Income Insights
What’s Next for Utility M&A?
By
Roger S. Conrad on
Sep. 21, 2016
It's been an active year for mergers and acquisitions in the utility sector. We discuss our key takeaways from a major deal that closed ahead of schedule and highlight some of the main themes that will be in play going forward.
Utility M&A Update
By
Roger S. Conrad on
Sep. 7, 2016
Consolidation continues apace in the utility sector, as operators seek to take advantage of frothy stock prices to improve their economies of scale and increase their exposure to growing demand for natural gas. We update our takes on the various pending acquisitions involving the more than 200 essential-services stocks that we cover in our Utility Report Card.
Utilities Sell Equity at the Right Time and for the Right Reasons
By
Roger S. Conrad on
Aug. 26, 2016
The recent spate of equity issuance is yet another sign of frothy valuations in the utility sector, but these moves set the stage for future growth. Investors should bide their time and wait for a pullback to buy our favorite utility stocks.
AT&T and Verizon Communications Extend Their Reach
By
Roger S. Conrad on
Aug. 10, 2016
Some analysts have criticized recent acquisitions by AT&T and Verizon Communications as signs of weakness. We take a different view.
Barron’s Bashes Utility Stocks for All the Wrong Reasons
By
Roger S. Conrad on
Aug. 2, 2016
Utility stocks may be overdue for a pullback in the near term, but their future prospects remain undiminished.
SolarCity and Tesla Motors: Steer Clear of These Kissing Cousins
By
Roger S. Conrad on
Jul. 21, 2016
The proposed combination of SolarCity and Tesla Motors amounts to little more than a bailout of the fatally flawed renewable-energy company.
Utility Stocks and Politics
By
Roger S. Conrad on
Jun. 20, 2016
The upcoming election season is heating up, but overheated valuations are a bigger concern for investors in utility stocks.
M&A Analysis: Great Plains Energy and Westar Energy
By
Roger S. Conrad on
Jun. 8, 2016
The minimal premium involved in Great Plains Energy's proposed takeover offer for Westar Energy underscores how stretched valuations have become in the utility sector.
Digging Deeper into MLPs
By
Roger S. Conrad on
May. 26, 2016
After plunging almost 50 percent from early May 2015 to mid-February 2016, the Alerian MLP Index has defied the critics and torched slow-to-react short sellers by surging 45 percent since its nadir. But the easy money has been made: Investors must now focus on which names are best-positioned to grow in an environment where energy prices remain lower for longer.
Let’s Make a Deal: Utilities Take Advantage of Pipeline Companies’ Pain
By
Roger S. Conrad on
May. 2, 2016
Consolidated Edison's recently announced joint venture with Crestwood Equity Partners LP is the latest example of a utility leveraging its position as a demand-side customer and its low cost of capital to pursue ambitions in the midstream segment. Expect this trend to gain momentum in coming quarters.
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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