Topic: How To Invest

VERESEN $14.40 – Toronto symbol VSN

VERESEN $14.40 (Toronto symbol VSN; Shares outstanding: 193.7 million; Market cap: $2.8 billion; TSINetwork Rating: Average; Yield: 6.9%) owns pipelines, power plants and natural gas processing facilities across North America. One of its major holdings is 50% of the Alliance gas pipeline, which runs 3,000 kilometres from Fort St. John, B.C., to Chicago. Enbridge owns the other 50%.

As well, the company owns the Alberta Ethane Gathering System, and Veresen and Enbridge together own 85.4% of the Aux Sable natural gas liquids plant.

In December 2011, Veresen bought the Hythe/ Steeprock gas gathering and processing complex in the Montney region of B.C. and Alberta from Encana Corp. for $920 million. Encana has also agreed to buy most of the facility’s gas under a long-term contract.

In the three months ended December 31, 2011, Veresen’s cash flow rose 15.2%, to $53.2 million from $46.2 million a year earlier. Cash flow per share rose 6.7%, to $0.32 from $0.30, on more shares outstanding. Veresen’s shares yield 6.9%.

To diversify beyond pipelines and gas-processing plants, Veresen continues to expand its power generation business. It now owns hydroelectric facilities in New York State and B.C.; naturalgas- fired plants in Ontario, California and Colorado; and waste-heat plants in B.C. and Saskatchewan.

Veresen is still a buy.

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