Buys for high yields and low-risk growth

Article Excerpt

Growth by acquisition can be risky. Newly purchased companies may develop unforeseen problems, especially in an unsettled economy. But Pembina has cut that risk by buying a rival in a business it’s already a leader in — and Veresen focuses on adding plants with long-term sales contracts already in place. PEMBINA PIPELINE $26.86 (Toronto symbol PPL; Shares outstanding: 288.7 million; Market cap: $7.8 billion; TSI Network Rating: Average; Dividend yield: 6.0%; www.pembina.com) owns pipeline systems that transport half of Alberta’s conventional oil production, 30% of the natural gas liquids (NGLs) produced in Western Canada and virtually all of B.C.’s conventional oil output. In the three months ended June 30, 2012, revenue rose 70.0%, to $870.9 million from $512.4 million a year earlier. In January 2012, it bought rival Provident Energy, which extracts, transports and stores NGLs, for $3.2 billion. Provident’s contribution was the main reason for the higher revenue. Cash flow rose 9.4%, to $89.5 million from $81.8 million. However, cash flow per…