Updating Emera Inc., Andrew Peller Ltd., and Bank of Montreal

Article Excerpt

EMERA INC. $20 (Toronto symbol EMA) earned $0.30 a share in the second quarter of 2007, up 15.4% from $0.26 a year earlier, thanks to strong growth at its core Nova Scotia Power subsidiary as well as income from its new power plant in Massachusetts. The better earnings let Emera raise its annual dividend rate 2.2%, from $0.89 to $0.91. It now yields 4.6%. Buy. ANDREW PELLER LTD. $10 (Toronto symbol ADW.A) continues to profit from strong demand for its premium wines. In its first fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2007, earnings per share rose 25.0%, to $0.20 from $0.16 a year earlier. If you exclude unusual items, profits rose 13%. Peller recently increased its dividend for the second straight year. The new annual rate of $0.30 yields 3.0%. Buy. BANK OF MONTREAL $61 (Toronto symbol BMO) has launched a new loyalty MasterCard aimed at students between 18 and 24 years old. The card will give them discounts on merchandise and services…