Credit Suisse analyst David Zion cautions that actual costs will differ in some cases from the firm's estimates, due to differing assumptions about amortization rates, interest rates, asset returns and other key factors. The biggest difference may be the presumed rate of return on assets, as the average pension portfolio was about 60% in stocks last year. FirstEnergy (FE), for instance, expects to take a 29-cent charge in 2009 related to pension costs, according to a spokeswoman for the Ohio utility, while Credit Suisse estimates the impact could be closer to 42 cents a share.

11/5/2008

Its nuclear plants and increasing deregulation of its operations should help FirstEnergy prosper. Some fans see its shares rising by more than 15% over the next year.

8/5/2008

Sustained Growth

FANTASTIC COMPANY

"If you powered up your portfolio, you'd be up more than 20% in the past year." - Dec 19th

"FirstEnergy's new 55-cents-a-share quarterly gives the stock, which set a 52-week high Friday approaching 75, a 2.94% yield. The respective payment and record dates are March 1 and Feb. 7, and the ex-dividend date is Feb. 5."

right place right time

"Come December 18, directors of Dow Jones utilities component FirstEnergy (FE) are expected to approve a 10% dividend hike, to 55 cents a share from 50 cents. At the stock's current price of 73.30 (almost its 52-week high), it would yield 3%. The new payout, which would be distributed in March, would mark the fifth increase since 2005, for a 47% surge over that time. Dividends have been paid without interruption since 1930."

Thought that it was going to really do well but it just sat there like a stuck pig.