A High-Yield Canadian Dividend Stock for Bargain Hunters

AltaGas Ltd. (TSX:ALA) offers a shot at some nice upside gains while paying an attractive dividend.

| More on:

Once in a while, a stock pullback goes a bit overboard, and that can provide contrarian investors with attractive buying opportunities in companies that pay impressive dividends.

Let’s take a look at AltaGas (TSX:ALA) to see if it deserves to be on your buy list.

Out of favour

AltaGas recently completed its $9 billion takeover of Washington, D.C.-based WGL Holdings. The deal wasn’t popular with analysts right from the day it was announced, and the stock continues to struggle as the market waits to see how AltaGas is going to sort out some balance sheet concerns.

The company took a US$2.3 billion bridge loan to close the WGL purchase and is shopping non-core businesses to help pay it off. Earlier attempts to find buyers for some assets in the U.S. didn’t pan out, so it makes sense that the market is in “show-me” mode.

In addition, the company’s CEO unexpectedly resigned in late July. Founder and Chairman David Cornhill and board member Phillip Knoll are running the business until a new CEO is hired.

Growth

On the positive side, AltaGas expects the Central Penn and Mountain Valley pipelines to go into service in Q3 2018 and Q1 2019, respectively. In addition, the Ridley Island Propane Export Terminal is nearing completion and should begin operations early next year.

Over the next four years, AltaGas has $6 billion in development projects in sight, with $4.5 billion secured. The utility businesses are expected to see the rate base increase from $5 billion to $7 billion through 2021.

Dividends

Revenue and cash flow should rise as the new assets go into service, providing support for the dividend. As such, the current monthly payout of $0.1825 per share looks safe and generates an annualized yield of 8.6%.

Should you buy?

Once the asset sales are complete and the bridge loan is paid off, the market should start to feel more comfortable with the stock. The exit of the CEO who put the WGL deal together was unexpected, but the interim leadership team is more than capable of running the business, and a new CEO will likely be confirmed in the coming months.

The company anticipates significant 2018 growth in funds from operations and in normalized EBITDA compared to last year as a result of the WGL acquisition, a full-year of revenue from the Townsend 2A and North Pine projects completed in late 2017, and improved volumes and pricing in ongoing businesses.

With a robust capital program set for the next four years, investors could see ongoing dividend increases.

The stock trades for about $25.25 per share. A year ago, AltaGas fetched close to $28 and was above $50 per share at one point in 2014, so there is some nice upside potential, and you get paid well to wait. It’s a contrarian play, but I think AltaGas is attractive today.

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 Andrew Walker owns shares of AltaGas. AltaGas is a recommendation of Stock Advisor Canada.

More on Dividend Stocks

Blocks conceptualizing the Registered Retirement Savings Plan
Dividend Stocks

CPP at 70: Is it Enough if Invested in an RRSP?

Even if you wait to take out CPP at 70, it's simply not going to cut it during retirement. Which…

Read more »

a person looks out a window into a cityscape
Dividend Stocks

1 Marvellous Canadian Dividend Stock Down 11% to Buy and Hold Immediately

Buying up this dividend stock while it's down isn't just a smart move, it could make you even more passive…

Read more »

happy woman throws cash
Dividend Stocks

Step Aside, Side Jobs! Earn Cash Every Month by Investing in These Stocks

Here are two of the best Canadian monthly dividend stocks you can consider buying in December 2024 and holding for…

Read more »

chip with the letters "AI" on it
Dividend Stocks

The Top Canadian AI Stocks to Buy for 2025

AI stocks are certainly strong companies, and there are steady gainers in Canada as well. But these three are the…

Read more »

calculate and analyze stock
Dividend Stocks

2 High-Yield Dividend Stocks You Can Buy and Hold for a Decade

These stocks pay attractive dividends for investors seeking passive income.

Read more »

ETF chart stocks
Dividend Stocks

Here Are My 2 Favourite ETFs for December

Two dividend-paying ETFs are ideal investments for their monthly dividends and medium-risk ratings.

Read more »

Canada Day fireworks over two Adirondack chairs on the wooden dock in Ontario, Canada
Dividend Stocks

Here’s How Much Canadians Age 65 Need to Retire

Do you want to retire but need to catch up? A dividend stock like this top choice is the perfect…

Read more »

bulb idea thinking
Dividend Stocks

The Smartest Dividend Stocks to Buy With $500 Right Now

These three top stocks offer attractive and sustainable dividend yields, and they're undervalued, making them some of the best to…

Read more »