With money market funds and CDs paying 5 percent plus, many investors are asking how dividend stocks can compete on yield.
The far more relevant question: How they stack up on total return, over a meaningful period of time. And on this score, cash alternatives don’t come close to matching up.
Not since 1999 have essential services sectors lagged market averages by this great a margin. Year to date, the Dow Jones Utility Average has dropped by nearly -10 percent. The S&P 500, in contrast, is ahead by 16 percent. And despite losing some momentum recently, the Nasdaq 100 is up better than 40 percent.
How low can deep value stocks go? If you own AT&T Inc (NYSE: T) and/or Verizon Communications (NYSE: VZ), you’re no doubt asking that question.
I’ve heard this “simple rule” repeated thousands of times by investors, media personalities and even fellow analysts since I came into the advisory business in the mid-1980s. And I’m certain it will be regurgitated thousands more times long after I leave it, hopefully some decades from now.
A banking crisis can be a tough time to strengthen a balance sheet. But based on calendar Q4 results and updated guidance announced this week, financial recovery plans at Aggressive Holdings Algonquin Power & Utilities (TSX: AQN, NYSE: AQN) and Enel SpA (Italy: ENEL, OTC: ENLAY, ESOCF) are accelerating.
Four more Conrad’s Utility Investor portfolio companies have now reported their Q4 results and updated guidance and all of them generally affirmed longer-term earnings growth guidance.
The surest, biggest beneficiaries of California’s drive to Net Zero are utilities, with investment increasing earnings and dividends. And as the state’s largest pure electric company, Edison International (NYSE: EIX) has the clearest path.
Historically, the best storm season outcome for utility investors has been a lack of catastrophic events, when service outages are relatively contained and quickly resolved. And most important, when the work is done and power restored, customers, regulators and politicians are generally satisfied with management’s response.
Just weeks after earning an upgrade to A- from credit rater Fitch and reporting solid Q2 results, Hawaiian Electric's (NYSE: HE) stock has dropped by more than two thirds. The reason: A devastating wildfire on the island of Maui August 8, which whipped up by hurricane winds reduced the town of Lahaina to rubble, killed over 100 people and left thousands homeless.
Last week, leading North American midstream energy company TC Energy (TSX: TRP, NYSE: TRP) announced it will spin off its Liquids Pipelines division into a separate company. The news dramatically overshadowed TC’s scheduled Q2 earnings results and guidance, and appeared to convince some investors to flee the stock.
The Inflation Reduction Act has been the law of the land since August, and has already survived its first real political test. The IRA is designed specifically to accelerate investment already being made by the private sector. And early indications are it’s succeeding.
Roger's favorite utilities for investors seeking superior price appreciation by taking calculated risks.
Harness the tried and true wealth-building power of rising dividends.
Nothing compounds wealth like reinvesting a rising stream of dividends.
Warning: Falling Dividends.
Roger's current take and vital statistics on more than 200 essential-services stocks.