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Deer in the Headlights?

March 2nd, 2009

I’ve got to admit that lately I’ve felt less like we’re the great buying opportunity opportunity of a lifetime, and more like we’re living under the Sword of Damocles. I respect that feeling, even though I’ve left most of my retirement money in stocks (including funds/etfs).

Since I know a lot of feel this way though, I wonder if I’m wrong, and look for evidence of that. Lately, I haven’t found much. And that’s why I really enjoyed an article from Seeking Alpha.

Thus, these companies are raising their dividends for two very solid reasons: 1. Their earnings are growing and they are confident enough in their prospects, even in a slow economy, that they are free to increase their dividends; 2. Almost all of the companies mentioned here have long histories of increasing their dividends. It is in their culture.

In particular, it has me taking another look at KMP and FPL. Do you think it’s time?

 
 

electric utilities, oil and gas pipelines , , ,

Kinder Morgan Energy Partners (KMP)

December 13th, 2008

Kinder Morgan Energy Partners (KMP) is in the business of storing and transporting Oil & gas and related products (including ethanol).  They’ve got 5 divisions specializing in different areas, but for the most part they all have this great feature in common–they can make money in the oil and gas business regardless of whether the price of the underlying products are rising or falling.

Since their major focus is on transportation, the big issue for them is “How much of the product is being used?”  Rather than thinking of them as being in the oil and gas business, it might help to think of them as operators of a toll highway–as long as traffic is good, they’re in good shape.

Just how good might surprise you.  As I write this, they’re paying a dividend of over 8%.  Better yet, KMP might let you sleep at night.  Check out their price chart over the last 5 years.  They’ve experienced no where near the volatility that most of the market has suffered.

KMP may eventually suffer as we run out of these fossil fuels, but I think we’re a long way from that point.  Before we reach it,  I think a whole lot of more expensive reserves will be found and exploited.

KMP has the number 2 spot on my “to buy” list.  What do you think?


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