Michael Sprung
Intrawest
ITW-T
PAST TOP PICK
Jun 12, 2003
(Was a top pick on Mar 20/03. Up 14.5%.) Still likes. Trying to separate their development side from their skiing operations, so formed a subsiduary to look after development. Well positioned.
Had some concerns on the rain wiping out highways in B.C. creating problems on getting to and from Whistler. The spin out of their real estate development has created a run up of the stock may be little ahead of itself.
Havent delivered on what investors really want- debt reduced. Have had a good run. Stock will break up eventually, but untill then it will be land locked. Decent long term hold.
Trading in about the middle of its range. Things they said they were going to do are beginning to work for them. Trading at 1.3 X book. ROE will be around 10/13%. Small dividend.
Had a really dreadful winter in their B.C. resort of Whistler. Resorts are well diversified geographically. Have refinanced themselves very successfully. Snow will come back. A good longer term play.