Picture supply: The Motley Idiot
There’s a altering of the guard on the planet of investing, and traders are paying consideration. After greater than six a long time on the helm, Warren Buffett is stepping down from Berkshire Hathaway (NYSE:BRK.B)(NYSE:BRK.A). Whereas the information isn’t fully shocking, Buffett is 94 years outdated, it nonetheless marks the top of an period. He’s lengthy been the poster little one for buy-and-hold investing, worth self-discipline, and calm throughout market storms. However now, it’s time for somebody new to steer the US$900 billion ship. That somebody is Greg Abel, a Canadian govt who’s been quietly managing a lot of Berkshire’s non-insurance enterprise for years.
The brand new sheriff on the town
Born and raised in Edmonton, Abel is a low-key chief with deep expertise in vitality and utilities. He joined Berkshire in 2000 and labored his approach as much as vice chair of non-insurance operations. He oversees corporations like BNSF Railway, Berkshire Hathaway Power, and Dairy Queen, and has been broadly considered Buffett’s successor for a number of years now. The transition will develop into official by the top of 2025, with Buffett stepping right into a extra advisory position, in response to sources near the corporate.
Whereas many traders are nonetheless assured in the way forward for Berkshire Hathaway below Abel, others are beginning to trim their positions. There’s a pure tendency to reassess when a legendary chief retires. Some high-net-worth traders and fund managers are actually searching for recent alternatives exterior of Berkshire. Curiously, some are even turning their focus again to Canada, particularly to the TSX, the place corporations like CES Power Options (TSX: CEU) are beginning to catch their eye.
Why CES
CES Power Options isn’t a family title, however it’s making waves within the oil and gasoline providers sector. Based mostly in Calgary, the TSX inventory supplies consumable chemical options for drilling and manufacturing throughout North America. That may sound dry, however it’s truly a high-margin enterprise with regular demand. Oil producers depend on chemical options to maintain drilling environment friendly, protected, and worthwhile, and CES has carved out a powerful place in that area of interest.
In its most up-to-date earnings report for the fourth quarter of 2024, CES delivered income of $605.4 million, up 9.5% from the identical interval final yr. That’s stable progress in an trade that has confronted its share of volatility. The TSX inventory additionally posted document earnings earlier than curiosity, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) of $103.2 million, representing a 22% improve and a margin of 17.1%. These aren’t simply good numbers. They sign power, particularly in a sector the place value management and effectivity matter greater than ever.
Earnings per share (EPS) got here in at $0.18, which was barely beneath analysts’ expectations of $0.22, however the TSX inventory’s income and EBITDA progress greater than made up for the miss. CES is exhibiting that it is aware of the right way to develop in a disciplined approach, whereas additionally rewarding shareholders by way of a ahead dividend yield of two.7%. Past the numbers, CES has a number of intangibles that make it stand out. Its operations are diversified throughout Canada and the U.S., and it continues to put money into expertise and innovation. The administration group has a powerful monitor document of execution, and its steadiness sheet is in stable form. The vitality producer additionally advantages from the continued rebound in drilling exercise, significantly in Western Canada.
Backside line
For Canadian traders enthusiastic about rebalancing their portfolios, CES affords an fascinating alternative. It’s received progress potential, pays a dividend, and operates in a sector that also has room to run, even because the world transitions to renewables. And with some big-name traders shifting cash out of Berkshire and into under-the-radar names, CES is likely to be on the verge of broader recognition.
Buffett’s retirement would possibly mark the top of an period, however it additionally opens the door to a brand new wave of pondering – and investing. In the event you’re searching for a made-in-Canada inventory to carry, CES Power Options is one to observe. It’s not making an attempt to be the subsequent Berkshire. However it would possibly simply be the correct of firm for what comes subsequent.
