North American Construction Group (NOA.TO)

(A Top Pick Feb 17/22, Down 7%)Stockchase Research Editor: Michael O'Reilly Our PAST TOP PICK with NOA has triggered its stop at $18.50. To remain disciplined, we recommend covering the position at this time. This will result in a net investment loss of 6%, when combined with the previous buy recommendation.

Stockchase Research Editor: Michael O'Reilly Reporting Q4 net income up 53% over the year, we again reiterate NOA as a TOP PICK. Support work at the Fort Hills and Kearl mines is doing well along with benefits from the recent Australian component supplier acquisition. It trades at 14x earnings compared to peers at 17x. We like how cash flow is increasing while they pay down debt. It trades just over 2x book and pays a small dividend backed by a payout ratio under 15% of cash flow. Management announced the dividend will double to $0.32 per annum. We recommend trailing the stop up (from $15.00) to $18.50, looking to achieve $25.50 -- upside potential over 24%. Yield 0.84% (Analysts’ price target is $25.13)

Stockchase Research Editor: Michael O'Reilly With infrastructure spending and inflation a focus of the market, we once again reiterate NOA as a TOP PICK. Recently reported earnings and revenue beat analyst expectations by 5% each. It trades at 12x earnings compared to peers at 16x. With good growth prospects, the PEG ratio is under 1.0 and it trades just over 2x book. It pays a small dividend backed by a payout ratio under 15% of cash flow. We continue to recommend a stop loss at $15, looking to achieve $25.50 -- upside potential over 30%. Yield 0.83% (Analysts’ price target is $25.57)

Stockchase Research Editor: Michael O'Reilly We are reiterating our TOP PICK recommendation with NOA, looking to achieve $28 (upside potential of 30%) and maintaining the stop loss at $15. Infrastructure projects are a good inflation hedge and this trades at good value -- 12x earnings vs peers at 30x. It pays a small dividend, backed by a payout ratio under 15% of cash flow. Yield 0.87% (Analysts’ price target is $24.25)

Stockchase Research Editor: Michael O'Reilly NOA provides mining and heavy equipment construction services to the North American resource sector. They are involved in a $2.7 billion partnership to a North Dakota flood mitigation project. The 29 year service contract provides recurring revenues. Infrastructure is a good inflation hedge and this fits well. It trades at 12x earnings compared to peers at 22x. It pays a small dividend backed by a payout ratio of under 10% of cash flow. We would buy this with a stop loss at $15, looking to achieve $28 -- upside potential over 30%. Yield 0.36% (Analysts’ price target is $27.86)