ATCO LTD. – Toronto symbols ACO.X and ACO.Y

ATCO LTD. (Toronto symbols ACO.X [class I non-voting] $58 and ACO.Y [class II voting] $58; Income Portfolio, Utilities sector; Shares outstanding: 58.2 million; Market cap: $3.4 billion; Price-to-sales ratio: 1.0; Dividend yield: 2.2%; TSINetwork Rating: Above Average; www.atco.com) is a holding company. Its main subsidiary… Read More

High-quality utilities still top bonds

We prefer top-quality utility stocks over bonds, mainly due to the favourable tax treatment of dividends compared to interest payments. We like both Canadian Utilities and ATCO, which both offer dependable dividends. ATCO’s holding company discount also enhances its appeal.
CANADIAN UTILITIES LTD. (class A non-voting)… Read More

Becton is your #1 Spinoff Buy in 2022

We have selected Becton Dickinson as your #1 Spinoff Buy for 2022.
The medical device maker now plans to set up its diabetes-products business as a separate, publicly listed company. The split should unlock some of Becton’s holding company discount and let it focus on its… Read More

These updates help direct your investing

HP INC. $15 is a hold. The company (New York symbol HPQ; Manufacturing sector; Shares outstanding: 1.4 billion; Market cap: $21.0 billion; Dividend yield 4.5%; Takeover Target Rating: Medium; www.hp.com) took its current form on November 1, 2015, when the old Hewlett-Packard Co. split into two firms—HP Inc. (which… Read More

‘Carveout’ sets investors up for higher gains

Foodmaker Post Holdings recently initiated a “carve-out,” using an IPO to sell a portion of its active nutrition business, BellRing Brands. That now pure-play firm makes protein bars, shakes and nutritional supplements.
Post used the proceeds from the sale to pay down its debt and strengthen… Read More

COVID-19 slows move to unlock value

The stock market turmoil caused by COVID-19 will likely prompt many companies to postpone their upcoming spinoffs or strategic sales. Even so, when business conditions improve, we expect Vonage and Archer Daniels to follow through with their own plans to add investor value.
VONAGE HOLDINGS CORP… Read More

Sony sets the stage for your gains

SONY CORP. ADRs $62 is still a hold. The Japanese conglomerate (New York symbol SNE; Manufacturing sector; ADRs outstanding: 1.3 billion; Market cap: $80.6 billion; Dividend yield: 0.6%; Takeover Target Rating: Lowest; www.sony.net) has created a new subsidiary called Sony Electronics Corporation to hold three of its businesses—Imaging Products… Read More

Activists use pandemic to spur change

Sharp share-price drops due to the coronavirus outbreak will likely encourage activist investors to raise their stake in—and influence on—these three firms (including Sony—see box). However, for reasons outlined below, we advise you to stay on the sidelines, at least for now.
OCCIDENTAL PETROLEUM CORP. $14… Read More