Capital Gains Taxes – Takeovers With a Twist

Article Excerpt

Two of our long-time recommendations — Transalta Corp. $37 (Toronto symbol TA; Conservative Growth Portfolio, Utilities sector; Shares outstanding: 199.0 million; Market cap: $7.4 billion; SI Rating: Average) and Fording Canadian Coal Trust $90 (Toronto symbol FDG.UN; Aggressive Growth Portfolio, Resources sector; Units outstanding: 150.0 million; Market cap: $13.5 billion; SI Rating: Average) — have attracted unusual takeover bids. The private equity firm that owns 9% of TransAlta’s stock is interested in acquiring the rest of the company for $39 a share. However, TransAlta feels this ‘highly-conditional’ offer undervalues the company. We still see TransAlta as a buy. Meanwhile, Fording has accepted a cash-and-stock offer from Teck Cominco worth about $96 a unit. The deal should close in October, 2008. Unlike most takeovers, Revenue Canada will treat the entire proceeds as ordinary income. If you hold Fording units in an RRSP, you should tender them to avoid paying brokerage fees. Otherwise, you should probably sell. That way, you’ll only be liable for…