Company Description
Algonquin Power & Utilities Corp. (AQN) is a diversified international generation, transmission, and distribution utility. Through its portfolio of utility investments, the company focuses on delivering energy and water services to over one million customer connections, largely in the United States and Canada. Algonquin’s equity trades on both the Toronto Stock Exchange and the New York Stock Exchange, giving it access to Canadian and U.S. capital markets.
Algonquin is the parent company of Liberty and describes itself as a utility platform centered on providing safe, secure, reliable, cost-effective, and sustainable energy and water solutions. According to company disclosures, its operations are organized into distinct business groups that reflect the nature of its assets and regulatory environment. The company also reports that it has moved toward a pure-play regulated utility focus, emphasizing regulated operations as the core of its strategy.
Business Segments and Operations
Algonquin’s operations are organized across two primary business units, as outlined in its financial reporting: the Regulated Services Group and the Hydro Group, along with a supporting Corporate Group.
The Regulated Services Group primarily owns and operates a portfolio of regulated utility systems and related transmission operations. These include electric utility systems, water distribution and wastewater systems, and natural gas utility systems. The Regulated Services Group’s assets and operations are located in the United States, Canada, Bermuda, and Chile. This segment is described as the main contributor to Algonquin’s earnings, and the company has stated that it is focused on becoming a pure-play regulated utility, which underscores the importance of this group to its long-term business profile.
The Hydro Group consists of hydroelectric generation facilities located in Canada. Company disclosures note that these facilities were not sold as part of the sale of Algonquin’s renewable energy business, indicating that hydroelectric generation remains a distinct and ongoing component of its asset base. The Hydro Group contributes to Algonquin’s earnings through power generation from these hydroelectric assets.
The Corporate Group includes corporate interest expense and shared services that support both the Regulated Services Group and the Hydro Group. It also holds certain ancillary investments. This group reflects the centralized functions and financing activities that are not directly allocated to the operating segments but are necessary to support the overall enterprise.
Geographic Footprint and Customer Base
Algonquin states that it serves over one million customer connections, largely in the United States and Canada, through its portfolio of generation, transmission, and distribution utility investments. Its regulated utilities and transmission operations extend into multiple jurisdictions, including the United States, Canada, Bermuda, and Chile. This multi-jurisdictional presence means the company operates under a variety of regulatory frameworks and engages with several regulatory commissions and policymakers.
As the parent company of Liberty, Algonquin’s platform encompasses electric, gas, and water regulated utility operations. The company emphasizes customer service, safety, reliability, and affordability as central themes in its public communications, and it has highlighted a customer-centric approach as part of its strategic direction.
Strategic Focus and Utility Orientation
Algonquin has communicated a strategic objective of becoming a pure-play regulated utility. In its financial and corporate updates, the company has referred to a customer-centric capital plan and a "Back to Basics" focus aimed at improving the customer experience, driving operational efficiencies, and achieving constructive regulatory outcomes. This orientation underscores the importance of regulated rate structures, capital planning, and regulatory relationships to its business model.
The company’s Regulated Services Group is described as benefiting from approved rates across several gas and water utilities, and its financial disclosures reference regulatory proceedings at specific systems such as EnergyNorth Gas, CalPeco Electric, Empire Electric, Litchfield Park Water and Sewer, and New England Natural Gas Systems. These references illustrate the ongoing interaction between Algonquin’s utilities and regulatory bodies in multiple jurisdictions.
Capital Markets and Securities
Algonquin’s securities are listed on both Canadian and U.S. exchanges. The company’s common shares, preferred shares, Series A, and preferred shares, Series D trade on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbols AQN, AQN.PR.A, and AQN.PR.D. Its common shares and Series 2019-A subordinated notes are listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbols AQN and AQNB, respectively. Through these listings, Algonquin can access investors in both markets and provide different classes of securities, including preferred equity and subordinated notes.
In its dividend announcements, the company has described quarterly dividends on its common and preferred shares, including the ability for certain shareholders to elect to receive common share dividends in either U.S. dollars or the Canadian dollar equivalent. It has also indicated that dividends on its common shares and preferred shares qualify as eligible dividends under the Income Tax Act (Canada) and corresponding provincial legislation.
Regulatory and Reporting Status
Algonquin Power & Utilities Corp. is a foreign private issuer for U.S. securities law purposes and files reports on Form 40-F and Form 6-K with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Its Form 6-K filings include press releases, unaudited financial statements, management’s discussion and analysis, certifications of its chief executive officer and chief financial officer, and dividend announcements. These filings are incorporated by reference into its registration statements on Forms F-3, F-10, and S-8, reflecting its use of U.S. public markets for financing and employee equity plans.
The company’s interim financial disclosures reference the use of both U.S. GAAP measures and non-GAAP financial measures such as Adjusted Net Earnings and Adjusted Net Earnings per share. Algonquin explains that these non-GAAP measures are used to assess the performance of its business lines and provides reconciliations to the most directly comparable U.S. GAAP measures in its management’s discussion and analysis.
Leadership and Governance
Algonquin’s news releases describe an active focus on leadership roles that support its regulated utility strategy. The company has announced appointments to positions such as Chief Operating Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Regulatory and External Affairs Officer, and Chief Customer Officer. These roles are described as responsible for areas including regulated utility operations, capital execution, regulatory strategy, external affairs, and customer experience.
The company also holds an annual meeting of common shareholders at which directors are elected, auditors are appointed, and shareholder resolutions such as the continuation and amendment of a shareholder rights plan and advisory votes on executive compensation are considered. Voting results from these meetings are filed with Canadian and U.S. securities regulators.
Hydroelectric and Utility Focus
Within the utilities sector, Algonquin is associated with hydroelectric power generation through its Hydro Group and with regulated electric, water, wastewater, and natural gas utilities through its Regulated Services Group. The company’s disclosures emphasize its commitment to sustainable energy and water solutions and its role as a diversified international utility with generation, transmission, and distribution assets.
For investors and analysts, AQN represents exposure to a regulated utility platform with operations across multiple jurisdictions and a distinct hydroelectric generation component in Canada. Its dual listings, use of non-GAAP performance measures, and ongoing regulatory proceedings are central aspects of how the company presents its business and financial profile.