Fortis Inc. (FTS.TO)

Take a look at ZWU, broadly diversified, higher yield than individual names. He'd much rather have exposure to that, better profile for income seekers. 

Both TRP and FTS have rallied significantly, so it's not favourable from a risk/return standpoint. He buys into corrections and weakness instead.

He hears that more AI use needs more energy and therefore more energy from utilities, but heard this noise in 2020 that higher internet use would drive utility demand. He doesn't totally buy into that, but he likes Fortis' dividend in a market where interest rates continue to decline. Dividend stocks will continue to rally. Likes this long term.

It is not a steeply trending stock but is one of the best managed in Canada. He is buying for clients for a long term hold. The dividend and dividend growth are both in the 4 to 6% range over time.

For income seekers, retirees. Very defensive. Trades 19x PE usually, but is now 16x. Have a diverse business in Canada. Not a screaming grower like all utilities, but offers reasonable growth, more than other utilities, and it pays a 4.5% dividend.

She's buying here. You always want to allocate some part of your portfolio to a defensive stock like this. Not the highest yield, but attractive, under 4%; increases it annually by about 5%. Longer term, has outperformed TSX. Holding for any AI play is way down the road.

It is the second largest diversified utility in Canada and is better than other utilities. Since it is a bit cheaper it is OK to buy now. She likes the diversification.

Transmission and distribution of electricity. About 99% of cashflows are regulated, which makes it steady-eddy, boring, and that's why he likes it. Over 50 years of dividend increases. Regionally diversified. Solid dividend. 

Utility names have all gone down aggressively, it's the interest-rate sensitivity of it all. One of his go-to names. All are very undervalued, but strong dividend yields, so attractive for people looking for income. 

Likes the global growth profile of BIP.UN and the NA one of FTS.

Unfortunately, these stocks aren't working yet; they're later-stage stocks in terms of AI and EVs, which will demand a lot more power that clean energy can supply. It's a little early for names like FTS, but they will benefit. Interest rates remain high which hurts these stocks. So, be patient and collect the 4.5% dividend which they have grown the past 5 years.

ZWU's covered call will pay a higher dividend, though FTS' is solid and growing. ZWU pays more income because you're selling calls. The downside is that as interest rates decline, utilities will improve and you will lose that upside if you hold ZWU and not a plain ETF or Fortis itself. If you are positive utilities, don't use a covered call ETF.

Core holding. Should benefit if rates start coming down. Electricity and gas distribution and transmission, not generation. As we consume more electricity via EVs and power to data centres, will benefit utilities. Cashflows are regulated, visible, highly defensible. Yield of 4.4%, increased regularly with plans to continue in 4-6% range out to 2028.

Has raised its dividend for 50-straight years. A steady, consistent dividend-grower that they plan to grow 4-6% annually through 2028. That's an 8-10% total return. FTS hasn't done much in recent years given interest rates rising, but when they fall, FTS will benefit.

Editor's Note: The question was on utilities and her response included Fortis and Emera. Utilities are lower volatility in the long term and come with a nice yield. There is more growth ahead that we haven't seen for the past 5 to 10 years. Rising rates give a better ROE. She likes Fortis and Emera with Emera showing a little more growth and a yield of 6%.

ENB has lots of debt, which the company has indicated it's going to reduce, which means slower dividend growth over time. Yield is 7.6%.

FTS is less levered. For a pure income play, he'd choose this one over ENB.

His favourite play in the entire sector is TRP. Less levered than ENB. Healthy dividend yield, with more room for growth. More room for growth in general. 

Pays a 4.1% yield. They've increased that dividend the past 50 years, which is key. They recently announced their forecast of rate growth of 5-6% for the next 5 years, and dividend growth of 4-6%. A slow, steady grower. Was hit last year by rising rates, but should benefit from declining rates this year.