Common stock dividend

The Dividend Bust?

A close look at the effect of the dividend tax cut reveals a disappointing investor reaction.

Utilities have been thought of as income stocks, providing among the highest levels of dividend payout in the U.S. economy. Therefore, in theory, utility investors would have much to gain from a substantial dividend tax reduction. But utility investors have not responded as one might have expected.

Rate Cut Depend on Stranded Costs, Time

A new report from the Department of Energy may confirm what many in the electric industry have said all along: That while stranded costs could dissolve some short-term gains from competition, in the long term, consumers will still come out ahead.

"I'm surprised and delighted that the same EIA, which once wrongly predicted price hikes from natural gas deregulation, now confirms what we've been saying all along," said Rep. Tom Bliley (R-Va.).