These high-yield stocks just raised distributions

Article Excerpt

BROOKFIELD RENEWABLE PARTNERS L.P. $40 (Toronto symbol BEP.UN; High-Growth Dividend Payer Portfolio, Utilities sector; Units outstanding: 310.0 million; Market cap: $12.4 billion; Dividend yield: 6.3%; Dividend Sustainability Rating: Above Average; www.brookfieldrenewable.com) has interests in 217 hydroelectric generating stations, 76 wind farms, four biomass facilities and three natural gas-fired power plants. Currently, 82% of Brookfield’s power generation comes from its hydroelectric operations, 16% from wind, and 2% from solar. Overall, 63% of its power generation is in North America, 18% in Brazil, 14% in Colombia and 5% in Eurasia. Altogether, those sites generate 16,000 megawatts. The partnership raised its quarterly distribution by 5.0%, with the March 2018 payment. The new annual rate of $1.96 U.S. a unit yields a high 6.3%. In the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2017, Brookfield completed its purchase of 100% of TerraForm Global and 51% of TerraForm Power. These two acquisitions added 3,600 megawatts of solar and wind assets to Brookfield’s renewable power portfolio. The partnership is now integrating TerraForm Global into…