Emera’s rising dividend is a big plus

Article Excerpt

Emera’s shares recently hit a new all-time high. That in part reflects the ongoing success of its Florida power utility, acquired in 2016. Historically low interest rates in the past few years have also spurred investor demand for high-yielding utility stocks like Emera. Even though interest rates are rising again, and could slow the stock’s rise, the company’s high-quality assets will let it continue to raise your dividend. EMERA INC. $64 is a buy. The company (Toronto symbol EMA; Income Growth Portfolio, Utilities sector; Shares outstanding: 256.5 million; Market cap: $16.4 billion; Dividend yield: 4.1%; Dividend Sustainability Rating: Highest; www.emera.com) owns 100% of Nova Scotia Power, that province’s main electricity supplier. It also owns Teco Energy, which it acquired in July 2016 for $13.9 billion. Teco provides electricity to more than 765,000 customers in Tampa, Florida. Emera’s other interests include power plants and natural gas pipelines in the U.S. and the Caribbean. With the November 2021 payment, Emera raised your quarterly dividend by 3.9%. Investors now receive $0.6625…