Topic: How To Invest

Hi: I recently purchased Atlantic Power Corp. and want your opinion on its quality and whether you think it’s a long term hold. Thanks.

Article Excerpt

Atlantic Power Corp., $15, symbol ATP on Toronto (Shares outstanding: 68.5 million; Market cap: $1.0 billion; www.atlanticpower.com), owns interests in 12 power plants across nine U.S. states. These plants have a total generating capacity of 1,948 megawatts; Atlantic Power’s share is 871 megawatts. The company also owns an 84-mile (135 kilometre) power-transmission system in California. As well, it is now building a biomass plan in Georgia (these plants generate electricity by burning plant materials and wood waste). The company also owns a majority interest in Rollcast Energy, which develops biomass power plants. Rollcast is currently working on several projects. Atlantic Power originally set itself up as a type of income trust in 2004. But unlike most trusts, it issued income participating securities instead of regular trust units. Each income participating security consisted of one common share and one debt security. This structure made it easier for U.S.-based corporations like Atlantic Power to gain access to Canada’s income-trust market. Atlantic Power first…