Income Insights
Why Utilities Could Get a Post-Storm Season Boost
By
Roger S. Conrad on
Aug. 31, 2023
Historically, the best storm season outcome for utility investors has been a lack of catastrophic events, when service outages are relatively contained and quickly resolved. And most important, when the work is done and power restored, customers, regulators and politicians are generally satisfied with management’s response.
Hawaiian Electric: Wildfire Survivor But More Pain Likely
By
Roger S. Conrad on
Aug. 24, 2023
Just weeks after earning an upgrade to A- from credit rater Fitch and reporting solid Q2 results, Hawaiian Electric's (NYSE: HE) stock has dropped by more than two thirds. The reason: A devastating wildfire on the island of Maui August 8, which whipped up by hurricane winds reduced the town of Lahaina to rubble, killed over 100 people and left thousands homeless.
TC Energy Divides to Conquer
By
Roger S. Conrad on
Jul. 29, 2023
Last week, leading North American midstream energy company TC Energy (TSX: TRP, NYSE: TRP) announced it will spin off its Liquids Pipelines division into a separate company. The news dramatically overshadowed TC’s scheduled Q2 earnings results and guidance, and appeared to convince some investors to flee the stock.
The First 10 Months: Rating the Inflation Reduction Act
By
Roger S. Conrad on
Jun. 28, 2023
The Inflation Reduction Act has been the law of the land since August, and has already survived its first real political test. The IRA is designed specifically to accelerate investment already being made by the private sector. And early indications are it’s succeeding.
What’s Wrong with Utility Stocks?
By
Roger S. Conrad on
Jun. 2, 2023
Most utility stocks have weakened since releasing Q1 results. The Dow Jones Utility Average is lower by -6.4 percent since the beginning of the year. That compares with being basically breakeven at the beginning of May. And with the S&P 500 up over 10 percent for 2023, it’s fair to ask why the underperformance?
Utility M&A’s Not Dead, Just Taking a Breather
By
Roger S. Conrad on
Apr. 19, 2023
Kentucky regulators’ decision to oppose Algonquin Power & Utilities (TSX: AQN, NYSE: AQN)'s deal to buy American Electric Power’s (NYSE: AEP) Kentucky Power and Kentucky Transco units is likely to put a chill on prospective utility M&A in the state.
Building Wealth from Wind and Sun: Costs are Key
By
Roger S. Conrad on
Mar. 15, 2023
Last weekend, a Wall Street Journal editorial pointed out the cost of “balancing the grid” added GBP150 to UK household electricity bills in 2022. The authors’ attempt to blame the entire cost on adoption of renewable energy is quite a stretch, as it ignores the larger role of erratic weather and availability of other power plants.
Their broader point that wind and solar are still challenged by intermittency, however, is spot on.
Southern Company’s Dream Deferred: Does Nuclear Have A Future?
By
Roger S. Conrad on
Feb. 22, 2023
Southern Company (NYSE: SO) has deflated investor hopes yet again, announcing it would postpone the startup of the first of two nuclear reactors under construction at the Vogtle site in Georgia.
US Offshore Wind: Still Affordable?
By
Roger S. Conrad on
Jan. 24, 2023
Later this year, the 800-megawatt capacity Vineyard Wind 1 project will begin delivering electricity to the Massachusetts grid. After that, however, the way ahead for US offshore wind is considerably less clear.
Avoiding the Worst Mistake Investors Will Make in 2023
By
Roger S. Conrad on
Jan. 13, 2023
The worst mistake investors will make this year won’t be getting caught with a stock on the heels of a disappointing earnings report, misjudging the Federal Reserve’s resolve fighting inflation—or the rising risk of a recession.
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