
TSE:TA
This summary was created by AI, based on 13 opinions in the last 12 months.
Transalta Corp (TA-T) has recently been navigating the complexities of the utility market, reflecting mixed sentiments from experts. Some see opportunities in its strategic acquisitions and growth prospects, particularly in the context of rising power demand due to data centers, especially in Alberta. However, concerns arise regarding its low dividend yield of approximately 1.6%, and its stock price trading below the issue price after recent financing efforts. Experts note the utility's underperformance can be attributed to broader market trends favoring high-growth AI stocks at the expense of traditional utilities. While there are points for optimism, particularly with expected earnings growth and beneficial market conditions, many advise caution and recommend monitoring pending developments before making any investment decisions.
On the surface, it looks like they will generate a lot of free cash flow per share, but their debt is huge and they plan to spend around $3.5 billion through 2028. Can they increase their dividend? What if interest rates go up a lot in coming years? The dividend, though just increased, remains low. The PE is not cheap enough.
RNW is a yield proxy, and those have fallen, with decent yield and nice EPS growth. Parent company is taking it over, pending approval. The real question is what do you do with TA? Transaction looks slightly dilutive. Long term, bigger flow in a simplified structure, which could lead to a higher valuation.
Backdrop for TA is really supportive, solid balance sheet, compelling free cashflow yield of 15%. Could be synergies. He likes TA post-closing.
A operates as a renewable energy producer, and is now trading at 19x times' Forward P/E.
In the last five years, sales grew around 5% on average.
The balance sheet is quite leveraged, with net debt of $3.3B.
Total debt is around 3.8x times trailing twelve-month cash flow of $900M, and cash flow declined around -11% compared to $1.0B last year.
Based on consensus estimates, sales are expected to decline by -15% in 2023.
As sales and EBITDA are expected to decline in the next few years, TA is trading at quite a premium multiple to peers, we think there are better opportunities in the market such as ENB, BEP.UN.
TA has also in the past had to cut its dividend, which we never like when considering an income stock.
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Its BV has fallen from $14 per share to $2 per share. The P/E is 28.6 and the yield only 1.8% which is low for utilities. This is because they are using money for buying back stock which should be paid out to shareholders. He doesn't give management much credit. As a rule he feels that buybacks may do a good job but the BV per share goes down over the years. Editor's Note - there was some discussion on this, to be continued later.
At current levels we would consider TA 'OK'. But, it has not created much long term value, and has had to cut its dividend in the past. We would far prefer BEPC or H and would be comfortable swapping.
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