Regulated assets support these high yields

Article Excerpt

Utility stocks are a great way for income-seeking investors to spur their long-term returns. That’s because regulators set the rates they charge high enough to give those utilities enough cash to invest in new projects, service their debt and pay dependable dividends. ALTAGAS LTD. $30 is a buy. The company (Toronto symbol ALA; High-Growth Dividend Payer Portfolio; Utilities sector; Shares outstanding: 295.3 million; Market cap: $8.9 billion; Dividend yield: 4.0%; Dividend Sustainability Rating: Above Average; www.altagas.ca) processes, transports, stores and markets natural gas for producers. It’s also a power generator, with gas-fired, coal-fired, wind, biomass and hydroelectric plants. As well, AltaGas purchased WGL Holdings Inc. for $4 billion in July 2018. It now distributes natural gas to 1.7 million customers in the District of Columbia, Maryland, Virginia and Michigan. The company last raised its quarterly dividend by 6.3%, with the March 2024 payment to $0.2975 a share from $0.28. The new annual rate of $1.19 yields a solid 4.0%. That’s equal to 62.6% of its earnings…