Topic: How To Invest

Pat: Could I have your recommendation on Consumers’ Waterheater Income Fund? Thank you.

Article Excerpt

Consumers’ Waterheater Income Fund, $6.34, symbol CWI.UN on Toronto (Units outstanding: 49.5 million; Market cap: $314 million), owns a portfolio of about 1.3 million installed gas-fired water heaters. These are mainly rented to residential customers in Ontario. About 40% of the 3.4 million households connected to the Ontario natural-gas system rent from the fund. These are mainly located in the Greater Toronto Area. Direct Energy (formerly part of Enbridge Inc.) services the fund’s water heaters and gets 35% of most rental revenue. In June 2006, Direct Energy sold its 19.9% equity interest in the fund. Enbridge started the water-heater rental program in the late 1950s, to encourage Ontario customers to switch to natural gas. This, in turn, would build year-round demand for Enbridge’s gas supply. Through the rental program, homeowners can install and maintain their water heaters with no capital outlay. The Canadian water-heater rental market is mainly limited to Ontario. In the three months ended March 31, 2009, the fund’s cash flow…