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Railway companies Canadian National Railway Co. and Canadian Pacific Railway Ltd., which move the crop from the elevators to the ports, insist they are handling more grain than ever, and are supplying about 5,500 railcars a week.

Inside the Market's roundup of some of today's key analyst actions. This file will be updated often during the trading day so check back for new details.

Canaccord Genuity analyst David Tyerman expects a "significant slowing" in earnings per share growth through the 2015 fiscal year for Canadian Pacific Railway Ltd.

Mr. Tyerman said CP is likely to report 52-per-cent earnings per share growth in the first quarter year over year, led by 9-per-cent revenue growth and a 6.9-per-cent improvement to its operating ratio. He also expects strong sales growth for the same period year over year as poor weather hurt volumes and margins in 2014.

"We expect 2015 revenues to slow significantly after the first quarter of 2015 as comparison period revenue growth rates are more challenging and CP seems likely to experience lower grain (return to normal volumes) and energy (crude by rail, frack sand, etc. hit by lower oil prices) shipments," he said.

He lowered his price target to $215 from $218. The consensus is $236.19,according to Thomson Reuters.

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CIBC World Markets analyst Cosmos Chiu expects an interloper could enter into a merger and acquisition transaction involving AuRico Gold Inc. within 12 to 18 months.

AuRico's announced merger with Alamos Gold Inc., to be named Alamos Gold, would create a "larger, more substantial" gold producer, said Mr. Chiu, and the combined entity would have a stronger balance sheet, which would assist in the ramp-up of the Young-Davidson mine in Northern Ontario. He also said the spinoff company, AuRico Metals, could trade closer to a premium royalty company if re-evaluated.

However, considering the quality and location of its assets, Mr. Chiu thinks that AuRico could be an attractive asset to numerous companies with geographic proximity to its mines, including Goldcorp Inc., New Gold Inc. and IAMGOLD Corp..

"We believe a successful external bid for AuRico Gold would likely come with a takeout premium," said Mr. Chiu.

He lowered his target price to $5.25 from $6, factoring in a reduced investment time frame. The analyst consensus is $4.74, according to Thomson Reuters.

AuRico Gold Inc. was also raised to "outperform" from "sector perform" at National Bank with a 12-month target price of $5.30 (Canadian) per share.

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Resolving issues at its Pinto Valley mine in Arizona will be important for Capstone Mining Corp. going forward, said Dundee Capital Markets analyst Joseph Gallucci.

Capstone reported lower mill throughput at the facility, which Mr. Gallucci calls its "cornerstone asset," in the first quarter of 2015. He points out that, through higher-than-expected grades and rescheduling of the mine's plan, Capstone kept production largely in line.

He said initiatives are underway to address the Pinto Valley concerns.

The analyst reduced his price target to $2.10 from $2.30. The consensus is $1.99.

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Raymond James analyst Phil Russo said investors will be rewarded as the asset base of Goldcorp Inc. produces increased cash flow through the year.

Mr. Russo increased his grade profile of the company's Cerro Negro facility in Argentina, thanks to the processing of ore from the higher-grade Mariana Central vein structure in the second half of 2015. He also expects an increased throughput and grade at the new Éléonore mine in James Bay.

"We believe Goldcorp's relative underperformance year-to-date can in part be attributed to the market's aversion for ramp-up risk at its key growth projects in 2015 - Cerro Negro and Éléonore," said Mr. Russo.

The analyst said first-quarter production levels were "encouraging," and says he anticipates "the stock to unhinge from current levels as this risk outlook diminishes."

He lowered his price target to $28 (U.S.) from $29.50. The analyst consensus is $26.85.

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BMO Nesbitt Burns analyst John Morris said there are early signs of traction and "significant opportunity" for a recovery in operating margins at Urban Outfitters Inc.

"Now, as we look out toward the back half of 2015 and into 2016, we believe pieces are coming together to get the Urban division back on the right track," said Mr. Morris, who upgraded the company from "market perform" to "outperform."

He said the rating change is based on several factors, including: new merchandising leadership driving product assortment improvements; a focus on the "highly attractive Millennial demographic"; a strong position in the retail sector and being an "attractive retail growth story."

He raised his price target to $53 (U.S.) from $32. The consensus is $43.66.

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In other analyst actions:

Interfor Corp. was upgraded to "strong buy" from "outperform" at Raymond James. The target price is $27 (Canadian) per share.

Qualcomm Inc. was raised to "buy" from "neutral" at Bank of America.

Cineplex Inc. was initated with a "hold" rating at TD Securities. The 12-month target price is $54 (Canadian) per share.

Alamos Gold Inc. was lowered to "hold" from "buy" at TD Securities.

Schlumberger Ltd. was downgraded to "Market Perform" from "Outperform" at Raymond James. The 12-month target price is $9 (Canadian) per share.

Long Run Exploration Ltd. was raised to "hold" from "reduce" at GMP. The target price is 75 cents (Canadian) per share.

NuVista Energy Ltd. was downgraded to "hold" from "buy" at GMP. The target price is $9 (Canadian) per share.

PrairieSky Royalty Ltd. was downgraded to "hold" from "buy" at GMP. The target price is $33.50 (Canadian) per share.

Sierra Metals Inc. was downgraded to "market perform" from "buy" at Cormark Securities. The target price is $2 (Canadian) per share.

Western Forest Products Inc. was raised to "strong buy" from "outperform" at Raymond James. The target price is $3.25 (Canadian) per share.

Aeterna Zentaris Inc. was raised to "buy" from "neutral" at HC Wainwright. The 12-month target price is $1.25 (U.S.) per share.

AMC Networks Inc. was rated new "overweight" at Piper Jaffray. The 12-month target price is $90 (U.S.) per share.

Avery Dennison Corp. was rated new "hold" at BB&T Capital.

Brocade Communications Systems Inc. was rated new "neutral" at Wedbush. The 12-month target price is $14 (U.S.) per share.

Norfolk Southern Corp. was downgraded to "hold" from "buy" at TD Securities. The 12-month target price is $110 (U.S.) per share.

Philip Morris International Inc. was downgraded to "hold" from "buy" at Argus.

Splunk Inc. was rated new "outperform" at Robert Baird. The 12-month target price is $75 (U.S.) per share.

SteadyMed Ltd. was rated new "outperform" at Wells Fargo by equity analyst Michael Faerm. The company was also rated new "outperform" at RBC Capital with a 12-month target price of $18 (U.S.) per share. JMP Securities also rated the company new "market outperform" with 12-month target price of $20 (U.S.) per share.

With files from Bloomberg News

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