Roger S. Conrad

After closing a big deal, this Northeast utility has the financial wherewithal and opportunity set to drive annual dividend growth of 10 percent in coming years.

This high-quality midstream name exclusively serves the Marcellus Shale and Utica Shale, owns regulated gas pipelines that operate under long-term contracts with utilities and continues to leverage its low of capital to fund growth projects.

We share our latest news and analysis related to our model Portfolio holdings, from guidance updates to recently completed deals.

We take a tax loss on one loser as part of a year-end swap.

Here are our thoughts on KInder Morgan's dividend cut.

New Jersey Resources Corp continues to make all the right moves, but the stock still trades above our buy target.

I’m hosting an exclusive online chat for Conrad’s Utility Investor subscribers at 2 p.m. ET Wednesday, Dec. 9. The format is simple: You ask me any questions on your mind; I stay online until all questions are answered. And don’t worry if you can’t stick around for the entirety of this marathon discussion; a transcript of the proceedings will be available the next morning. We’ll discuss macro developments or specific stocks covered in my Utility Report Card—whatever’s on your mind. Given the severe downdraft in oil and gas prices since summer 2014, I expect to receive a lot of questions about our outlook for these commodities and midstream energy names that own pipelines and other infrastructure. The indiscriminate selling of these stocks has propelled yields into the stratosphere, reflecting concerns about volumetric and counterparty risks and questions about these companies’ ability to grow or even sustain their distributions. With the debt and equity markets effectively closed for many energy stocks, funding remaining growth projects will be a challenge. Although master limited partnerships (MLP) and other midstream operators face real challenges, the selloff afflicting these names has engulfed survivors whose growth prospects remain intact. As always, indiscriminate selling creates opportunities for discriminating investors. This month’s feature article highlights my top pick in each of the nine industry groups tracked in my Utility Report Card as well as names that you should avoid at all costs. We also revisit Kinder Morgan (NYSE: KMI) in the light of the company’s recent press release indicating that the firm will reevaluate its dividend policy for next year.  

A transformative deal could move this power company closer to growing its dividend.

This electric utility hiked its quarterly dividend by 8.2 percent--and there's more upside to come.

With only a few weeks remaining in 2015, time is running out for utility stocks to avoid their first down year after exiting January in the green since 1987. We review our macro outlook, highlight a handful of stocks we’d consider adding to our model Portfolios on a pullback and revisit some of our losers.