Natural Gas Supplies Up, Natural Gas Prices Up, Gas Stocks with High Yields

According to the the U.S. Energy Information Administration, natural gas supplies increased by 49 billion cubic feet for the week ended April 18. In addition, natural gas prices increased by 1.5 cents to $4.745 per million BTUs.

So what's going on with natural gas utilities? Atmos Energy Corp (ATO), which distributes natural gas to Louisiana, Texas, Mississippi, Colorado, Kansas, and Kentucky, is one on the stocks on the WallStreetNewsNetwork.com list of natural gas stocks. The stock trades at 18 times trailing earnings, and 16.5 times forward earnings. The stock pays a decent yield of 3.1%. Dividends have increased every year for at least the last ten years. Earnings increased 8.1% for the latest quarter on a 21.4% revenue increase. The company reports earnings on May 7.

Northwest Natural Gas (NWN) pays a generous yield of 4.2%. The company serves over 680,000 customers in Washington and Oregon. Current P/E is 20, with a forward P/E of 18.  For the latest reported quarter, earnings were up 3.1%, with revenues rising 13.6%. The company's next earnings announcement is May 2.

For a free list of natural gas stocks, almost all of which have yields in excess of 2%, go to WallStreetNewsNetwork.com.

Disclosure: Author didn't own any of the above at the time the article was written.

By Stockerblog.com

4 Top Yielding Gas Utility Stocks

Income investors looking for income may have a portfolio that is filled with electric utility stocks, since that is the first type of stock that most investors think of when they hear "high income stock." However, investors may want to consider the natural gas utilities for additional diversification.

According to the free list of gas utility stocks at WallStreetNewsNetwork.com, there are two dozen natural gas utilities, with over ten having yields of 4% or more.

As an example, WGL Holdings (WGL) pays investors a yield of 4%. Dividends, which are paid quarterly, were increased by 5% earlier this year. The company distributes natural gas to customers in Maryland, Virginia, Delaware, Pennsylvania, and the District of Columbia. The stock trades at 15.6 times trailing earnings and 15.9 times forward earnings. 

Atmos Energy Corp (ATO) is a Dallas, Texas based company that has a trailing price to earnings ratio of 15.8 and a forward P/E ratio of 15.5. It pays a decent yield of 3.4%.

N J Resources (NJR) is a Wall, New Jersey based distributor of natural gas. The P/E is 14.4 and the forward P/E is 15.4. The stock has a yield of 3.9%.

Amerigas Partners (APU) isn't actually a natural gas distributor, it's a distributor of propane gas, and propane accessories. The company is structured as a limited partnership, so caution is in order if you are considering putting this in a retirement plan. The current P/E is 23.1, with a forward P/E of 15.6. It pays a very generous yield of 7.8%.

If you are looking for additional income diversification, you may want to check out the gas utility stocks list at WallStreetNewsNetwork.com. The list includes the PE, the forward PE, the PEG ratio, and the yield.

Disclosure: Author didn't own any of the above at the time the article was written.

By Stockerblog.com

Hot Oil MLPs with High Incomes

Investors looking for high incomes often turn to MLPs or Master Limited Partnerships, and generally are companies in energy, primarily oil and gas exploration and production. According to WallStreetNewsNetwork.com, there are over a dozen Oil and Gas Exploration and Production MLPs, with yields ranging from 3.1% to 9.9%.

MLPs are investments that are similar to income royalty trusts, except that they are structured as limited partnerships. MLP's differ from high income stocks in several ways. Since they pass through income without being taxed at the corporate level, they avoid double taxation. In addition, tax deductions can be passed through to the holders of MLPs, providing sheltering of the MLP dividends.

But there are differences when you compare them to income royalty trusts. MLPs shouldn’t be put into a retirement plan because of the UBTI or Unrelated Business Taxable Income problem, which could jeopardize the tax deferred status of retirement plans. The UBTI issue is way beyond the scope of this article so you should certainly talk to your accountant about any and all tax consequences of MLPs. Also, MLPs don't send out 1099 forms, they send out a Schedule K-1 Form, and the income is reported differently on tax returns. This may mean extra hours and aggravation when you or your accountant prepare your taxes.

One example is Mid-Con Energy Partners, LP (MCEP), which pays a yield of 8.8%. The dividend is paid quarterly. This Dallas, Texas based company explores, develops, and produces oil and natural gas on properties in southern Oklahoma, northeastern Oklahoma, and parts of Colorado. The MLP trades at 11.9 times trailing earnings and 10.5 times forward earnings.

Pioneer Southwest Energy Partners L.P. (PSE), based in Irving, Texas, yields 8.2%. The company has a price to earnings ratio of 11.5 and forward PE of 10. Pioneer operates in the Spraberry field in the Permian Basin area of west Texas.

One high yield company that is actually structure as an LLC instead of a MLP is Linn Energy, LLC (LINE), which operates in the Mid-Continent, the Permian Basin, Michigan, California, and the Williston Basin. Linn pays a dividend rate of 6.8%. It has a forward PE of 24.9. It was the first publicly traded independent oil and natural gas limited liability company in January 2006.

In spite of the fact that Linn is an LLC, it is classified as a partnership for tax purposes, so a unitholder is considered a partner and receives a Schedule K-1. In regards to the taxation of the income, the company website says "In general, cash distributions received from LINN Energy are not taxable. You are typically only required to report in your tax return items of income, gain, loss, deduction or tax credit reflected on your Schedule K-1. However, if the cumulative cash distributions received from LINN Energy exceed your tax basis in the Company, you could be taxed on the amount exceeding your tax basis."

For a free list of all of the oil and gas exploration and production master limited partnerships including three that pay more than 9%, go to WallStreetNewsNetwork.com. The list can be downloaded, updated, and sorted.

Disclosure: Author did not own any of the above at the time the article was written.

By Stockerblog.com

The 123 Year Old Natural Gas Company that Pays a 3.9% Yield

There is a natural gas utility company that is the eighth oldest listed stock on the New York Stock Exchange, and celebrated its 120 year anniversary on December 7, 2009. In addition, it was one of the original stocks in the Dow Jones Industrial Average, back in 1896. How's that for a track record.

And the name of the stock is Laclede Group Inc. (LG), formerly known as Laclede Gas Company. This is a natural gas utility that yields 3.9%, trades at 15.9 times trailing earnings, and has a forward price to earnings ratio of 15.8. The company pays out $37.37 million in dividends, very well covered by the company's operating cash flow of $94 million. The company has increased its dividend every year since 2003. Net economic earnings for the latest quarter were $0.40 per share compared to $0.65 per share last year. Excluding prior year earnings of $0.27 per share from the propane sale, net economic earnings grew by 5% from the prior year.

Other natural gas and propane gas utilities with high yields are available. WallStreetNewsNetwork.com has turned up over 20 gas utilities with yields ranging from 2% to in excess of 10%, such as Nicor (GAS) yielding 4.5%, Spectra Energy (SE) yielding 3.8%, and Chesapeake Utilities (CPK) yielding 3.1%.

You might also consider investing in electric utilities, which also pay fairly high yields, many in excess of 5%.

To see a list of 20 gas utilities, you can get a free downloadable Excel database of natural gas and propane stocks at WallStreetNewsNetwork.com.

Disclosure: Author did not own any of the above at the time the article was written.

By Stockerblog.com

High Yields from Natural Gas Stocks

Yes, it is the middle of the ht summer. Time to be thinking about natural gas consumption in the winter and natural gas stocks. According to a recent article in Bloomberg, natural gas has matched coal as the leading power generating fuel for the first time ever since the US Government started tracking this information.

Let's take a closer look at stocks involved in the distribution of natural gas to both homes and businesses. According to WallStreetNewsNetwork.com, over 15 of them have yields paying more than 3%. As an example, Enterprise Products Partners LP (EPD) is a high yielding gas company, which yields 4.8%. The stock trades at 19.3 times current earnings, and 20.4 times forward earnings.

TransCanada Corp. (TRP), based in Calgery, Alberta, Canada, owns and operates natural gas pipelines and regulated gas storage facilities throughout Northern California. The company, which trades at 23 times earnings, pays a generous yield of 3.9%. You should be aware of the foreign withholding tax which can affect your yield. Speak with your tax preparer before putting this stock in a retirement plan.

Other high yield gas companies include Sempra Energy (SRE) at 3.5%, WGL Holdings Inc (WGL) paying 4.0%, and Northwest Natural Gas (NWN) at a 3.7% yield. You can access a free list of over 25 natural gas companies, along with their price to earnings data, at WallStreetNewsNetwork.com.

Disclosure: Author didn't own any of the above at the time the article was written.

By Stockerblog.com

Natural Gas Stocks are a Gas Gas Gas

Natural gas has tanked 39% this year, the worst performer of all the commodities. Natural gas should increase to $4 per million BTU pretty soon, according to Goldman Sachs (GS). This is primarily due to production cutbacks from major producers and increased demand from utilities this year. It is significant since gas dropped 39% this year, the worst performing of all utilities.

There are many publicly traded companies involved in the distribution of natural gas, to both homes and businesses, and over 15 over them have yields in excess of 3%. For example, TransCanada Corp. (TRP), based in Calgery, Alberta, Canada, owns and operates natural gas pipelines and regulated gas storage facilities throughout Northern California. The company, which trades at 20 times earnings, pays a generous yield of 4.0%. (Talk to your accountant about foreign withholding tax, especially when foreign stocks are put in a retirement plan.) Earnings for the latest quarter were up 37.5% on a 14.7% rise in revenues.

Enterprise Products Partners LP (EPD) is another high yielder gas company, which yields 4.9%. The stock trades at 21.6 times earnings, and earnings for the latest reported quarter ending December 31, were up an amazing 351.3% year over year, on a revenue increase of 20.9%. The company reports earning on May 2.

More options are available and worth further research including Northwest Natural Gas (NWN) at a 3.9% yield, WGL Holdings Inc (WGL) paying 4.0%, and Sempra Energy (SRE) at 3.7%. You can access a free list of over 25 natural gas companies, along with their price to earnings data, at WallStreetNewsNetwork.com.

Disclosure: Author didn't own any of the above at the time the article was written.

By Stockerblog.com

Natural Gas Fueling Stations Popping Up Around the Country: Check Out Gas Stocks

It had to happen sooner or later. Natural gas is considered a much cleaner fuel than petroleum. Now a company called NCI is building natural gas fueling stations in Lee County, Florida for the general public and businesses. The fist will be a service station near Southwest Florida International Airport. Earlier this year, the city of North Little Rock built its first condensed natural gas fueling station, which is open to the public. Consumers, businesses, and governments are gradually making the shift, which should increase demand for natural gas.

There are many publicly traded companies involved in the distribution of natural gas, to both homes and businesses, and over 15 over them have yields in excess of 3%. For example, Atmos Energy Corporation (ATO) is involved in the distribution, transmission, and storage of natural gas. This Dallas, Texas based company, which was founded in 1906, trades at 13 times forward earnings and pays out a very favorable yield of 4.2%. Dividends on an annual basis increased from 1.37 to 1.38 per share. Earnings for the latest quarter were up an incredible 27.6% on a 1.4% revenue increase.

Another high yielder is Spectra Energy (SE) transports and stores natural gas for customers in various regions of the northeastern and southeastern United States, plus the Maritime Provinces and the Western Provinces in Canada. The company, based in Houston, trades at 16 times forward earnings and boasts a yield of 3.8%. Latest quarterly earnings were up an amazing 28.9% on a 10.2% rise in sales.

Other natural gas companies worth taking a closer look at include Northwest Natural Gas (NWN) at a 3.8% yield, WGL Holdings Inc (WGL) paying 3.7%, and Sempra Energy (SRE) at 3.6%. You can access a free list of over 25 natural gas companies, along with their financial data, at WallStreetNewsNetwork.com.

Disclosure: Author didn't own any of the above at the time the article was written.

By Stockerblog.com

10,000 Natural Gas Filling Stations in 5 Years: High Yield Gas Stocks

According to Aubrey McClendon, the CEO of Chesapeake Energy Corp., the United States could have tens of thousands of natural gas filling stations for cars and trucks within a few years. Many investors prefer natural gas over oil, as it is a greener fuel generating a lower carbon footprint. Plus, it also has a long history as a fuel.

The yields on natural gas stocks are fairly decent. Based on the recently updated list at WallStreetNewsNetwork.com, over 20 gas utilities have yields ranging from 2% to over 7%. One example is Energy Transfer Partners L.P. (ETP), which is a publicly traded limited partnership that processes, transports, and sells natural gas. The stock trades at 17.4 times forward earnings and pays a generous yield of 8.2%. The company has been paying quarterly since 1997.

Dallas Texas based Atmos Energy Corp. (ATO) trades at 13.7 times forward earnings and yields 4.1%. The company has been paying dividends since 1989.

Chesapeake Utilities Corporation (CPK) is a provider of natural gas distribution services in Delaware, Maryland, and Florida. The stock has a forward price to earnings ratio of 13.3 and pays a yield of 3.5%.

For a free list of high yield natural gas utility stocks, which can be downloaded, sorted, and added to, go to WallStreetNewsNetwork.com. The list has over twenty different stocks with yields above 2%.

Disclosure: Author did not own any of the above at the time the article was written.

By Stockerblog.com

Utility Stocks that Increased Dividends

Income investors like the dividends they receive from gas and electric utilities, but they love dividend increases. If investors reinvest their dividends, then compounding can be significantly greater when the dividends are rising. In the last couple months, a few of the top yielding utility stocks listed at WallStreetNewsNetwork.com boosted their dividend payouts.

For example, the Arizona based electric utility, UniSource Energy Corporation (UNS), bumped up its quarterly dividend to $0.42 a share, an increase of 7.7%. The stock trades at 13 times forward earnings and has a yield of 4.7%.

WGL Holdings, Inc. (WGL) is an Eastern US natural gas distributor that serves Maryland, Virginia, Delaware and the District of Columbia. The company is now paying a quarterly dividend of $0.3875 per share, up 2.6% from its previous payout. The stock has a forward price to earnings ratio of 16 and yields 4.1%.

For investors looking for diversification, the Reaves Utility Income Fund (UTG) is a closed end fund that trades on the NYSE American Stock Exchange. The fund increased its monthly dividend by 8.7% to $0.125 per share, giving a yield of about 5.6%. This is the fifth dividend increase since 2004.

To access a free list of all the top yielding electric and gas utility stocks, which can be downloaded, sorted, and updated, go to WallStreetNewsnetwork.com.

Disclosure: Author did not own any of the above at the time the article was written.

By Stockerblog.com

High Yield Utilities that can Benefit from Lower Fossil Fuel Prices

According to the U. S. Energy Information Administration, fossil fuels supply about 70 percent of the country's requirements for electricity generation. Currently the dominant fossil fuels used by the industry are coal, petroleum, and natural gas.

Many investors feel that the price of oil has peaked for now and is in a downtrend. Some analysts believe that due to the glut of natural gas and the recent major gas finds, that the price of gas will remain low for a while. The price of coal is much lower than it was in 2008. If this trend continues, investors could benefit from investing in utility stocks that use oil, gas, and/or coal as a major fuel source of electrical generation, since the cost savings for these companies should pass through to the bottom line. According to WallStreetNewsNetwork.com, there are around 30 electric utilities with yields above 4%. Many of these companies use fossil fuels as a significant source of fuel to generate electricity.

For example, Pinnacle West Capital Corp. (PNW) has one of the heaviest exposures, with approximately 31% of its electric energy coming from natural gas and oil. About 38% comes from coal and 27% from nuclear. This Phoenix, Arizona based electric utility trades at 14 times earnings and provides a generous yield of 5%. Earnings for the quarter ending September 30 were up 25%. The company reports its latest earnings February 18.

OGE Energy Corp. (OGE) has 38% of its energy coming from natural gas, with 60% from coal. The company serves the south central United States. The stock has a price to earnings ratio of 15 and a yield of 3.3%. Earnings for the quarter ending September 30 were up 19%. The company reports its latest earnings February 17.

Westar Energy Inc. (WR) generates about 7% of its energy from natural gas, with 78% from coal and 14% from nuclear. This utility, which serves Kansas, has a PE of 13.8 and a yield of 4.8%.

If you like utility stocks, you can find a free Excel database of utility stocks, which you can download, update and sort, at WallStreetNewsNetwork.com

Disclosure: Author did not own any of the above at the time the article was written.

By Stockerblog.com

Carl Icahn Pumps Gas

On Monday, it was announced that billionaire trader and investor Carl Icahn increased his stake in Chesapeake Energy (CHK) from from 16.6 million shares to 38.6 million shares, an increase of over 132%. This announcement set off a buying frenzy, causing the stock to jump almost 9% during the day. Of course, Chesapeake trades at 9.8 times forward earnings and is one of the natural gas utilities that pays a yield, giving its investors a payout of 1.3%.

According to WallStreetNewsNetwork.com, there are over 25 natural gas stock paying yields as high as 7%. For example, Atmos Energy Corporation (ATO) is a Dallas, Texas based distributor of natural gas that yields 4.3%. As a matter of fact, the company just increased its payout from $0.335 per quarter to $0.34, and has increased its dividend every year since 1989. The stock has a forward price to earnings ratio of 13 and recently reported a 20.9% increase in revenues.

TransCanada Corp. (TRP) is a Calgary, Alberta based natural gas distributor which has a dividend payout of 4.2%. It is also involved in electrical generation. The stock trades at 16 times forward earnings, with earnings rising for the latest quarter 13.3% on a 3.9% rise in revenues.

Northwest Natural Gas Company (NWN), which distributes gas in Washington, Oregon, and California, yields 3.7%. The stock has a forward PE of 16.7. However, revenues were down 18.6% for the latest quarter.

To see the entire list of natural gas stocks that pay dividends, which can be downloaded, sorted, and updated, go to WallStreetNewsNetwork.com.

Disclosure: Author didn't own any of the above at the time the article was written.

By Stockerblog.com

Spotlight on a 4.6% Gas Utility Generating Revenues for Over 150 Years

This stock has been around for a long, long time. This is a stock that is the eighth oldest listed stock on the New York Stock Exchange, has traded on the exchange for 121 years, was one of the original stocks in the Dow Jones Industrial Average in 1896, has increased its dividend for the last seven years, and was founded in 1857, more than a century and a half ago. On top of that, the company just boosted its quarterly dividend by 2.5% to 40.5 cents per share, providing a very favorable yield of 4.6%.

The stock, Laclede Group Inc. (LG), which was formerly known as Laclede Gas Company, is a natural gas utility that provides natural gas service to about 630,000 residential, commercial, and industrial customers in Missouri. It trades at 13.5 times forward earnings and has an operating cash flow of about three times its total dividend payout. The company has increased its dividend every year since 2003.

Laclede recently reported net income for its fiscal year ended September 30, 2010 at $2.43 diluted earnings per share, the third-highest in the company's history. For the fourth fiscal quarter of 2010, the company narrowed its loss, reporting a loss of $0.07 per share, versus a loss of $0.22 per share for the same quarter last year. Quarterly earnings rose 12.7% year over year.

There are many other high yield natural gas and propane gas utilities. WallStreetNewsNetwork.com has just updated its Excel list of 25 gas utilities with yields ranging up to to 7.5%, such as Nicor (GAS) yielding 4.2%, Spectra Energy (SE) yielding 4.2%, and Chesapeake Utilities (CPK) yielding 3.5%.

Disclosure: Author did not own any of the above at the time the article was written.

By Stockerblog.com

Recovery from the Natural Gas Explosion

A couple weeks ago, a horrific natural gas explosion took place in San Bruno, California, just south of San Francisco near the San Francisco International Airport. There were several deaths and an enormous amount of property losses and destroyed homes. The area is served by PG & E Corp. (PCG). Senator Dianne Feinstein and Senator Barbara Boxer have sponsored a bill to create strict new pipeline safety standards and increase the number of federal inspectors.

Although a tragedy, major natural gas explosions like this are not very common. Natural gas has a few benefits over oil, especially in the green area, as natural gas generates a lower carbon footprint. It also has a long history as a fuel; as a matter of fact, one of the original Dow Jones Industrial Average stocks from the 1800's is a natural gas distributor that is still trading today, Laclede Group Inc. (LG).

The natural gas utility companies pay fairly high yields. For example, Energy Transfer Partners L.P. (ETP) is a publicly traded limited partnership that processes, transports, and sells natural gas. The stock does have a fairly high price to earnings ratio of 37, but pays a generous yield of 7.4%. The company has been paying quarterly since 1997.

Chesapeake Utilities Corporation (CPK) is a provider of natural gas distribution services in Delaware, Maryland, and Florida, has a PE ratio of 13 and pays a yield of 3.8%.

WallStreetNewsNetwork.com has just released its updated list of high yield natural gas utility stocks, which can be accessed for free. There are twenty different stocks with yields above 3%.

Disclosure: Author did not own any of the above at the time the article was written.

By Stockerblog.com

What Original Dow Stock from 1896 Currently Pays a 4.8% Yield

Talk about a stock that stands the test of time. If you want a stock that is the eighth oldest listed stock on the New York Stock Exchange, celebrated its 120 year anniversary last year, one of the original stocks in the Dow Jones Industrial Average in 1896, has increased its dividend for the last six years, and currently yields 4.8%, then you will now know what this gem is.

The stock, Laclede Group Inc. (LG), which was formerly known as Laclede Gas Company, is a natural gas utility that is the longest lived of the Dow. It trades at 12.9 times earnings and has an operating cash flow of about seven times its total dividend payout. The company has increased its dividend every year since 2003.

Of course, there are plenty of other natural gas and propane gas utilities. WallStreetNewsNetwork.com has turned up 25 gas utilities with yields ranging from 2% to above 8%, such as Nicor (GAS) yielding 4.4%, Spectra Energy (SE) yielding 4.8%, and Chesapeake Utilities (CPK) yielding 3.9%.

To see a list of 25 gas utilities, you can get a free list of natural gas and propane stocks, that can be downloaded, sorted, and changed, check out the lists at WallStreetNewsNetwork.com.

Author does not own any of the above.

By Stockerblog.com

Puget Sound Energy Distributes Rotten Egg Smell by Mail

Puget Sound Energy, which used to trade on the New York Stock Exchange, and is now privately held, distributes electricity to over a million customers and natural gas to over 700,000 customers. But this month, the company will be distributing something else, a scartch-and-sniff flyer that smells like rotten eggs. The company did this to let customers know what a gas leak aroma smells like.

Although you can't invest in this rotten eggs smell distributor, there are plenty of other natural gas utilities that are available for your portfolio, over 20 with yields above 3%. For example, Nicor Inc. (GAS), with the unforgettable stock ticker symbol, pays a dividend of 4.3% and sports a forward PE ration of 14.6. The company distributes natural gas to over 2 million customers in Illinois.

Piedmont Natural Gas Co. Inc. (PNY), a North Carolina nat gas distributor with almost a million customers, pays a 4.1% yield and trades at 16 times forward earnings. The company was upgrades by Robert W. Baird Company in July.

For a list of over 20 high yield natural gas and propane utilities, you should check out the list at WallStreetNewsNetwork.com.

Author does not own any of the above.

By Stockerblog.com

Highest Yielding Natural Gas Stocks: They're a Gas, Gas, Gas!

Income investors like natural gas stocks for several reasons. First, they pay a decent dividend with over 15 paying more than 4%. Second, they provide diversification from electric utilities. The average price to earnings ratio for all these stocks is less than 15. And in terms of gas stocks, in addition to natural gas companies, investors can also choose propane distributors.

There are plenty of natural gas and propane gas utilities available to invest in. WallStreetNewsNetwork.com has just updated their list of about 25 gas utilities with yields ranging from 2% to above 8%. Here are some examples.

Amerigas Partners (APU) PE: 12.35 forward PE: 13.6 PEG: 2.5 yield: 6.9%

Spectra Energy (SE) PE: 14.53 forward PE: 11.8 PEG: 1.3 yield: 5.0%

Transcanada Corp (TRP) PE: 18.42 forward PE: 14.4 PEG: 3.4 yield: 4.6%

Northwest Nat Gas (NWN) PE: 16.24 forward PE: 15.4 PEG: 3.4 yield: 3.8%

You might also consider investing in electric utilities, which also pay fairly high yields, many in excess of 5%.

To see a list of 25 gas utilities in the form of a free downloadable Excel database of natural gas and propane stocks, eight of which yield more than 5%, go to WallStreetNewsNetwork.com.

Author does not own any of the above.

By Stockerblog.com

Top Yielding Natural Gas Stocks

Income investors like natural gas stocks for several reasons. First, they pay a decent dividend with over 15 paying more than 4%. Second, they provide diversification from electric utilities. The average price to earnings ratio for all these stocks is less than 15. And in terms of gas stocks, in addition to natural gas companies, investors can also choose propane distributors.

There are plenty of natural gas and propane gas utilities available to invest in. WallStreetNewsNetwork.com has just updated their list of about 25 gas utilities with yields ranging from 2% to above 8%, such as Nicor Inc (GAS) yielding 4.5%, Amerigas Partners (APU) yielding 7%, and Sempra Energy (SRE) yielding 3.2%.

You might also consider investing in electric utilities, which also pay fairly high yields, many in excess of 5%.

To see a list of 25 gas utilities in the form of a free downloadable Excel database of natural gas and propane stocks, eight of which yield more than 5%, go to WallStreetNewsNetwork.com.

Author does not own any of the above.

By Stockerblog.com

Gas Utilities are a Gas: 17 Pay Over 4%

The price of natural gas is relatively very low, so consumers don't mind cranking up the heat. Now were are entering the Winter season when consumption will increase. How about looking at natural gas utilities as possible investments, especially because of the great dividends. Seventeen of these stocks pay 4% or more.

Here are a few examples of high yielding natural gas and propane utilities and limited partnerships:

Amerigas Partners (APU) 7.1%
Laclede Group Inc (LG) 5.1%
Spectra Energy (SE) 5.1%
Nicor Inc (GAS) 5.0%

To see a list of 25 gas utilities, you can get a free downloadable Excel database of natural gas and propane stocks at WallStreetNewsNetwork.com.

By Stockerblog.com

Top Yielding Gas Utility Stocks

Now that many investors believe that the price of natural gas has bottomed out, they are paying closer attention to the natural gas drillers and the gas utilities. WallStreetNewsNetwork.com has discovered a dozen of these gas utilities that are paying over 4%, and most have forward PE ratios under 12. Here are a few examples:

Transcanada Corp (TRP) with a forward PE of 10.67, and a yield of 6.3%.

Atmos Energy Corp (ATO) with a forward PE of 9.55, and a yield of 6.0%.

Nicor Inc (GAS) with a forward PE of 9.87, and a yield of 5.9%.

To access an Excel database list of 19 gas utilities, including two that pay more than 7%, that can be downloaded, sorted, and changed, go to wsnn.com.

By Stockerblog.com