In today's unpredictable, seemingly continually changing investment climate, it's prudent to own an "old reliable" stock or two, and Northeast Utilities (NU) qualifies.

Northeast Utilities, first discussed here on May 5, 2009, at a price of $21.48, offers the opportunity to net a modest gain, plus a dividend.

Northeast's proposed merger with NStar (NST) should close in the second half of 2011 and create one of the largest utility companies in the United States. The deal should be accretive to earnings in 2011. Northeast's annual dividend is $1.60.

Continue reading Is Now a Good Time to Consider Northeast Utilities?

Is Now a Good Time to Consider Northeast Utilities? originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sat, 19 Mar 2011 12:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"National Grid (NGG), an electricity and natural gas transmission and distribution utility, is a low-risk, income-generating idea," suggests income expert Carla Pasternak.

The editor of High Yield International explains, "Based in London, the company's largest market is still the UK, and it holds a virtual monopoly on the electricity transmission grid in England and Wales.

"Its primary business is to balance the supply and demand of electricity and natural gas and transmit that power from producers to customers across its network of high-voltage transmission wires and natural gas pipelines.

Continue reading National Grid (NGG): Defensive Income

National Grid (NGG): Defensive Income originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 02 Feb 2011 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"Eighteen percent: That's the compound annual rate of return that Enterprise Products Partners (EPD) has showered on investors the past decade," says utility sector specialist Roger Conrad.

The editor of The Utility Forecaster explains, "And with a yield of nearly 6 percent--and a payout growing almost 6 percent yearly--the owner and operator of midstream energy assets is on track for much more.

"Last March, Enterprise Products' legendary founder Dan Duncan passed. The company he left, however, is still growing rapidly, most recently tapping into the boom in natural gas liquids (NGL).

Continue reading Enterprise Products (EPD): A Cash Generator

Enterprise Products (EPD): A Cash Generator originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 27 Jan 2011 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"Over the past decade, Southern Company (SO) has generated a compound annual return of nearly 12 percent," says utility sector expert Roger Conrad.

The editor of The Utility Forecaster explains, "The recent approval of the company's three-year rate hike in Georgia -- source of nearly half its revenue -- is the best possible assurance of a similarly enriching performance for the next 10 years.

"The Georgia Public Service Commission approved 70, 93 and 87 percent of the requested increases for 2011, 2012 and 2013, respectively, as well as a superior 11.15 percent target return on equity.

Continue reading Rate Hike Boosts Southern Company (SO)

Rate Hike Boosts Southern Company (SO) originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 12 Jan 2011 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

This post is one in a series in which more than 60 newsletter advisors share their Top Stock Picks for 2011. This special report is courtesy of TheStockAdvisors.com.

"Even among great companies, one year's leader is often the next's laggard and vice versa; MDU Resources (MDU) is one under-performer that looks increasingly likely to get it's legs back in 2011," says utility stock specialist Roger Conrad.

The editor of The Utility Forecaster explains, "The company is best thought of as a financially conservative resource company, whose cash flows are anchored by solid regulated energy assets.

Continue reading Top Picks 2011: MDU Resources (MDU)

Top Picks 2011: MDU Resources (MDU) originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sat, 08 Jan 2011 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"With a superior dividend yield, reliable cash flows, and great growth prospects Atlantic Power Corp. (AT) is a solid income investment," says income specialist Carla Pasternak.

The editor of High Yield Investing explains, "The company operates 12 hydro, gas, and coal power generating projects in eight states and an 84-mile transmission line in California. It sells power to major electric utilities under long-term purchase agreements, which provide steady and reliable cash flow.

"Earnings were solid in the third quarter. EBITDA rose 15% in the third quarter and 7% in the first nine months of the year compared to the year-ago periods.

Continue reading Power Up Your Income Portfolio with Atlantic Power (AT)

Power Up Your Income Portfolio with Atlantic Power (AT) originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 15 Dec 2010 13:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"Rising demand for electricity has been among the surest trends on which you could bet for the past 100 years;" says utility sector and income expert Roger Conrad.

The contributing editor to Personal Finance explains, "That's money in the bank for the companies that produce and distribute power, including these three Income Portfolio power plays: Dominion Resources (D), Southern Company (SO), and Xcel Energy (XEL).

"After a dip in 2008-09, Americans' power use is climbing again, as more and more electricity-using devices become essential to modern life.

Continue reading Utility Trio: Income Experts' Power Plays

Utility Trio: Income Experts' Power Plays originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 17 Nov 2010 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"Economic trends, political winds and investment fads come and go. But companies that grow cash-generating assets build wealth year in, year out," says utility sector specialist Roger Conrad.

The editor of Utility Forecaster adds, "One such stock is MDU Resources (MDU), which I have selected as my 'growth spotlight' stock.

"Including reinvested dividends, MDU Resources has multiplied investors' money 10-fold since my original recommendation in September 1990.

Continue reading MDU Resources (MDU): Building Wealth

MDU Resources (MDU): Building Wealth originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 28 Oct 2010 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"There's a lot more consolidation ahead for the utility sector. Indeed, deal-making is picking up again," says utility sector specialist Roger Conrad.

The editor of Utility Forecaster explains, "CH Energy Group (CHG), Consolidated Communications (CNSL) and MarkWest Energy Partners LP (MWE) are three stocks that each meet my prime directive for takeover plays: Never buy anything you wouldn't want to own if no deal occurs.

Continue reading Triple Play: Takeover Targets in Utilities?

Triple Play: Takeover Targets in Utilities? originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 27 Sep 2010 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"Considering that the 73 utility stocks in the S&P 1500 Index combine to represent just 4% of the index's market value, they certainly occupy a big place in the hearts of investors," notes Richard Moroney.

The editor of Dow Theory Forecasts -- a newsletter that has been published for nearly 60 years -- explains, "Here, we offer a diversified 12-stock utility portfolio, as well as our top utility choice for investors who only wish to buy one stock in the sector.

Continue reading Dow Theory's Diversified, 15-Stock Utility Portfolio

Dow Theory's Diversified, 15-Stock Utility Portfolio originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 20 Aug 2010 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"Atlantic Power Corp. (AT) operates 14 power generation projects and one transmission line in the U.S. and sells power mainly to electric utilities in major U.S. markets," notes income specialist Carla Pasternak.

The editor of High-Yield International explains, "Atlantic took a huge step forward when shares became listed on the NYSE on July 23rd. This listing will add recognition and liquidity to the company.

Investors can now more easily purchase shares without the extra commission associated with purchasing foreign securities. The increased exposure that the NYSE brings could also be advantageous to the share price.

Continue reading NYSE Listing Boosts Atlantic Power

NYSE Listing Boosts Atlantic Power originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 16 Aug 2010 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"National Grid (NGG) is Britain's largest utility, and is also a major player in the Northeast U.S. as the result of its 2007 acquisition of Keyspan," says Gerald Appel, an advisor and technician who is best known for developing the well-known MACD indicator.

The editor of Systems & Forecasts explains, "Much of its business is in regulated markets, offering stability in sales and profits. The company more than earns its current dividend, and is expected to continue to do so.

"National Grid issued new shares this year to fund capital expenditures. This diluted future earnings, and contributed to this year's 26% sell-off in the stock.

Continue reading National Grid (NGG): High Yield, Stable Growth

National Grid (NGG): High Yield, Stable Growth originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 26 Jul 2010 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading NextEra Energy (NEE): A 'Bargain' in Utilities

NextEra Energy (NEE): A 'Bargain' in Utilities originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 21 Jul 2010 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"Energy prices are beginning to firm up again. And one opportunity we see in this sector is NuStar Energy (NS); there has been heavy insider buying here," says Mark Skousen.

In his High Income Alert, the advisor explains, "Insiders have purchased 622,000 shares of NuStar during the last six months. They have sold exactly none.

"Last month, for example, Director William Greehey of NuStar purchased 350,000 shares at $65.55, an investment of nearly $19.8 million. Directors Rodman Patton, Dan Hill and Jesse Bates have bought lately, too.

Continue reading NuStar (NS): Insiders Are Energized over Utility

NuStar (NS): Insiders Are Energized over Utility originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 21 Jun 2010 13:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Growth and Income Experts Power Up FPL (FPL)

Growth and Income Experts Power Up FPL (FPL) originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 28 Apr 2010 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading What's an Income Investor to Do? Buy Utilities

What's an Income Investor to Do? Buy Utilities originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 20 Apr 2010 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

The editor of The Utility Forecaster explains, "That's a powerful driver for dividend growth, which has already averaged more than 9% the past five years."

Continue reading Utility Expert Powers Up Sempra (SRE)

Utility Expert Powers Up Sempra (SRE) originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 04 Mar 2010 13:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading PPL Corp: A Utility for Challenging Times

PPL Corp: A Utility for Challenging Times originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 18 Feb 2010 17:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"WisdomTree International Utilities (DBU) is an excellent way to diversify outside of the U.S. in a defensive portfolio of quality stocks," says Carla Pasternak .

In High Yield International, she explains, "This ETF tracks the WisdomTree International Utilities Sector Index of international dividend-paying utilities outside of the United States and Canada. To be included in the index, companies must have paid at least $5 million in cash dividends on their common stock in the prior year. Positions are weighted based on the amount of regular cash dividends paid.

Continue reading WisdomTree International Utilities (DBU): ETF Targets Global Power Plays

WisdomTree International Utilities (DBU): ETF Targets Global Power Plays originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 27 Jan 2010 13:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

This post is part of a special report, Top Picks for 2010, the 27th annual survey in which TheStockAdvisors.com asks the nation's leading advisors for their single favorite stock for the new year. See all 80 stocks listed here.

"Why try to guess what the S&P, gold, the dollar or anything else might do in 2010 when you can invest sure and simple in a proven utility company that pays you to own it?" asks Neil George.

In his Stocks That Pay You, he looks to Otelco (OTT), an Alabama-based phone company, as his top investment idea for 2010.

Continue reading Top Picks for 2010: Otelco (OTT)

Top Picks for 2010: Otelco (OTT) originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 07 Jan 2010 08:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.