Get 4.2% yield from Emera Inc.

Get 4.2% yield from Emera Inc.

Improved sales of electricity and natural gas led to a 17.1% jump in earnings for this company during the most-recent quarter. At the same time, its recent $13.9 billion acquisition continues to bolster its earnings.

A recent law change will make it easier for the company… Read More

Rising dividends and cash flow should boost Emera’s appeal

Rising dividends and cash flow should boost Emera’s appeal

This multinational power plant and electricity provider expects $6.5 billion in new projects to increase its cash flow and help lift its dividend. The expanded operations should also help it pay down its debt following a major acquisition.


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EMERA INC. (Toronto symbol EMA; www.emera.com) owns… Read More

Growing utility’s new target cuts risk

This diversified Canadian utility plans to raise its annual dividend rate between 4% and 5% each year through 2021. That’s down from its previous 8% target, but this more modest growth conserves cash for new projects and pays down debt.

That’s why this company has our… Read More

Emera can handle its debt load

EMERA INC. $44 (Toronto symbol EMA; Income Portfolio, Utilities sector; Shares o/s: 233.0 million; Market cap: $10.3 billion; Price-to-sales ratio: 1.7; Divd. yield: 5.4%; TSINetwork Rating: Average; www.emera.com) has spent $2 billion in the past year on new projects. Those include its 49.5%-owned Labrador Island Link, which… Read More

Emera’s new target cuts its risk

Emera now plans to raise its annual dividend rate between 4% and 5% each year through 2021. That’s down from its previous aim to raise the dividend 8% annually through 2020.
The company cut that growth target to conserve cash for new projects and pay down… Read More

Expect dividend increases from these four

Rising interest rates generally reduce the appeal of income stocks, including utilities. However, recent acquisitions by these four industry leaders—and their new projects—set them up for years of higher dividends.
CANADIAN UTILITIES LTD. (Toronto symbols CU [class A non-voting] $31 and CU.X [class B voting] $31; Income Portfolio, Utilities sector;… Read More

Updating BCE Inc., Bank of Montreal and Emera Inc.

BCE INC. $51 (Toronto symbol BCE; Conservative Growth and Income Portfolios, Utilities sector; Shares outstanding: 898.0 million; Market cap: $45.8 billion; Price-to-sales ratio: 2.0; Dividend yield: 5.8%; TSINetwork Rating: Above Average; www.bce.ca) stands to gain from the new trade agreement between the U.S., Mexico and Canada (called… Read More

Look beyond their latest quarterly results

All four of these power and gas utilities reported lower earnings for the second quarter of 2018. Moreover, rising interest rates have hurt their appeal among income-seeking investors. Higher rates will also increase their borrowing costs as they raise funds for new projects.
Even so, most… Read More

Updating Emera Inc.

EMERA INC. $42 (Toronto symbol EMA; Income-Growth Payer Portfolio, Utilities sector; Shares outstanding: 227.8 million; Market cap: $9.6 billion; Dividend yield: 5.4%; Dividend Sustainability Rating: Highest; www.emera.com) owns 100% of Nova Scotia Power, that province’s main electricity supplier. This business supplies 20% of Emera’s earnings. The remaining 80%… Read More