The Dow Jones Utility Average has returned roughly 6 percent year to date. That compares with a -12 percent decline for the S&P 500, even after the past month’s torrid rally. Re-shoring of investment to the US, growing popularity of domestic businesses, low relative valuations and utilities’ well-earned reputation for resilience are four good reasons for outperformance. And as the feature article highlights, benefits from the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 are a solid fifth.
Relentless global inflation pressures, rising interest rates, lingering pandemic fallout and still-high valuations are wreaking havoc on stock portfolios thus far in 2022. But after another week of jagged volatility, the Dow Jones Utility Average is still in the black year-to-date
Dow Jones Utility Average returns are now more than 17 percentage points ahead of the S&P 500 year to date. And 21 CUI Portfolio members trade above my highest recommended entry points. But that also means, despite recent stock market turbulence, they’re still high-priced enough for readers to consider cashing out a portion of their positions.
Thus far, 2022 has been a series of jagged ups and downs for global stock markets, with most prices ratcheting lower. Regulated US utilities, however, have been staging a quiet rally.
As dominant providers of essential services, utilities enjoy a degree of revenue reliability in tough times that companies in other industries can only envy. We’re seeing that strength again in our recommendations’ recently reported Q4 results and guidance.
In the previous decade, NextEra Energy’s (NYSE: NEE) ability to convert renewable energy deployment into earnings depended squarely on regulatory support and subsidy. Now, the combination of falling production costs and soaring natural gas prices has made wind, solar and storage increasingly attractive from a cost-cutting standpoint as well.
"Sliding guidance” is often a sign of rising risk to underlying businesses. And, it’s a potential warning for the entire US communications sector this year.
Editor’s note: This is the first of three articles in which I’ll focus on Q2 results and guidance updates for recommended stocks that are also great bellwethers for their respective sectors. Hope everyone is having a great summer!—RC “Fortune may not favor the brave so much as it favors the cash.”
This week, the U.S. Supreme Court essentially rejected the Biden Administration’s attempt to resurrect the “Clean Power Plan,” drawing swift and fiery condemnation from America’s political left, and generally praise from the right. But, ironically, the decision actually increases private sector and individual state flexibility to meet energy transition goals.
After trading at extreme and unsustainably high prices for months and months, many best-in-class REITs are once again trading at good entry points for investors. But wise selection of individual REITs is more critical than ever.
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.