Topic: How To Invest

Pat: What is your view on AltaGas?

Article Excerpt

AltaGas Ltd., $25.56, symbol ALA on Toronto (Shares outstanding: 83.0 million; Market cap: $2.1 billion; www.altagas.ca), mainly extracts, processes and distributes natural gas. It also processes natural-gas liquids and generates power in Alberta. AltaGas pays an $0.11 monthly dividend, which yields 5.2% on a yearly basis. The company gets most of its revenue under long-term contracts. These give it stable, predictable cash flow. AltaGas is trying to cut its reliance on the natural-gas business, but its growth-by-acquisition strategy, and investments in areas like wind and geothermal, add risk. However, power prices are rising in Alberta. That should increase the company’s cash flow. AltaGas trades at 11.6 times this year’s forecast cash flow of $2.20 a share. AltaGas is okay to hold. hold. …