It appears all the president’s men can’t put King Coal back together again.
Once again, US electric utilities have collectively yawned at a Trump Administration proposal to revive coal-fired power in the US, this time by stripping away regulations on plant upgrades to discourage shutdowns of older facilities.
Formerly one of the world’s largest users of coal, Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK) this month filed in North Carolina to speed up the closure of three large facilities by six years to 2024. The utility now plans to ultimately replace all coal capacity with cheaper natural gas, and a combination of wind, solar and energy storage increasingly favored by its regulators.
Next Issue : Oct. 9, 2018View Past Issues 
-
News and Analysis
Clearway Guides Higher, Bracing for Hurricane Florence
The Carolinas and Virginia are dealing with the aftermath of of Hurricane Florence. The storm’s high winds and flooding are certain to test the resiliency of regional essential service networks. -
News and Analysis
Q2 Results All In: Here’s News to Use
All Conrad’s Utility Investor Portfolio companies have now reported calendar second quarter results and updated their guidance, and all but TerraForm Power (NSDQ: TERP) are highlighted in the August issue Utility Report Card.
-
News and Analysis
Q2 Early Reporters: Key Takeaways So Far
More than 20 Conrad’s Utility Investor coverage universe companies have reported second quarter earnings, along with updated guidance. My comments along with updated advice, payout ratios and Quality Grades are highlighted in the Utility Report Card.
-
Mergers & Acquisitions
More Utility M&A
Just three days after beating a US Department of Justice lawsuit, Conservative Holding AT&T Inc (NYSE: T) has closed its merger with Time Warner Inc (NYSE: TWX). The combined company will now attempt to do what fellow Portfolio recommendation Comcast Corp (NSDQ: CMCSA) has so successfully with NBC Universal the past four years.
-
News and Analysis
Yieldcos’ Reboot Hits a New Gear
The seven yieldcos we track in the Utility Report Card are up roughly 5 percent since the February 9 Income Insights. That’s when I highlighted the sector’s bullish reboot, thanks to a mass turnover of sponsors.
-
Income Insights
Storms, Accidents and Utility Stock Risk
Hurricane Florence continues to wreak havoc in the Carolinas. And there’s reason to believe the worst may be yet to come for some areas, and for a few essential services companies.
-
Income Insights
Time to Buy China, Safely
China is a country many Americans love to hate, whether the subject is geopolitical rivalry, trade or jobs. But the world’s second largest economy is consistently expanding.
-
Income Insights
California’s Fire Deal: A Lifeline With Conditions
Last year’s devastating northern California wildfires won’t bankrupt the state’s largest utility, nor will future natural disasters permanently damage other in-state electric and gas providers. Here's why.
-
Income Insights
Post-Rumble Australia is Still Worth Our Money
Political upheaval has pushed the Australian dollar to its lowest point in two years as an energy crisis has rocked the country, but the best in class is still worth our investment dollars.
-
Income Insights
Seeking Dividend Champions: Don’t Settle for Less
This week, Barron’s “5 Dividend Standouts,” asserted that “finding stocks with both attractive yields and strong dividend growth isn’t easy.” But I take issue with the article’s implication that individual investors can’t find stocks with generous and growing dividends on their own when there are 8 rock-solid, buy-rated essential services stocks in our Conservative Income Portfolio right now, yielding an average of 6 percent.
 |
||||
 |
 |
 |
||
 |
||||
 |
 |
 |
||
MODEL PORTFOLIOS & RATINGS
Aggressive Income Portfolio
Roger's favorite utilities for investors seeking superior price appreciation by taking calculated risks.
Conservative Income Portfolio
Harness the tried and true wealth-building power of rising dividends.
Top 10 DRIPs
Nothing compounds wealth like reinvesting a rising stream of dividends.
Endangered Dividends List
Warning: Falling Dividends.
Utility Report Card
Roger's current take and vital statistics on more than 200 essential-services stocks.
Conrad's Utility Investor
BACK TO TOP