Roger S. Conrad

Roger Conrad will host an exclusive Live Chat for Conrad's Utility Investor subscribers on Dec. 9, 2015, at 2:00 p.m.

All you need to know about third-quarter results from the holdings in our model Portfolios.

We highlight some of the key investment themes that stood out after three days of presentations and talking to management teams at the Edison Electric Institute's annual financial conference.

After the first day of presentations and meetings at the Edison Electric Conference's 50th Annual Financial Conference, one theme stands out: increasing adoption of solar power doesn't sound the death knell for regulated electric utilities. In fact, this would-be disruptor creates a huge growth opportunity for incumbent power producers.

With 90 percent of the companies in our Utility Report Card having reported quarterly results, five times as many names increased their earnings guidance than those that revised their outlook lower. Our favorite utilities have continued to deliver the goods and look well-positioned to weather any storms, thanks to their limited operational risk, supportive regulators, low costs of capital and exposure to various growth drivers. Despite solid third-quarter results from most utilities, the Dow Jones Utilities Average has given up 3.6 percent of its value in the fourth quarter—usually a period of seasonal strength. Some of this weakness reflects expectations that the Federal Reserve will raise interest rates, eroding the value of utilities’ dividends. Never mind that the Dow Jones Utilities Average outperformed during the Fed’s last tightening cycle or that normalizing monetary policy will occur gradually. With technical indicators suggesting that US equities could slip into a bear market next year, we’ve taken profits on a few big winners and will stick to our tried-and-true strategy of buying high-quality names when they trade at favorable valuations.  

Having confidence in your holdings’ underlying businesses makes it easier to endure a volatile market without losing too much sleep.

Narrowing market leadership and other technical indicators suggest the risk of US equities sliding into a bear market next year has increased. We highlight some of the best opportunities in our coverage universe so that you know where to pounce when the time comes.

Two companies on our Endangered Dividends List slashed their payouts.

Keystone XL's controversial cross-border leg doesn't really matter.

This company is poised for growth after divesting a money-losing business.