Are you still being withheld 15 percent from dividends paid by Canadian corporations you hold in an IRA? Look no further than CE Associate Editor David Dittman’s Canadian Currents article in this issue, our guide to educating your broker and ensuring you get all the dividends you deserve.

Taxes aside, compared to most of the market, the broad-based S&P/Toronto Stock Exchange Income Trust Index (SPRTCM) has run in a fairly narrow range this year. The same is true of the Canadian dollar, whose value has averaged around 95 US cents for most of 2010.

The result is a solid total return for the SPRTCM of a little more than 9 percent in US dollar terms so far this year. Trusts beating expectations on post-conversion dividends have done somewhat better, while generally sinking natural gas prices have kept conditions tough for energy producers and especially drillers and service companies.

All in all, however, 2010 thus far has been a period of profitable consolidation following the explosive gains of last year, when the SPRTCM returned more than 60 percent.

And despite grinding economic and political uncertainty–and an unprecedented level of investor fear–the stage is set for even fatter returns in the coming months.

Some of the survivors of the 2008-09 debacle, like Atlantic Power Corp (TSX: ATP, NYSE: AT), Keyera Facilities Income Fund (TSX: KEY-U, OTC: KEYUF), Pembina Pipeline Income Fund (TSX: PIF-U, OTC: PMBIF), have blasted off to new all-time highs. But most are still trading well below pre-crash levels.

That’s as much the result of lingering (and wholly unjustified) uncertainty about what 2011 taxation means as it is to concern about a potential economic double-dip in the US and reprise of the 2008 credit crunch.

In the case of 2011 taxation, only a handful of the 140-plus companies tracked in the Canadian Edge How They Rate universe have yet to declare their intentions–that is to say what structure they intend to operate under when taxes kick in and what dividends they intend to pay. And most of those left aren’t committing yet, mainly because cash flows are exposed to commodity prices and they want a better lay of the land.

The bottom line: 2011 is no longer a risk or even a point of uncertainty for investors. Yet many stocks–including already converted corporations–are still trading as though their dividends were at risk to the new taxes, yielding 8, 9, even 10 percent or more.

I think it’s going to take investors waking up Jan. 1, 2011, and seeing the world still functioning in order to get a real recovery. But sooner or later, that’s what’s going to happen, and the result will be some sizeable gains for patient investors holding good stocks backed by strong underlying businesses.

As for economic worries, with corporate borrowing rates at their lowest level in at least 40 years there’s no chance of another 2008 credit crunch. And even if conditions do tighten, any company that could–including all CE Portfolio Holdings–has already pushed any significant refinancings out years. What’s left can be paid with cash on hand, even under the worst conditions.

The risk of a possible double-dip recession to the stock market continues to consume a lot of ink in the financial media as well as the popular press. And there are plenty of so-called indicators backing up the crash thesis, along with downside forecasts for stocks to go along with them.

Major market blowouts like 2008-09, however, are only possible when enough people get caught leaning in the wrong direction–i.e., bullish and leveraged. And at this point there aren’t a whole lot of bulls to be slaughtered. In fact, it’s the bears that have achieved hegemony, as investors lean heavily on the side of pessimism.

This week, for example, an opinion piece appeared on Yahoo! Finance under the title “Face It, No One Is Bullish.” The post went on to elaborate how everyone from hedge funds to individuals was avoiding stocks, and implying that anyone who isn’t is a moron. It was followed by a series of even more bearish commentary (some of it in language not repeatable) from those who read the article.

One blog entry does not a market mood make. But this is precisely the same sentiment I’ve been hearing from readers and expressed in all areas of the financial media. And not coincidentally, in my opinion, it mirrors the prevailing political angst of investors in general, particular as regards the pending expiration on Dec. 31, 2010, of the top 15 percent tax rate on capital gains and distributions.

As we’ve seen several times since the recovery began in March 2009, excessive bearishness can be a catalyst for near-term market declines, when the fear level hits a fever pitch. I certainly wouldn’t rule out such an event in a market as choppy as this one. There doesn’t even have to be a good reason for one.

Bearishness such as we’re seeing now, however, has never in history occurred at the start of real bear markets, such as the 2008 crash. Rather, it’s signaled just the opposite: a great deal of upside for discriminating investors who buy the underlying business of strong companies and hold on to collect the dividends and reap the benefits of their growth.

Helping you choose those companies for your portfolio and then keep track of them is job No. 1 at Canadian Edge. Below is the executive summary of the September. Below is the executive summary of the July issue. If you have questions about anything related to Canadian Edge, please drop us a line at canadianedge@kci-com.com.

Portfolio Action

This month’s Portfolio Update theme is “two moves and a lot of numbers.” The first move is the addition of High Yield of the Month Phoenix Technology Income Fund (TSX: PHX-U, OTC: PHXHF) to the Aggressive Holdings. The oil and gas driller posted very strong second-quarter earnings and announced its plan to convert to a corporation on Jan. 1, 2011, while maintaining its current distribution level.

Trading at barely half its mid-2008 high despite solid business growth, Phoenix Technology Income Fund is a buy up to my new target of USD10.

Phoenix is replacing formerly hold-rated Trinidad Drilling (TSX: TDG, OTC: TDGCF), which has been our Portfolio representative from the oil and gas drilling arena since late 2006. Based on our initial entry price and dividends paid since, we’re down by about a third on the initial investment. Swapping out now will enable anyone who’s followed us to take the loss while maintaining a high-quality bet on a comeback in this leveraged industry.

Move No. 2 is transferring August High Yield of the Month Yellow Pages Income Fund (TSX: YLO-U, OTC: YLWPF) from the Conservative to the Aggressive Holdings, where it’s a better fit. The reason is sensitivity to the level of economic growth, which has proven much greater than I for one anticipated.

I’m still convinced that management will be able to maintain its current post-conversion dividend guidance–a monthly distribution at the annual rate of CAD0.65. That’s largely on the strength of what were solid second-quarter numbers. And if that’s achieved, recovery is going to come swiftly for the units. But it seems that the more the company comes to rely on the Internet, the more cyclical its revenues are going to become, as businesses have proven much more willing to pull web-based ads than they were print directory spreads in bygone years.

The stock has certainly been reflecting this new reality, mainly by being far more reactive to rumor and innuendo about the overall economy. Again, that should eventually be a major plus for Yellow, which dominates both print and web-based directory advertising in Canada. But it puts the stock in a different category from our Conservative Holdings. Note I strongly advise against doubling down in any particular stock, including Yellow. If you already have a position, stick with it.

In the August issue I analyzed the second-quarter numbers for roughly half the CE Portfolio. Over the past month I looked at the rest in a series of Flash Alerts, available via the Alerts tab on the main navigation bar atop each page of the website.

I elaborate on each of the following companies’ vital signs in this month’s Portfolio update. Aggressive Holdings reviewed are:

• Ag Growth International (TSX: AFN, OTC: AGGZF)
• Parkland Income Fund (TSX: PKI-U, OTC: PIKUF)
• Perpetual Energy (TSX: PMT, OTC: PMGYF)
• Peyto Energy Trust (TSX: PEY-U, OTC: PEYUF)
• Provident Energy Trust (TSX: PVE-U, NYSE: PVX)
• Trinidad Drilling (TSX: TDG, OTC: TDGCF)
• Vermilion Energy Trust (TSX: VET, OTC: VETMF).

Conservative Holdings highlighted are:

• Artis REIT (TSX: AX-U, OTC: ARESF)
• Atlantic Power Corp (TSX: ATP, NYSE: AT)
• Bird Construction Income Fund (TSX: BDT-U, OTC: BIRDF)
• Brookfield Renewable Power Fund (TSX: BRC-U, OTC: BRPFF)
• Canadian Apartment Properties REIT (TSX: CAR-U, OTC: CDPYF)
• Cineplex Galaxy Income Fund (TSX: CGX-U, OTC: CPXGF)
• CML Healthcare Income (TSX: CLC-U, OTC: CMHIF)
• Davis + Henderson Income Fund (TSX: DHF-U, OTC: DHIFF)
• Innergex Renewable Energy (TSX: INE, OTC: INGXF)
• Just Energy Income Fund (TSX: JE-U, OTC: JUSTF)
• Macquarie Power & Infrastructure Income Fund (TSX: MPT-U, OTC: MCQPF).

Readers should also note that Vermilion has completed its conversion to a corporation and now trades on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol VET. Also, CML Healthcare has announced it will convert to a corporation Jan. 1, 2011. At that point, it will reduce its monthly distribution to CAD0.0629. Until then, it will continue to pay the current CAD0.08927 per unit rate. The new rate is more secure, provides cash for growth and still leaves a generous yield of around 7 percent, based on CML’s current price.

That leaves only five Portfolio picks to announce their post-conversion payouts: ARC Energy Trust (TSX: AET-U, OTC: AETUF), Parkland Income Fund, Penn West Energy Trust (TSX: PWT-U, NYSE: PWE), Peyto Energy Trust and Provident Energy Trust. All depend on energy prices to a large extent and so are likely to wait closer to January 2011 to announce them.

High Yield of the Month

The September High Yield of the Month picks are new Aggressive Holding Phoenix Technology Income Fund (TSX: PHX-U, OTC: PHXHF) and CML Healthcare Income Fund (TSX: CLC-U, OTC: CMHIF). Both set 2011 uncertainty to rest last month, setting distribution levels that topped investor expectations handily judging from the jump in unit prices. Both will continue to pay generously after they convert to corporations on or about Jan. 1, 2011. But their real appeal is solid franchises that look set for rapid growth for years to come.

CML’s appeal is as a play on rapidly growing demand for testing and diagnostic services on both sides of the border, as well as the rising potential for a pro-industry change in recently passed US healthcare legislation after upcoming November elections. Phoenix, meanwhile, is a preferred partner for oil and gas producers developing shale reserves, also on both sides of the border as well as overseas.

Phoenix Technology Income Fund is a buy up to my new target of USD10. CML Healthcare Income Fund is a buy up to my long-standing target of USD12.

How They Rate

How They Rate has automatically updated US dollar unit/share prices, dividend payment rates in US dollars, yields, most recent dividend dates, dividend frequency and debt-to-capital ratios. Information on trust conversions (see this month’s Feature Article) is included regularly in a separate table, accessible in the Income Trust Tax Guide. We’ll be updating this information regularly as new conversions are announced. Information on US taxation of How They Rate companies will now be included in the table on a regular basis.

CE Safety Ratings are based on six operating and financial criteria. Companies meeting all six criteria are rated my highest rating of “6.” “0” is the lowest rating, indicating companies that meet no safety criteria. Safety criteria are described in the text below the How They Rate table and are as follows:

• One point if the payout ratio meets “very safe” criteria for the sector.
• One point if the payout ratio is not “at risk” based on the criteria for its sector.
• One point if the debt-to-assets ratio meets “very safe” criteria for the sector.
• One point if the company is already organized as a corporation, a qualifying REIT (no change to tax status in 2011) or has clarified its dividend policy for when it converts to a corporation.
• One point if the company’s primary business is recession resistant. Qualifying varies from company to company, though virtually all Electric Power and Energy Infrastructure companies qualify, while no Energy Services companies do.
• One point if the company’s profitability is not directly affected by changes in commodity prices.

I list trusts, funds and high-yielding corporations by the following sectors:

• Oil and Gas–All producer trusts are included here.
• Electric Power–Power generators.
• Gas/Propane–A mixture of distributors, from propane to packaged ice.
• Business Trusts–A range of businesses involved principally with consumers.
• REITs–All qualified real estate investment trusts.
• Trust Mutual Funds–Closed-end funds holding portfolios of individual trusts.
• Natural Resources–Trusts and corporations that produce resources and raw materials other than oil and gas.
• Energy Services–Trusts and corporations whose main business is providing drilling, environmental or other services to energy producers.
• Energy Infrastructure–Trusts and corporations that own primarily pipelines, processing facilities and other fee-generating assets.
• Information Technology–Trusts and corporations that provide communications, newspaper, directory and other information services.
• Financial Services–Canada’s banks, investment houses and other trusts and corporations feeding that business.
• Food and Hospitality–Trusts and corporations that franchise restaurants, own and operate hotels and manufacture and distribute food and beverages.
• Health Care–Trusts and corporations involved in the medical care and/or supply business.
• Transports–Trusts and corporations that ship freight and move passengers by bus, truck, rail or air.

Additions and Subtractions

There are no new additions or subtractions to How They Rate coverage this month. Provident Energy Trust (TSX: PVE-U, NYSE: PVX) has been moved to Energy Infrastructure to reflect the fact that it’s now a pure midstream energy company. Also several trusts successfully converted to corporations over the past month. The tipoff is there is no longer a “-U” suffix attached to their TSX symbols. Converted corporations’ dividends are no longer being withheld 15 percent by the Canadian government if they’re held in IRA and other tax deferred accounts that prevent filing a Form 1116.

Advice Changes

Here are advice changes. See How They Rate for other changes in buy targets.

Bank of Montreal (TSX: BMO, NYSE: BMO)–Buy @ 60 to Hold. Some banks, it seems, are more equal than others. Swap to Bank of Nova Scotia (TSX: BNS, NYSE: BNX), which posted much stronger third-quarter earnings due to better retail banking operations and more conservative finances.

Boralex Power Income Fund (TSX: BPT-U, OTC: BLXJF)–SELL. An investor holding slightly less than 10 percent of the trust’s units, O’Leary Funds Management, is still refusing to tender its holdings and is contesting the takeover at the Quebec Superior Court. Its efforts may be aided by the opinion of EdgePoint Wealth Management that parent Boralex Inc’s (TSX: BLX, OTC: BRLXF) offer is “inadequate.”

This could now go one of two ways. The best-case is Boralex Inc will sweeten its offer enough to win over O’Leary, with whatever deal reached applying to those who have already tendered their units or who still own them. A less favorable outcome would be that O’Leary reaches a separate deal that benefits it, but leaves Boralex Inc weaker and hence also the convertible issues it’s swapping. Worse still, Boralex could simply walk away from the deal, while keeping the effective management control of the income fund it has now. The fund posted very weak second-quarter earnings, so it would be relatively easy to justify gutting the distribution and reinvesting the cash in the assets. Either way, my advice is to sell Boralex Power Income Fund if you haven’t yet.

Brookfield Asset Management (TSX: BAM/A, NYSE: BAM)–Hold to Buy @ 25. Not only has management made all the right moves lately, but the investment company trades at a sharp discount to its net asset value of CAD29.69 per unit.

Canadian REIT (TSX: REF-U, OTC: CRXIF)–Buy @ 25 to Hold. The REIT remains a blue chip in the Canadian real estate sector and draws CE’s highest rating of 6. Unfortunately, it’s now quite expensive and well above my buy target.

Jazz Air Income Fund (TSX: JAZ-U, OTC: JAARF)–Hold to Buy @ 4. Second-quarter earnings numbers are part of a pattern of distinct improvement at this company. Nonetheless, with the dividend at over 13 percent, expectations are extremely low, both for operating performance and its prospective dividend after converting to a corporation. That leaves a lot of room for upside surprises to the market, which is one reason Bay Street analysts seem to be warming up to Jazz.

Menu Foods Income Fund (TSX: MEW-U, OTC: MNUFF)–Hold to SELL. The maker of wet pet food has posted its sixth consecutive profitable quarter, quite a turnaround from the financial mess it was in just a few years ago. Normally, that would be a pretty good reason to buy or at least keep holding. But Menu Foods has now received and accepted an all-cash takeover offer of CAD4.80 per unit, a 46.8 percent premium to its pre-deal announcement price and 65.5 percent higher than Menu’s price on March 15, when management announced a strategic review process. Closing is expected in the fourth quarter of 2010 and enjoys the support of “Locked Up Parties” comprising 45 percent of units outstanding.

On the plus side, that almost cinches this deal. On the minus side, there’s not likely to be a better offer, and holding on through the buyout process is likely to be troublesome for American investors. With Menu’s share price right there at the takeout price, there’s no reason to hold on and every reason to sell and take the cash. Sell Menu Foods Income Fund.

Noranda Income Fund (TSX: NIF-U, OTC: NNDIF)–SELL. Xstrata Plc (London: XTA, OTC: XSRAF), the principal owner and operator of the zinc refinery that provides all of the Fund’s cash flow–and owner of 25 percent of Noranda itself–is walking away from its offer to buy the company for CAD3.90 per unit. The company was unwilling to sweeten its offer, which it had already raised from CAD3.40 but the income fund’s independent board continued to reject.

In the words of Xstrata zinc unit chief Santiago Zaldumbide, “The trust will lose its tax-free status from 1 January 2011 and later this year must refinance its debts of CAD193 million as at 30 June. (It) faces competition with low-cost processing capacity in China which has driven treatment charges to very low levels…when the current supply contract expires, (it) will need to source zinc concentrates at a time when existing Canadian and Western world sources are likely to be constrained…”

That doesn’t sound much like a manager set to restore distributions that have been suspended since July 2009. And the dissident shareholders that have now requisitioned a unitholder meeting aren’t likely to improve Xstrata’s demeanor to say the least. Rather, this looks like a case of unitholders pushing a would-be buyer a bit too hard and therefore losing it all. Sell Noranda Income Fund if you haven’t yet.

Potash Corp of Saskatchewan (TSX: POT, NYSE: POT)–Buy @ 100 to SELL. BHP Billiton’s (NYSE: BHP) all-cash offer of CAD130 per share for the company is now officially hostile, as Potash Corp’s management has rejected it outright. That’s set off a flurry of rumors that either BHP will up its bid to a “can’t refuse” level, or that a counterbid will emerge, which in turn has sent shares soaring roughly 50 percent above my recommended buy-in point.

Certainly, anything is possible, and Potash Corp is a valuable company, as solid second-quarter numbers attest. On the other hand, investors should remember BHP’s bid for arguably far more valuable Rio Tinto Plc (NYSE: RTP) a few years ago. Rio’s board, too, held out for a better deal and was eventually spurned, at one point losing more than 80 percent of its value. Potash Corp shares have been all over the map in recent years like most resource companies. Conservative investors should grab the blockbuster gain they’ve just been handed.

Primaris Retail REIT (PMZ-U, OTC: PMZFF)–Hold to Buy @ 19. This owner and developer of shopping malls has proven its ability to weather a tough environment and invest capital effectively with its solid second quarter earnings. I don’t like it as much as RioCan REIT (TSX: REI-U, OTC: RIOCF), but it’s nonetheless a solid choice.

Research in Motion (TSX: RIM, NSDQ: RIMM)–Buy @ 55 to Hold. The maker of Blackberrys has been generally holding its own against the likes of Apple’s (NSDQ: APPL) iPhone and Google’s (NSDQ: GOOG) Android. But recent concessions to the government of India on device privacy issues reveal the company is operating from greater weakness than was evident before.

Superior Plus Corp (TSX: SPB, OTC: SUUIF)–Buy @ 14 to Hold. This still looks like a well managed outfit with solid assets. Second-quarter results, however, were somewhat worse than either the market or management itself expected.

The company has cut its expectations for 2010 earnings to CAD1.50 to CAD1.60 and to CAD1.85 to CAD2.05 for 2011. Meanwhile, debt-to-cash flow has risen to 5.3 times for the 12 months ended June 30, up from 4.2 times in 2009. To be sure, second-quarter earnings are seasonally weak, and these were heavily affected by mild weather. And management continues to affirm the safety of the distribution. The cushion now is considerably thinner. The high yield is attractive and worth holding for, but would-be buyers should look elsewhere.

Ratings Changes

Here are CE Safety Ratings changes. Note that many companies have yet to announce second-quarter earnings, while a lesser number still haven’t decided on a post-conversion dividend policy. Both could change future ratings of listed companies.

Algonquin Power & Utilities (TSX: AQN, OTC: AQUNF)–5 to 4. Unseasonably low water levels hurt hydro production and pushed the payout ratio into negative territory, taking a point off the power/water company’s rating. I expect stronger second-half results.

Boralex Power Income Fund (TSX: BPT-U, OTC: BLXJF)–6 to 5. The payout ratio surged in the second quarter. That’s irrelevant if the buyout goes through, but a real worry if it doesn’t.

Just Energy Income Fund (TSX: JE-U, OTC: JUSTF)–6 to 5. Seasonal factors, mainly very mild weather, pushed the second-quarter payout ratio to a high level. That should reverse in the second half of 2010 but it takes a point off the rating for now.

Northland Power Income Fund (TSX: NPI-U, OTC: NPIFF)–5 to 6. Second-quarter numbers have at last produced a very comfortable payout ratio, backing management’s claim it won’t cut the dividend when the trust converts to a corporation Jan. 1, 2011.

Phoenix Technology Income Fund (TSX: PHX-U, OTC: PHXHF)–1 to 2. The company operates in a cyclical and volatile industry, oil and gas drilling. But it has eliminated one point of uncertainty in declaring it will convert to a corporation Jan. 1, 2011, and hold its current dividend level when it does.

Superior Plus Corp (TSX: SPB, OTC: SUUIF)–4 to 3. As noted above, I believe the distribution to be secure but second quarter results mandate a cut in the rating.

Feature Article

Before Oct. 31, 2006, distribution growth was a primary catalyst for capital gains with Canadian income trusts. In fact, trusts’ unit prices over time closely tracked their dividend growth. That changed abruptly with the Halloween announcement of the 2011 trust tax.

Dividend growth ground to halt as management positioned to preserve as much of trust payouts as they could with the new tax looming. Share-price performance has in large part been determined by their success or failure. Now the game is shifting again. All but a handful of trusts have r been bought out, converted to corporations or announced what dividends will be once they do convert.

As a result, 2011 risk to dividends has faded, and companies have now set a base level from which dividend growth will resume. In fact, it already is for a growing number of companies. I point out the best candidates for dividend growth as the transition to 2011 winds down and companies backed by strong businesses enter a new era of dividend growth.

Canadian Currents

For US IRA investors, one of the biggest benefits of trusts’ conversions to corporations is the end of 15 percent withholding of dividends by the Canadian government. That amounts to an effective 17.6 percent post-conversion dividend increase for trusts that maintain their dividends as corporations. And it’s part of a reciprocal agreement that also exempts Canadian retirement accounts from US taxes. Canada will continue to withhold 15 percent from any entity that doesn’t pay corporate tax, as well as from stocks held outside IRAs.

Unfortunately, more than a few US brokerages are still very much in need of educating on this change in the law. CE Associate Editor David Dittman highlights how US investors can accomplish this, ensuring you get the full benefit of the tax change you’re entitled to.

Tips on Trusts

This section features short bits on a wide range of topics. For more evergreen and tutorial items, see the Subscribers Guide “Subscriber Tips” section.

Dividend Watch List–Two companies in the Canadian Edge How They Rate universe announced dividend cuts last month.

Manitoba Telecom Services (TSX: MBT, OTC: MOBAF) proved converting trusts are the only companies trimming payouts these days. The good news is the new rate is still decent and will allow the company to accelerate its fiber optic network rollout. I’m still rating Manitoba Telecom Services a buy up to USD28. The other is Conservative Holding CML Healthcare Income Fund (TSX: CLC-U, OTC: CMHIF), spotlighted as a September High Yield of the Month.

As I’ve noted here before, the regular Watch List continues to exclude trusts yet to announce post-conversion dividend policies. Again, these are at the discretion of management and are impossible to truly predict. Portfolio companies yet to announce conversion policies are listed at the bottom of Portfolio Update. A table showing post-conversion dividend policies for all companies in How They Rate coverage is shown in the Feature Article.

• Boston Pizza Royalties Income Fund (TSX: BPF-U, OTC: BPZZF)
• Consumers Waterheater Income Fund (TSX: CWI-U, OTC: CSUWF)
• FP Newspapers Income Fund (TSX: FP-U, OTC: FPNUF)
• Interrent Properties REIT (TSX: IIP-U, OTC: IIPZF)
• Royal Host REIT (TSX: RYL-U, OTC: ROYHF)
• Superior Plus Corp (TSX: SPB, OTC: SUUIF)
• Swiss Water Decaf Coffee Fund (TSX: SWS-U, OTC: SWSSF)

Bay Street Beat–How the Canadian analyst community views trusts and high-yielding corporations, including our favorites.

Top Banks–The October issue of Global Finance includes the magazine’s ranking of the world’s 500 largest banks. Canada comes off extremely well in the poll.

Tips on DRIPs–US securities laws restrict participation in dividend reinvestment plans (DRIP) of foreign-based companies that don’t register their offering with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Most plans of Canadian income and royalty trusts that do sponsor DRIPs aren’t registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended. US investors, therefore, aren’t eligible to participate.

Two CE Portfolio recommendations, Penn West Energy Trust (TSX: PWT-U, NYSE: PWT) and Provident Energy Trust (TSX: PVE-U, NYSE: PVX), do allow US investors to participate in their respective DRIP offerings, with certain limitations.

For More

How They Rate offers several free links. Clicking on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX) symbol will now take you directly to the Google Finance page for every How They Rate holding.

We also offer a live, intraday quote feed in US dollar prices, distributions and percentage yields of trusts and high-yielding corporations. Note that our quote service sometimes includes special annual distributions along with the regular monthly payments.

Clicking on the US symbol of a company takes you to a chronological listing of every Canadian Edge and Maple Leaf Memo article in which that trust has been featured. You can also use that page to access articles on other trusts by typing in the relevant exchange and symbol in the “Search Query” box at the top of the page.

For questions and comments, drop us a line at canadianedge@kci-com.com. Check out the Toronto Stock Exchange Web site for a range of information on dividend paying equities. The Web site www.sedar.com is an online library of documents filed by trusts with the Canadian equivalent of our Securities and Exchange Commission. The Toronto Globe & Mail features the “Globe Investor” section with all the latest news. Dominion Bond Rating Service is the pre-eminent credit rater in Canada. The Bank of Canada has a handy currency converter for Canadian dollars and US dollars into 50 other currencies around the world, and it’s a great source of free information on the Canadian economy.

How They Rate can now be accessed several places on the Home Page. The Income Trust Tax Guide has backup to file distributions as “qualified dividends.” Find it on the top bar on the Home Page under the subhead Resources. Eye on Trusts and How They Rate are accessible on the shaded box in the middle column.

Editor’s Note: For additional information on this topic, check out Roger Conrad’s latest report on Top Canadian Income Trusts.

Roger Conrad
Editor, Canadian Edge