Seven Montana Stocks

by: Stockerblog September 07, 2008 | about stocks: BKH / GBCI / GST / NWE / RNOW / SMTL / SWC    

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Ranked 48th in population when compared nationally,  Montana has plenty of room to accommodate tourists and visitors, as well as plenty of natural wonders, including Yellowstone National Park and Glacier National Park. Tourism, agriculture, and mining are Montana’s primary sources of income. Below are some interesting facts about Montana:

  1. The mining industry's contribution to the state economy in 2005 was $2.3 billion.
  2. It ranks number six in coal production in the United States.
  3. Montana currently requires that public utilities companies obtain 5% of its energy from renewable sources, with a goal of 15% by the year 2015.
  4. Wind power is of major importance to the state; Montana potential wind power generation ranks it number five nationwide.
  5. Montana’s main crop is wheat.
  6. Montana is rich in gas, oil, and coal.
  7. Montana’s gross state product for 2007 was $34,253 million.
  8. Copper is becoming increasingly important in Montana due to its rising value.
  9. Approximately 8.6% of income goes to state income tax in Montana, well under the national average of 9.7%.
  10. Montana corporate income tax is based on a flat rate of 6.75% on all corporate income.

The following companies are connected to the state of Montana:

  • Glacier Bancorp (GBCI) is a holding institution that renders banking services in Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, Utah, and Washington. The stock has a P/E of 16, a PEG of 14, and it pays a yield of 2.4%.
  • Stillwater Mining Co. (SWC) specializes in the mining and refining of palladium and other metals in Montana. The stock has a P/E of 72.
  • Right Now Technologies (RNOW), delivers software in the U.S., Europe and Asia. The company generated a loss per share of $0.40, but it has a forward P/E of 67.
  • Semitool Inc (SMTL) makes, sells and delivers semiconductor devices. The stock has a P/E of 88, and a PEG of 1.70. This is a very low cap stock and should therefore be considered very speculative.
  • Black Hills Corp. (BKH), while not based in Montana, controls an energy company that delivers energy to customers in Montana, South Dakota, and Wyoming. The stock has a P/E of 16, a PEG of 2.04, and it pays a yield of 4.1%.
  • Northwestern Corp. (NWE), while not based in Montana, delivers energy to customers in Montana, South Dakota, and Nebraska. The stock has a P/E of 15, a PEG of 1.49, and it pays a yield of 5.2%.
  • Gastar Exploration, Ltd. (GST), while not based in Montana, explores and develops coal bed methane property in the Powder River Basin of Montana and Wyoming. They also explore and develop oil and gas properties in North America and Australia. The stock has a forward P/E of 42. The stock trades on the American Stock Exchange.

Disclosure: Author does not own any of the above mentioned stocks.

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This article has 6 comments:

  •  
    Sep 07 11:23 AM
    Why would we think that anyone who states Yellowstone is in Montana know what's what about things less obvious?
    Reply | Link to Comment
  •  
    Sep 07 12:07 PM
    The whole north edge of Yellowstone National Park IS in Montana, and the western edge is about half in Montana and Idaho.
    Reply | Link to Comment
  •  
    Sep 07 12:12 PM
    actually a tiny bit of the park is in Montana

    away.com/gifs/states/w...
    Reply | Link to Comment
  •  
    Sep 07 12:43 PM
    Who cares about where Yellowstone is or isn't. For the geographically impaired it might be relevant. But, most of these stocks have very, very high PE's with no prospect of growth to match the PE.
    So we need an article on the PE impaired, I guess.
    Or at the least, how these stocks will, not can, raise eatrnings wothout wild and un-realistic scenarios.
    Reply | Link to Comment
  •  
    Sep 07 04:36 PM
    Dear Stockerblog,

    What's the point of the article?

    I do agree that the 10 interesting facts about Montana are interesting, but the publicly traded stocks that you list aren't very interesting at the present time to anyone who is looking for present investing.

    And the two commentator's are correct in stating that some of Yellowstone Park does exist in Montana. But, it isn't very considerate for the last commentator to say," Who cares about where Yellowstone is or isn't." Obviously, three of us who read the article, "care."

    I would suggest a stock of interest, that is currently happening in Montana and attractive at the moment: Northern Oil & Gas (NOG), involved in the Bakken oil field, located in northeastern Montana. Second quarter production & profits are up and the price is low, i.e. $6.36/share. I do own some of this stock myself, past year the price range: $4.27 - $16.40
    Check it out.

    famos from Montana
    Reply | Link to Comment
  •  
    Sep 07 06:59 PM
    Add MontanaDakota(MDU) to list. Coal bed methane, natural gas supplier,
    oil E&P, mining and construction in MT, ND and WY
    Reply | Link to Comment
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