EnCana Plans Its Own Break-up

Article Excerpt

ENCANA CORP. $92 (New York symbol ECA; Conservative Growth Portfolio, Resources sector; Shares outstanding: 750.0 million; Market cap: $69.0 billion; WSSF Rating: Average) plans to split itself up 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 assume a new name. Stockholders will receive one new common share in each new company for every EnCana share they hold. Investors will not be liable for capital gains taxes until they sell their new shares. EnCana intends that the initial combined dividends of the two companies will be equivalent to its current annual dividend rate of $1.60 per share (1.7% yield). EnCana aims to complete the plan in early 2009. EnCana is a buy. buy…