Investing Topics: Income Investing

Closed-end bond funds have pulled back over the past 12 months in anticipation of rising interest rates. Investors eyeing these funds' high yields should proceed with caution.

Janet Yellen acknowledged that the Fed might start to raise interest rates six months after phasing out its bond-buying program toward the end of 2014. Take advantage of the selloff in dividend-paying stocks to add high-quality names.

Thanks again to everyone who tuned in to my second on-line chat for Conrad’s Utility Investor subscribers last week. The full transcript of the 4-hour question and answer session is now available on the CUI website by clicking on the “Events” tab from the home page.

Mention master limited partnerships and sooner or later someone will bring up taxes. The big worry: A US version of Canada’s infamous Halloween Massacre of 2006, which shaved $24 billion off the value of income trusts in two weeks.

After two consecutive winning months, it’s hard to believe utility stocks had so many detractors to start 2014. And it’s even more difficult to find anyone who will own up to being bearish then or now.

The massive loss T-Mobile USA (NSDQ: TMUS) reported this week hasn’t slowed the hyperactive tweeting of its CEO John Legere. Nor apparently has the news scared off his groupies on Wall Street, though that may have more to do with continuing takeover speculation.

Almost anything can affect stock prices in the near term. Long-term, earnings and dividend growth are what counts.

The uncertainty surrounding the cross-border leg of TransCanada Corp's Keystone XL pipeline hasn't diminished the company's growth prospects. We examine the investment opportunities behind the controversy.

One pipeline company rewards investors with a 70 percent total return the year after it restores regular distribution growth. The other’s unit price falls nearly in half after it guts its payout by more than 80 percent.

Nothing stirs up fear and uncertainty like a distribution cut. And in the energy midstream business, the news doesn’t often get as bad as it did with Boardwalk Pipeline Partners (NYSE: BWP) this week.