50% off Premium Yearly
SNC-Lavalin Group Inc.ATRL.TOCOMMENTJul 22, 2019Stock price when the opinion was issued
As of Jun 19, 2026. Market Open.
Many companies in the nuclear space are either government entities or divisions of larger companies. But for E&P companies, SNC has significant industry experience and it has won several contracts in various countries this year. As an indirect play on the sector, it works, and it has a big backlog. It has not been our favourite company, for various growth reasons and scandals, but things have improved immensely and very strong earnings growth is now expected. It is not 'cheap' at 27X earnings but for a nuclear-focused investor we think it has some attractions.
Unlock Premium - Try 5i Free
Opening comment The Caisse just reacted very negatively to SNC Lavalin this morning (https://www.newswire.ca/news-releases/caisse-reaction-to-snc-lavalin-statement-823828177.html). SNC's biggest shareholder is losing patience with SNC's management. SNC has been struggling with many issues for a while, but has started address them, like selling their stake in the 407 highway. Now, they are re-evaluing their divisions. SNC has failed to find successful strategies to rescue their business lines and this has failed to stabilize their price, but it hasn't. Caisse want the board to act now, and TD warns that SNC's just-announced strategic direction may not satisfy those fast enough. A strategic review results in selling a division, an entire company or no change at all. Some investors call for cancelling some fixed-price, long-term contracts that risk cost overruns (i.e. steel prices labour costs). There could be job losses in Quebec.