Portfolio Article
Focus on Strategy
By
Roger S. Conrad on
Mar. 10, 2016
Utilities take the crown as the S&P 500’s top-performing sector this year, with the group generating a total return of 10.5 percent. Much of this strength reflects the appeal of utilities’ resilient cash flow and generous dividends, qualities that make the sector a good place for investors to hide out in uncertain times. But every stock takes a hit in a bear market; savvy investors should bide their time and wait for valuations to improve.
Utility Report Card: Coverage Update
By
Roger S. Conrad on
Feb. 7, 2016
This month, we’ve dropped six oil and gas producers from the Utility Report Card because these names have little in common with the utility stocks at the core of our investment strategy, aside from paying (or formerly paying) dividends.
Time to High-Grade
By
Roger S. Conrad on
Feb. 7, 2016
In a bear market, the weaklings always suffer the most. Investors should reduce risk, consider taking profits on any names that have rallied to unsustainable valuations and keep an eye out for opportunities to add to or establish positions in high-quality names.
New Year, Time-Tested Strategy
By
Roger S. Conrad on
Jan. 11, 2016
By most measures, last year was a difficult time for income-seeking investors, as anticipation of the Federal Reserve’s first rate hike since 2006 weighed on sentiment toward dividend-paying stocks. Here’s our strategy for 2016.
All Eyes on 2016
By
Roger S. Conrad on
Dec. 6, 2015
With only a few weeks remaining in 2015, time is running out for utility stocks to avoid their first down year after exiting January in the green since 1987. We review our macro outlook, highlight a handful of stocks we’d consider adding to our model Portfolios on a pullback and revisit some of our losers.
A Sleep-Easy Strategy in Uncertain Times
By
Roger S. Conrad on
Nov. 7, 2015
Having confidence in your holdings’ underlying businesses makes it easier to endure a volatile market without losing too much sleep.
Four Stress Tests for Your Portfolio Holdings
By
Roger S. Conrad on
Oct. 12, 2015
How comfortable would you be holding your stocks in a bear market? With the bull market show its age—including consistently bad breadth—this question has taken on new urgency as the year winds down.
Managing the Downside
By
Roger S. Conrad on
Sep. 13, 2015
Only time will tell whether recent volatility in US equities will develop into a full-on bear market. In the interim, here’s a plan that will keep you invested and generate a steady stream of dividends. We’ll also highlight strategies to avoid the destructive behaviors that seem rational during selloffs great and small.
Making Calculated Moves
By
Roger S. Conrad on
Aug. 11, 2015
In the second half of 2015, our investment strategy remains focused on the long term and opportunistic in the near term.
Strategy Review
By
Roger S. Conrad on
Jul. 12, 2015
Heading into earnings season, we expect most of our Portfolio holdings to post solid second-quarter results. Nevertheless, the macro backdrop suggests that investors should take some profits off the table in their big winners and take advantage of any pullbacks to buy high-quality names.
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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