‘Unstoppable’ Ski-Doo maker BRP’s value climbs

Eclipses struggling former parent company, Bombardier, as shares jump 7.5 per cent

BRP Inc. jumped after it raised its full year profit and sales forecast, adding more fuel to a rally that has made the Ski-Doo maker more valuable than its struggling former parent, Bombardier Inc.

Shares of the power-sports vehicle maker were up 0.6 per cent to $62.99 at 1:39 p.m. in Toronto, taking gains to 80 per cent this year for a market value of $5.6 billion.

That’s more than the $5-billion value of Bombardier, which BRP was spun out from in 2003 before being listed in 2013.

BRP, which also makes Sea-Doos and all-terrain vehicles, has become an “unstoppable” force with its solid third-quarter results and 2020 outlook, said Desjardins analyst Benoit Poirier.

The Valcourt, Quebec-based company said full-year revenue will rise by 12 to 14 per cent amid robust retail growth. It had previously guided a 10to 13-per-cent gain.

BRP also lifted the lower end of its normalized earnings-per-share forecast to $3.70 from $3.65 and kept the higher end of that range at $3.80. Third-quarter profits and sales came in above the highest analyst estimates.

“Despite its recent price performance, we still see potential upside for the stock at current levels given the robust retail sales growth across all markets globally, which should support favourable earnings revisions,” Poirier said. He has a buy rating on the stock.

“Our industry is performing well globally, and we continue to outpace it with double digit growth,” José Boisjoli, chief executive officer, said in a statement Wednesday. “Our efforts are paying off and we don’t intend to ease up.”

BRP’s rally comes as Bombardier focuses on trains after selling off much of its aircraft operations.

The Beaudoin families, which married into the founding Bombardier family, held about 29 per cent of outstanding shares in BRP, while Bain Capital owned about 22 per cent as of April 17, according to a company filing.