Need for credit ratings still strong

Right now, the U.S. credit-rating industry is dominated by three firms: Standard & Poor’s (which is owned by McGraw-Hill, below), Moody’s and Fitch. However, Standard & Poor’s recent downgrade of U.S. Treasury bonds has drawn new attention to the entire industry. This increased scrutiny makes… Read More

Cost cuts improve MDS’s outlook

MDS INC. $6.30 (Toronto symbol MDS; Conservative Growth Portfolio, Consumer sector; Shares outstanding: 120.1 million; Market cap: $756.6 million; Price-to-sales ratio: 0.6; SI Rating: Average) is a life-sciences company that sells its goods and services in three fields: contract drug research (on behalf of pharmaceutical… Read More

TransAlta’s Cash Flow Remains Strong

TransAlta fended off a takeover bid from activist U.S. shareholder Luminus Management last year after taking steps (including selling its Mexican assets and raising its dividend) to increase shareholder value.

TransAlta faces lower power prices due to the slowing economy, and is also dealing with some… Read More

ENCANA CORP. $93 – Toronto symbol ECA

ENCANA CORP. $93 (Toronto symbol ECA; Conservative Growth Portfolio, Resources sector; Shares outstanding: 750.0 million; Market cap: $69.8 billion; SI Rating: Average) is a leading North American producer of natural gas and oil.

The company took its current form in April 2002 through the merger of… Read More

EnCana’s split unlocks value

EnCana encountered some skepticism when it shifted its focus from conventional energy production into unconventional gas and oil sands properties. These properties are costlier to develop and slower to generate a profit, but they have much greater long-term potential.

The company’s latest move to add value… Read More

TransAlta Adds Value

TRANSALTA CORP. $35.44 (Toronto symbol TA; SI Rating: Average) operates 50 power plants, in North America and Australia.

TransAlta continues to take steps to increase shareholder value. That’s partly in response to pressure from activist U.S. shareholder Luminus Management, which owns roughly 8.4% of TransAlta’s shares.

The… Read More