Updates on TransAlta Corp., EnCana Corp. and TransCanada Corporation

Article Excerpt

TRANSALTA CORP. $36 (Toronto symbol TA; SI Rating: Average) rose as high as $38 in July after it received an informal takeover offer worth $39.00 a share from a private equity partnership that includes Luminus Management. Luminus currently owns about 9% of TransAlta’s stock, and has pressured the company to sell non-core assets, buy back shares and raise the dividend. The stock currently trades about 8% below Luminus’ offer. That’s mainly due to concerns that problems in credit markets will make it difficult for the buyers to borrow the cash they need to complete the takeover. TransAlta is a major supplier of Alberta’s electricity. The buyers could have difficulty winning regulatory approval if the takeover significantly increases TransAlta’s debt, and limits its ability to invest in new power plants or environmental upgrades. TransAlta is still a safety-conscious buy. ENCANA CORP. $75.95 (Toronto symbol ECA; SI Rating: Average) continues to expand its holdings in the southern United States through an agreement to buy the rights…