Miller/Howard said that for most of the first quarter, its returns in this portfolio "were far less negative than the broader market." A few of its other picks: CMS Energy (CMS), Northeast Utilities (NU), Abbott Labs (ABT), Genuine Parts (CPC), McCormick (MKC), Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMY), Thomson Reuters (TRI) and American Water Works (AWK). As for the kinds of stocks it favors, the firm says, "We continue to believe that companies with a recurring business model, financial strength, protected and durable markets, and a continuing partnership with investors in the form of dividends are the right place to be in a world where certainty and visibility are, broadly speaking, as low as we can remember."

And it adds, "When a company raises dividends today, in an environment where there is so little competitive or peer pressure to raise, we think it speaks volumes about the company's true situation, its true prospects, its true view of shareholders, and the decisiveness and boldness of management."

Increased their dividend by 40% to 0.125 per share. payable on Feb. 27 to shareholders of record on Feb. 6.

18% gas & oil combined

Within the electric sector, Citigroup's Gordon favors companies like American Electric Power, PG&E, CMS Energy and Wisconsin Energy, which have relatively low dividend yields, low dividend-payout ratios and good earnings prospects. The dividend-payout ratio is the percentage of profits paid out in dividends.

CMS Energy Corporation

Upgraded by Wachovia from Mkt Perform to Outperform

promising

Valuation

Sunk along with Enron, however it's on a come back. I'm holding on.

No Growth

low div

no div to sreak of

invested outside U.S while not knowning how to do business in Mich