Strong Businesses are Best But Watch the Price

Most Utility Report Card companies report their Q4 earnings and update guidance later this month. But what I’ve already seen so far provides plenty of reason to be confident in best in class essential service businesses this year.

That definitely includes the 17 recommendations for which we now have numbers. As I highlight in the Portfolio discussion this month, more than a few of them have also proven to be reliable bellwethers for their respective sectors. And both Conservative Focus stock BCE Inc (TSX: BCE, NYSE: BCE) and Aggressive Focus stock Enel SpA (Italy: ENEL, OTC: ENLAY) are good examples.

Enel is a fast-growing renewable energy franchise that still trades at a decent entry point. It’s one of a rare breed in early 2021, with so many investors literally throwing money at flashy names that have no prayer of ever turning a real business profit.

Fortunately, there are still a number of stocks like Enel that have yet to fully participate in the boom. And I highlight the best of them in the feature article.

As for the high flyers in our coverage universe, I continue to advise a healthy dose of caution. Last month, we took profits in one of my favorites, Hannon Armstrong Sustainable Infrastructure Capital (NYSE: HASI). That stock has since sold off a bit, despite reporting mostly good news.