Feature Article
Picks and Pans for 2017
By
Roger S. Conrad on
Jan. 10, 2017
At the start of the new year, we roll out our top picks and pans among the various segments represented in our Utility Report Card. Last year’s picks generated an average total return of 22.9 percent, while our pans posted a 2.1 percent gain. We hope to build on this success in 2017.
Lessons from 2016 and Outlook for 2017
By
Roger S. Conrad on
Jan. 10, 2017
Two of our three model Portfolios outperformed the S&P 500 and Dow Jones Utility Average handily last year, while our aggressive picks lagged. We review what went right and what went wrong, with an eye toward refining our process.
Mind the Borrowing Costs
By
Roger S. Conrad on
Jan. 10, 2017
Rising interest rates will exert additional strain on all the names in our Endangered Dividends List. And the higher rates go, the greater the risk that these stragglers will seek to conserve cash by reducing their payouts.
A Good Bet for Value Investors
By
Roger S. Conrad on
Jan. 10, 2017
A lack of dividend growth has weighed on this stock's performance, but this utility continues to make progress toward resuming regular payout increases.
Day of Reckoning Approaches
By
Roger S. Conrad on
Jan. 10, 2017
This high-yielding preferred stock could reward aggressive investors with big returns. The company's fourth-quarter results and full-year guidance for 2017 will go a long way toward determining whether we hold our fold.
Agility Test
By
Roger S. Conrad on
Dec. 11, 2016
Volatility defined this year’s action in utility stocks, giving agile investors an opportunity to juice their returns by buying and selling a bit more than usual.
10 Powerful Growth Trends for Essential-Service Stocks in 2017
By
Roger S. Conrad on
Dec. 11, 2016
These 10 trends should drive outperformance for investors who play them the right way.
More Midstream Cuts
By
Roger S. Conrad on
Dec. 11, 2016
Sunoco Logistics Partners LP's proposed acquisition of Energy Transfer Partners LP will result in a stealth distribution cut of 27 percent for the latter's unitholders. Meanwhile, Ferrellgas Partners LP slashed its payout by 81 percent. Readers who follow our Endangered Dividends List would have avoided this pain.
Thanks, Illinois!
By
Roger S. Conrad on
Dec. 11, 2016
A transformational deal enabled this power company to resume regular dividend growth. Now, Illinois lawmakers have granted the company zero-emission credits to ensure that its nuclear power plants in the state don't run at a loss.
Inside the Black Box
By
Roger S. Conrad on
Dec. 11, 2016
All business development companies are a bit of a black box, but the recent selloff in this stock reflects overdone concerns that the incoming Trump administration will pursue policies that curtail investment in renewable energy.
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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