Updating EnCana Corp., IGM Financial Inc., Canadian Utilities Ltd and TransAlta Corp.

Article Excerpt

ENCANA CORP. $52 (Toronto symbol ECA; Conservative Growth Portfolio, Resources sector; Shares outstanding: 750.2 million; Market cap: $39.0 billion; SI Rating; Average) plans to let shareholders vote on its plan to split itself into two companies — one focusing on natural gas, the other on oil sands and oil refineries. The gas company will keep the EnCana name, while the oil company will take the name Cenovus Energy Inc. Shareholders will receive one new share in each new company for every EnCana share they hold. Break-ups like this generally work out well for investors, as the total value of the two new stocks usually exceeds the value of the former parent company over time. EnCana got as high as $98 in May, 2008, but has moved down to its current price, mostly due to falling natural gas prices. Natural gas accounts for about 80% of EnCana’s total production. However, the company’s break-up plan and growing reserves enhance its long-term prospects. EnCana is a..