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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
With Utility Stocks Rising Don’t Take Your Eye off Earnings
By
Roger S. Conrad on
Aug. 5, 2024
The Dow Jones Utility Average lagged the S&P 500 by 12.5 percentage points in the first half of 2024. But the first month or so of Q3 has witnessed a dramatic reversal of fortune: It’s utilities beating the broad market average by more than 14 points. And the DJUA is more than 18 points ahead of the Big Tech stocks in the Nasdaq 100.
There are several reasons why this great rotation will continue. First, after roughly a year and a half of underperforming the broad market and Big Tech in particular, utility stocks are greatly under-owned by giant passively and actively managed investment portfolios that dominate the market.
Telecom Dividends at Risk
By
Roger S. Conrad on
Aug. 5, 2024
Uniti Group (NSDQ: UNIT) now expects to close its proposed merger with privately held Windstream Holdings in “second half 2025.” At that time, management has said it will drop its REIT structure and eliminate its dividend.
This implies the company will make at least four more payment at the current rate of 15 cents per share—one-year income return of almost 15 percent. But lest anyone be tempted, consider the following.
America’s Nuclear Renaissance: Changing Times Bring Opportunity
By
Roger S. Conrad on
Aug. 5, 2024
Nuclear power has rarely been a popular subject in the 40 years or so I’ve analyzed, advised on and invested in electric utilities.
That’s understandable. The plants built in the 1970s and 80s wound up costing several times their initial budgets. State regulators forced utilities to eat billions of cost overruns. And what rate increases did get through triggered the large customer revolt that spurred deregulation in 15 states, along with the District of Columbia.
Utilities’ Lackluster Momentum in 2024 Means 2nd Half Opportunity
By
Roger S. Conrad on
Jul. 8, 2024
After an up and down month, the Dow Jones Utility Average’s year-to-date return is now just 5 percent. That’s still a percentage point better than the Dow Jones’ Select Dividend Index. But utilities are now well behind the Nasdaq 100’s 21.7 percent and the S&P 500 at 17.5 percent.
Interest rates remain the key driver of utility stock returns. And with money market funds yielding north of 5 percent and the Federal Reserve still not pivoting to lower rates, price momentum is against us.
Enel SpA: Low Debt, Robust Renewables and a Nuclear Play
By
Roger S. Conrad on
Jul. 8, 2024
Italy closed the last of its operating nuclear reactors in 1990, following a 1987 post-Chernobyl referendum. But earlier this year, Enel SpA (Italy: ENEL, OTC: ENLAY) and Ansaldo Nucleare forged an agreement to develop new nuclear reactors, with support of the country’s Ministry of Environment and Energy Security.
Enel’s Endesa unit operates several reactors in Spain, which at this point has a plan to phase out nuclear energy by 2035. But like Italy, the country is now reconsidering its options. And as the largest power producer in both countries, the company is poised to capture what business emerges.
Entergy Corp: Conservative and Cashing in on Nuclear’s AI Connection
By
Roger S. Conrad on
Jul. 8, 2024
Conservative Holding Entergy Corp (NYSE: ETR) has been a fully regulated utility for more than two years—divesting its Palisades nuclear plant in Michigan in June 2022 to Holtec International.
The result is reduced business risk, a stronger balance sheet and exclusive management focus on growing regulated rate base in the utility’s four-state territory. Annual industrial load growth is the strongest in America averaging 8-9 percent annually. And it’s likely to accelerate the next few years, spurred by “onshoring” to the US Gulf Coast, electrification, artificial intelligence-enhanced data centers (5-10 gigawatts demand projected) and rapid growth of LNG export infrastructure.
A Solid First Half but Better Ahead
By
Roger S. Conrad on
Jul. 8, 2024
Utility stocks had their moments in first half 2024. But with the Federal Reserve sticking to a “higher for longer” interest rate policy, it’s little surprise the Dow Jones Utility Average finished the first six months of the year well behind broader stock market averages, lagging the S&P 500 by 12.5 percentage points.
Boosted mainly by strong performance of four stocks—Constellation Energy (NYSE: CEG), MDU Resources (NYSE: MDU), NextEra Energy (NYSE: NEE) and Vistra Corp (NYSE: VST)—the Conrad’s Utility Investor model portfolios did somewhat better.
Why NextEra Energy Partners Won’t Cut
By
Roger S. Conrad on
Jul. 8, 2024
Most companies view dividend cuts only as a last resort. That’s for good reason.
Investors rightly view slashing payouts as management breaking faith, even when there are very good reasons. Just ask Kinder Morgan Inc (NYSE: KMI) founder and largest shareholder Richard Kinder. His stock sells for half what it did in late 2015 before the midstream company cut dividends by 75 percent, despite a 130 percent increase since.
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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