Their lower payouts are more sustainable

Article Excerpt

These two green energy producers recently cut their dividends. We feel that was the right move, as it frees up cash for investments in new projects. ALGONQUIN POWER & UTILITIES CORP. $6.96 is a buy for long-term gains. The company (Toronto symbol AQN; High-Growth Dividend Payer Portfolio, Utilities sector; Shares o/s: 767.0 million; Market cap: $5.3 billion; Dividend yield: 5.2%; Dividend Sustainability Rating: Average; www.algonquinpower.com) has agreed to sell most of its non-regulated renewable power assets to LS Power. When it completes the transaction in late 2024 or early 2025, Algonquin will receive $2.28 billion (all amounts except share price and market cap in U.S. dollars). Depending on the future performance of those assets, it could receive an additional $220 million. The company also will sell its 42.2% stake in Atlantica Sustainable Infrastructure plc (Nasdaq symbol AY) for $1.08 billion. The sales will let Algonquin focus entirely on its regulated utilities, which supply electricity, gas, water distribution and wastewater collection services to 3.15 million customers in Canada,…