Bird Construction Income Fund (BDT.TO)

Canada’s 3^rd largest construction firm. The perception is that they have exposure to the energy sector, which is slowing down. There are lots of other things going on though. This is a stock that may be down unduly because of perception rather than reality. Feels the future is brighter for this company and it is the best value in construction stocks.

This has not performed very well. However, there is a tremendous amount of upside potential, particularly because the company was negatively impaired by the slowdown in Western Canada and lower commodity prices. As we hit an inflection point and see CapX budgets increase with a bit of an improvement in the Alberta economy, which should grow 2% this year coupled with federal infrastructure spending, we could see the backlog start to go up and people get more optimistic about margin growth. They recently cut the dividend, so it should be relatively safe. Has about $4.80 in cash per share on their balance sheet. Dividend yield of 4.36%. (Analysts’ price target is $10.)

(Top Pick Nov 25/15, Down 22.22%) It had improving price momentum at the time as well as being cheap and having a big backlog. They missed their Q2 and misses have really punished stocks recently. He got out. Their business slowed from where he thought it would be. It is still cheap and if you have the time to wait, it now scores in the top 20% in terms of valuation, 6 times price to cash flow. Expect it to stay in the penalty box until they can show some improved earnings.

This is the one he would be looking closely at here. Their balance sheet is quite good. Risk reward looks pretty good. It is great for individuals, but it does not trade a lot so holds him back as an institutional investor.

Management has said 2017 will be a transition year for them. Part of the issue has been a declining backlog in business and declining commodity prices. Thinks the stock is going to be challenged over the next 6 months to a year. This is one that he would rather be Selling or avoiding for the next year. Payout ratio by the middle of next year should spike out at 132%, which is a bit of a worry. Also, are they going to have a dividend.

When you see what the government is planning on doing on infrastructure and building, this company could do well. A smartly run company. Thinks it has a fair bit of upside from here.

Has owned this in the past. Just had some numbers out that were pretty good. Has a very healthy dividend, and their payout ratio is less than 100% which is nice. Expects they will continue to get a lot of work from infrastructure that is going to be upgraded over the next couple of years. Also, expects they will get some work on the Fort McMurray situation as well. If you could Buy on a pullback, that would be ideal.

Would steer clear of construction/engineering firms. So much depends on 1) winning contracts and 2) completing the contracts at a profit. Historically, in order to win contracts, companies might bid a very finely calculated price, and then get surprises on completion that will hit their profit margins.

Trudeau has done a good job of guiding the street about infrastructure spending increases. This company should get some of this money.

Has held in remarkably well given the manufacturing slowdown in Canada. One of his largest holdings in one of his funds. One of the 2 cheapest stocks in the universe that he covers. A really strong ROE at 23%. Trading at 4.5X Price to Free Cash Flow, so is really cheap. Dividend yield of 6.5%. Pristine balance sheet.

(Market Call Minute.) This is engineering and there is going to be more money coming from the federal government into this area.

Attractive dividend yield of 6.5%. There are a number of infrastructure projects that are going to be happening, and this is probably going to be a beneficiary. With concerns about a slowing economy, and part of their business is in oil and gas construction, he thinks the market is concerned about that.

Wants stocks that will benefit from a cyclical recovery, which he is expecting, but without breaking the bank while you wait. A general contractor. A diversified revenue mix. They are in industrial residential wastewater. Scores really well on value with very strong price momentum. Great ROE at 23%. Cheap on a free cash flow basis. Solid balance sheet with about 25% of their market cap in cash. Dividend yield of 5.43%.

Has a below market multiple at about 15X. They have about $4 per share in cash. Analysts keep on increasing their estimates to catch up to what the company is actually doing. 5.5% dividend yield.

This ought to be benefiting from this infrastructure motivation that appears to be firing up in our new young Canadian leader.