Caterpillar Expects Growth In Canada, Creating Opportunity For Others

Weakness in North American construction markets may have driven a weaker-than-expected second quarter at Caterpillar Inc. (CAT), but the heavy equipment maker’s positive demand outlook for its products in Canada may bode well for infrastructure companies north of the border.

Caterpillar expects economic growth in Canada will be at least 2% this year, while “increased construction, tar sands development and mining growth should create a more favorable environment for the construction machinery industry than in the United States.”

Blackmont Capital analyst Avi Dalfen says this outlook bodes well for names like Finning International Inc. [FTT], Toromont Industries Ltd. [TIH], Bird Construction Income Fund [BDTu], Churchill Corp. [CUQ] and IBI Income Fund [IBGu], all of which he has “buy” ratings on.