Stantec Inc. (USA) (STN), BHP Billiton Limited (ADR) (BHP), Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold Inc. (FCX): Why This Consulting Firm Merits Investors’ Attention

An accident in mid-May closed the mine’s operations temporarily, but its open-pit operation resumed in late June. The incident appears to have minimal impact on Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold Inc. (NYSE:FCX), which reported $0.49 EPS in the second quarter, exceeding analysts’ estimates.

Valued new acquisitions

The glimpses of mining’s fundamental strength that BHP Billiton Limited (ADR) (NYSE:BHP) and Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold Inc. (NYSE:FCX) give us are only one indication of Stantec’s growth prospects. Notably, the company has also made recent acquisitions that further bolster both its market reach and expertise in building and civil engineering as well as interior design.Together with the company’s lucrative mining contracts, these acquisitions augur well for Stantec to continue generating robust cashflow from its operations.

Stantec’s one-year forward P/E ratio in the low teens likewise looks eye-catching among investors. Also, the company’s 16.4% year-on-year EPS growth and 1.30% annual dividend yield, which rank among the best in the technical services industry, could indeed spotlight  Stantec as a promising stock pick.

The article Why This Consulting Firm Merits Investors’ Attention originally appeared on Fool.com and is written by Arturo Cuevas.

Arturo Cuevas has no position in any stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool owns shares of Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold.

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