Topic: How To Invest

Hi, Pat: What do you think about TransAlta, especially with Alberta’s new NDP government being anti-coal? Thank you.

Article Excerpt

TransAlta, $9.24, symbol TA on Toronto (Shares outstanding: 278.7 million; Market cap: $2.7 billion; www.transalta.com), is one of Alberta’s biggest coal-fired power plant operators. The province’s premier, Rachel Notley, has called for an accelerated coal phase-out, both while she was NDP environment critic and during the election campaign. TransAlta is already cutting back on its coal-burning power plants in Alberta, with all but one scheduled to close by 2029; the NDP could force the company to speed up that plan. That’s one challenge facing TransAlta. Of equal importance to investors is the weak outlook for Alberta electricity prices. The company pays a high 7.8% dividend yield. The payout looks safe for now, but a lot of investors participate in TransAlta’s dividend reinvestment program. That lets the company conserve cash, but the fact that these investors receive shares instead of cash means all shareholders’ interests are being steadily diluted. We don’t recommend TransAlta Corp. …