Solar Power: The Cost Factor
Development of new solar-power capacity is widely expected to drop off sharply after 2016, when investment tax credits for this technology ends and project economics take a turn for the worse. Bullish longer-term forecasts factor in technological advances that may or may not occur.
Electricity Demand: Uncertain Outlook Creates Risks for Renewable Energy
At what rate will US electricity demand grow over the coming years and decades? The outlook varies widely and depends on a wide range of factors, including the extent to which rooftop solar gains traction.
Renewable Energy: Policy Matters
Given the higher costs associated with solar and wind power, government subsidies and mandates to reduce carbon dioxide emissions are critical to sustaining the renewable-energy boom. The outlook grows murky after the next US presidential election.
Going Green
Can investors still make money in renewable energy? High-flying renewable-energy stocks like SunPower Corp (NSDQ: SPWR) and SolarCity Corp (NSDQ: SCTY) routinely garner headlines but also entail significant risks.
Our Portfolio holdings with exposure to renewable-energy have generated an average return of more than 26 percent since last fall.
And we see further upside for all five stocks, fueled in part by the bullish near-term outlook for renewable energy in the US. Our favorites should continue to generate reliable earnings and grow their dividends through acquisitions and organic-growth opportunities.
What sets our favorites apart from SolarCity Corp and other overhyped names?
These companies generate a profit and pay reliable dividends. Even better, our picks have the wherewithal to survive a slowdown in renewable-energy development, thanks to their contract-backed revenue and exposure to other business lines.
Despite these advantages, these stocks still trade at reasonable valuations, making them solid bets for investors looking to build wealth over the long term.
Upstream MLPs Search for Scale
Breitburn Energy Partners LP’s recently proposed acquisition of QR Energy LP demonstrates that the search for scale is alive and well among upstream MLPs, as private-equity buyers ratchet up the competition for asset acquisitions.
NextEra Energy Partners LP: Plenty of Steak, But Priced for Sizzle
NextEra Energy Partners is the first pure play on wind and solar power to be structured as a MLP. And with the stock up 37 percent since its June 26 IPO, the issue has proved popular with investors.
Coal Still King Despite Would-Be Usurpers
Imagine a future where US coal-fired power plants continue to generate reliable baseload power, while CO2 collected during their operation fuels the shale oil boom.
Foresight Energy LP: On The Sidelines Until Export Market Improves
Foresight Energy Partners is the first coal producer to go public as an MLP since the inauspicious debuts of Oxford Resource Partners LP (NYSE: OXF) and Rhino Resource Partners LP (NYSE: RNO) in fall 2012. We dig into whether this newly listed MLP is up to snuff.
NextEra Energy Partners LP: Built to Last, But High Price May Not
NextEra Energy Partners LP–a publicly traded partnership that specializes in renewable energy–has been a slam dunk since its initial public offering on June 26. But at these levels, there are better plays in this industry.
06/27/14: Good Stocks on the Rise
We review some of the emerging themes in Canada and Australia’s energy industries, raise our buy targets on several names in our International Portfolio and swap one laggard for a long-term winner that could benefit from a near-term upside catalyst.
Live Chat with
Elliott and Roger on Sep. 27, 2022
Portfolios & Ratings
MLPs and Midstream
Our assessment of every energy-related master limited partnership.
International Coverage
Roger Conrad’s coverage of more than 70 dividend-paying energy names.
Experts
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Elliott H. Gue
Founder and Chief Analyst: Capitalist Times and Energy & Income Advisor
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Roger S. Conrad
Founder and Chief Analyst: Capitalist Times and Energy & Income Advisor