If you want income, CU is the better choice

Article Excerpt

Canadian Utilities recently sold its 12 fossil fuel-fired plants in Canada, plus other non-core assets. The company will likely reinvest the proceeds in new businesses. That will further enhance value for its investors, but also for the shareholders of its parent company, ATCO. We like both stocks, but CU’s higher dividend and yield make it a better buy for income-seeking investors. CANADIAN UTILITIES LTD. is a buy. The company (Toronto symbols CU [class A non-voting] $39 and CU.X [class B voting] $39; Income Portfolio, Utilities sector; Shares o/s: 273.2 million; Market cap: $10.7 billion; Price-to-sales ratio: 2.7; Dividend yield: 4.3%; TSINetwork Rating: Above Average; www.canadianutilities.com) distributes electricity and natural gas in Alberta and Australia. It also owns 5 power plants—1 in Canada, 2 in Australia and 2 in Mexico. ATCO (see right) owns 52.2% of the company. Following a strategic review designed to increase shareholder value, Canadian Utilities recently sold its fossil fuel-based power plants in Canada for $821 million. It recorded a $139 million gain on the sale. Canadian…