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US companies are cutting dividends at the fastest pace since 1991, reports Standard & Poor’s. The big exception: utility stocks. Ninety-seven Utility Forecaster How They Rate companies have raised dividends at least once since Jan. 1, and no regulated US utility has cut. Read More

After languishing for more than two years, natural gas prices are moving higher once again. Last month, spot prices surged to more than $10 per million British thermal units (MMBtu), twice their level just a few months ago. Read More

Buy UF Growth and Income Spotlights: That’s standard advice for establishing positions in utilities. Growth and Income Spotlights are chosen based on three criteria: strong businesses (preferably with an immediate catalyst to drive their prices higher), low prices and diversification. Read More

It’s tough for many companies and individuals to get credit nowadays. But utilities are having few, if any, problems. Read More

Idearc has suspended distributions to cut debt, while the slipping US economy is hurting business. Trading at barely twice the lowest Street estimate for 2009, Idearc remains a buy up to 5 for speculators. Read More

Since I added ENEL to the Growth Portfolio in September 2005, Italy’s dominant power and gas franchise has built a 50 million customer base in 21 countries, with 80 gigawatts of generating capacity. Read More

Bucking a negative market mood is a lot easier with a big, safe dividend. And as long as the payout holds, recovery is assured and you’re paid richly to be patient. Read More

$1.5 trillion: That’s what The Brattle Group, an economics/finance consultancy, projects the US electric utility will have to spend through 2030 on vital infrastructure. That includes a forecast that the 30 percent growth in power demand currently projected by the US Energy Information Administration can be cut by a third on the basis of aggressive energy efficiency programs. Read More