AQN moves to cut your risk

Article Excerpt

ALGONQUIN POWER & UTILITIES, $7.19, is a buy. The utility (Toronto symbol AQN; Shares o/s: 689.7 million; Market cap: $5.5 billion; TSINetwork Rating: Extra Risk; Yield: 5.3%; www.algonquinpower.com) has agreed to sell most of its non-regulated renewable power assets for $2.28 billion. It could receive an additional $220 million depending on the future performance of those assets. The company has also agreed to tender its 42.2% stake in Atlantica Sustainable Infrastructure plc (Nasdaq symbol AY) to an investor group for $1.08 billion. Partly due to the loss of cash flow from the renewable operations, Algonquin will cut your quarterly dividend by 40.1%. Starting in October 2024, investors will receive $0.065 U.S. a share instead of $0.1085 U.S. The new annual rate of $0.26 U.S. still yields a solid 5.3%. Shifting to a pure-play regulated utility firm will cut Algonquin’s risk. Moreover, its dividend payout ratio will be a more sustainable 60% to 70% of its long-term earnings. Algonquin Power & Utilities is a buy. buy…