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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
Utility Strong, Doom or Boom
By
Roger S. Conrad on
Mar. 10, 2025
The stock market’s post-election bump has flattened. But utilities are holding firm so far this year, well in the black and running ahead of the S&P 500. There are exceptions. With the Federal Reserve keeping benchmark interest rates higher for longer, many investors are understandably reluctant to own companies with higher levels of debt. Sempra Energy (NYSE: SRE) took a hit last month when management cut 2025 earnings guidance, though management actually raised the utility’s long-term growth projections. Worries about politics and fallout from California’s worst-ever wildfire season are still roiling some stocks.
Eversource Energy: Safe, Investment-Driven Utility Growth
By
Roger S. Conrad on
Mar. 10, 2025
Being on the same page with state regulators is priority one for utilities’ ability to invest and grow. And Eversource Energy (NYSE: ES) is on very firm ground, after extending guidance through 2029 for 5 to 7 percent annual earnings and dividend growth.
The company raised its five-year investment plan by 10 percent to $24.2 billion last month. The key driver is $7 billion for transmission grid hardening and connecting “diversified energy resources to the grid.”
Algonquin Power & Utilities: The Comeback Continues
By
Roger S. Conrad on
Mar. 10, 2025
From post-Three Mile Island General Public Utilities in the 1980s to PG&E Corp (NYSE: PCG) this decade, no regulated US utility has ever failed to recover from disaster. And battered Aggressive Holding Algonquin Power & Utilities (TSX: AQN, NYSE: AQN) won’t be the first.
Understandably, many are skeptical. Algonquin appeared to hit bottom in early 2023, cutting its dividend by -40 percent and launching a full strategic review of the business. But results announced last summer included another -40 percent cut. And in January, the stock hit its lowest point in over nine years.
Strong Earnings and Guidance Good Reasons to Stock Up
By
Roger S. Conrad on
Mar. 10, 2025
Doom or boom: The stock market of early 2025 can’t seem to make up its mind. Last week ended on a good note for most of the Utility Report Card coverage universe. And several Portfolio stocks are already sitting on sizeable year-to-date gains. Those include...
Northland Escapes, Spark Cuts Again
By
Roger S. Conrad on
Mar. 10, 2025
Elevated debt: That’s historically been the greatest threat to utility and essential services company dividends. And it’s the case in 2025 as well, with the Federal Reserve holding interest rates higher for longer and concerns about global economic growth rising. Regulated utilities can safely carry much higher levels of debt than other industries. That’s because the revenue is backed by monopolies providing essential services at regulated rates. Other Utility Report Card coverage universe companies protect revenue from economic ups and downs with long-term contracts.
Water Utilities: Growing, Recession Resistant and No Longer Pricey
By
Roger S. Conrad on
Mar. 10, 2025
Investor-owned utilities serve 72 percent of US electric and natural gas customers. That’s according to the US Energy Information Administration. In contrast, investor owned water and wastewater utilities serve just 11 percent of Americans. Everyone else pays their bills to either large municipal systems like the New York Municipal Authority—or else the 48,000 plus community water systems and/or 23,000 plus operators of wastewater treatment facilities scattered across the country.
There’s Still Time to Buy Loaded Laggards
By
Roger S. Conrad on
Feb. 10, 2025
“Reversion to the mean” should still be a top investing theme for 2025: With more loaded laggards vaulting to the front as AT&T Inc (NYSE: T) and Kinder Morgan Inc (NYSE: KMI) did last year, and the highest flying stocks coming back to earth. So far this year, however, more money has been going into market favorites than turnaround stories. And the result is 15 Conrad’s Utility Investor portfolio stocks sell above my highest recommended entry points, with three meriting taking profits.
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
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