Core Viewpoint - Black Hills Corp. has filed a rate review application with the Nebraska Public Service Commission, seeking an increase of $34.9 million in annual revenue to cover capital infrastructure and operational costs for its natural gas utility serving over 304,000 customers in Nebraska [1][3]. Financial Summary - The company has invested over $453 million since its last general rate filing in 2020 to enhance safety, reliability, and system integrity of its natural gas pipeline infrastructure [2]. - The total annual base rate revenue increase requested is $53.4 million, which includes the $34.9 million in new revenue and an additional $18.5 million of rider revenue [3]. - The capital structure proposed in the application consists of 50.52% equity and 49.48% debt, with a targeted return on equity of 10.50% [3]. Operational Insights - The application includes a request to renew the System Safety and Integrity Rider (SSIR) to facilitate accelerated, safety-focused pipeline replacement across Nebraska [4]. - The company emphasizes its commitment to providing safe and reliable natural gas service while managing costs in an inflationary environment [3]. Company Overview - Black Hills Corp. is a growth-oriented utility company based in Rapid City, South Dakota, serving 1.35 million natural gas and electric utility customers across eight states [5].

Core Viewpoint - Dividend investors should consider energy companies for high yields, as they provide essential services and have a history of increasing dividends [1][8] Group 1: Black Hills - Black Hills (BKH) serves approximately 1.35 million customers across several states and offers a 4.5% dividend yield, having increased its dividend for 55 consecutive years [2][3] - The company's customer growth rate is nearly three times that of the U.S. population growth, supported by a $4.7 billion capital investment budget [3] - Management anticipates earnings growth of 4% to 6% year-over-year, which should support continued dividend increases [3] Group 2: Chevron - Chevron (CVX) provides a 4.9% dividend yield and has increased its dividend for 38 consecutive years, outperforming the average energy stock yield of 3.1% [4][5] - The company's diversified business model includes upstream, midstream, and downstream operations, which helps mitigate the volatility of oil prices [5] - Chevron maintains a low debt-to-equity ratio of approximately 0.15%, allowing flexibility to manage debt regardless of oil price fluctuations [5] Group 3: Enterprise Products Partners - Enterprise Products Partners (EPD) operates a significant midstream business in North America, focusing on pipelines and storage, with a distribution yield of 6.8% [6][7] - The company has increased its distribution for 26 consecutive years, supported by a $7.6 billion capital investment plan [7] - Distributable cash flow covered the distribution by 1.7 times in 2024, providing a buffer against potential downturns [7]

Group 1: Investment Themes - Warren Buffett's investment decisions are closely monitored due to the strong performance of Berkshire Hathaway [1] - High-yield stocks that align with Buffett's investment themes include midstream energy, utilities, and banks [1] Group 2: Midstream Energy Sector - Berkshire Hathaway has a significant presence in the midstream energy sector, which offers more consistent revenue and earnings compared to oil production [2] - Enbridge (ENB) is highlighted as a midstream investment opportunity, offering a 5.7% dividend yield supported by a $15 billion capital spending plan through 2029 [3][4] Group 3: Utility Sector - Utilities are characterized by regulated growth and monopolistic positions, making them resilient during economic downturns [5] - Black Hills (BKH) is presented as a utility option with a 4.4% yield and a history of 55 annual dividend increases, benefiting from a growing customer base [6] Group 4: Banking Sector - Toronto-Dominion Bank (TD) is suggested as a potential investment, currently yielding approximately 4.8%, despite facing challenges in its U.S. division due to regulatory issues [7][8] - The bank's growth is temporarily limited by an asset cap related to past money laundering issues, but these problems are being addressed [9] Group 5: Investment Strategy - Investors are encouraged to learn from Buffett's strategies rather than replicate them exactly, focusing on high-yield opportunities in midstream and utility sectors, as well as considering TD Bank as a turnaround investment [10]

Warren Buffett uses Berkshire Hathaway as his investment vehicle, with the conglomerate buying and selling stocks and entire companies. Investors can get ideas by examining Berkshire's portfolio of investments, both public and private. One big investment area for Buffett is utilities. You can easily invest in well-run utilities, too, and here's a particularly attractive option for doing that right now. Black Hills is a Dividend King What sets Black Hills (BKH -0.53%) apart from most of its peers is its impr ...

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Company Overview - Black Hills Corp. is a customer-focused, growth-oriented utility company based in Rapid City, South Dakota, serving 1.35 million natural gas and electric utility customers across eight states: Arkansas, Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, South Dakota, and Wyoming [4]. Upcoming Earnings Announcement - Black Hills Corp. will announce its 2025 first-quarter earnings after the market closes on May 7, 2025 [1]. - A live conference call and webcast to discuss the financial results will take place at 11 a.m. EDT on May 8, 2025 [1]. Participation Details - Participants can join the live broadcast by phone and ask questions after registering, with dial-in information provided upon registration [2]. - A listen-only webcast will be available, along with presentation slides, and a replay of the broadcast will be accessible for up to one year on the company's investor relations website [3].

Core Viewpoint - The stock market is experiencing turbulence due to concerns about tariffs impacting the global economy, which could lead to a recession and further declines in stock prices [1] Group 1: Black Hills (BKH) - Black Hills is considered a foundational dividend stock, attractive due to the essential nature of utilities and the regulatory monopolies they hold [3] - The company has a strong track record with over 50 consecutive annual dividend increases, qualifying it as a Dividend King, and offers a dividend yield of 4.4%, significantly higher than the S&P 500's 1.2% [5] - Black Hills projects earnings growth of 4% to 6% annually, with dividend growth expected to align with earnings, supported by an investment-grade-rated balance sheet [6][7] Group 2: Enbridge (ENB) - Enbridge has a remarkable history of paying dividends for over 70 years, with a 30-year streak of increasing payouts, making it a model dividend stock [8] - The company generates 98% of its earnings from stable, contracted assets, allowing it to maintain predictable revenue and achieve its financial guidance consistently [9] - Enbridge plans to grow its cash flow per share by 3% annually through next year and about 5% per year after 2026, with a current dividend yield exceeding 7% [11] Group 3: Enterprise Products Partners (EPD) - Enterprise Products Partners is highlighted for its ability to provide a steady stream of passive income, having increased its dividend for 26 consecutive years despite market volatility [12][13] - The company has nearly $6 billion in major projects under construction, including pipeline expansions, which are expected to enhance cash flows and support dividend growth [14] - Enterprise Products has generated record net income and distributable cash flow in 2024, indicating strong financial health and the capacity to maintain and grow dividends [15][16]

Group 1: Dividend Kings Overview - Dividend Kings are companies that have increased their dividend payouts for at least five decades, indicating strong business plans and execution in various market conditions [1] - Companies highlighted as potential investments include Nucor, Black Hills, and Stanley Black & Decker, each serving different niches in an investment portfolio [2] Group 2: Nucor - Nucor's stock has declined over a third since early 2024, primarily due to weakening industry conditions in the cyclical steel market rather than internal issues [3][4] - The company is undergoing a $10 billion capital investment plan, positioning itself to emerge stronger when steel prices recover [5] - Nucor offers a 1.7% dividend yield, appealing to investors interested in industry leaders despite the current market challenges [6] Group 3: Black Hills - Black Hills boasts a 4.5% dividend yield, making it an attractive option for yield-seeking investors [7] - The company serves 1.35 million customers across several states, with customer growth nearly three times the U.S. population growth rate, supporting future earnings growth of 4% to 6% annually [9] - Black Hills is characterized by steady growth, making it a reliable utility investment with a market cap of $4 billion [8][9] Group 4: Stanley Black & Decker - Stanley Black & Decker is undergoing a turnaround after an acquisition spree that led to high leverage and a complex product portfolio [10] - Despite challenges, the company has maintained its dividend streak, although the growth rate has slowed [11] - Adjusted earnings have started to rise again in 2024, indicating a potential inflection point, though 2025 may present challenges due to global economic uncertainty [12] - The company is seen as a turnaround story, appealing to investors willing to take on risk for potential rewards [13] Group 5: Conclusion on Dividend Kings - Nucor, Black Hills, and Stanley Black & Decker represent diverse investment opportunities within the Dividend Kings category, catering to different investor preferences [14]

Core Points - Black Hills Corp.'s electric utility subsidiary in Colorado received approval for new rates from the Colorado Public Utilities Commission, allowing recovery of approximately $370 million in system investments since the last general rate filing in 2016 [1][2] - The new rates are expected to generate approximately $17.0 million in new annual revenues, based on a weighted average cost of capital of 6.90% and a capital structure of 47% to 49% equity and 51% to 53% debt [2] - The new rates became effective on March 22, 2025, and the company has until April 7, 2025, to file a request for rehearing or reconsideration with the commission [2] Company Overview - Black Hills Corp. is a customer-focused, growth-oriented utility company based in Rapid City, South Dakota, serving 1.35 million natural gas and electric utility customers across eight states: Arkansas, Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, South Dakota, and Wyoming [3]

Group 1 - The article discusses the investment group The Dividend Kings, which aims to help investors safeguard and grow their money through high-quality dividend investments [2] - The team of analysts associated with The Dividend Kings provides resources such as model portfolios, buy ideas, and company research reports to assist members in making informed investment decisions [2] - The article emphasizes the importance of intelligent investing in dividend stocks, highlighting the community aspect where readers can learn from each other [2] Group 2 - The article includes a disclosure stating that the author has a beneficial long position in the shares of specific companies, indicating a vested interest in the performance of those stocks [2] - It clarifies that the opinions expressed may not reflect those of the broader platform, Seeking Alpha, and that the analysts involved may not be licensed or certified [3]