Big purchase transforms Emera

Article Excerpt

Dear client: With its Newfoundland projects, Emera plans to replace some of its older coal and gas-fired plants in Nova Scotia with low-cost, clean hydroelectric power. The company’s recent purchase of U.S. power and gas distributor Teco should also pay off for years to come. We generally take a skeptical view of companies that grow their businesses through acquisitions. Hidden problems with new operations can offset the expected profit gains. However, Teco’s regulated operations are already profitable, and the additional cash flow will let Emera keep raising its dividend. EMERA INC. $49 (Toronto symbol EMA; Income Portfolio, Utilities sector; Shares outstanding: 211.2 million; Market cap: $10.3 billion; Price-to-sales ratio: 1.7; Dividend yield: 4.3%; TSINetwork Rating: Average; www.emera.com) owns 100% of Nova Scotia Power, that province’s main electricity supplier. This business supplies 20% of Emera’s earnings. In the past few years, the company has steadily expanded into other regions through acquisitions. It now owns or invests in several power plants and natural gas pipelines in the…