Académique Documents
Professionnel Documents
Culture Documents
Rating Changes
Atlantic Power Downgrading to Underperform on Share Price Appreciation M. McGowan
Corporate Debt
Corporate Debt Research Weekly Credit Edge – IFRS Considerations B. Pham
Industry/Macro Comments
BMO CM Energy
Energy - Oil & Gas Oil & Gas Weekly: Shoulder Season Arrives
Team
North American Pipelines Natural Gas IQ: NGLs Cool as Weather Warms C. Kirst
Quantitative Analysis Relative Strength Filter — Overbought and Becoming Less So M. Steele
Quantitative Analysis Market Elements M. Steele
Economic Research A.M. Notes Economics
Disclosure Statements
To view important Disclosure Statements go to http://research-ca.bmocapitalmarkets.com/Company_Disclosure_Public.asp
Monday, March 22, 2010
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Vermilion Energy Trust (VET.UN) Company presentation in New York. Curtis Hicks (CFO).
Andrew Kaip
Marketing in Toronto
(Precious Metals & Mining Analyst)
Peter Sklar
(Auto Parts/Food & Drug Retailing Marketing in Toronto
Analyst)
Carl Kirst
Marketing in New York
(North American Pipeline Analyst)
Redback Mining (RBI) Company presentation in Europe. Rick Clark (CEO) and Simon Jackson (VP, Corporate Development).
Peter Sklar
(Auto Parts/Food & Drug Retailing Marketing in Toronto Mar. 22-23
Analyst)
Carl Kirst
Marketing in New York Mar. 22-23
(North American Pipeline Analyst)
Company presentation in Europe. Rick Clark (CEO) and Simon Jackson (VP, Corporate
Redback Mining (RBI) Mar. 22-26
Development).
Charles Brady
Marketing in New York Mar. 23
(Diversified Industrials Research)
Atul Shah
Marketing in Vancouver & Alberta Mar. 23-24
(Diversified Financials Analyst)
BMO Capital Markets Calendar of Events
Company presentation in Toronto & Montreal. Paul McElligott (President & CEO) and
TimberWest Forest (TWF.UN) Mar. 23-24
Bev Park (Executive VP & CFO; President & COO – Couverdon Real Estate).
Company presentation in the Pacific Northwest & San Francisco. Robert Weiss
The Cooper Cos. (COO) Mar. 23-24
(President & CEO) and Kim Duncan (Director, IR).
John Morris
Marketing in San Francisco Mar. 23-24
(Apparel Retail Analyst)
Ambrish Srivastava
Marketing in New York Mar. 23-24
(Semiconductor Analyst)
Edwin Chee
Marketing on the West Coast Mar. 23-25
(Chemicals & Fertilizers Analyst)
Bert Hazlett
Marketing in Boston Mar. 24
(Pharmaceuticals Analyst)
Ken Zaslow
Marketing San Francisco & Los Angeles Mar. 24-25
(Food & Agribusiness Analyst)
Company presentation in Houston, Austin and Dallas. Tom Webb (CFO), Laura
CMS Energy (CMS) Mar. 24-25
Mountcastle (VP & Treasurer) and Phil McAndrews (Investor Relations).
Company presentation in New York. Dean Freeman (Sr. VP Finance & Treasurer), Kyle
Flowserve (FLS) Ahlfinger (VP, Chief Marketing Officer) and Paul Fehlman (VP, Financial Planning & Mar. 25
Analysis and IR).
Bert Powell
Marketing in Vancouver & Alberta Mar. 25-26
(Special Situations Analyst)
Christopher Brown
(Oil & Gas International Producers Marketing in Europe Mar. 25-26
Analyst)
Peter Sklar
(Auto Parts/Food & Drug Retailing Marketing in Vancouver Mar. 26
Analyst)
Joanne Wuensch
(Medical Technology & Devices Marketing Florida Mar. 26
Research Analyst)
Company presentation in Montreal. Linda Hasenfratz (CEO) and Mark Stoddart (Chief
Linamar (LNR) Mar. 26
Technology Officer & Executive VP, Marketing).
Carl Kirst
Marketing in Montreal Mar. 29
(North American Pipeline Analyst)
Company presentation in Boston. Jackie Fouse (CFO) and Mark Haden (Director of
Bunge (BG) Mar. 29
Investor Relations).
Alan Laws
Marketing in Atlanta Mar. 29
(Oil Services Analyst)
Tim Long
Marketing in the Mid-Atlantic Mar. 29
(Communications Equipment Analyst)
Company presentation in Chicago. Armin Martens (President & CEO) and Jim Green
Artis REIT (AX.UN) Mar. 31
(CFO).
Duluth Metals Company presentation in Europe. Christopher C. Dundas (Chairman and Director). Mar. 31
Mike Vinciquerra
(Exchanges & Discount Brokers Marketing in Boston Mar. 31
Analyst)
Dan Salmon
(Marketing Services & Advertising Marketing in Chicago Mar. 31-Apr. 1
Agencies Analyst)
Dan Salmon
(Marketing Services & Advertising Marketing in the Pacific Northwest Apr. 5
Agencies Analyst)
Wayne Hood
Marketing in New York Apr. 5-6
(Broadline Retailing Analyst)
Gordon Tait
Marketing in Vancouver Apr. 6
(Royalty & Income Trusts Analyst)
Meredith Bandy
Marketing in Boston Apr. 6
(Coal Analyst)
Joanne Wuensch
(Medical Technology & Devices Marketing in the Mid-West Apr. 7
Research Analyst)
Karine MacIndoe
Marketing in Vancouver Apr. 7
(Real Estate & REITs Analyst)
Claude Proulx
Marketing in Toronto Apr. 7-8
(Airlines & Special Situations Analyst)
Carl Kirst
Marketing in Boston Apr. 12
(North American Pipeline Analyst)
Company presentation in Europe. Kevin Crutchfield (CEO), Frank Wood (CFO) and
Alpha Natural Resources (ANR) Apr. 12-16
Allen Todd (VP, Investor Relations).
Wayne Hood
Marketing in Europe Apr. 12-16
(Broadline Retailing Analyst)
Randy Ollenberger
(Oil & Gas Producers & Integrated Oils Marketing in Toronto Apr. 13-15
Analyst)
Gordon Tait
Marketing in Montreal Apr. 14
(Royalty & Income Trusts Analyst)
Company presentation in the Mid-Atlantic. Don Mulligan (CFO) and Kristen S. Wenker
General Mills (GIS) Apr. 14
(VP, Investor Relations).
Carl Kirst
Marketing in the Mid-West Apr. 14-15
(North American Pipeline Analyst)
Jim Byrne
Marketing in Vancouver Apr. 15
(Integrated Oils & Refiners Analyst)
Jeffrey Logsdon
Marketing in Boston Apr. 15-16
(Entertainment & Gaming Analyst)
Randy Ollenberger
(Oil & Gas Producers & Integrated Oils Marketing in Montreal Apr. 16
Analyst)
Gordon Tait
Marketing in Toronto Apr. 20-21
(Royalty & Income Trusts Analyst)
Company presentation in Europe. John A. McCluskey (President and CEO) and Jeremy
Alamos Gold (AGI) Apr. 21
Link (Investor Relations Manager).
John Morris
Marketing in the Pacific Northwest Apr. 21
(Apparel Retail Analyst)
If you are interested in any of the above events, please contact your BMO Capital Markets Institutional Equity/Fixed Income salesperson, or the following:
Toronto Events: Laura Heuff 416-359-5816
Montreal Events: Marjorie Heppell at 514-286-7231
Western Canada Events: Jennifer Crombie 604-443-1452
U.S. Events: Angela Dong 212-702-1969
Europe Events: Hannah Pead 44-207-246- 5418
Event 12 1
0
We are downgrading our rating for Atlantic Power Corporation to 10
-1
Underperform from Market Perform due to share price appreciation. 8
-2
6 -3
Impact 4
Volume (mln)
4
Neutral. Although there have been no new disclosures since November 27 2 2
0 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 0
Forecasts 2008 2009
There are no changes to our forecasts. (FY-Dec.) 2008A 2009E 2010E 2011E
EPS $1.81 $0.28 $0.71 $0.70
P/E 45.7x 18.0x 18.3x
Valuation
CDPS $1.55 $1.12 $1.73 $1.73
Our $11 price target is consistent with our DCF valuation. Based on our 2011E 11.4x 7.4x 7.4x
estimates, our target price implies an EV/EBITDA multiple of 7.4x and a yield Dividend $0.88 $0.91 $0.96 $0.96
EV ($mm) $1,043 $1,028 $1,247 $1,205
of 10%. EBITDA ($mm) $164.0 $136.3 $145.4 $140.9
EV/EBITDA 6.4x 7.5x 8.6x 8.5x
Quarterly EPS Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4
Recommendation 2008A $0.09 -$0.65 $1.08 $1.30
At current levels, we believe the units are fully valued. We are reducing our 2009E -$0.53a $0.32a $0.39a $0.09
2010E $0.09 $0.13 $0.15 $0.34
rating to Underperform from Market Perform.
Dividend $1.09 Yield 8.3%
Book Value $8.51 Price/Book 1.5x
Shares O/S (mm) 60.5 Mkt. Cap ($mm) $797
Float O/S (mm) 53.4 Float Cap ($mm) $704
Wkly Vol (000s) 382 Wkly $ Vol (mm) $5.5
Net Debt ($mm) $424.5 Next Rep. Date 30-Mar (E)
Notes: Share price, target price, EV, EBITDA and capitalization in
C$, all other values in US$
Major Shareholders: CDPQ - 19.0%
First Call Mean Estimates: ATLANTIC POWER CORP (US$)
2009E: $0.20; 2010E: $0.76; 2011E: $0.78
Changes Rating
Mkt to Und
This report was prepared by an analyst(s) employed by BMO Nesbitt Burns Inc., and who is (are) not registered as a research analyst(s) under
FINRA rules. For disclosure statements, including the Analyst's Certification, please refer to pages 3 to 5.
Back to Index
100 8
Event 80
6
At a group lunch hosted by BMO Capital Markets on Friday March 19, 60
4
40
Agrium's CEO, Mike Wilson, presented management's view of industry
2
20
fundamentals and the scope of the company's growth opportunities.
0 0
Volume (mln)
400 400
Impact 200 200
of CF's offer for Terra, the implied risk/reward profile on Agrium's bid for CF 0 0
2005 2006 2007 2008 2009
became less appealing. Nonetheless, the resulting consolidation in N.A. from Last Data Point: March 18, 2010
the merger of CF Industries and Terra Industries should benefit all producers (FY-Dec.) 2008A 2009A 2010E 2011E
over the longer term. EPS $8.33 $2.32 $4.54 $5.11
P/E 15.6x 13.8x
Recommendation Dividend
Book Value
$0.11
$29.06
Yield
Price/Book
0.2%
2.4x
We believe that Agrium's recent decision to drop its pursuit of CF has renewed Shares O/S (mm) 158.0 Mkt. Cap (US$mm) $11,172
Float O/S (mm) 158.0 Float Cap (US$mm) $11,172
investor confidence that management has maintained a disciplined approach on Wkly Vol (000s) 18,771 Wkly $ Vol (USmm) $959.8
Net Debt ($mm) $768.3 Next Rep. Date 05-May (E)
its acquisition strategy. Compared to the implied EV/EBITDA valuation ratios
Notes: All values in US$
of 9x and 8.2x for 2010 and 2011 First Call Mean estimates for Terra, Agrium Major Shareholders: Widely held
First Call Mean Estimates: AGRIUM INCORPORATED (US$)
stock continues to be comparatively inexpensive. We reiterate our Outperform 2010E: $4.66; 2011E: $5.72
rating on Agrium stock.
This report was prepared by an analyst(s) employed by BMO Nesbitt Burns Inc., and who is (are) not registered as a research analyst(s) under
FINRA rules. For disclosure statements, including the Analyst's Certification, please refer to pages 5 to 8.
Back to Index
40 2
Event 30 1
MFC reclassified roughly 8% of its adjusted earnings from operations from in- 20 0
force profits to experience gains in its Japan VA operations. The shift from in-
10 -1
force profits, which are included in adjusted earnings from operations, to
0 -2
experience gains, which are excluded from adjusted earnings from operations, Volume (mln)
400 400
caused the restatement. In addition, MFC lowered its adjusted earnings from 200 200
operations outlook by roughly 8-9% for 2010. 0 0
MFC Relative to S&P/TSX Comp
150 150
Negative. While the shift had no impact on net earnings (or GAAP earnings), 50 50
2005 2006 2007 2008 2009
this announcement is unlikely to soothe investor concerns about the long-term Last Data Point: March 19, 2010
earnings potential of MFC. As a result, the negative impact may be more related (FY-Dec.) 2008A 2009A 2010E 2011E
to sentiment toward the shares as opposed to a financial impact. EPS $0.32 $0.81 $1.75 $2.00
P/E 11.5x 10.1x
This report was prepared by an analyst(s) employed by BMO Nesbitt Burns Inc., and who is (are) not registered as a research analyst(s) under
FINRA rules. For disclosure statements, including the Analyst's Certification, please refer to pages 4 to 7.
Back to Index
Target Price Trimmed to C$16.50; EPS Reduced on Price (19-Mar) $12.91 52-Week High $15.89
Target Price $16.50↓ 52-Week Low $8.68
Higher Than Expected Depreciation on Acquisition.
Eldorado Gold Corp. (ELD)
Price: High,Low,Close
15 15
Event
Eldorado Gold reported net income of $33.3M or US$0.08/share for Q4/09 10 10
0 0
Slightly Negative. Depreciation/depletion guidance of US$106M was higher ELD Relative to S&P/TSX Comp
400 400
than expected due to a substantial portion of the Sino acquisition cost being
200 200
pegged to Jinfeng. The company’s tax rate guidance of 30–33% was also
slightly higher than expected. 0
2005 2006 2007 2008 2009
0
respectively. Eldorado maintained its 2010 outlook for 550,000–600,000oz gold CFPS $0.34 $0.37 $0.48↑ $0.81↑
P/CFPS 26.5x 15.7x
at a cash operating cost of US$385–400/oz. BMO Research’s forecasts for
563,100oz gold at total cash cost of US$408/oz (including royalties) remain Real'd Price ($/oz) $901 $995 $1,150 $1,150
Prod'n (000 oz.) 308.8 360.2 563.1 791.2
unchanged. Ttl. Cash Cost ($/oz) $291 $340 $408 $345
Ttl. Prod. Cost $417 $456 $619 $555
Quarterly EPS Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4
Valuation 2008A $0.07 $0.06 $0.05 $0.09
2009A $0.04 $0.08 $0.08 $0.08
The target price has been reduced to C$16.50/share following a reduction in 2010E $0.07↓ $0.07↓ $0.07↓ $0.07↓
EPS estimates and 10% nominal NPV to US$4.32/share. Eldorado is trading at
Dividend $0.00 Yield 0.0%
2.1x BMO Research’s 10% nominal NPV using spot commodity price Book Value $4.97 Price/Book 2.5x
Shares O/S (mm) 537.1 Mkt. Cap ($mm) $6,934
assumptions, at a 25% premium to its North American peers at 1.7x. Float O/S (mm) 505.1 Float Cap ($mm) $6,521
Wkly Vol (000s) 37,177 Wkly $ Vol (mm) $428.2
Net Debt ($mm) -$124.3 Next Rep. Date June (E)
Recommendation Notes: Share price, target and capitalization in C$, all other values in
US$
Eldorado Gold is rated Market Perform. Eldorado remains one of the lowest Major Shareholders: Fidelity Management and Research (10.79%);
cash cost producers within the BMO Research universe, but its growth outside Van Eck Associates (6.51%); Blackrock Group (5.87%)
First Call Mean Estimates: ELDORADO GOLD CORP (US$)
of China requires greater certainty. In 2010, gold production from China is 2009E: $0.28; 2010E: $0.40; 2011E: $0.69
This report was prepared by an analyst(s) employed by BMO Nesbitt Burns Inc., and who is (are) not registered as a research analyst(s) under
FINRA rules. For disclosure statements, including the Analyst's Certification, please refer to pages 6 to 8.
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Income Fund
(ARF.UN-TSX) Jason Granger, CA, CFA
(416) 359-4293
Stock Rating: Outperform Jason.Granger@bmo.com
Industry Rating: Outperform Assoc: Devin Dodge
Q4/09 EBITDA was $17.6 million, well below the consensus forecast of $23.0 15 15
million and our estimate of $22.5 million.
10 10
Volume (mln)
4 4
Impact 2 2
Negative. A more competitive environment, particularly in the pre-cast 0 0
ARF.UN Relative to S&P/TSX Comp
structural businesses, is expected to reduce gross margins in 2010. 200 200
100 100
Forecasts
0 0
To reflect lower Q4/09 results and a more competitive environment, we are 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009
Last Data Point: March 19, 2010
reducing our 2010 EBITDA estimate to $86.1 million from $101.3 million, and
(FY-Dec.) 2008A 2009A 2010E 2011E
our 2011 forecast goes to $103.1 million from $108.1 million. CDPU $2.06 $2.21 $2.16 $1.45
P/CDPU 10.6x 15.7x
This report was prepared by an analyst(s) employed by BMO Nesbitt Burns Inc., and who is (are) not registered as a research analyst(s) under
FINRA rules. For disclosure statements, including the Analyst's Certification, please refer to pages 9 to 11.
Back to Index
Event 20
2.0
We are resuming coverage of Black Diamond following the closing of its $25 15
1.5
million equity financing and concurrent $30 million capital expansion program. 1.0
0.5
10
0.0
Impact
5 -0.5
Slightly Positive. 2
Volume (mln)
2
1 1
Forecasts 0 0
BDI Relative to S&P/TSX Comp
400 400
Our estimates did not previously reflect the Paragon acquisition in early
February and the acquisition of oil sands camp assets in late February. 200 200
Incorporating these acquisitions as well as the recently closed equity issue and 0 0
2007 2008 2009
increased capital budget, our 2010 and 2011 EPS estimates are raised slightly to Last Data Point: March 18, 2010
$1.47 and $1.96 from $1.43 and $1.89, respectively. (FY-Dec.) 2008A 2009E 2010E 2011E
EPS $1.85 $1.53 $1.47↑ $1.96↑
P/E 13.0x 13.5x 10.2x
Valuation
CFPS $3.05 $3.06 $3.54↑ $4.47↑
We continue to believe Black Diamond offers attractive value at 5.9x 2010 and P/CFPS 6.5x 5.6x 4.5x
4.6x 2011E EBITDA, a discount versus the company’s small cap services peer Total Debt ($mm) $42.0 $19.7 $41.4 -$3.5
ROCE (%) 16% 12% 12% 15%
group. The company has made a series of small and accretive asset acquisitions LT Liab. (%) 26% 12% 19% -2%
over the last several months and with the increased capital budget is expected to EV/EBITDA 3.6x 7.8x 5.9x 4.6x
continue to grow its rental asset fleet, and therefore, earnings capacity. In our Quarterly EPS Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4
2008A $0.42 $0.49 $0.43 $0.51
view, the fund’s low payout ratio of 31% of 2010E cash flow and relatively 2009E $0.77a $0.29a $0.19a $0.29
2010E $0.39↑ $0.29↓ $0.37↑ $0.40↑
stable cash flows owing to a high level of contract coverage warrant a premium
valuation relative to its peer group. Dividend $1.08 Yield 5.4%
Book Value $10.59 Price/Book 1.9x
Shares O/S (mm) 16.1 Mkt. Cap ($mm) $321
Float O/S (mm) 16.1 Float Cap ($mm) $321
Recommendation Wkly Vol (000s) 148 Wkly $ Vol (mm) $2.1
Net Debt ($mm) $44.0 Next Rep. Date Mar (E)
We rate Black Diamond Outperform with a $22.00 target price.
Notes: All values in C$
Major Shareholders: Widely Held
First Call Mean Estimates: BLACK DIAMOND GROUP LTD (C$)
2009E: $1.52; 2010E: $1.59; 2011E: $1.86
This report was prepared by an analyst(s) employed by BMO Nesbitt Burns Inc., and who is (are) not registered as a research analyst(s) under
FINRA rules. For disclosure statements, including the Analyst's Certification, please refer to pages 2 to 5.
Back to Index
50 50
Impact 0 0
AVM Relative to S&P/TSX Comp
400 400
Positive. Processed grades, recoveries and, consequently, copper production of
4,970t exceeded our estimates. Construction of the Kinsevere Stage II SX/EW 200 200
improved metal prices and actions by management, is complete. Based on the (FY-Dec.) 2008A 2009A 2010E 2011E
changes made to our assumptions, the 10% NAV estimate decreased by 2%. EPS -$1.94 -$0.32 -$0.04 $0.85
P/E na 4.7x
This report was prepared by an analyst(s) employed by BMO Nesbitt Burns Inc., and who is (are) not registered as a research analyst(s) under
FINRA rules. For disclosure statements, including the Analyst's Certification, please refer to pages 11 to 14.
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Resource
(STP-TSXV) Randy Ollenberger
(403) 515-1502
Stock Rating: Outperform(S) Randy.Ollenberger@bmo.com
Assoc: Matthew Brink
Industry Rating: Market Perform
Event 4 0.02
Southern Pacific announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to 3 0.01
land on the McKay block, as well as 20% of Bounty’s working interest in 32 1 -0.01
sections of land adjacent to Southern Pacific’s MacKenzie block (100% W.I.). 0 -0.02
Volume (mln)
40 40
Impact 20 20
0 0
Mixed. STP Relative to S&P/TSX Comp
1000 1000
0 0
We are revising our financial estimates for Southern Pacific to reflect the 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009
Last Data Point: March 18, 2010
acquisitions. Our cash flow per share estimates decline to $0.21 from $0.23 in
(FY-Jun.) 2008A 2009A 2010E 2011E
2010 and to $0.13 from $0.16 in 2011. Our estimates assume production
EPS -$0.01 $0.05 $0.11↓ $0.10
averages 4,439 boe/d in 2010 and 4,377 boe/d in 2011. P/E 8.6x 9.5x
We believe that Southern Pacific is an attractive option for investors looking to NAV $1.70 $1.75 $1.44 $0.81
EV/EBITDA 1.0x 18.3x 5.9x 9.7x
gain exposure to an early-stage oil sands producer, with a significant land base ROCE (%) -1% 2% 10% 5%
LT Liab. 0% 13% 37% 58%
in the core of the Athabasca oil sands, near-term commercial development plans
Quarterly CFPS (basic) Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4
and meaningful existing production that helps provide financial support through 2008A $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00
construction. Our revised $1.20 target price reflects a 17% discount to our 2009A -$0.01 $0.00 $0.00 $0.06
2010E $0.06 $0.05↓ $0.05↓ $0.04↓
risked net asset value estimate and 2010E cash flow multiple of 5.7x, which we
Dividend $0.00 Yield 0.0%
believe is appropriate given the company’s size, future funding requirements Book Value $0.78 Price/Book 1.2x
Shares O/S (mm) 225.6 Mkt. Cap ($mm) $214
and execution risk associated with its McKay oil sands development. We Float O/S (mm) 225.6 Float Cap ($mm) $214
believe the shares should appreciate in value as the company gains visibility Wkly Vol (000s) 2,501 Wkly $ Vol (mm) $1.8
Net Debt ($mm) $27.4 Next Rep. Date May (E)
among investors and solidifies a financing plan to build McKay. Notes: All values in C$; EPS are diluted based on continuing
operations; CFPS is diluted discretionary; (S) in rating denotes
Speculative
Recommendation Major Shareholders: Widely Held
First Call Mean Estimates: SOUTHERN PACIFIC RESOURCE
Southern Pacific is rated Outperform (Speculative). CORP (C$) 2010E: $0.08; 2011E: $0.12
This report was prepared by an analyst(s) employed by BMO Nesbitt Burns Inc., and who is (are) not registered as a research analyst(s) under
FINRA rules. For disclosure statements, including the Analyst's Certification, please refer to pages 9 to 12.
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Fund
(BPT.UN-TSX) Michael McGowan, CA, CFA
(416) 359-5807
Stock Rating: Market Perform Michael.McGowan@bmo.com
Assoc: Mark Laing, CA
Industry Rating: Market Perform
0.6
10
0.4
Event 8
0.2
6 0.0
We are updating our valuation approach for Boralex Power Income Fund.
4 -0.2
2 -0.4
Impact 10
Volume (mln)
10
Slightly positive. 5 5
0 0
BPT.UN Relative to S&P/TSX Comp
Forecasts 200 200
100 100
There are no changes to our financial estimates.
0 0
2005 2006 2007 2008 2009
Valuation Last Data Point: March 18, 2010
We are increasing our target price to $4.50 from $4.00. Our revised target price (FY-Dec.) 2008A 2009A 2010E 2011E
EPU -$0.11 -$0.18 $0.14 $0.08
is based on the upper end of $3–4/unit in proceeds that we believe the fund P/E 31.9x 55.8x
could realize from a sale of its hydro facilities, plus $0.50/unit in value related CDPU $0.75 $0.70 $0.40 $0.40
to the remaining cash flow in the Kingsey Falls until 2012 when the facility’s 11.2x 11.2x
PPA expires. Previously, we assigned no value to future cash flow from Dist. Cash Avail. $0.80 $0.65 $0.55 $0.49
EV ($mm) $389 $345 $383 $385
Kingsey Falls. EBITDA ($mm) $56.9 $51.7 $46.9 $42.9
EV/EBITDA 6.8x 6.7x 8.2x 9.0x
Quarterly CDPU Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4
Recommendation 2008A $0.23 $0.18 $0.18 $0.18
At current levels we believe the units are reasonably valued. Our rating is 2009A $0.18 $0.18 $0.18 $0.18
2010E $0.10 $0.10 $0.10 $0.10
Market Perform.
Dividend $0.40 Yield 9.0%
Book Value $4.14 Price/Book 1.1x
Units O/S (mm) 59.1 Mkt. Cap ($mm) $264
Float O/S (mm) 45.2 Float Cap ($mm) $202
Wkly Vol (000s) 477 Wkly $ Vol (mm) $2.0
Net Debt ($mm) $110.3 Next Rep. Date 07-May (E)
Notes: All values in C$
Major Unitholders: Boralex Inc. has an effective ownership interest
of 23%.
First Call Mean Estimates: BORALEX POWER INCOME FUND
(C$/DI) 2010E: $0.43; 2011E: $0.44
Changes Target
$4.00 to $4.50
This report was prepared by an analyst(s) employed by BMO Nesbitt Burns Inc., and who is (are) not registered as a research analyst(s) under
FINRA rules. For disclosure statements, including the Analyst's Certification, please refer to pages 4 to 6.
Back to Index
Fund
(NPI.UN-TSX) Michael McGowan, CA, CFA
(416) 359-5807
Stock Rating: Market Perform Michael.McGowan@bmo.com
Assoc: Mark Laing, CA
Industry Rating: Market Perform
0.8
16
0.7
14
Event 0.6
12
0.5
We have updated our model after reviewing Northland Power’s year-end
10 0.4
disclosure documents.
8 0.3
Volume (mln)
10 10
Impact 5 5
Slightly positive. 0 0
NPI.UN Relative to S&P/TSX Comp
150 150
our unit count estimates, consistent with guidance contained in the 2009 annual (FY-Dec.) 2008A 2009A 2010E 2011E
report; (2) changes to the amortization of the company’s subordinated debt at EPU $0.79 $0.47 $0.42 $0.64↑
P/E 32.4x 21.3x
the Thorold facility; (3) the incorporation of the North Battleford facility into
CDPU $1.12 $1.08 $1.08 $1.08
our model; and (4) expected capital expenditures with respect to Spy Hill and 12.6x 12.6x
North Battleford. Dist. Cash Avail. $1.19 $1.09 $1.31 $1.56
EV ($mm) $899 $1,804 $2,340 $2,651
EBITDA ($mm) $95.5 $98.5 $159.7 $180.1
Valuation EV/EBITDA 9.4x 18.3x 14.7x 14.7x
We are increasing our target price to $13 from $12 based on the expected Quarterly CDPU Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4
2008A $0.27 $0.27 $0.27 $0.31
contribution from the North Battleford facility, which is expected to be 2009A $0.27 $0.27 $0.27 $0.27
2010E $0.27 $0.27 $0.27 $0.27
commissioned in 2013. Our $13 price target is consistent with our DCF
valuation and implies an 8.3% distribution yield. Dividend $1.08 Yield 7.9%
Book Value $6.46 Price/Book 2.1x
Units O/S (mm) 84.2 Mkt. Cap ($mm) $1,144
Float O/S (mm) 64.7 Float Cap ($mm) $879
Recommendation Wkly Vol (000s) 929 Wkly $ Vol (mm) $10.2
Net Debt ($mm) $759.6 Next Rep. Date 15-May (E)
At current levels, we believe the units are reasonably valued. Our rating is
Notes: All values in C$
Market Perform. Major Unitholders: Widely held
First Call Mean Estimates: NORTHLAND POWER INCOME-I/R
(C$/CF) 2010E: na; 2011E: na
This report was prepared by an analyst(s) employed by BMO Nesbitt Burns Inc., and who is (are) not registered as a research analyst(s) under
FINRA rules. For disclosure statements, including the Analyst's Certification, please refer to pages 5 to 7.
Weekly Credit Edge
Back to Index
March 22, 2010
This report was prepared by an Analyst employed by a Canadian affiliate, BMO Nesbitt Burns Inc., and who is not registered as a research
analyst under FINRA rules. For disclosure statements, including the Analyst's Certification, please refer to pages 13 to 14.
(Back to Index)
Randy Ollenberger (403) 515-1502 Alan Laws, CFA (303) 436-1125 Gordon Tait, CFA (403) 515-1501
BMO Nesbitt Burns Inc. (Canada) BMO Capital Markets Corp. (U.S.) BMO Nesbitt Burns Inc. (Canada)
Jim Byrne, P.Eng., CFA (403) 515-1557 Mike Mazar, CFA (403) 515-1538 Dan McSpirit (303) 436-1117
BMO Nesbitt Burns Inc. (Canada) BMO Nesbitt Burns Inc. (Canada) BMO Capital Markets Corp. (U.S.)
Mark Leggett, CFA (403) 515-1508 Christopher Brown, P.Eng. (403) 515-1574
BMO Nesbitt Burns Inc. (Canada) BMO Nesbitt Burns Inc. (Canada)
This report was prepared in part by an analyst(s) employed by a Canadian affiliate, BMO Nesbitt Burns Inc., and who is (are) not registered as a
research analyst(s) under FINRA rules. For disclosure statements, including the Analyst's Certification, please refer to pages 14 to 15.
(Back to Index)
improving fundamentals (e.g., inventory destocking, higher demand) and how Natural Gas in Storage (Bcf): -11 to 1,615
Vs. this week last year -42 to 1,655
much was due to winter weather. Indeed, the petchem market has only improved Vs. this week 5-yr avg -65 to 1,542
the last six months, as indicated by chemical rail car loadings up +5% 1Q10/3Q09 Natural Gas Directed Rig Count: +12 to 939
(+14% y/y) and the climb in end-use products ethylene and propylene, up ~30% Weekly Change 1.3%
Y-o-Y Change 9.6%
YTD. Despite this strength, peaks price for ethane and propane were coincident
with some of the coldest weeks this winter, and prices for these components have Stock Performance: Weekly
US Gas Diversifieds -1.5%
led the composite retracement, down 20%-30% from early Feb (and down 15%- US Gas Utilities 1.7%
20% YTD), while at the heavy end of the NGL barrel, natural gasoline has held Canadian Pipelines 0.7%
Canadian Trusts 0.3%
firm, increasing 5% YTD. With crude oil prices potentially coming under pressure 1.6%
UTY (Philadelphia Utility Index)
again (e.g., Greece’s sovereign risk back in the headlines, India and China raising XOP (S&P E&P SPDR) -4.2%
OSX (Oil Service Index) -4.2%
interest rates), this relationship could push back to 60% near term; however, we
S&P 500 (SPX) 0.9%
remain comfortable with the 55% projection embedded in our 2010 EPS forecasts. 10-Year US Treasury Yield -0.3%
Mark Steele
(416) 359-4641
mark.steele@bmo.com
Assoc: Tiberiu Stoichita
Overbought and Becoming Less So
CLICK HERE for a printer friendly version of this report including research disclosures.
There are six major markets that were ov erbought (RSI Markets can r emove their o verbought natu re b y moving
greater than 70) where the RS I crossed back bel ow the sideways or down. On Friday, we started to move down.
overbought level on Friday – see the RSI X-over column It is time for markets to take a breather.
in Figure 1 below.
Market Elements
March 19, 2010
Research Comment
Quantitative/Technical Research
Mark Steele
(416) 359-4641
mark.steele@bmo.com
Assoc: Tiberiu Stoichita
• Equity markets took a well deserved rest / pullback today; most • The U.S. dollar advanced against all major crosses; the euro has
sectors declined; resource sectors followed commodity pullbacks. become “finely tuned” to (rising) Greek bond yields once again.
• Treasuries failed to capitalize on equity losses; U.S. breakeven rates • Commodity indices end with a weekly return of about zero; they
followed oil/gold lower; India raised its benchmark rate by 25bps (an have been treading water for a month now; lumber bucked the trend
unscheduled move and the first hike since July 2008). and rose to a new high.
Levels*
Currencies (USD per) Commodities Government 10- Yr Benchmark Equity Indices & Sentiment
Symbol H/L Level %Chg Symbol H/L Level %Chg Symbol H/L Level Chg Symbol H/L Level %Chg
DXY 80.74 0.6% DJ UBS 132.38 -0.9% U.S. 3.69 0.02 S&P 1200 1,335 -0.5%
EUR 1.3539 -0.5% WTI Oil 80.67 -1.9% Canada 3.49 0.04 S&P 500 1,160 -0.5%
CHF 0.9435 -0.2% NMX Gas 4.16 1.7% Germany 3.11 -0.02 S&P/TSX 11,948 -0.8%
GBP 1.5017 -1.5% AECO Gas 3.72 -2.4% France 3.42 -0.01 Euro STOXX 2,898 -0.5%
JPYx10 0.1105 -0.2% Gold 1,106.1 -1.9% Switzerland 1.93 0.01 FTSE 100 H 5,650 0.1%
CAD 0.9838 -0.2% Silver 16.99 -2.4% Italy 3.95 0.01 Hang Seng 21,371 0.2%
AUD 0.9163 -0.5% Platinum 1,609.0 -1.3% Spain 3.89 0.00 Topix 949 0.9%
NZD 0.7085 -0.9% Palladium 468.25 -2.3% Greece 6.35 0.08 S&P/ASX 4,872 0.2%
BRL 0.5563 -0.3% CMX Cu 337.25 -0.4% U.K. 3.96 -0.03 Shang/Shen 3,294 0.8%
MXNx10 0.7948 -0.5% LME Al 3m 1.02 -0.8% Australia 5.67 0.02 Sensex30 17,578 0.3%
ZAR 0.1366 -0.1% LME Ni 3m 10.18 -1.4% Hong Kong 2.67 0.02 CDX IG 5Yr 84.92 1.1%
KRWx10 0.8815 -0.0% LME Zn 3m 1.04 -1.7% India 7.89 0.04 TRIN 1.28 -4%
SGD 0.7153 -0.2% Lumber H 291.00 3.4% Japan 1.37 -0.00 VIX 16.97 2.1%
Moves
Currencies (spot) Commodities Government 10- Yr Benchmarks Equity Indices
KRW Lumber U.K. Topix
ZAR NMX Gas Germany
Shang/Shen
CHF CMX Cu France
2.0% 1.5% 1.0% 0.5% 0.0% 4.0% 2.0% 0.0% 2.0% 4.0% 0.10 0.05 0.00 -0.05 1.0% 0.5% 0.0% 0.5% 1.0%
Sectors
S&P Global 1200 S&P Europe 350 S&P 500 S&P/TSX Composite
Hlth Care Hlth Care Telecom Hlth Care
1.5% 1.0% 0.5% 0.0% 1.5% 1.0% 0.5% 0.0% 0.5% 1.5% 1.0% 0.5% 0.0% 0.5% 1.0% 3.0% 2.0% 1.0% 0.0% 1.0%
Source for all data and graphics in this publication: BMO Capital Markets, Bloomberg, Thomson
* H/L = at a new closing 52- wk High/Low; / = within 10% of the 52- week High/Low; Colour codes are inverted for bond and sentiment indications
Market Elements
Daily Charts
3- Month View with 50- and 26- Day Moving Averages
Euro – traded back down to the 1.35 mark; Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou plays “Lets Make a Deal” on the global stage - WSJ
S&P 500
S&P/TSX Composite
S&P Global 1200 ex U.S. & Canada S&P 500 S&P/TSX Composite
Name
SECURITY_NAME Symbol
TICKER % Chg
Chg Name
SECURITY_NAME Symbol % Chg
TICKER Chg Name
SECURITY_NAME Symbol Chg
TICKER % Chg
Energy Saipem SpA SPM IM 1.8% Chesapeake Energy Corp CHK 1.8% Nexen Inc NXY 2.0%
PetroChina Co Ltd 857 HK 1.3% Chevron Corp CVX 0.3% Pacific Rubiales Energy Corp PRE 1.4%
Woodside Petroleum Ltd WPL AU 1.0% Occidental Petroleum Corp OXY 0.1% Husky Energy Inc HSE 0.8%
Petroleo Brasileiro SA PBR/A US -2.4% Nabors Industries Ltd NBR -3.6% Celtic Exploration Ltd CLT -4.1%
Cairn Energy PLC CNE LN -2.6% Baker Hughes Inc BHI -3.7% Trinidad Drilling Ltd TDG -4.3%
OMV AG
SECURITY_NAME OMV AV
TICKER -2.8%
Chg Consol Energy Inc
SECURITY_NAME CNX
TICKER -4.0%
Chg Trican Well Service Ltd
SECURITY_NAME TCW -4.6%
TICKER Chg
Materials Mitsubishi Chemical Holdings C 4188 JP 3.7% Titanium Metals Corp TIE 3.4% Great Basin Gold Ltd GBG 4.0%
Yara International ASA YAR NO 3.0% Owens-Illinois Inc OI 1.1% Silvercorp Metals Inc SVM 1.3%
Sumitomo Metal Industries Ltd 5405 JP 2.6% Allegheny Technologies Inc ATI 0.6% Aurizon Mines Ltd ARZ 0.8%
Southern Copper Corp SCCO US -3.1% AK Steel Holding Corp AKS -2.6% Thompson Creek Metals Co Inc TCM -3.8%
Cia de Minas Buenaventura SA BVN US -3.8% MeadWestvaco Corp MWV -3.1% Eldorado Gold Corp ELD -4.8%
Incitec Pivot Ltd
SECURITY_NAME IPL AU
TICKER -4.3%
Chg Dow Chemical Co/The
SECURITY_NAME DOW -3.5%
TICKER Chg Lake Shore Gold Corp
SECURITY_NAME LSG -5.7%
TICKER Chg
Industrials Empresa Brasileira de Aeronaut ERJ US 4.7% Rockwell Collins Inc COL 3.0% Transat AT Inc TRZ/B 4.4%
Volvo AB VOLVB SS 3.2% Precision Castparts Corp PCP 2.0% Bombardier Inc BBD/B 1.6%
SMC Corp/Japan 6273 JP 3.0% Goodrich Corp GR 1.7% CAE Inc CAE 1.3%
ABB Ltd ABBN VX -1.8% Cummins Inc CMI -2.0% Finning International Inc FTT -2.2%
Bouygues SA EN FP -2.0% 3M Co MMM -2.0% Stantec Inc STN -2.5%
Metso OYJ
SECURITY_NAME MEO1V
TICKERFH -2.1%
Chg Masco Corp
SECURITY_NAME MAS -3.3%
TICKER Chg IESI-BFC Ltd
SECURITY_NAME BIN -2.7%
TICKER Chg
Cons Disc Hyundai Motor Co 005380 KS 3.1% Ross Stores Inc ROST 3.7% Reitmans Canada Ltd RET/A 2.0%
Sony Corp 6758 JP 2.6% AutoNation Inc AN 1.5% Yellow Pages Income Fund YLO-U 1.2%
Denso Corp 6902 JP 2.5% Kohl's Corp KSS 1.4% Magna International Inc MG/A 1.0%
OPAP SA OPAP GA -1.8% Ford Motor Co F -3.2% Dorel Industries Inc DII/B -1.5%
Nikon Corp 7731 JP -3.0% DIRECTV DTV -3.4% Groupe Aeroplan Inc AER -1.7%
Esprit Holdings Ltd
SECURITY_NAME 330 HK
TICKER -3.2%
Chg Office Depot Inc
SECURITY_NAME ODP -4.8%
TICKER Chg Cogeco Cable Inc
SECURITY_NAME CCA -3.8%
TICKER Chg
Cons Stap Kimberly-Clark de Mexico SAB d KIMBERA MM 2.9% Philip Morris International In PM 1.7% George Weston Ltd WN 1.5%
Aeon Co Ltd 8267 JP 2.4% Coca-Cola Co/The KO 1.5% Saputo Inc SAP 1.0%
Seven & I Holdings Co Ltd 3382 JP 2.3% Kellogg Co K 1.1% Empire Co Ltd EMP/A 0.7%
Tate & Lyle PLC TATE LN -1.7% SUPERVALU Inc SVU -2.4% North West Co Fund NWF-U -0.6%
Nestle SA NESN VX -1.8% Safeway Inc SWY -2.5% Jean Coutu Group PJC Inc/The PJC/A -0.8%
Cia de Bebidas das Americas
SECURITY_NAME ABV US
TICKER -2.5%
Chg Kroger Co/The
SECURITY_NAME KR -2.7%
TICKER Chg Loblaw Cos Ltd
SECURITY_NAME L -1.1%
TICKER Chg
Health Care Novo Nordisk A/S NOVOB DC 1.4% Aetna Inc AET 3.7% CML Healthcare Income Fund CLC-U 1.1%
GlaxoSmithKline PLC GSK LN 1.1% CIGNA Corp CI 3.5% SXC Health Solutions Corp SXC 1.1%
Eisai Co Ltd 4523 JP 1.1% Genzyme Corp GENZ 3.4% Biovail Corp BVF 0.6%
Nobel Biocare Holding AG NOBN VX -0.4% St Jude Medical Inc STJ -1.5% MDS Inc MDS -1.1%
Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co FME GR -0.4% Pfizer Inc PFE -1.9%
Bayer AG
SECURITY_NAME BAYN
TICKERGR -1.2%
Chg PerkinElmer Inc
SECURITY_NAME PKI -2.1%
TICKER Chg SECURITY_NAME TICKER Chg
Financials Lloyds Banking Group PLC LLOY LN 8.2% People's United Financial Inc PBCT 1.5% Primaris Retail Real Estate In PMZ-U 1.7%
EFG Eurobank Ergasias SA EUROB GA 6.8% NASDAQ OMX Group Inc/The NDAQ 1.4% Brookfield Properties Corp BPO 1.6%
Alpha B ank AE ALPHAG A 5.5% Chubb Corp CB 1.3% FirstService Corp FSV 1.1%
Segro PLC SGRO LN -2.8% Genworth Financial Inc GNW -3.8% Brookfield Asset Management In BAM/A -2.2%
DnB NOR ASA DNBNOR NO -2.8% E*Trade Financial Corp ETFC -4.3% Chartwell Seniors Housing Real CSH-U -4.7%
DBS Group Holdings Ltd
SECURITY_NAME DBS SP
TICKER -3.2%
Chg SLM Corp
SECURITY_NAME SLM -5.5%
TICKER Chg Extendicare
SECURITY_NAME Real Estate Invest EXE-U -5.5%
TICKER Chg
Technology Ricoh Co Ltd 7752 JP 3.0% FLIR Systems Inc FLIR 1.5% Open Text Corp OTC -1.1%
Nintendo Co Ltd 7974 JP 2.6% LSI Corp LSI 0.9% Celestica Inc CLS -1.5%
Hirose Electric Co Ltd 6806 JP 2.5% Corning Inc GLW 0.8% Research In Motion Ltd RIM -1.9%
Alcatel-Lucent/France ALU FP -0.7% Xerox Corp XRX -2.9% CGI Group Inc GIB/A -2.4%
Murata Manufacturing Co Ltd 6981 JP -0.8% Advanced Micro Devices Inc AMD -3.0% MacDonald Dettwiler & Associat MDA -6.5%
ARM Holdings PLC
SECURITY_NAME ARM LN
TICKER -0.9%
Chg Adobe Systems Inc
SECURITY_NAME ADBE -3.0%
TICKER Chg SECURITY_NAME TICKER Chg
Telecom Singapore Telecommunications L ST SP 1.6% MetroPCS Communications Inc PCS 1.6% TELUS Corp T 2.0%
Vodafone Group PLC VOD LN 0.8% Qwest Communications Internati Q 1.0% Bell Aliant Regional Communica BA-U -0.3%
Portugal Telecom SGPS SA PTC PL 0.7% AT&T Inc T 0.7% Manitoba Telecom Services Inc MBT -0.4%
Softbank Corp 9984 JP -1.0% CenturyTel Inc CTL -0.5% Rogers Communications Inc RCI/B -0.8%
Telenor ASA TEL NO -1.2% Sprint Nextel Corp S -1.1% BCE Inc BCE -1.5%
Tele Norte Leste Participacoes
SECURITY_NAME TNE US
TICKER -4.2%
Chg Windstream
SECURITY_NAMECorp WIN -2.7%
TICKER Chg SECURITY_NAME TICKER Chg
Utilities Hong Kong & China Gas Co Ltd 3 HK 1.9% Xcel Energy Inc XEL 0.7% Just Energy Income Fund JE-U -0.4%
Terna Rete Elettrica Nazionale TRN IM 0.9% FirstEnergy Corp FE 0.5% Northland Power Income Fund NPI-U -1.0%
AGL Energy Ltd AGK AU 0.8% Dominion Resources Inc/VA D 0.5% TransAlta Corp TA -1.1%
Cia Energetica de Minas Gerais CIG US -1.9% Questar Corp STR -1.5% Capital Power Income LP CPA-U -2.8%
Drax Group PLC DRX LN -1.9% Oneok Inc OKE -1.8% Atco Ltd ACO/X -2.9%
Centrica PLC CNA LN -2.4% EQT Corp EQT -2.4% Fortis Inc/Canada FTS -3.1%
H/L = at a new closing 52- wk High/Low; / = within 10% of the 52- wk High/Low; Blue = S&P/TSX 60 member, Italics = ETF, Bold = move of more than 5%
Red = Canadian incorporated, Blue = U.S. incorporated, Highlighted = S&P Global 1200 Index member
A.M. Notes
“Historic Vote on Health: Deal on Abortion Puts Biggest Change in Decades Over Top; Democrats Rejoice, but Republicans
Predict Electoral Gains” Wall Street Journal, page A1.
“In Reform, Boons for Hospitals and Drug Makers: With a sweeping overhaul of the nation’s health care system, Congress
would be giving the health care industry as many as 32 million additional paying customers in the next few years.” New York
Times, page B1.
Meantime, U.S. equity futures are pointing to a weak open. Worries about policy tightening in Asia, following India’s rate hike last
Friday afternoon, and ongoing concerns over Greece are weighing on global equity markets. The US$ is mildly stronger, as are
Treasuries, benefitting from the risk aversion.
No data on tap today, but Treasury Secretary Geithner addresses American Enterprise Institute in Washington, D.C. at 4:30 pm ET.
This week’s data…A major theme this week will be housing. Already showing cracks, blustery February weather didn’t help the
U.S. housing market. Existing home sales (out Tuesday) plunged 22% over December and January, but the carnage may not be
over, as January pending home sales recorded another steep decline. Look for sales to fall below the 5 mln level for the first time
since June 2009. The first homebuyer tax credit clearly brought sales forward, while the current credit is apparently providing little
boost…FHFA home prices are also due on Tuesday, and likely fell for a second straight month.
New home sales (out Wednesday) are likely to fare only marginally better, holding flat at January’s record low 309,000. While the
small increase in the NAHB index in February points to some potential gain, it was likely overwhelmed by the poor weather. And,
with the NAHB falling in March, the outlook for housing remains negative. Indeed, until the employment situation improves
markedly, new and existing home sales are unlikely to see consistent gains.
The other major release is durable goods orders which look to rise 0.6% in February, boosted
by a jump in Boeing orders. However, lower auto production likely acted as a slight headwind.
Excluding transportation, orders are expected to retrace part of the prior month’s 1% decline.
Core capital goods orders (a good proxy for business capital spending) which were particularly
weak in January, plunging 4.1%, likely also rebounded, but probably not enough to erase the
earlier decline. The big drop in core capital goods orders in January was a tough start to the
year, but business spending is still expected to contribute to real GDP growth in Q1.
Fedspeak: Fed Chairman Bernanke testifies at a House Financial Services Committee hearing
on “Unwinding Emergency Federal Reserve Liquidity Programs and Implications for Economic
Recovery.” This is clearly policy related and we could get some monetary morsels.
Other headlines…
“Interest-Rate Deals Sting Cities, States: Hundreds of U.S. municipalities are losing money
on interest-rate bets they made during the bull market in hopes of protecting themselves from
higher rates. The deal backfired when rates fell, shrivelling the sums paid to municipalities.
Now some are criticizing Wall Street and trying to exit the contracts.” Wall Street Journal,
page A1.
“IMF Urges Advanced Economies to Pare Deficits and Debt: he International Monetary
Fund on Sunday urged countries, particularly those with advanced economies, to pare their
fiscal deficits and debt to prudent levels by carrying out pension and health entitlement
reforms.” Wall Street Journal, page A12.
BoC Talk: Carney’s speech will be at lunch to the Canadian Association for Business
Economics at the Chateau Laurier. (Can you say part-eee?) The topic is “Productive Virtue in a
Wicked World “…thus, like you, I have no clue what he will be talking about. This will be
followed by a press conference just after 2 pm, and both the speech and presser will be
available on an audio webcast.
Provies: We will first see the budgets from arguably the two provinces with the least fiscal
work to do (Manitoba on Tuesday, and Saskatchewan on Wednesday), and then followed by
the province with arguably the most work to do (Ontario on Thursday). Ontario is looking at a
budget deficit of $24.7 billion in the fiscal year that ends on March 31, or 4.3% of GDP, both
record highs. The news is unlikely to get much better in the coming fiscal year, as the latest
projection of the FY10/11 gap was $21.1 billion. Press reports indicate that the Province is not
planning on aiming for a balanced budget until 2017, at the earliest, and restraint will not figure
high on the list of priorities in this year’s document. Implementing the HST on July 1 will be
the top challenge.
Dollarama: There was yet another apparent U-turn in Ottawa’s take on the strong loonie on
Friday. Finance Minister Flaherty and Industry Minister Clement both seemed to green-
light further strength in the C$ with sanguine comments about the currency early last week, a
change from last year. However, Prime Minister Harper weighed in on Friday: “The governor
of the Bank of Canada has been very clear … that the excessive or premature rise in the
Canadian dollar…is a risk in terms of the recovery of the Canadian economy”. (Reuters). For
all the attention it got, the C$ actually finished the week barely ahead, rising just 0.3% to
close at 98.4 cents ($1.017/US$). However, it fared very well on the crosses, as the euro and
pound both fell more than 1%, and the yen and Aussie $ barely rose last week. The currency
begins this week essentially where it left off on Friday at 98.3 cents.
See today's Wall Street Journal on page C1: "This Time, Canada Inc. Is Set for Dollar
Parity: Across Canada, exporters are girding for the likelihood that the Canadian currency
will keep getting stronger. The loonie, as Canadians dub their dollar, has risen 23% against the
U.S. dollar during the past 12 months, and is soon expected to equal or exceed the greenback."
StockWatch: The TSX fell 0.5% last week, dropping back below the 12k mark, after hitting an
18-month high of 12,100 on Wednesday. Toronto was one of the weaker global markets, as the
S&P 500 was up 0.9% and the Dow rose 1.1%, while most of Europe edged up and most of
Asia saw solid gains. On year-to-date basis, the TSX is about in the middle of the pack at
+1.7%, but it is now markedly below the S&P 500’s 4.0% gain as we near the end of Q1
(already!). There’s no real mystery why the TSX lagged, as materials (-1.6%) and energy (-
2.0%) were both down, with tech (-3.4%) piling on.
BondWatch: The short end of Canada’s market took another hit last week amid the ongoing
wave of upbeat economic data. Two-year yields rose 8 bps to 1.67%, and are now at their
highest level since November 2008 (aside from a spike last October in the wake of the RBA’s
first rate hike). Short-term yields have climbed 50 bps from their mid-January low, as the tide
of sentiment has turned decisively. Meantime, 10-year yields are the absolute definition of
range-bound---they dipped 5 bps last week to 3.49%, and are now essentially sitting right on
their 50- and 200-day moving average.
From the headlines: “Questions about deficit loom large over Thursday's Ontario budget:
Facing a cash crunch, Dalton McGuinty's Liberals have lowered expectations in advance of
Thursday's budget. But Finance Minister Dwight Duncan doesn't have the luxury of being
entirely boring, because there are a few big questions - mostly related to the scale of the
provincial deficit, and how the Liberals will fight it. The answers will help tell the story of the
rest of Mr. McGuinty's second term.” Globe and Mail (Link to Article)
“Markets watch for any hint of rate change': Those seeking more clarity from Bank of Canada
governor Mark Carney on when interest rates are going to rise just might get some on
Wednesday. Last April, the Bank of Canada lowered its overnight target interest rate to a
record-low 0.25% and said it would more than likely keep it there until at least July this year.
At the time, it forecast Canada’s core inflation rate would fall short of the preferred 2% annual
rate until the latter part of 2011. That hasn’t exactly worked out as planned.” National Post,
page A17
In Europe, the differing views on how to handle Greece’s fiscal problems continued to rage on
over the weekend, and all ahead of the March 25-26 European summit. Angela Merkel
mused during a radio interview that “I don't see that Greece needs money at the moment and
the Greek government has confirmed that. That's why I'd urge us not to stir up turbulence in the
markets by raising false expectations for Thursday's council meeting.” Meantime, Italy’s Silvio
Berlusconi said he was “absolutely in favour” of the EU providing assistance to Greece. And
so it goes. The EUR is trading near a 3-week low this morning of just under $1.35 so far this
morning, while European equities are in the red.
In Asia, the war of words continued between China and the U.S. on the value of the yuan.
Commerce Minister Chen Deming was on the wires last night, saying “The currency is a
sovereign issue and should not be an issue to be discussed between two countries” and that “We
think the renminbi is not undervalued, but if the U.S. Treasury gave an untrue reply for its own
needs, we will wait and see. If such a reply is followed by trade sanctions, I think we will not do
nothing. We will also respond if this means litigation under the global legal framework”. What
exactly the last part means is not clear but China seems to be gearing up for a trade war.
“Europe's Stragglers Find Villain: Germany's Competitiveness: Greece and Europe's other
intensive-care economies face a threat that can't be solved by cutting public spending or raising
taxes: a loss of competitiveness. And in the eyes of those struggling economies, the villain is
Germany—the euro zone's largest economy—which has emerged in recent years as the region's
most competitive. By raising the competitive bar, Germany makes it that much harder for its
neighbors to compete to sell their goods and services at home and abroad, a factor that in turn
affects their ability to grow out of their current debt-laden holes.” Wall Street Journal, page A2
IMPORTANT DISCLOSURES
Analyst's Certification
As to each com pany covered in this report, each analyst hereby certifies that the views expressed accurately reflect the analyst’s personal views about
the subject securities or issuers. Each analyst also certifies that no part of the analyst’s compensation was, is or will be, directly or indirectly, related to
the specific recommendations or views expressed in this report.
Analysts who p repared this r eport are compens ated b ased upon (a mong other f actors) th e ov erall prof itability of BMO Capital Mar kets and th eir
affiliates, which includes th e overall profitability of inv estment banking services . Compensation for research is based on eff ectiveness in generating
new ideas and in communication of ideas to clients, performance of recommendations, accuracy of earnings estimates, and service to clients.
Market performance is measured b y a benchmark index such as the S&P/TSX Composite I ndex, S&P 500, Nasdaq Composite, as appropri ate for each
company. BM O Capital Markets eight Top 15 lis ts guide inv estors to our bes t ideas according to different objectives (Canadian large, small, growth,
value, income, quantitative; and US large, US small) have replaced the Top Pick rating.
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