The Dow Jones Utility Average closed out Q1 barely in the black and lagging the S&P 500 by about 9.3 percentage points. The average total return for CUI portfolio stocks was a bit better at 5.8 percent. But the bottom line is this is still a stock market chasing momentum and growth stories, rather than value and dividends.
The essential services stocks that have shone the most so far in 2024 have been tightly connected to popular investment themes like nuclear power, such as our top performer Vistra Energy (NYSE: VST), or else beneficiaries of M&A. MDU Resources’ (NYSE: MDU) pending spinoff of Everus Construction Group in late 2024, for example, is exciting investors as much as last year’s of materials company Knife River (NYSE: KNF) did not—mainly because KNF has roughly doubled in value since.
Next Issue : May. 9, 2024View Past Issues 
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News and Analysis
Top Takeaways from EEI 2023
After nearly two decades of flat demand, US utilities are already reporting substantial weather-adjusted increases. That’s from digitization of industries that require massive data collection and processing capabilities. -
News and Analysis
Five Key Takeaways from Q2 and What They Portend
Nine more CUI Portfolio recommendations have announced Q2 results and updated guidance since the August issue went to post. I’ll have a full recap and analysis for each in the September issue. But here’s what you need to know now.
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News and Analysis
Verizon and AT&T: Some Thoughts
How low can deep value stocks go? If you own AT&T Inc (NYSE: T) and/or Verizon Communications (NYSE: VZ), you’re no doubt asking that question.
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News and Analysis
Income Stocks and Interest Rates: Myth and Fact
I’ve heard this “simple rule” repeated thousands of times by investors, media personalities and even fellow analysts since I came into the advisory business in the mid-1980s. And I’m certain it will be regurgitated thousands more times long after I leave it, hopefully some decades from now.
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News and Analysis
Algonquin and Enel: Recoveries on Track
A banking crisis can be a tough time to strengthen a balance sheet. But based on calendar Q4 results and updated guidance announced this week, financial recovery plans at Aggressive Holdings Algonquin Power & Utilities (TSX: AQN, NYSE: AQN) and Enel SpA (Italy: ENEL, OTC: ENLAY, ESOCF) are accelerating.
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Income Insights
Dominion Makes a Deal
Since the February issue of CUI posted, 15 more Portfolio recommendations have released calendar Q4 earnings and updated guidance. And none so far have been as potentially consequential as Dominion Energy’s (NYSE: D).
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Income Insights
Ignore Utilities’ Slow Start: Earnings and Guidance Point to a Fantastic Finish for 2024
In the January CUI, I highlighted the dramatic drop in utility borrowing costs starting mid-October as a major catalyst for sector growth in 2024. Since then, we’ve seen investor concerns intensify that the Federal Reserve will delay reducing the benchmark Fed Funds rate until at least late summer.
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Income Insights
No Q3 Earnings Armageddon for Utilities
Sellers were convinced higher for longer interest rates would undermine utility sector capital spending, and with it earnings and dividend growth, and priced stocks accordingly for a fall.But, so far at least, the fears of a sector-wide earnings Armageddon have proven to be wholly unfounded.
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Income Insights
Guidance vs Interest Rates: Score One for Utilities
Utility investors received some very good news yesterday when US wind and solar leader NextEra Energy (NYSE: NEE) released surprise-free Q3 results and updated guidance.
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Income Insights
Regarding NextEra
A little over a week ago, NextEra Energy (NYSE: NEE) announced it would postpone a planned “drop down” or sale of assets to its affiliate NextEra Energy Partners (NYSE: NEP). Not surprisingly, I’ve answered quite a few emails over the past week ranging from whether both are headed to oblivion to whether it’s time to “double down” on the family.
MODEL PORTFOLIOS & RATINGS
Aggressive Income Portfolio
Roger's favorite utilities for investors seeking superior price appreciation by taking calculated risks.
Conservative Income Portfolio
Harness the tried and true wealth-building power of rising dividends.
Top 10 DRIPs
Nothing compounds wealth like reinvesting a rising stream of dividends.
Endangered Dividends List
Warning: Falling Dividends.
Utility Report Card
Roger's current take and vital statistics on more than 200 essential-services stocks.
Conrad's Utility Investor
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