Michael Simpson, CFA
Keystone North America Inc.
KNA-T
COMMENT
Nov 03, 2006
Funeral home and cemetery business. This will not be affected by the proposed legislation. Debt levels are a bit too high. Payout ratio is also too high.
Very good management team. Won't be as impacted from the tax changes as it is mainly US operations. Because it is small cap, it seems to fly below everyone's radar. Would have liked to have seen a faster pace in consolidations and acquisitions.
Operates funeral homes. Last year was particularly slow. Generally should be a stable business. US$ income that has been converted into Cdn cash flow, which has been a problem. Recently cut their distributions and are doing a rights issue and lowering their debt, which is positive but a bit dilutive. Fairly valued.
Wasn't actually structured as an income trust but as an Income Depository Security that consisted of a common share and some debt paper clipped together. They are proposing to replace debt with more equity. Rights were issued to unitholders. This allows debt to be replaced with common shares. He feels it makes sense to exercise the Rights.