These 2 M&A Growth Kings Have Plenty of Gas Left in the Tank

Parkland Fuel Corp. (TSX:PKI) and one other stock that low-tech growth investors ought to consider at today’s levels.

| More on:

Warren Buffett loves companies with easy-to-understand business models with the means to grow their earnings by a significant amount over the long-term with minimal uncertainty. Unfortunately, many of today’s higher growth tech stocks don’t fit the bill as an easy-to-understand business, nor do they possess predictable earnings streams.

Unless you’re an expert in a particular niche industry, it’s almost impossible to gauge when a company under question can move into the green sustainably. Thus, many of the highest growth stocks like Shopify Inc. or Tesla Inc. are usually operating in the red and have a lot more then meets the eye when you have a look underneath the hood.

Nobody knows when these businesses will start moving into the green, and should unforeseen contingent expenses arise, investors could run into big trouble. As such, explosive growth names like Shopify and Tesla are only suitable for investors who can stomach a rollercoaster ride on the road to profitability.

If disruptive tech is within your circle of competence, then more power to you, but if you’re like Buffett and would rather place a bet on an old-fashioned business that you can make comfortably own over the extremely long-term, you may want to consider low-tech earnings growth stocks that are already in the green.

Think growth-by-acquisition growth stories within the gas station and convenience store industries. Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc. (TSX:ATD.B) and Parkland Fuel Corp. (TSX:PKI) are two low-tech M&A companies that are growing their earnings through accretive acquisitions that have consistently resulted in “1+1=3” scenarios through the creation of synergies.

Both companies have impeccable management teams that can juice ample synergies from accretive acquisitions.

Parkland Fuel recently popped 7.8% in a single day following the release of a blowout quarter with an EPS of $0.45, which shattered analyst expectations of $0.12. Recently closed acquisitions are expected to continue to add another $340 million in EBITDA annually together with $80 million worth on synergies by next year.

Similarly, Couche-Tard is expected to realize further synergies from its own Holiday and CST Brands acquisitions, which will likely result in double-digit EPS growth numbers over the foreseeable future.

Both companies are expected to continue to roll up and drive synergies consistently over the course of decades. Couche-Tard has a mere 14.8 forward P/E and Parkland Fuel has a fairly modest 26.0 forward P/E after its recent surge.

Although Parkland Fuel has an attractive 3.1% dividend yield that dwarfs Couche-Tard’s 0.7% yield, I’d opt for Couche-Tard because it’s severely undervalued relative to its reasonably predictable forward-looking growth prospects. Moreover, its meagre yield is likely keeping many investors on the sidelines, which has created one heck of an entry point into a stock that’s very much still on the growth track.

Both Parkland Fuel and Couche-Tard are M&A earnings growth kings that are the perfect fit for any low-tech growth investor’s portfolio. If I had to choose one, however, I’d go with Couche-Tard, as the valuation is indicative of a no-growth stalwart, not a growth stock. Thus, I believe that at today’s levels, you’d be paying a dime to get a dollar. Once management puts its foot back on the M&A pedal, Couche-Tard stock will begin to make up for lost time.

Stay hungry. Stay Foolish.

Should you invest $1,000 in Parkland right now?

Before you buy stock in Parkland, consider this:

The Motley Fool Stock Advisor Canada analyst team just identified what they believe are the Top Stocks for 2025 and Beyond for investors to buy now… and Parkland wasn’t one of them. The Top Stocks that made the cut could potentially produce monster returns in the coming years.

Consider MercadoLibre, which we first recommended on January 8, 2014 ... if you invested $1,000 in the “eBay of Latin America” at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $21,345.77!*

Stock Advisor Canada provides investors with an easy-to-follow blueprint for success, including guidance on building a portfolio, regular updates from analysts, and two new stock picks each month – one from Canada and one from the U.S. The Stock Advisor Canada service has outperformed the return of S&P/TSX Composite Index by 24 percentage points since 2013*.

See the Top Stocks * Returns as of 4/21/25

This article represents the opinion of the writer, who may disagree with the “official” recommendation position of a Motley Fool premium service or advisor. We’re Motley! Questioning an investing thesis — even one of our own — helps us all think critically about investing and make decisions that help us become smarter, happier, and richer, so we sometimes publish articles that may not be in line with recommendations, rankings or other content.

Fool contributor Joey Frenette owns shares of ALIMENTATION COUCHE-TARD INC. David Gardner owns shares of Tesla. Tom Gardner owns shares of Tesla. The Motley Fool owns shares of SHOPIFY INC and Tesla. Shopify, Tesla and Alimentation Couche-Tard are recommendations of Stock Advisor Canada.

Confidently Navigate Market Volatility: Claim Your Free Report!

Feeling uneasy about the ups and downs of the stock market lately? You’re not alone. At The Motley Fool Canada, we get it — and we’re here to help. We’ve crafted an essential guide designed to help you through these uncertain times: "5-Step Checklist: How to Prepare Your Portfolio for Volatility."

Don't miss out on this opportunity for peace of mind. Just click below to learn how to receive your complimentary report today!

Get Our Free Report Today

More on Tech Stocks

Tech Stocks

The Smartest Tech Stock to Buy With $4,000 Right Now

Down almost 50% from all-time highs, this tech stock offers significant upside potential to shareholders in May 2025.

Read more »

Income and growth financial chart
Tech Stocks

2 Canadian Stocks That Could Turn $10,000 Into $100,000

If you're looking for growth and income, these two are some of the best options out there.

Read more »

money goes up and down in balance
Tech Stocks

1 Magnificent Tech Stock Down 27% to Buy and Hold Forever

Alphabet (NASDAQ:GOOG)(NASDAQ:GOOGL) is starting to look severely undervalued after its latest drop!

Read more »

ways to boost income
Tech Stocks

1 Undervalued TSX Stock Down 18% to Buy and Hold

This TSX stock remains down but is due for a huge comeback for investors.

Read more »

grow money, wealth build
Tech Stocks

This TSX Stock Down 20% Could Triple Your Money by 2028

Down 20% from its 52-week high, this TSX stock is positioned to more than triple investor returns over the next…

Read more »

money goes up and down in balance
Tech Stocks

The Smartest Canadian Stock to Buy With $600 Right Now

The Canadian stock market has some big winners trading at discounted share prices, ripe for the taking, and here’s one…

Read more »

Muscles Drawn On Black board
Dividend Stocks

The Best Canadian Stocks to Buy Right Away With $4,000

Seeking strength from your investments? Then these are the three stocks to consider first.

Read more »

Investor wonders if it's safe to buy stocks now
Tech Stocks

Where Will BlackBerry Be in 4 Years?

With fresh partnerships and a tighter focus, BlackBerry is trying to lay the foundation for long-term growth.

Read more »