Stockchase Opinions

Christopher BlumasAlgonquin Power & Utilities CorpAQN.TOBUY ON WEAKNESSSep 17, 2019

Pays a regulated return, though buy on a pullback, and it's done a great job growing. AQN is his favourite in this space.
$17.91

Stock price when the opinion was issued

$8.37

As of Jun 05, 2026. Market Open.

electrical utilities
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SELL

Thought with resurging energy prices and the thrust to renewable energy, that the sector would be better. Renewable power still worthwhile. Company and sector got over their skis. He largely sold. Bounce back won't be quick.

SELL

Tricky. He bought at $8 and sold at $17 because he didn't like their purchase of Kentucky Electric. Their business is part renewable energy, which is pretty good, and will benefit from strong tailwinds over time, but their assets are average. Their electric utility business brings some stability but little growth. They have major capex to convert utilities from coal. Also, they had debt issues, so they cut their dividend. Their crown jewel--water utility, isn't a huge business, but it's worth a lot and they might sell it. They need to reduce debt and decide whether they want to be about renewables (likely on the chopping block) or electric utility. But the latter has been depressed due to high interest rates in recent years. Take your loss and move on. Doesn't see much upside.

DON'T BUY

Has since sold shares (January 2023). Company in big trouble with floating rate debt. Recent dividend cut very hard on investors. Renewal power business up for sale, but not getting much interest. Would recommend selling and/or not investing. Dividend also not growing. 

PARTIAL BUY

Long term in Canada, utilities rank #16 out of 18; short term it's #15. Took small position based on really good value. Support at $7.75, and $6.84. Decent dividend. Buy 1/2, leave it, then decide if you want to buy more based on strength.

COMMENT

He was a longtime holder until the last CEO left. It was a very well-run business, but they overextended to buy assets in Spain. The structure was complicated. All the independent power producers suffered higher costs for materials as interest rates rose. AQN has new managers who did a strategic review, so AQN appears more stable. Was upgraded today. We may have seen a bottom below $7. 

Unspecified

He is uncertain as to whether to add to it but is interested. It has been in a downward trend with a recent upturn. It is showing a reverse head and shoulders which is a good sign.

WATCH
Owns the preferred shares.

Strategic review right now. Don't get in right now. See how the review goes.

He owns the rate reset, preferred shares. Flat this year, but resetting at over 6%. Difficult, contractually, to cut the preferred dividend. If these shares were redeemed, you could make a significant capital gain.

BUY

Added at share price below $10. Good time to buy at current share price. Would add more. 

HOLD

If you've held on through this year's ups and downs, keep holding. For a new position, look elsewhere. Utility sector has been hard hit, as higher-for-longer interest rate expectations took hold. AQN went down more than most because of its specific issues. Utilities are recovering. It will find its footing. 

BUY

A good utility. Prices have come down so much that they are now a buy.

DON'T BUY

It has issues with rising interest rates and there has been a management change. It plans to sell its renewable power division but this is not a good time to be selling. Also it is not likely to increase its dividend.

DON'T BUY

It has issues with rising interest rates and there has been a management change. It plans to sell its renewable power division but this is not a good time to be selling. Also it is not likely to increase its dividend.

COMMENT

He once owned it, but got stopped out. Is definitely consolidating and is finding support, but this consolidating isn't confirmed. Hold off on buying it now, but if this moves into a range, you can buy it and hope it breaks out.

TOP PICK

Controversial pick, but sticking with the name given fundamentals of company. 2/3 regulated utilities (water) are very attractive assets. Excellent long term value. Assets very hard to replicate. May be one more dividend cut, but believes a good time to buy. 

HOLD
Trevor Rose’s Insights - Trevor’s most-liked answers from 5i Research

Following its dividend cut last year, AQN underwent a strategic review and is hoping to sell its renewables division. Activist investors got involved, and the CEO took the fall and exited the company. It now has an interim CEO. The current interest rate curve has not been good to the sector at all, and most are down a lot. Analysts note also that high rates likely mean AQN will get less for any asset sale. Lots of uncertainty here is the likely reason for the decline. 
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