Roger S. Conrad

We’ve yet to see third quarter results for most of the US communications industry. But it’s not too soon to ask what happened to the assertion the Big Two US Telecoms — AT&T (NYSE: T) and Verizon Communications (NYSE: VZ) — would be skewered by rivals’ cut rate pricing and a cheaper iPhone.

Earnings season is now underway for the Conrad’s Utility Investor portfolios, with Kinder Morgan Energy Partners (NYSE: KMP) and Verizon Communications (NYSE: VZ) the first to report full numbers.

At its core, the stock market is about people. The numbers offer clues to the odds of company’s success. But as an analyst for nearly 30 years, I’ve found keeping tapped in to the market mood is no less essential.

Utilities and other providers of essential services are proven survivors of even the worst market debacles. As the 2008 market crash showed, the sector takes hits with the rest of the stock market.

Don’t believe everything you hear. The odds are still heavily in favor of enough Democrats and Republicans joining forces to prevent the first bona fide US default since the government operated under the Articles of Confederation.

PVR Partners LP (NYSE: PVR) is off the Endangered Dividends List. The catalyst: Today’s announcement that the owner and operator of natural gas midstream assets and coal royalty lands will merge with Regency Energy Partners LP (NYSE: RGP).

You had questions about utility and telecom stocks, we had answers. 

RWE AG (Germany: RWE, OTC: RWEOY) plans to cut its 2014 annual dividend (payable April 17) to one euro, from a previous rate of 2 euros. That’s the third dramatic cut in five years for the German power giant. And it may not be the last, given some uniquely challenging conditions.

In the October issue, I added four stocks to the Conrad’s Utility Investor model portfolios.

Shrinking traditional business and hefty debt have made wireline phone companies a reliable income source for short sellers in recent years. The game, however, has moved on.