EMERA INC. $21 (Toronto symbol EMA) earned $0.05 a share in the three months ended September 30, 2008, down 86.5% from $0.37 a year earlier. If you disregard a writedown and one-time costs, Emera would have earned $0.22 a share in the most recent quarter. The drop was mainly due to higher fuel costs at its main subsidiary, Nova Scotia Power. Revenue fell 4.7%, to $295.8 million from $310.3 million. However, high power rates should expand revenue in 2009. Buy.
TELUS CORP. $37 (Toronto symbol T.A) estimates that it will spend $50 million on restructuring activities in 2008. That’s up from its earlier estimate of $30 million. To put these costs in perspective, Telus earned $0.89 a share (total $285.1 million) in the third quarter of 2008. However, improving its efficiency will help Telus compete with new entrants in the wireless field. Buy.
GREAT-WEST LIFECO INC. $27 (Toronto symbol GWO) earned $0.48 a share in the third quarter of 2008, down 5.9% from $0.51 a year earlier. The drop was mainly due to unusual charges at its U.S. mutual fund subsidiary, Putnam Investment Trust. Despite the recent market turmoil, Great-West remains well capitalized. Best Buy.