Mario Gabelli Comments on CST Brands Inc.

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Feb 19, 2014

CST Brands Inc. (0.4%) (CST)($36.72 - NYSE), headquartered in San Antonio, TX, is one of the largest independent convenience store operators in North America, with 1,900 stores located in nine U.S. Midwest states and Canada. The company was spun-off by Valero on May 1, 2013. CST's store-base is concentrated in markets with above average population growth; 849 of the 1,034 total U.S. stores are located in three states with projected cumulative population growth of over 15% over the next decade: Texas (628), Colorado (158) and Arizona (63). CST owns the majority of its real estate, which mitigates lease risk and should provide downside protection; we estimate the real estate to be worth in the range of $1.5 billion to $2 billion or ~$20 to $26 per CST share. CST has generated $13 billion in revenue and $387 million of pro forma EBITDA over the trailing twelve month period.

From the Gabelli Value 25 Fund fourth quarter 2013 commentary.