Feature Article

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.

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.

Riding the Trump Trade

By Roger S. Conrad on Nov. 16, 2016

Our bet against utility stocks has continued to pay off, while the selloff in the sector has pulled prices closer to our value-based buy targets. Stay disciplined.

Dividend Safety: Interest Rates Matter

By Roger S. Conrad on Nov. 16, 2016

Thanks to 15 years of cutting operating risk and debt, not even a much higher spike in borrowing costs would threaten dividends of best-in-class utilities. With ample cash flow and minimum near-term borrowing needs, they can hold off until pension funds and other institutional buyers must return to the table. Unfortunately for the weaker credits covered in our Utility Report Card, rising interest rates could ratchet up the pressure on their balance sheets and force them to redeploy cash that they currently pay out as dividends.

Volatile Stock, Steady Business

By Roger S. Conrad on Nov. 16, 2016

Despite recent volatility, this master limited partnership's underlying operations have delivered stable results since oil prices started to tumble in summer 2014. The addition of a new growth platform sets the stage for more upside.

Election 2016: Plenty of Good News for Utilities

By Roger S. Conrad on Nov. 15, 2016

While the market sorts out the implications of the 2016 federal election, the recent selloff in utility stocks and results at the state level create opportunities for savvy investors.

Hello, Missouri!

By Roger S. Conrad on Nov. 15, 2016

A transformative acquisition and improving regulatory environment should make our latest addition to the Aggressive Income Portfolio a winner.

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.

ABOUT ROGER CONRAD

Roger S. Conrad

Founder and Chief Editor:
Conrad's Utility Investor
Capitalist Times and
Energy & Income Advisor

Roger S. Conrad needs no introduction to individual and professional investors, many of whom have profited from his decades of experience uncovering the best dividend-paying stocks for accumulating sustainable wealth. Roger b