
TSE:AQN
Strategic review right now. Don't get in right now. See how the review goes.
He owns the rate reset, preferred shares. Flat this year, but resetting at over 6%. Difficult, contractually, to cut the preferred dividend. If these shares were redeemed, you could make a significant capital gain.
If you've held on through this year's ups and downs, keep holding. For a new position, look elsewhere. Utility sector has been hard hit, as higher-for-longer interest rate expectations took hold. AQN went down more than most because of its specific issues. Utilities are recovering. It will find its footing.
Following its dividend cut last year, AQN underwent a strategic review and is hoping to sell its renewables division. Activist investors got involved, and the CEO took the fall and exited the company. It now has an interim CEO. The current interest rate curve has not been good to the sector at all, and most are down a lot. Analysts note also that high rates likely mean AQN will get less for any asset sale. Lots of uncertainty here is the likely reason for the decline.
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The stock might be range bound as it plans to sell its renewable business. Much will depend on how much it gets. The initial investor reaction was somewhat negative. If interest rates peak, which they appear to be doing, the stock should do better. We would give this until year end, and then consider the possibility of a tax sale (if applicable) and then a reconsider in 2024.
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NEE is the biggest American utility, much bigger than AQN. NEE has a huge business in electricity (Florida) which is much more stable than AQN's green energy. NEE does have a renewables business though in the US and Canada, and this holds promise. The grid will continue to get greener over time. A consistent earner and has been meeting or beating quarters much more consistently than AQN.
He is uncertain as to whether to add to it but is interested. It has been in a downward trend with a recent upturn. It is showing a reverse head and shoulders which is a good sign.