It’s not the one you see; it’s the one you don’t see. That bit of country wisdom applies to markets as well as safe techniques for passing cars on lonely two-lane highways. Read More

Even in the best markets, dividend cuts are poison for income investors. Not only is your regular cash flow cut, but your principal typically takes a haircut as well. Read More

It was more of the same on Wall Street last week. The bad news: More evidence of a slowing economy, further weakness in the financial system and increased selling of stocks across the board, as the market continued to adjust to the negative macro picture. Read More

The main problem now with the US economy is we still don’t have any visibility of where the bottom is. And given how complex and interconnected the world economy and investment markets are now, it’s even more difficult now to declare one. Read More

Last year, the Utility Forecaster Growth Portfolio rose a solid 12.2 percent, while the Income Portfolio added 4.3 percent. Unfortunately, this year is starting out less profitably, because fears of an unfolding US recession have triggered a global market panic. Read More

Inflation is the nemesis of all income investments. But credit risk is far more deadly for investors who reach too high for yields. Read More

Cash is the only way to guard against the ravages of a recession and bear market. Although I always advise keeping some handy, it’s a poor substitute in the long haul for the stocks, bonds and preferred shares of utility companies backed by healthy, growing businesses. Read More

Utility stock averages have registered declines of more than 10 percent 15 times since World War II. Only twice, however, was the damage severe enough to cash out: December 1972 to September 1974 and January 2001 to November 2002. Read More

FairPoint Communications may close on Verizon Communications’ rural New England lines next month. Vermont regulators and the Federal Communications Commission have approved the deal, leaving only New Hampshire to sign off. The merger involves a 35 percent dividend cut for FairPoint but creates a stronger company. Read More

CLP Holdings has a new scheme of control (SOC) for its Hong Kong rates. The compromise isn’t perfect: Both Standard & Poor’s and Moody’s are considering cutting credit ratings a notch. But it eliminates uncertainty and sets the stage for robust, long-term profit growth. Read More