It’s cliché to say total return is all that counts in investing. But getting those capital gains and dividends ultimately depends on owning strong underlying businesses. And that means always listening to what the numbers tell us. Read More

Looking ahead to 2010, steady to falling interest costs will remain a positive force for profits. So will constructive regulation, as state and federal officials continue to grant a fair return on a steady stream of investment in renewable energy and improving system efficiency. Read More

None of the 216 companies tracked in How They Rate cut dividends last month. And solid second quarter results and strengthening prospects earned five companies exits from the List. Read More

Global power giant Enel SpA (Italy: ENEL, OTC: ENLAY) has barely broken even for the four years I’ve held shares. The company, however, has doubled its revenue while extending its reach from Latin America to Russia and beyond. Read More

Huge and rising cash flow, paid out as some of the safest and most generous dividends on the planet: That’s the chief appeal of rural telephone companies like new Income Portfolio addition and 11 percent-plus yielder Consolidated Communications (NSDQ: CNSL). Read More

Only two industries added jobs in the second quarter of 2009. One was health care, a sector where demand for products and services usually transcends even the most dire economic circumstances. The other was a bit more surprising. Read More

Because natural gas is the primary fuel for “peaker” plants, it also tends to drive wholesale power prices. It’s no great shock that the fuel’s fall from the low-teens last year to under $4 per million British thermal units for the last six months is having a major impact on power prices across the nation. Read More

Only a real spoilsport--or short seller--wouldn’t be encouraged by today’s market action. In fact, despite some dramatic days in between, the action over the past several months has been extremely encouraging, if not fully believed by most investors as lasting. Read More

Good news for the economy is good news for utilities. Bad news will continue to trigger selloffs, and we’re just going to have to live with them. But contrary to prior cycles when what’s been good for the economy has been bad for utes, this recovery should bring a big recovery for our favorites. Read More

All utilities need favorable regulation. NV Energy (NYSE: NVE) lacked it for decades. Now that’s what’s keying its continued recovery, despite Nevada’s worst economic pressures in history. Read More