Utility Stocks
Utility stocks are the ultimate investment for risk-averse investors seeking to create passive income streams via reliable dividends. Utility stocks can be an essential component of your portfolio as they will not only keep your income steady during dangerous economic times, they are usually the first to soar out of recessionary times.
The Utility Stocks archive below includes the latest commentary and analysis on the most important developments affecting the essential services sectors, including water, communications, energy, and other key infrastructure industries. Find out which utility stocks are poised to benefit from ongoing developments in the utility sector and which to avoid.
Be sure to also check out our free report, Dividend Blacklist: 6 Utility Stocks You Should Sell Today to find out if your dividend is in danger.
Old Dominion
Utilities stocks lagged the market last year but the sector’s defensive characteristics limited losses at the height of the economic crisis. Operating a recession-proof business, electric utilities weathered the storm with relative ease, as many power companies already had reduced debts and operating risks.
Calling All Investors
Carriers aren’t the only way to profit from the explosive growth in wireless voice and data services around the world.
Sunny State No More
Florida regulators to Florida utilities: Say good-bye to reliable returns that ensure a low cost of capital. Florida utilities to Florida regulators: Fine, but don’t expect any new investment.
Utility Stocks: Still Tops for Safety
Utilities sailed through the recession in part because they provide essential services, demand for which is rarely affected much by recessions. Equally important, however, is the massive reduction of debt and operating risk since the fall of Enron in 2001 nearly brought the entire industry to its knees.
Reliable Giant
The Federal Communications Commission is expected to reveal a new plan to close the "broadband gap," and longtime Income Portfolio holding Verizon Communications (NYSE: VZ) is well positioned to profit from the government’s efforts.
Think Thorium
For now, I'd stick to the established players in nuclear power and the big construction and consulting firms that develop, design and maintain the facilities. But keep an ear to the ground on Thorium reactors.
Rates and Recession
The Florida Public Service Commission staff has issued its recommendation on Progress Energy’s (NYSE: PGN) request for a $500 million rate hike. The $174 million proposal includes numerous disallowances and a much lower allowed return than the company initially proposed.
Lost in the Clean-Tech Shuffle
Although innumerable stories emerge each day about solar, wind, fuel cells, nanotechnology and other bleeding-edge technologies, the engine behind the industrial revolution and the father of clean-tech largely goes unnoticed--hydropower.
Coping with Copenhagen
Recent polls provide more evidence that combating global warming isn't as high a priority for Americans in a recession as it would be following an economic recovery. No matter what happens in its final hours, the Copenhagen conference’s achievements will be limited by this reality.
Utilities on the Cheap
Despite solid business performance, utes have lagged the broad stock market since the rally began in March. To some extent, that’s because they didn’t fall nearly as far during the downturn.
