George Putnam
The Turnaround Letter
John Reese
Validea
Elliott Gue
Personal Finance
Nicholas Vardy
Bull Market Alert

Energized income: Kinder Morgan (KMP) & Con Ed (ED)


Bookmark and Share

 "One of the most common questions I receive from investors is, where should money be invested to generate income," notes Jim Powell.

In Global Changes & Opportunities Report, he suggests, "I think the most attractive way to invest for current income is with selected high-yielding utilities -- like Con Ed (NYSE: ED) -- and limited partnerships -- such as Kinder Morgan Energy Partners (NYSE: KMP)."

"Most money market funds pay less than it costs to mail the monthly statements. CDs offer more, but their yields are still pathetic. Even long term Treasuries are only in the 3.4% range. For many retired people, those are poverty level returns.

"However, utilities and limited partnerships can only offer attractive dividends, but are also more secure forms of wealth than paper dollars. Although market prices will always fluctuate, I think both my income choices below will appreciate in long term accounts.

Advertisement
Banner

"Kinder Morgan Energy Partners LP is the largest independent owner/operator of energy pipelines in the country. 

"The company pumps oil, natural gas, and fuel through a 26,000 mile network that connects producers to distributors. In addition, the company has 150 terminals that store and transport petroleum, petrochemicals, coal and other bulk items by rail and truck.

"If you are looking for a conservative income investment that is likely to stay abreast of inflation, I think it would be difficult to beat Kinder Morgan.

"As an energy pipeline company, it is less susceptible to changing fuel prices than the producers.Whatever energy happens to cost, it still needs to be moved from where it is processed to where it is used.

"Although Kinder Morgan trades like a stock on the NYSE, it is actually a limited partnership that distributes its available cash to investors each quarter.

"Over the past five years, the partnership had an attractive 6.5% average yield. Currently, the yield is an outstanding 7.7%. Best of all, only part of the payout is taxable.

"Consolidated Edison is also attractive. Con Ed supplies electric power, natural gas, and steam to a total of over 4 million customers in New York, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey. 

"The company also sells power to other utilities in the Mid-Atlantic region. Additionally, Con Ed designs and installs modern energy efficient heating, ventilating, air conditioning, and lighting equipment throughout its service area.

"There aren't many American companies with a longer history of success than Con Ed. It was founded in 1884 when Thomas Edison proved that electric networks were feasible. 

"More importantly to investors who seek income, the company raised its dividends 35 years in a row. That's an outstanding track record. The yield is currently an attractive 5.7%."


News Flash

Taseko Mines: Copper gains
by Brien Lundin, editor Gold Newsletter

Taseko Mines Limited (TGB) began January by announcing its fourth quarter and year-end production results for 2011 at its 75%-owned Gibraltar Mine in British Columbia.


Read more...

 

Select Dividend for equity income
by Benjamin Shepherd, editor Wall Street

For just the second time since 1947, the dividend yield on the S&P 500 exceeds the yield on 10-year US Treasury notes. The S&P 500 currently yields 2.2 percent, while 10-year Treasuries yield just 1.85 percent.


Read more...


   

Goldcorp: 'My favorite major'
by Curtis Hesler, editor Professional Timing Service

The secular bull in gold and the commodity sector is not over. However, it is not at the ground floor any longer either; as such, stock selection must be more carefully considered.


Read more...

 

Money manager's small cap buys
by Jim Oberweis Jr., editor The Oberweis Report

Small-cap growth stock valuations are cheap, and like most things in life, economies are cyclical, even if this is a long and painful one. For the rare, brave contrarian with a reasonably long time horizon, that spells opportunity.


Read more...

 

Opportunities in homebuilding?
by Bernie Schaeffer, editor Schaeffer's Investment Research

Based on our "expectational analysis" strategy -- which  combines fundamental, sentiment and technical metrics -- I initiated long positions in two homebuilding stocks: Lennar Corporation (LEN) and Toll Brothers (TOL).


Read more...

 

Cliffs Natural: A DRIP favorite
by Vita Nelson, editor MoneyPaper

Our latest featured dividend reinvestment stock is Cliffs Natural Resources (CLF). Founded in 1847, the former Cleveland-Cliffs is the largest producer of iron ore pellets in North America.


Read more...

 

S&P's trio of info tech ETFS
by Dylan Cathers, S&P Capital IQ Equity Analyst, S&P The Outlook

Information technology is one of four sectors that S&P Capital IQ’s Sector Strategy Group currently recommends investors overweight in their portfolios.


Read more...

 

Crescent Point: Bakken bet
by Brian Hicks, editor Wealth Advisory

Master Limited Partnerships (MLPs) are unique investments that combine the tax benefits of a limited partnership (LP) with the liquidity of common stock.


Read more...

 

Natural gas: A bottom?
by Jason Cimpl, editor Daily Profit

Natural gas has collapsed for the past four years and has been on a gradual decline for almost a decade. Prices topped near $16 in 2005 and then declined to $2. So did natural gas just bottom?


Read more...

 

FBR Focus bests 99% of peers
by Walter Frank, editor MoneyLetter

Funds that invest in a relatively few stocks or sectors are less diversified than broadly invested funds and their volatility can be much higher. But the team at FBR Focus (FBRVX) seems to be getting it right.


Read more...