Buy Canadian Utilities at a discount

Article Excerpt

ATCO LTD. (Toronto symbols ACO.X [class I non-voting] $43 and ACO.Y [class II voting] $43; Shares outstanding: 57.9 million; Market cap: $2.5 billion; Price-to-sales ratio: 0.7; SI Rating: Above Average) is a Calgary-based holding company. ATCO’s main subsidiary is 52.3%-owned Canadian Utilities Ltd.. As a result of a recent reorganization, Canadian Utilities operates most of ATCO’s main utility and energy businesses. Based on current prices, you can buy a share of ATCO for $43, and get roughly $44 worth of Canadian Utilities. That means you get ATCO’s other businesses for free. These subsidiaries mainly build temporary structures, airfields and communication systems in remote areas for energy exploration and construction companies. ATCO should earn $4.10 a share in 2009. The stock trades at just 10.5 times that estimate. The $1.00 dividend yields 2.3%. ATCO is a buy. The more liquid class I non-voting shares are the better choice. choice…