AQN backs out of a deal

Article Excerpt

ALGONQUIN POWER & UTILITIES, $11.88, is a buy. The utility (Toronto symbol AQN; Shares outstanding: 683.6 million; Market cap: $7.9 billion; TSINetwork Rating: Extra Risk; Dividend yeld: 5.0%; www.algonquinpower.com) is now cancelling its $2.65 billion U.S. purchase of Kentucky Power Co. That firm generates and distributes electricity to 228,000 customers in the state. The deal failed because of opposition from U.S. regulators. Algonquin is not required to pay a termination fee. Meantime, Algonquin still expects to earn between $0.55 U.S. and $0.61 U.S. a share in 2023. The stock trades at 14.4 times the midpoint of the range. That’s a reasonable multiple given Algonquin’s high-quality assets. Its regulated utilities spanning electricity, water and natural gas distribution account for 80% of its portfolio. (Regulated utilities typically have guaranteed rates set by government regulators.) Algonquin Power & Utilities is a buy. buy…