3 Stocks to Play Alberta’s Blistering Growth

Here are three stocks with exposure to Canada’s hottest province.

| More on:
The Motley Fool

The growth party isn’t even close to being over for Alberta.

On Wednesday, RBC Economic Outlook released a report outlining the growth prospects for each province in 2014 and 2015. Alberta came out on top, with forecasted growth rates of 3.7% and 3.5%, respectively. These numbers are a full 50% more than growth forecasted for Canada as a whole, and even come handily ahead of the second place finisher, Saskatchewan.

RBC credited Alberta’s strong growth forecasts to investments in the energy sector, strong population growth, moderate housing supplies, and strength of sectors that aren’t energy. All this despite a PC government so plagued with infighting that it lead to Premier Allison Redford’s resignation this week.

It would stand to reason that companies that do a majority of their business in Alberta would reap the benefits of Alberta’s boom times. Here are three that merit another look for your portfolio.

Liquor Stores N.A.

Shares in Liquor Stores N.A. (TSX:LIQ) have been under pressure over the last year, thanks to weakening same-store sales, the B.C. provincial government’s announcement that it’ll allow grocery stores to sell booze at some point, and weaker results from its American division. The stock has sold off to the point where the dividend exceeds 9%, a yield that ought to get most investors a little excited.

As the old adage goes, people drink when they’re happy and people drink when they’re sad. The company has the vast majority of its stores in Alberta, positioned to sell happy, prosperous Albertans all the wine and spirits they want.

One major downside to Liquor Stores is the competitive pressures it faces. Major grocery chains continue to provide stiff competition, as they view standalone liquor stores as an incentive to get customers, rather than a pure profit driver. Mom-and-pop liquor stores are also everywhere, especially in Alberta. It doesn’t take much more than a store lease and a small loan for inventory, and you can compete. These factors are bad news for the company, but these pressures are already well priced in.

Shaw Communications

One of the knocks against Shaw Communications (TSX:SJR.B) has always been its weak exposure to eastern Canada, only offering satellite television to folks east of Thunder Bay. Considering the strength of Alberta and Saskatchewan going forward, this doesn’t seem like such a bad move.

While Shaw isn’t going to give investors a whole lot of growth thanks to the pesky habit of customers cutting their home phone and cable packages, it’s a consistently profitable business. Shaw has really bet the farm on wireless, establishing a network of more than 30,000 GoWifi locations where existing internet customers can access free wifi.

The stock yields 4.2%, and has pretty consistently grown that dividend. Investors can also look forward to Shaw selling wireless spectrum it acquired in the 2008 auction, which will help strengthen the company’s financial position going forward.

Suncor Energy

Even though Suncor Energy (TSX:SU)(NYSE:SU) is the largest oil producer in Canada and a huge oil sands player, it doesn’t get the attention some of the other energy giants do.

The company sees steady growth ahead. It predicts 10-12% growth in its oil sands operations and 7-8% growth overall, all the way through 2020. The company also operates four refineries, Canada’s largest ethanol plant, and a lubricants plant. Oh, and it has 1,500 retail locations across the country that happen to sell the company’s gasoline. It’s one of the only vertically integrated energy companies in Canada.

Suncor is a great long-term holding, since it’s not about to go anywhere. The company has 6.9 billion barrels of reserves, and 23.5 billion barrels of contingent reserves. Not only will Alberta be thirsty for all that oil, but so will the rest of the world.

As a bonus, you get a growing dividend while you hold. The current yield is only 2.5%, but it’s more than doubled since 2009. The payout ratio is less than 40%, giving the company plenty of breathing room to raise the dividend.

This article represents the opinion of the writer, who may disagree with the “official” recommendation position of a Motley Fool premium service or advisor. We’re Motley! Questioning an investing thesis — even one of our own — helps us all think critically about investing and make decisions that help us become smarter, happier, and richer, so we sometimes publish articles that may not be in line with recommendations, rankings or other content.

Fool contributor Nelson Smith holds preferred shares in Shaw Communications.

More on Investing

Canadian Dollars
Bank Stocks

If You’d Invested $2,500 in Royal Bank Stock in 2012, Here’s How Much You’d Have Today

Royal Bank (TSX:RY) stock has seen some heavy lifting of its stock price in the last decade, but should investors…

Read more »

warning or alert
Investing

TFSA Alert: Top Stocks to Safeguard Your Retirement

Are you looking for stocks to hold in a TFSA? Here are three top picks!

Read more »

Bank sign on traditional europe building facade
Bank Stocks

Canada’s Banking Giants: Are These Stocks Worth Your Money Today?

Canadian investors should watch top bank stocks like Royal Bank of Canada (TSX:RY) closely after another interest rate hike.

Read more »

tsx today
Tech Stocks

TSX Today: What to Watch for in Stocks on Thursday, June 8

TSX stocks are likely to remain volatile today, as investors continue to assess the possible impact of higher interest rates…

Read more »

TFSA and coins
Dividend Stocks

Maximize Your Retirement Income: How to Turbocharge Your TFSA Returns

TFSA investors could pick different strategies to boost returns.

Read more »

dividends grow over time
Investing

Dividend Aristocrats: Canadian Stocks That Keep Paying Year After Year

Top Canadian stocks like Bank of Nova Scotia (TSX:BNS) also qualify as Dividend Aristocrats that you can trust for the…

Read more »

Golden crown on a red velvet background
Dividend Stocks

Canadian Utilities Is a “Dividend King,” But I Like This Stock Even More

Canadian Utilities (TSX:CU) stock is a solid dividend provider, but there's more to look at then just how much you're…

Read more »

Path to retirement
Dividend Stocks

Retire Rich: TFSA Stocks to Power Your Golden Years

Investing in your TFSA early has huge benefits. Here’s a look at some stocks for your TFSA that can power…

Read more »