Portfolio Article
Go Secular for Big Gains, Cyclical to Keep Them
By
Roger S. Conrad on
Jun. 9, 2019
There’s nothing quite like the adrenaline rush from a big short-term gain in a stock. My son Nate enjoyed that feeling this week by picking up on a Utility Report Card recommendation of El Paso Electric (NYSE: EE). This week, the stock surged when a JP Morgan fund offered $68.50 per share in cash for the company.
Seeking Value in a Pricey Market
By
Roger S. Conrad on
May. 8, 2019
After a blazing first quarter 2019, shares of best in class utilities and essential services companies have largely stalled over the past month. Not only is the Dow Jones Utility Average within a point of where it was when the April issue went to post. But all month long, it never strayed more than a couple percentage points in either direction.
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.
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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