Stocks and Sectors

By Randy Durig:

Transportadora de Gas Del Sur S.A. (TGS)

• Per share values in USD, 2-3-2012
• Market value $ 3.00
• Indicated Dividend rate 49%

We seek out quality high yielding global investments that offer both a high yield and a good probability of appreciation, while providing a unique hedge against inflation and/or a continued devaluation of the U.S. dollar. As a result of our diversification research efforts, we have identified and selected Transportadora de Gas Del Sur S.A. , Argentina’s largest natural gas pipeline operator, for our Investment Growth and Income Portfolio.

U.S. Dollar Concerns

Most investors seeking income with growth for their investment portfolios are aware that the artificially very low U.S. Treasury return rates still remain, even before taxes, significantly below current inflation rates. American savers are thus thrust into the tenuous position of continuous wealth erosion. Considering that last year was another year of declining equity and property prices, minimal

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By Zvi Bar:

Energy utilities are providers of a growing necessity, and within the United States, usually at government-regulated prices and restricted competition. Because of utility distribution regulations, energy utility equities are considered generally reliable and predicable businesses, with stable and growing payouts.

The regulated nature of energy utilities makes their dividends reasonably secure, and also designates the equities as classic “widow and orphan” stocks. Their relative security means that the dividends and equity are unlikely to grow at a rapid pace, though utilities can outperform the broader market, and did in 2011.

Below are performance rates for six large cap (over $10 billion) utilities within the S&P 500 and with yields between 4.5% and 5%: American Electric Power (AEP), Duke Energy (DUK), Entergy Corp. (ETR), Excelon Corp. (EXC) FirstEnergy Corp. (FE), and PPL Corp. (PPL). I included their one-week, 2012-to-date and one-year equity performance rates (not including dividends paid), as well as

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By Darius Fisher:

With 10 year treasury yields hovering a bit below 2%, a compelling case can be made for electric and combined cycle utilities offering dividend yields twice or more as that treasury yield. And if a case can be made for some capital growth, all the better. I am going to look at four utility stocks today. Now is not the friendliest of times for many utilities, given the Environmental Protection Agency’s pending issues with Mercury pollution and re-expansion of the Clean Water and Clean Air Acts, along with general trends of energy conservation. But quality utilities, including some of ones I cover today, will adapt.

Black Hills Corp. (BKH)

Black Hills is a smaller, combined cycle utility and energy company serving much of South Dakota, and parts of adjacent states in both regulated and non regulated areas. Its stock was trading recently at about its 52 week high of $34.85.

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By Pey Shadzi:

Last Sunday, after demanding a full day off from work, I slept in, brewed a fresh pot of some ridiculously good coffee, lounged around until about 10:30am, had a bite to eat with my girlfriend, then started my day. For the next 12 hours or so I wrote an article for Seeking Alpha, had lunch with friends and even found some time to exercise. Then it occurred to me: this has been one of the best days of my life. How could I make it happen again?

I’ve heard retirement and productive leisure can actually be a reality for some lucky folks out there. Is this true? If so, tell me how to achieve it. Come on… I want in.

Though I’m only 28, I’ll be honest and let you older investors out there know that I’m on to you. The truth is, I began figuring out in my 20s

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By Bret Jensen:

As I get more defensive on the market, I am looking more and more at boring, high-dividend stocks with low volatility. They have underperformed the market so far in 2012, but should be good safe havens if we get a pullback in equities. I expect this some time in the next few months, as I believe significant negative news will be forthcoming by the end of the quarter from Europe. If nothing else, the market is due for a breather. One stock I like here that provides an over a 4% dividend, and that an investor could tuck away for the next decade is CenterPoint Energy (CNP).

CenterPoint Energy, Inc. operates as a public utility holding company in the United States. The company’s Electric Transmission and Distribution segment provides transmission and distribution services to retail electric providers, municipalities, electric cooperatives, and other distribution companies serving approximately 2.1 million metered customers.

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National Fuel Gas Co. (NFG)

F1Q2012 Earnings Conference Call

February 3, 2012 11:00 AM ET

Executives

Timothy Silverstein – Director of Investor Relations

Dave Smith – Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

Ron Tanski – President and Chief Operating Officer

Matt Cabell – Senior Vice President and President, Seneca Resources Corporation

Dave Bauer – Principal Finance Officer and Treasurer

Analysts

Andrea Sharkey – Gabelli & Company

Kevin Smith – Raymond James & Associates

Craig Shere – Tuohy Brothers

Carl Kirst – BMO Capital Markets

Timm Schneider – Citigroup

John Abbott – Pritchard Capital Partners

Mark Barnett – Morningstar

Presentation

Operator

Good day, ladies and gentlemen, and welcome to the first quarter 2012 National Fuel Gas Company earnings conference call. My name is Fab, and I will be your operator for today.

At this time all participants are in a listen-only mode. Later we will conduct a question-and-answer session. (Operator Instructions) As

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Wisconsin Energy Corporation (WEC)

Q4 2011 Earnings Conference Call

February 2, 2012 2:00 PM ET

Executives