Lower interest rates will spur these utilities

Article Excerpt

Utilities stocks fell in 2023 on strong and competing demand for bonds as interest rates spurred bond yields. Higher interest rates also increased the borrowing costs for utilities as they undertook new projects and upgrades. However, it now looks like interest rates will come down in the next few months. As well, demand for more electrical power from cleaner sources continues to rise as governments mandate utilities cut their greenhouse gas emissions. These factors should spur these four stocks in particular. FORTIS INC. $56 is a buy. The company (Toronto symbol FTS; Conservative & Income Portfolios, Utilities sector; Shares outstanding: 488.5 million; Market cap: $27.4 billion; Price-to-sales ratio: 2.3; Dividend yield: 4.2%; TSINetwork Rating: Above Average; www.fortisinc.com) is the main supplier of electrical power in Newfoundland and PEI. It also owns electrical utilities across Canada, the U.S. and the Caribbean. In addition, the company distributes natural gas in British Columbia, Arizona and New York State. In the quarter ended September 30, 2023, Fortis’s revenue rose 6.5%,…