. Steel prices are coming down dramatically. Expect the stock will go down in the next year,

2006-12-12

HOLD

28.140