Portfolio Article
After a Hot Start, Stay Cool
By
Roger S. Conrad on
Apr. 8, 2019
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.
Follow the Growth
By
Roger S. Conrad on
Mar. 10, 2019
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.
Following the Numbers
By
Roger S. Conrad on
Feb. 11, 2019
For income investors, only two things matter when it comes to returns: Are the companies we own solid on the inside and can they grow their dividends sustainably? Reliably rising dividends keep your income ahead of inflation. Stock prices always follow a rising dividend higher, just as dividend cuts always send them lower.
Banking on a Quality Rebound
By
Roger S. Conrad on
Jan. 14, 2019
In 2018, the Conservative Income Portfolio lost 0.76 percent of its value, with our 20 holdings increasing dividends an average of 7.3 percent. The Aggressive Holdings lost -4.9 percent while raising payouts an average of 14.3 percent from the year before. The Top 10 DRIPs slipped -5.8 percent with average dividend growth of 5.9 percent.
Flight to Quality Shifts Risks
By
Roger S. Conrad on
Dec. 10, 2018
It’s “risk off” time again in the US stock market. Stocks of companies considered resistant to US/China trade war pressures and a possible recession are catching bids at their most frenetic pace in two years.
Portfolio Strategy: Bedrock for Unsteady Times
By
Roger S. Conrad on
Nov. 11, 2018
Third quarter 2018 results are now in for all but a handful of the 200 plus coverage universe stocks. That also includes all Conrad’s Utility Investor Portfolio companies except Amerigas Partners (NYSE: APU), which reports next week.
I highlight analysis of key numbers and guidance in Utility Report Card. Readers can access either on the website under the “Portfolios” tab, or by simply printing out the accompanying PDF with your issue.
Portfolio Strategy: Stocks Not Sectors Are The Right Bet In Q4
By
Roger S. Conrad on
Oct. 9, 2018
So far, 2018 has been a good year for the stock market, interest rates and oil prices for the same reason: An already robust US economy that’s been at least temporarily turbo-charged by massive corporate tax cuts.
Portfolio Strategy: Time for High Grading
By
Roger S. Conrad on
Sep. 9, 2018
It’s hard not to be cheered by this week’s strong news on US employment. Unfortunately, it takes a lot of strong portents to keep up with lofty investor expectations in year 10 of this historic bull market. And there’s no shortage of potential pitfalls to trigger reversals.
Portfolio: What’s Important From Q2 Earnings
By
Roger S. Conrad on
Aug. 11, 2018
Whether your primary investment objective is income, safety, capital growth or short-term gains, earnings reporting season is where the rubber meets the road.
For traders, market reaction is what’s most important. For investors in our three Conrad’s Utility Investor model portfolios, it’s the actual numbers and guidance that determine whether companies are still on the right track, and therefore if we want to stick with them.
Picking Your Spots in Choppy Times
By
Roger S. Conrad on
Jul. 3, 2018
We’re at the halfway mark for 2018. And so far, it’s been an almost completely flat performance for the CUI model portfolios.
Including dividends, our Conservative Holdings are lower by -2.2 percent. Aggressive Holdings are underwater by -1.5 percent and the Top 10 DRIPs are down by -1.2 percent.
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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