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  • Roger S. Conrad

Roger S. Conrad needs no introduction to individual and professional investors, many of whom have profited from his decades of experience uncovering the best dividend-paying stocks for accumulating sustainable wealth.

Roger built his reputation with Utility Forecaster, a publication he founded more than 20 years ago that The Hulbert Financial Digest routinely ranked as one of the best investment newsletters. He’s also a sought-after expert on master limited partnerships (MLP) and former Canadian royalty trusts.

In April 2013, Roger reunited with his long-time friend and colleague, Elliott Gue, becoming co-editor of Energy & Income Advisor, a semimonthly online newsletter that’s dedicated to uncovering the most profitable opportunities in the energy sector.

Although the masthead may have changed, readers can count on Roger to deliver the same high-quality analysis and rational assessment of the best dividend-paying utilities, MLPs and dividend-paying Canadian energy names.

Articles

Utilities Face Headwinds: These Stocks Will Take Advantage

By Roger S. Conrad on Sep. 11, 2023

Nine times since the end of World War II, the S&P Utilities Index has dropped by more than -20 percent from its previous high. The most recent occurred over the space of just one month: February 2020 to March 2020 in the wake of the pandemic panic. Over the following 30 months or so, utilities generally moved higher greatly outperforming the broader stock market for most of 2022. But since then, headwinds have generally overwhelmed tailwinds, though the S&P Utilities to date has sustained less damage than any of the periods highlighted in my table “Utilities’ Post-War Ups and Downs.”

Clearway Energy: High Yield, Resilient Growth

By Roger S. Conrad on Sep. 11, 2023

The Inflation Reduction Act’s hundreds of billions of dollars of tax credits are the law of the land. But you wouldn’t know that from the sorry performance of renewable energy stocks. That includes Aggressive Holding Clearway Energy (NYSE: CWEN), which has lost nearly one-quarter of its value so far in 2023.

Why Utilities Could Get a Post-Storm Season Boost

By Roger S. Conrad on Aug. 31, 2023
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.

Hawaiian Electric: Wildfire Survivor But More Pain Likely

By Roger S. Conrad on Aug. 24, 2023
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.

Five Key Takeaways from Q2 and What They Portend

By Roger S. Conrad on Aug. 11, 2023
Nine more CUI Portfolio recommendations have announced Q2 results and updated guidance since the August issue went to post. I’ll have a full recap and analysis for each in the September issue. But here’s what you need to know now.

Utility Earnings and Stock Prices: Behind the Divergence

By Roger S. Conrad on Aug. 7, 2023

The Dow Jones Utility Average is now underwater by nearly -7 percent including dividends so far in 2023. That’s more than 25 percentage points behind the S&P 500, which continues to be pushed higher by momentum-fueled big technology stocks.

In contrast, twice as many companies in my coverage universe (18) have so far raised their 2023 guidance following Q2 earnings as reduced it. And none have cut the longer-term growth guidance that will ultimately drive their share prices higher.

Avista Corp: Comeback Utility With a Big, Safe Yield

By Roger S. Conrad on Aug. 7, 2023

In July 2017, new Aggressive Holding Avista Corp (NYSE: AVA) accepted an all-cash takeover offer of $53 per share from Canadian utility Hydro One (TSX: H, OTC: HRNNF). Then followed basically a year and a half of futility. And the parties eventually broke off their deal in January 2019, when regulators in Idaho and Washington rejected it due to concerns about then Ontario premier Doug Ford. Avista shares overnight dropped from low-50s to the low-30s and have been attempting to fight their way back ever since. The primary hurdle: Investor concerns about regulation in Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and especially Washington (60 percent of rate base), where the needs of the utility’s eastern state franchise are a world away from coastal politicians.

Verizon Communications: Priced for Armageddon, Positioned to Prosper

By Roger S. Conrad on Aug. 7, 2023

Rarely have shares of a high quality essential services company like Verizon Communications (NYSE: VZ) been treated so poorly by investors. In the July 18 Utility Roundup “Verizon and AT&T: Some Thoughts,” I highlighted two catalysts for downside this summer: Fear that Amazon.com would offer wireless service through its Prime brand and a Wall Street Journal investigative piece alleging telecoms have potential liabilities in the tens of billions of dollars from owning toxic lead-lined cable.

What You Need to Know About Utilities’ Q2 Earnings

By Roger S. Conrad on Aug. 7, 2023

When you’re a long-term investor, momentum isn’t always going to flow your way. And when it’s against you—whatever the reason—it can be intensely frustrating, no matter how much in dividends you’re collecting. The greatest danger is it’s all too easy to conflate stock market weakness with a truly unraveling business. You may bail out prematurely from a company that’s only undergoing a temporary setback. Or alternatively, you might hold onto a stock that’s only just beginning its descent, as declining sales lead to dividend cuts and worse.

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ABOUT ROGER CONRAD

Roger S. Conrad needs no introduction to individual and professional investors, many of whom have profited from his decades of experience uncovering the best dividend-paying stocks for accumulating sustainable wealth. Roger b