Learn to profit from the profitable; Bank delivers logistics advice

TORONTO — This country’s sixth-largest bank, The National Bank of Canada, outdid the expectations of industry experts last month and posted an 11-percent jump in profits for the period that ended March 1. In the first quarter, the bank made $240 million, largely on the backs of consumer banking and service charges.

Did you hear that? $240 million. Who better to tell the rest of us how to make money?

Next week — Wednesday Mar. 28 to be precise — the Montreal-based institution will be holding its second annual Transportation and Logistics Conference at the Sheraton Centre in downtown Toronto. The event will bring together the brass of many of our biggest transport companies, income trusts and wheat boards, including Trimac, TransForce, CN Rail, WestJet, and a host of other movers.

In addition to hearing from 21 of the sector’s notable Canadian CEOs, the conference will include a presentation by Jim Parker, former boss of Southwest Airlines.

Parker is renowned for maintaining Southwest’s remarkable streak of profitability despite the economic weakness and challenges that occurred following the terrorist attacks of 9/11. He also developed innovative approaches to labor relations, including a 10-year deal with pilots that offered stock options in exchange for wage freezes.

“More than 20 companies in the transportation and logistics sectors will be present at this conference, enabling investors and analysts a unique opportunity to understand the direction these sectors are taking and the business strategies CEOs will use to create shareholder value,” said David Newman, the host of the event and industry research analyst at National Bank Financial.

“In order to ensure transparency and fair disclosure, the conference is also accessible to all via Webcast.”

The economic landscape is changing rapidly. Environmental regulations find places on our Excel spreadsheets. Fuel supplies have proved to be unpredictable. Geopolitical uncertainties affect the timeliness of our freight movements. And this week, the Conservatives introduced a new Federal budget.

Small wonder the conference is expected to draw more than 200 institutional investors, portfolio managers and industry analysts. The conference is not only expected to be a unique opportunity to gain insights from the sector’s top leaders, it will also be a place to initiate discussion on sustainable ways to increase shareholder value.

For more information, call Dan Brennan at (514) 843-2325.

Also with this conference, you can participate online. Go here for more details about logging on:

English: http://www.nbfinancial.com/webcast/transportation_en.htm
French: http://www.financierebn.com/webcast/transportation_fr.htm

Or click on the links below: