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Topic: How To Invest

Emera to expand with massive new hydroelectric project in Labrador

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EMERA INC. (Toronto symbol EMA; www.emera.com) is Nova Scotia’s main power supplier. It also holds interests in electrical utilities in the U.S. and the Caribbean. Other operations include the Brunswick pipeline, which pumps natural gas from the U.S. to a liquefied natural gas plant in New Brunswick.

Emera aims to start working on a new hydroelectric project on Labrador’s Churchill River by the end of this year. It will invest $600 million for a 29% stake in a new regulated utility, which will transmit power from Churchill River to the island of Newfoundland.

In addition, Emera will spend $1.5 billion to build an undersea cable called the Maritime Link that will transmit 20% of the plant’s power to Nova Scotia. Emera will own 100% of this cable.

These two projects should begin operating by 2017.

Canadian stocks: Hedging contracts keep Emera fuel costs down

In the three months ended March 31, 2013, Emera earned $122.8 million, up 53.1% from $80.2 million a year earlier. Due to more shares outstanding, earnings per share rose at a slower pace of 43.8%, to $0.92 from $0.64.

Emera uses hedging contracts to lock in prices for coal, oil and other fuels. If you disregard gains and losses on these agreements and other unusual items, earnings per share would have gained 4.6%.

Revenue rose 12.3%, to $638.1 million from $568.0 million, thanks to colder-than-normal weather in Nova Scotia and higher power rates at its Caribbean operations. Emera pays a $1.40 dividend which yields 4.2%.

In the latest edition of The Successful Investor, we look at Emera’s financial outlook and whether the cost of its new Labrador project will be justified by its earnings potential. We conclude with our clear buy-sell-hold advice on the stock.

(Note: If you are a current subscriber to The Successful Investor, please click here to view Pat’s recommendation in the latest issue. Be sure to log in first.)

COMMENTS PLEASE—Share your investment knowledge and opinions with fellow TSINetwork.ca members

Aside from a steady dividend, what do you look for in a utility stock? Do you think there is more to be gained from utility companies that are willing to spend and take on risk in order to expand? Or do you prefer continuity and stability? Let us know what you think.

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