Stockchase Opinions

Gajan KulasingamCapital PowerCPX.TOCOMMENTMar 31, 2015

This is essentially an Alberta-based power generator. Within the utility space, this has the most upside exposure and downside risk to Alberta Power prices. Management has done a good job of diversifying away from Alberta, and it generates a significant amount of free cash flow. Over the next 2 years, he thinks it can generate roughly $300 million of free cash flow. If you are looking for a business that gives you merchant power exposure to Alberta at depressed power prices this is interesting, but you have to be cognizant that you are taking on a fair amount of volatility and risk.

$24.51

Stock price when the opinion was issued

electrical utilities
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BUY

It takes time to build data centres, but remains a need for them and power. CPX has positioned themselves them in this demand. Valuation is good and are growing above average. They pay a nice dividend.

DON'T BUY

Focuses on selling electricity into the open market, rather than having contracts. Upside if there are electricity shortages. But in utilities, he looks for fully contracted revenues and predictable, long-term cashflows.

WEAK BUY
Earnings miss, pulled back.

No real concerns. Probably good long-term hold. Predominantly nat gas with a bit of renewable energy. Half its business now in the dynamically growing, data-centre focused US. 

Trades ~27x PE, premium to historical norms. Compound return over last 10 years is an impressive 21%. Chart looks good, management is pretty good. Yield is ~4%, with good cadence of dividend growth.

He prefers another name.

BUY ON WEAKNESS

Utility sector is starting to slowly matter again. Getting attention because power demand is growing, especially in US with AI and data centres.

She invests selectively in the space, and this is a name to own.

HOLD

Likes the business. Yield is pretty good. One issue management sees is that Alberta government has to get its act together for data centre projects to come to fruition. (He curls with an AI consultant who said that everyone's going to Texas:  land, nat gas, minimal regulations.)

Has projects in US. Power demand will skyrocket no matter where AI is situated.

BUY

Recent earnings were in line. Great acquisition in Pennsylvania last year, which is getting increased prices. Front-and-centre for Alberta data centres. Trades at 8.5x forward operating cashflow. Good, safe utility play in growing areas.

WEAK BUY

Has done well because demand for power has shot through the roof, so its assets have been revalued significantly higher. Very well managed. Surplus of power, and chances are low this year that that excess will be released. Has opportunities in US to transition from coal to nat gas. 

If you're focused on Canada, he'd be a buyer today as a derivative AI play. But his preference to play AI would be MSFT with a little bit of ORCL.

DON'T BUY

If you want dividends, look at Canadian pipelines rather than this. CPX is a play on AI centre growth in Alberta, which is great. He owns ALA instead.

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Dividend growth is expected at 2% to 4%. These numbers are OK, but we think investors are disappointed that dividend growth is not set higher. CPX is taking a 'growth' route and this may be at the expense of dividend growth and this has disappointed some.
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HOLD

A clean story with strong visibility in the space.

DON'T BUY

Support is $60, then at $55. Is not trading like a traditional utility, which are following AI stocks. The selling will continue in these sectors. The stock needs time before it stabilizes and could rise again if AI stocks do.

PAST TOP PICK
(A Top Pick Apr 30/25, Up 40%)

(Note the short timeframe.)  More newsworthy lately because data centres are looking to set up shop in Alberta with its cheaper power. In his mind, only a matter of time before it partners with one of the hyperscalers.

WATCH

People looking at long-life, more-utility-type assets are focusing more on electrical power generation than on the pipelines. In that camp, you might look at this name.

BUY

Likes the regulated utilities. 

PAST TOP PICK
(A Top Pick Jun 28/24, Up 69%)

Alberta data centres' growth is fantastic, tapping into CPX nat gas power generation. Massive price increase on a new contract.