Stocks of essential services companies have been the key to thriving in a market characterized by more than a decade of heightened volatility. Read More

As “fiscal cliff” negotiations in Washington continue to generate uncertainty for investors, here’s a step-by-step plan to protect your portfolio against any nasty surprises. Read More

Ignore the market turmoil and focus on what really matters: a company’s ability to support its dividend, while maintaining a strong balance sheet and investing in future growth. Read More

Despite the selloff in dividend-paying names since the election, investor fears are largely overblown. Solid companies will remain long-term winners, regardless of the policy shifts that emerge from Washington. Read More

AT&T hopes to retire its copper network and convert those customers to broadband. The question is whether federal regulators will go along with its plan. Read More

We sift through the political hype to determine what counts for investors…and what doesn’t. Read More

Despite the volatility in energy prices, the best energy companies continue to boost their payouts while offering a hedge against future inflation. Read More

Keep a steady eye on the intrinsic merits of companies, instead of getting whipsawed by the rollercoaster movements of the market. Read More

Yield-hungry investors have bid up the MLP space to a new all-time high. That's caused anxiety that MLPs' incredible run could soon reverse. Read More

While mergers between utilities are typically successful, similar deals in other industries tend to disappoint. That checkered past is worth keeping in mind, as the flow of new deals appears to be ramping up. Read More