The Globe and Mail reports in its Wednesday edition that in the last year or so, Fortis has underperformed. The Globe's John Heinzl concedes in the Yield Hog column that Fortis has been a clunker of an investment. He admits to owning the shares. Mr. Heinzl says despite short-term headwinds, Fortis's long-term outlook is still solid. Mr. Heinzl is not selling his shares and he might even add to his existing position if the price were to weaken further. He likes Fortis's dividend. Its annual dividend has increased for 41 consecutive years -- the longest such streak for any public corporation in Canada. Mr. Heinzl notes that Fortis's dividend yield is now a "juicy" 4.1 per cent. He says you buy Fortis for its slow but steady growth in earnings and dividends, lower volatility compared with the market and a business model that provides some protection from economic swings. Mr. Heinzl says Fortis is neither cheap or expensive. The stock is down about 11 per cent from its 52-week high, which suggests the stock has already "baked in" a weak short-term outlook. The recent pullback, plus the stock's attractive yield, should put a floor under the shares. A big drop is unlikely, says Mr. Heinzl.