Fortis Inc. (FTS.TO)

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.

5 decades of straight dividend increases every year. You won't find a more sustainable dividend. Yield of 4.2% is lower, so not a ton of income, but sustainable and growing. Core position for him. Hopes it'll be around forever; it gets dark every night, people need to turn the lights on. High payout ratio, but not uncommon for utilities, and payout ratio on cashflow is very conservative.

He likes to buy below $50. But sometimes you just have to hold your nose and buy it. For new clients, he buys half, waits 6-12 months for a dip. If none appears, he goes ahead and buys the rest, because you want to at least get on the train for those dividends, rather than waiting forever for the right price and it never comes around.

They've done very well in the U.S. Have been great acquirers which should continue, as should dividend increases.

Performance of utility style stocks has been under pressure from rising interest rates. Expecting better performance going forward. Increased demand for electricity will be good for business. Dividend is safe. Good for long term investors. 

FTS is a stable utility company, with a good market cap of $27B, a decent forward P/E of 17.2X, and a strong yield of 4.3%. Most utility stocks sold off over the past few months due to fears of 'higher-for-longer' and elevated interest rates, however, we believe that this presents a good buying opportunity in utility stocks as expectations for rates can change rapidly, and its yield of 4.3% can become suddenly attractive.
Unlock Premium - Try 5i Free

Group as a whole has pulled back because of rising interest rates. With interest rates stabilizing in the past month, stocks are catching up. Good sector for income. Her core utility name, well positioned in US and Canada. Dividend growth profile is very visible.

About 48 years of dividend growth. Low beta and trades at a low PE like all utilities as the market has been buying high-yielding bonds. Those yields should peak in 6-12 months, which will lead to names like this to climb again.

It is a core income stock and has increased its dividend every year for 50 years. It has stable cash flow with a 4 1/2% yield.

Likes their US expansion and their debt management. Well-run. Good to buy at these levels. All utilities have been hurt by high interest rates, but they will stabilize. 

50 years of dividend increase (longest in Canada). Current share price presenting lots of buying opportunity. ~4% yield + 3-5% dividend growth going forward. Owns shares in the company. Excellent long term pick.

Has owned this before. He likes the regions they're in (Maritimes, BC) and have made good acquisitions. Well-managed, but is battling higher interest rates. Buy this when the Fed halts or cuts interest rates.

Core income stock. Time to build a position. Reaffirmed annual dividend growth of 4-6% until 2028. Investment-grade balance sheet. More than 50% of revenues are from US. Reasonable payout ratio. Yield is 4.3%, and grows every year.

Regulated utilities have held up better than the renewables. Predictable, stable earnings growth and dividend growth. Doesn't often misstep on capital allocation. Consistently comes in line on earnings and on growth.