Fortis is now a continental leader

Article Excerpt

Over the past two decades, Fortis has transformed itself to add value for shareholders. From its start as a regional power provider for Atlantic Canada, the company has expanded and now serves more than 3.3 million power and gas customers across North America. Fortis is now focused on improving the performance and reliability of its regulated businesses rather than pursuing new acquisitions. That cuts your risk, and will give the company even more cash flow to raise its annual dividend rate by 6% each year through 2024. FORTIS INC. $53 is a buy. The company (Toronto symbol FTS; Conservative & Income Portfolios, Utilities sector; Shares outstanding: 464.3 million; Market cap: $24.6 billion; Price-to-sales ratio: 2.8; Dividend yield 3.6%; TSINetwork Rating: Above Average; www.fortisinc.com) began supplying electricity to St. John’s, Newfoundland, in 1885. It is now the main power utility in that province as well as PEI. Over the past few years, Fortis has used acquisitions to cut its reliance on Atlantic Canada. In 2004, the company…