High yields backed by steady cash flows

When picking high dividend stocks, we continue to recommend that you look beyond yield (dividend rate divided by share price). Instead, focus on high-quality companies with long histories of rising payouts, such as these four utilities (including Canadian Utilities, see box on page 74). Their… Read More

Good partner in Emera

ALGONQUIN POWER & UTILITIES $5.85 (Toronto symbol AQN; Shares outstanding: 94.3 million; Market cap: $672.3 million; TSINetwork Rating: Extra Risk; Dividend yield: 4.4%; www.algonquinpower.com) is buying the 49.999% of California Pacific Electric Company (CPEC) it doesn’t own from Emera Inc. CPEC sells power to 47,000… Read More

High yields from renewable energy

ALGONQUIN POWER & UTILITIES CORP. $5.21 (Toronto symbol AQN; Shares outstanding: 95.1 million; Market cap: $495.5 million; TSINetwork Rating: Extra Risk; Dividend yield: 5.0%; www.algonquinpower.com) holds interests in 44 hydroelectric plants in Canada and the northeastern U.S., as well as 12 thermal-energy facilities. Wholly owned… Read More

This utility is investing for growth

Stocks in the Utilities sector usually appeal mainly to conservative and income-seeking investors. That’s because these firms’ operations (such as power plants and pipelines) generate steady cash flows that help them pay above-average dividends.

However, some utilities also offer opportunities for growth. Emera is good example… Read More

Regulatory delay pushed up final price

EMERA INC. $33 (Toronto symbol EMA; Income Portfolio, Utilities sector; Shares outstanding: 114.0 million; Market cap: $3.8 billion; Price-to-sales ratio: 2.4; Dividend yield: 3.9%; TSINetwork Rating: Average; www.emera.com) has completed its purchase of California Pacific Electric Co., which generates and distributes electricity to 47,000 customers… Read More

Renewable power stocks with gains ahead

ALGONQUIN POWER & UTILITIES CORP. $4.88 (Toronto symbol AQN; Shares outstanding: 95.1 million; Market cap: $464.1 million; TSINetwork Rating: Extra Risk; Dividend yield: 4.9%; www.algonquinpower.com) holds interests in 47 hydroelectric plants in Canada and the northeastern U.S., as well as 14 thermal-energy facilities. Wholly owned… Read More