Roger S. Conrad

In February 2018, I recommended Edison International (NYSE: EIX) as a new Aggressive Holding. Shares had taken just a big hit on concern the company would be held liable for billions in 2017 wildfire damages under the state’s “inverse condemnation” law.

When Vistra Energy (NYSE: VST) emerged from the TXU bankruptcy in late 2016, we weren’t optimistic. Wholesale electricity prices were in a multi-year slide, and the economics of the company’s coal heavy assets were eroding even faster.

Trial testimony has concluded in the court challenge of the proposed merger of two US wireless giants and we expect an early 2020 close. The real issue is whether management will be able to deliver on lofty expectations.

New England-based Eversource Energy (NYSE: ES) is the latest US electric utility to target zero carbon dioxide emissions, with a far more aggressive timetable than the 2050 date set by its sector peers.

California’s wildfire insurance law passed last summer essentially requires Governor Gavin Newsom’s approval for any successful restructuring of PG&E Corp (NYSE: PCG). But the giant utility’s proposal is, in his words, “woefully short.”

The flow of mergers of entire utility companies has dried up, relative to the heady pace of a few years ago. But management teams are still finding plenty of assets to buy and sell.

Competition from “associated” natural gas in Texas and scarce takeaway capacity are weighing on the price of natural gas produced in Appalachia. That’s triggered a meltdown of regional producers in 2019, including a 50 percent plus decline in the largest, EQT Resources (NYSE: EQT).

After a decade as the primary focus of utility M&A, regulated assets don’t come cheap. But when a high flyer drops back to a good entry point, we jump. And that’s now the case for natural gas distributor South Jersey Industries (NYSE: SJI).

Only four of the 21 current Conservative Holdings trade below our maximum recommended entry point. That’s counting new addition and this month’s conservative focus stock South Jersey Industries (NYSE: SJI).