Utility Roundup

Uncle Sam is kicking the can down the road again on the Keystone XL Pipeline. In a non-decision that should have surprised no one, the US State Department delayed a final ruling on the $5.4 billion project.

Energen Corp (NYSE: EGN) will sell its Alabama gas distribution utility to Laclede Gas (NYSE: LG), for $1.28 billion in cash plus $320 million in assumed debt. The company will deploy the estimated $1.1 billion in after tax proceeds to further develop its high potential properties in the Permian Basin.

Every portfolio has winners and losers. The key is knowing when to let the best performers run, and cut the worst loose.

The resulting 99.1 percent boost in fourth quarter revenue wasn’t enough to answer several nagging questions about SolarCity’s long-run sustainability as an enterprise.

Thanks again to everyone who tuned in to my second on-line chat for Conrad’s Utility Investor subscribers last week. The full transcript of the 4-hour question and answer session is now available on the CUI website by clicking on the “Events” tab from the home page.

Only two Portfolio holdings have yet to turn in earnings this reporting season. Aggressive Holding ENEL SPA (Italy: ENEL, OTC: ENLAY) will unveil its fourth quarter 2013 numbers on March 11. Conservative Holding Piedmont Natural Gas (NYSE: PNY) releases its first quarter fiscal 2014 results on March 7.

Almost anything can affect stock prices in the near term. Long-term, earnings and dividend growth are what counts.

Nothing stirs up fear and uncertainty like a distribution cut. And in the energy midstream business, the news doesn’t often get as bad as it did with Boardwalk Pipeline Partners (NYSE: BWP) this week.

As goes January, so goes the year. That old Wall Street adage doesn’t bode well for most of the stock market.

Fourth quarter and full-year earnings normally dominate the news this time of year. And rightly so: They’re what ultimately shape shareholder returns.