Updating Telus Corp. and Fortis Inc.

Article Excerpt

TELUS CORP. $42 (www.telus.com) continues to benefit from strong demand for wireless services. As of March 31, 2015, it had 8.3 million wireless subscribers, up 3.1% from a year earlier. In addition, more of these users are upgrading to smartphones under long-term contracts, which generate higher profits for Telus than regular cellphones. Its average monthly revenue per user gained 3.2% in the latest quarter. Telus also raised its dividend by 5.0%. The new annual rate of $1.68 a share yields 4.0%. Buy. FORTIS INC. $38 (www.fortisinc.com) has purchased additional shares in Caribbean Utilities Co. Ltd., the main provider of electricity in the Cayman Islands. That increased its stake to 60.4% from 58.9%. This investment cost $23.4 million U.S., which is equal to 16% of the $179 million (Canadian), or $0.65 a share, that Fortis earned in the first quarter of 2015. Caribbean Utilities will use the cash to build a new diesel power plant and upgrade its other operations. Buy. Buy…