David BaskinCanadian UtilitiesCU.TOPAST TOP PICKJun 03, 2010

Not sure why stock's dropped. Group as a whole has pulled back because of rising interest rates. With interest rates stabilizing in the past month, stock's played catch up. Good sector for income, dividend safe. FTS is her core utility name.

The sector is fairly interest-rate sensitive, so it's sold off. Nothing wrong with it, so you can hold if you own it. But better opportunities such as AQN, FTS, and BIP.UN, and it all has to do with their growth outlook. 

Editor's Note: The question was on his preference between T and CU. Total revenue at Telus was up 16% and the capex is down which is good. It is pricey at 25X. CU is a low risk utility and has a very nice dividend and price. Since it has low growth he prefers Telus.

Billy Kawasaki’s Insights - Billy’s most-liked answers from 5i Research. There is no news that would account for the correction. Dividend stocks may see some weakness if there are rate fears. The stock also fell below its 50-day moving average so this may have caused some technical selling. Unlock Premium - Try 5i Free

They're focused on Alberta. Likes it. They've transitioned well to having more regulated cash flows, but there's less growth than Northland Power or Boralex, but CU has a cheaper PE. It's a steady eddy.

Likes it. He owns Fortis and Emera instead, though. CU is landlocked in Alberta, which is a problem. Their dividend is solid and will grow. But this ranks third between the other two names here.

He likes utilities; defensive and paying good dividends in a low rate environment. CU depends on Alberta, which is challenged by oil. He prefers Fortis and Boralex, Innergex and AQN-T, which will maintain or increase current stock levels. If you own this, hold it and wait for a recovery; the dividend is safe.

CU recently sold off a lot of its electricity-generating assets, so still good? He'd rather shift to an Enbridge or Altagas. Electricity generation is low-growth and heavily regulated. Long-term utility rates won't move much and inflation will kick back in.

CU vs. H Hydro One had serious issues, but a decent dividend. If he had to pick one right now, he'd pick CU. Looks a bit steadier. Hydro One is in nosebleed territory, and looks as though it's starting to come off. CU is consolidating, and looks to go higher short-term. $35 is a good stop level to sell CU, $22 for Hydro One.