Feature Article

Over four decades from the mid-1960s through the mid 2000s, US electricity demand more than quadrupled. Since the Financial Crisis of 2008, however, consumption has basically flat-lined.

There’s no faster way to grow a business than by making acquisitions. The trick few master is finding deals with upside from simply following core competencies, and made at the right price. But neither has been a problem for Conservative Holding Brookfield Renewable Energy Partners (TSX: BEP-U, NYSE: BEP).

When it comes to MLP distribution cuts, lightening often has struck several times in the same place. So it’s no wonder investors have been skeptical about Suburban Propane Partners’ (NYSE SPH) 10 percent plus distribution, since management took the hard step of a -32.4 percent reduction in late 2017.

It’s been decades since utility stocks started a year this fast. But while the Dow Jones Utility Average’s 10 percent plus first quarter return is certainly preferable to what we saw last year, we suspect that staying cool after 2019’s hot start will prove critical as the rest of the year unfolds.

Three companies exit the Endangered Dividends List this month: propane distributor Amerigas Partners (NYSE: APU), telecom equipment REIT Uniti Group (NSDQ: UNIT) and closed-end fund Kayne Anderson MLP/Midstream (NYSE: KYN).

It’s been nearly a dozen years since Italy’s Enel SpA (Italy: ENEL, OTC: ENLAY) acquired a majority stake in Spain’s Endesa SA (Spain: ELE)—and immediately became the largest holder of electricity assets in South America as well. That was thanks to a much earlier merger between Endesa and the former Enersis of Chile, which had built a collection of assets across several countries most importantly Brazil.

TransCanada Corp (TSX: TRP, NYSE: TRP) has long been synonymous with the delayed north leg of the Keystone XL pipeline. Earlier this decade, the project to deliver Alberta oil to the US Gulf Coast seemed a sure thing. Then it became the one pipeline the Obama Administration rejected, only to be revived by the Trump Administration.

These are complex and volatile times for the stock market. But we still find a simple approach best for running the Conrad’s Utility Investor model portfolios.

Sweet yields can bring sour consequences. That’s a lesson I learned once again, after recommending high yielding CenturyLink Inc (NYSE: CTL) in last month’s Feature article. The company was on the Endangered Dividends List for shrinking revenue. Nonetheless, hefty free cash flow and attractive broadband assets convinced me the dividend could be maintained.

Talk about getting egg on your face: Not one but two of the high yielding companies from last month’s Feature article announced dividend cuts in the past month. The good news is both were already on the Endangered Dividends List and had priced in cuts, so additional downside has been limited.