Have about 20 power facilities in Canada and the US. Recently cut its distribution with their payout ratio at about 75%-80%. Their parent recently spun off another entity Capital Power, which has a lower payout ratio but greater growth prospects. It also owns 30% of this company. The 2 may merge in 2011.
Created Capital Power (CPX-T), which becomes the parent as well as having the management contract. Cut distributions just before the Capital Power IPO and thinks the new distribution will be sustainable over a 5-year period.
Payout ratio went from 67 to 112 and down from $20 to $18.93 in about a week. Is it a Sell? When the payout goes beyond what they can afford, you know something is going to happen. Chart trend line looks like it is holding at about$19, the level back in September/October. Likes the utilities sector.