Updating Emera Inc., Shawcor Ltd., Bank Of Montreal and Riocan Real Estate Investment Trust

Article Excerpt

EMERA INC. $21 (Toronto symbol EMA; Income Portfolio, Utilities sector; Shares outstanding: 111.4 million; Market cap: $2.3 billion; SI Rating: Average) earned $0.37 a share in the three months ended September 30, 2007, more than double the $0.18 a share it earned a year earlier. The bulk of the increase was due to a one-time tax gain at Nova Scotia Power Inc., Emera’s biggest subsidiary. Revenue rose 13.9%, to $310.3 million from $272.4 million, mainly due to higher electricity rates. Damage from Tropical Storm Noel in November cut power to roughly 20% of Emera’s customers in Nova Scotia for up to three days. However, it’s unlikely that the repair costs will hurt Emera’s ability to maintain its $0.91 dividend, which yields 4.3%. Emera is a buy. SHAWCOR LTD. $34 (Toronto symbol SCL.A; Aggressive Growth Portfolio, Manufacturing & Industry sector; Shares outstanding: 71.7 million; Market cap; $2.4 billion; SI Rating: Average) has lost a lawsuit accusing it of improperly disposing of hazardous waste material…