Updating EMERA INC. and TELUS CORP.

Article Excerpt

EMERA INC. $30 (www.emera.com) earned $0.29 a share before unusual items in the three months ended September 30, 2013, down 17.1% from $0.35 a year earlier. That’s mainly due to higher income taxes and maintenance costs at its main Nova Scotia Power subsidiary. However, overall revenue rose 3.1%, to $491.2 million from $476.4 million, thanks to higher power demand and rates. Emera also raised its quarterly dividend by 3.6%. The new annual rate of $1.45 yields 4.8%. Buy. TELUS CORP. $37 (www.telus.com) continues to benefit from heavy investments in wireless networks. Thanks to rising demand for smartphones and wireless data, earnings in the third quarter of 2013 rose 18.4%, to $0.58 from $0.49. Telus also increased its dividend by 5.9%. The new annual rate of $1.44 yields 3.9%. However, Ottawa’s plan to cut wireless roaming fees adds to its risk. As well, the new free trade deal with Europe could open up Canada’s wireless industry to more foreign competition. Hold…