No merger between operating utilities has ever failed to create a stronger, more resilient company. That’s a claim no other sector can make.
Providing electricity, heat, communications and water service is a scale business. Larger companies spread out costs over a wider population and raise vast sums of capital more easily. And they’re better able to handle the inevitable handle shocks to the system, be they natural or man-made disasters.
Over the past century and a half, there have been literally thousands of mergers of operating electric, natural gas and water companies. And from the literally hundreds of communications companies that sprang up following the 1984 AT&T breakup and 1996 Deregulation, market power has consolidated in the hands of the US Big 3: AT&T Inc (NYSE: T), T-Mobile US (NSDQ: TMUS) and Verizon Communications (NYSE: VZ).
Invest Smarter! Join Conrad’s Utility Investor!
Smart investing. Taking advantage of real opportunities and not fads (and knowing the difference). Finding the companies and stocks that will deliver for the long haul, so investing lets you live instead of investing turning into your life. Roger Conrad has dedicated his career to these principles—and that’s what Conrad's Utility Investor delivers.
Roger's favorite utilities for investors seeking superior price appreciation by taking calculated risks.
Harness the tried and true wealth-building power of rising dividends.
Nothing compounds wealth like reinvesting a rising stream of dividends.
Warning: Falling Dividends.
Roger's current take and vital statistics on more than 200 essential-services stocks.