The stock of electric power/natural gas play Dominion Resources (D), first discussed on May 8, 2009, at a price of $31.87, appears to be headed toward higher ground, having pushed above 52-week resistance at $45, and I still like the stock at this juncture.

Look for Dominion to post a 2011 revenue increase of 1% to 3%, boosted by modestly higher electric utilities revenue. Meanwhile, in 2011, as was the case in 2010, sub-par natural gas prices will likely hurt Dominion's gas distribution business, but the view from here argues prices should continue to firm in 2011. An impressive $1.97 annual dividend -- good for a 4.4% yield at the current share price -- provides some downside protection for investors.

The shares of electric power/natural gas play Dominion Resources (D), first discussed on May 8, 2009 at a price of $31.87, pulled-back this fall after testing $45.

Even so, investors who can tolerate moderate risk should view that retreat as an opportunity to scoop-up shares: particularly in uncertain economic times, rare is the day you should lose faith in a utility play.

Analyst Upgrades

• Red Hat (RHT) and American Public (APEI) to outperform from sector perform at RBC Capital.
• KBR (KBR) and Foster Wheeler (FWLT) to buy from neutral at Goldman.
• Bio-Rad (BIO) to outperform from market perform at Leerink.
• Oceaneering (OII) to outperform from neutral at Credit Suisse.
• ASM International (ASMI) and Avid Technology (AVID) to overweight from neutral at JPMorgan.
• Dominion Resources (D) to equal weight from underweight at Morgan Stanley.
• Nationwide Health Properties (NHP) to buy from hold at Jefferies.
• Vivus (VVUS) to buy from underperform at BofA/Merrill.
• Intersil (ISIL) to buy from hold at Canaccord.

Once again, the following is prudent advise for investors, especially in uncertain economic times: rare is the day you should lose faith in a utility play. Electric power/natural gas play Dominion Resources (D), first discussed on May 8, 2009, at a price of $31.87, continues to head higher.

At this juncture, however, I'd raise the sell/stop loss to $32 from $22, making this a zero-loss trade for your May 2009-bought shares.

It bears repeating: rare is the day you should lose faith in a utility play. Electric power/natural gas play Dominion Resources (D), first discussed on May 8, 2009 at a price of $31.87, continues to progress.

Look for Dominion's 2010 revenue to increase 3-5%, boosted by higher electric utilities revenue. Firm natural gas prices will also aid the top line. An impressive $1.83 annual dividend adds to the positive mix.

The First Call FY2010/FY2011 EPS estimates for D are $3.27 to $3.27. That 2011 EPS estimate looks about 10-15% low, according to my analysis.

Last week, the fourth largest U.S. coal producer, CONSOL Energy (CNX), agreed to pay $3.48 billion for the Appalachian natural gas properties of Dominion Resources (D). It was a major move to diversify its energy platform, picking up 1.46 million oil and gas acres and 9,000 producing wells. In all, CONSOL is expected to boost its natural reserves to about 3 trillion cubic feet and the potential reserve base will be about 41 trillion cubic feet.

However, the deal is not cheap and will require some financial maneuverings. For example, Monday CONSOL agreed to purchase its remaining 17% stake in CNX Gas (CXG) for $965 million.

Dominion Resources (D) has been one of my electric power generation favorites for awhile, first recommended on May 8, 2009, at a price of $31.87, and I still like the stock. Here's why:

Dominion, a fully integrated natural gas and electric holding company, is on-track to register 4% to 7% revenue growth on higher utility revenue in F2010, aided by the completion of the Cove Point liquid natural gas facility. Debt reduction and planned expansion of wind generation and other power projects adds to the positive story. And Dominion's annual dividend of $1.83 is an eye-opener.

Rare is the day you should sell an electric power generation play, which is why I'm reiterating my buy rating for Dominion Resources (D), first recommended on May 8, 2009, at a price of $31.87. If you bought Dominion in May, you're up about 16%.

Dominion, a fully integrated natural gas and electric holding company, is on-track to register 2% to 4% revenue growth on higher utility revenue in F2009, but also aided by the completion of the Cove Point liquid natural gas facility. Debt reduction, as well as planned expansion of wind generation and other power projects, adds to the positive story. Dominion's annual dividend is $1.75.

Dominion Resources' stock has been in a mild uptrend since first recommend in May, but it's still undervalued, for those investors who missed the May call.

Hence, it goes without saying that I'm reiterating my Buy rating for Dominion Resources (NYSE: D), first recommended on May 8, 2009 at a price of $31.87.

Readers of this space know that one of the preferred sectors is the electric power generation sector.

And the sector is favored for a reason that may not be obvious to all. Electricity via wind, solar, and nuclear generation is likely to play a larger role in energy as climate change reduction, then elimination, becomes a societal goal. Electricity also remains a potential propulsion source for cars, particularly once oil resumes its inevitable climb. And with the above in mind, electric power generator Dominion Resources (NYSE: D) is worth a review.

This post is part of a series featuring bargain stocks that are worth a look now. See more Cheap Stocks.

In addition to old standbys like consumer staples, utility stocks are a proven favorite during times when your portfolio needs a defensive touch. Among utilities, Virginia-based Dominion Resources (NYSE: D) stands out for its solid price action, its exposure to natural gas, and its heavy potential for future upgrades.

While natural gas might not seem terribly thrilling, many analysts expect it to be a hot commodity in the coming years. It's a plentiful resource in North America, and no less an energy tycoon than T. Boone Pickens is banking on a natural-gas boom. With 1.1 trillion cubic feet of oil and natural gas reserves, Dominion looks poised to capitalize on a shift toward this source of energy.

The utility firm already seems to be thriving, in fact. In its October 30 earnings report, the company exceeded analysts' profit expectations by 4 cents per share, and offered upbeat guidance for fiscal 2008 and 2009.

For value investors, though, the third-quarter report contained even more good news. Thomas Farrell II, Dominion's president, chairman, and CEO, stated, "Given its confidence in the strength of our company's earnings and business model, the board of directors recently declared our fourth-quarter dividend and reconfirmed our dividend policy to sustain increases in 2009 and 2010 that will allow us to reach our targeted 2010 payout ratio of 55%."

While other earnings may have disappointed last week, the news was good for oil giant ConocoPhilips (NYSE: COP). In what some took as a good sign for big oil, the Houston-based company reported that third quarter net income surged 41% year over year to $3.39 per share, and that revenue also surged 52% to $70 billion. We'll see whether the good news extends to other petroleum giants scheduled to report quarterly results this week.

Analysts surveyed by Thomson Financial are looking for BP (NYSE: BP) profits to have grown 43.2% in the most recent quarter to $2.34 per share on revenue of $109.7 billion, and Chevron Corp. (NYSE: CVX) to post earnings up 39.4% to $3.25 per share on revenue of $86.8 billion. Marathon Oil Corp. (NYSE: MRO), ExxonMobil Corp. (NYSE: XOM), and Royal Dutch Shell (NYSE: RDS.A) likewise are expected to report higher net income of $2.33 per share (sales of $23.4 billion), $2.40 per share (sales of $131.4 billion), and $2.65 per share, respectively. Even Valero Energy Corp. (NYSE: VLO) is expected to post earnings slightly higher to $1.46 per share (sales of $36.4 billion), despite the effects of Hurricane Ike. Among these companies, only BP and Valero beat earnings expectations in the previous quarter. Not surprisingly, analysts on average recommend buying all except Valero, and shares of all of these companies have recently hit 52-week lows.

The Washington Post reports that pension fund managers representing $1 trillion have petitioned the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to required public companies to disclose the impact of global warming on their business prospects. If the SEC agrees, the change could threaten investors in utility stocks -- which are among the biggest private sources of carbon dioxide emissions that cause global warming.

Here's a list of utility stocks which could be most affected:

• American Electric Power (NYSE: AEP). AEP produced 145.4 million tons of carbon dioxide in 2006. In Europe, where legislation already limits carbon dioxide emissions, allowances for a ton of carbon dioxide sell or 20.5 euros, or about $28.50. So if its 2006 carbon dioxide had been emitted in Europe, AEP would have had to pay over $4 billion.
• Dominion Resources (NYSE: D)
• Dynegy (NYSE: DYN)
• Xcel Energy (NYSE: XEL)

Coal producer, Peabody Energy Corp. (NYSE: BTU) could also be among those companies affected.

MOST NOTEWORTHY: Dell Inc (DELL) and Taiwan Semiconductor (TSM) were today's most notable upgrades:

• Dell Inc (NASDAQ: DELL) was upgraded to Outperform from Neutral at Credit Suisse, with a $28 target. The firm expects Dell to augment its existing technology with targeted acquisitions, reduce its cost structure and tweak its distribution philosophy.

• American Technology upgraded Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co ADS (NYSE: TSM) to Neutral From Sell.

OTHER UPGRADES:

• Level 3 Communications Inc (NASDAQ: LVLT) was upgraded to Market Perform from Sell at Janco; the firm doesn't recommend being short on the stock which is going into earnings on February 9th.

• Dominion Resources Inc (NYSE: D) was upgraded to Hold from Sell, with an $81 target, at Deutsche Bank.

Analyst summaries provided by TheFlyOnTheWall.com (subscription required).

MOST NOTEWORTHY: Amazon.com Inc (AMZN) and Microsoft Corp (MSFT) were today's most notable upgrades:

• Piper Jaffray upgraded Amazon.com Inc (NASDAQ: AMZN) to Market Perform from Underperform, with a $36 target, to reflect the company's strong revenue growth; however, they still consider up-side limited from here.

• Bank of America upgraded Microsoft Corp (NASDAQ: MSFT) to Buy from Neutral, with a $35 target, as they believe the company's growth outlook is solid and that 2008 consensus could be conservative.

OTHER UPGRADES:

• Following the company's solid Q3 report, Electronic Arts Inc (NASDAQ: ERTS) was upgraded by Deutsche Bank to Hold from Sell, with a $50 target, and to Buy from Hold at Needham, with a $60 target.

• Citigroup upgraded Raytheon Co (NYSE: RTN) to Buy from Neutral, with a $60 target, to reflect the company's above-industry growth and low valuation.

• Wachovia upgraded Dominion Resources Inc (NYSE: D) from Market Perform to Outperform. The firm said their estimates have been too conservative.

Analyst summaries provided by TheFlyOnTheWall.com (subscription required).