Ameren Corp

Five Stocks That Look Especially Vulnerable to Activist Investors

By Mike Thiessen - April 29, 2013 | Tickers: AEE, CAG, ED, FITB, TYC

Recently, the New York Times reported on a detailed Rotary Gallop analysis that identified publicly traded companies that could be vulnerable to takeovers by activist investors. Although the analysis did not attempt to predict the likelihood of a takeover in any specific circumstance, it did comment on the likelihood of a theoretical takeover attempt's success.

The report found five particularly vulnerable companies: ConAgra Foods (NYSE: CAG), Consolidated Edison (NYSE: ED more »)
These 2 Utility Companies Are Vulnerable to Activist Investors

By Anh HOANG - April 17, 2013 | Tickers: LNT, AEE, WEC

Recently, Rotary Gallop, featured on Dealbook, gathered and analyzed share ownership at 459 of the companies in the S&P 500, and listed out several potential candidates for takeover, either by their big shareholders or by activist investors. Rotary Gallop argued that an activist investor, who has more than 14% stake in a company, would have a high chance of winning a takeover battle.

In this article, I will take more »
These Two Utility Companies are Vulnerable to Activist Investors

By Anh HOANG - April 14, 2013 | Tickers: LNT, AEE, WEC

Recently, Rotary Gallop, featured in Dealbook, has gathered and analyzed share ownership at 459 of the companies in the S&P 500, and list out several potential candidates for takeover, either by their big shareholders or by activist investors. Rotary Gallop argued that activist investor, who has more than 14% stake would have a high chance of winning a takeover battle. In this article, I will take a closer look more »
Why Inflation Is a Problem and the Hidden Bubble it's Creating

By Bob Chandler - March 27, 2013 | Tickers: AEE, MRO, SH, VOD

Many economists fear that the Federal Reserve's unprecedented asset buying program may cause an inflation problem in the future. While that may be true, what seems to be ignored is that there is a current inflation problem. Worse, the problem is also creating a hidden bubble that, when bursts, could severely crimp stock prices.

The current inflation problem

The main issue with inflation is the compounding spread between the more »
What Does the Deal Between Ameren and Dynegy Mean for Them

By Anh HOANG - March 20, 2013 | Tickers: AEE, D

Recently, Dynegy (NYSE: DYN) agreed to buy the merchant generation business Ameren Energy Resources (AER), from the power company Ameren (NYSE: AEE) for around $900 million, including around $180 million in tax benefits. Interestingly, the deal does not involve any cash or stock issuance, as Dynegy will undertake around $825 million in debt with the acquisition of Genco, AER’s subsidiary. Is the deal better off for both Dynegy and more »
Exelon: An Income Play With Sturdy Legs

By Douglas Ehrman - August 31, 2012 | Tickers: AEE, AEP, DUK, EXC, PPL

With U.S. Treasuries yielding less than 2%, investors have been hard pressed to find yield, often looking to high-dividend stocks. The obvious danger here is that one will focus on the dividend and miss the value-trap that the stock itself represents. One company with a strong dividend yield and a solid base for price appreciation is Exelon Corp. (NYSE: EXC).

While Exelon’s fundamental statistics are not perfect, they more »
Sneak Peak of the New Kingsview Asset Management Leveraged Utility Strategy

By Jeff Stouffer - August 20, 2012 | Tickers: AEE, FE, HE

Kingsview Asset Management (KVAM), a state registered investment advisor, will soon be introducing to its clients another program that applies the same principals as the leverage REIT program.

The KVAM Leverage Utility Strategy is based on seeking undervalued utility stocks, using low cost margin to increase the buying power, hold a greater number of shares, and use the dividends collected to pay down the margin balance. The simple rule of more »
A Dividend Aristocrat For How Long?

By Chad Henage - August 14, 2012 | Tickers: AEE, EXC, GXP, UGI

This year, 14 new dividend aristocrats were named. One of these companies was UGI Corporation (NYSE: UGI), which is both a natural gas and electricity supplier as well as a propane distributor. These businesses traditionally are fairly stable, and I'm certain this stability has led to the company's ability to increase its dividend for at least 25 years. However, there is one glaring weakness in this new dividend aristocrat that makes me question how long the company will retain this new title.
An Underdog to Wager on

By Palwasha Saaim - August 1, 2012 | Tickers: AEE, AEP, D, DUK, EXC

Twice ranked as no. 1 in the last two years by Forbes, this S&P 500 utility company has an undervalued stock. The company was able to beat earnings forecast in 3 out of the past 4 quarters. Its average earnings surprise for the last four quarters is an admirable positive 2.3%. It may have lagged slightly behind the forecasted $0.63, returning an EPS of $0.61 today, but today's earnings miss is only a small speed bump along the company's smoother journey that lies ahead.
3 Companies Ready to Beat the Market

By Michael French - January 29, 2012 | Tickers: AEE, AEO, CNP, DUK, DRE

2011 ended with lingering fears of global and US growth. So far, I have seen very little to lift the markets. The European crisis is expected to negatively impact the global economy. Domestic growth in the US is being revised down and the foreclosure crisis is expected to continue for some time. The number of new foreclosures dropped sharply in 2011. This decline is due primarily to moratoriums and reviews more »
3 Stocks To Beat This Uncertain Market, 1 To Avoid

By Christopher French - January 24, 2012 | Tickers: AEE, BAC, DUK, F

The year started off with a bang, or did it? The S&P (SPY) is up roughly 60 points since the end of 2012 but conviction seems to be lacking. The volume levels on the three major indexes have been below average at best. The European debt crisis is still looming over the markets. The economies of Greece and Portugal are both expected to contract by 3% or more this more »