These Infrastructure Stocks Pay Great Dividends. This podcast includes the following articles: “3 High-Yield Infrastructure Stocks to Buy in March,” by Daniel Foelber, Scott Levine, and Lee Samaha; “Investors should buy these dividend stocks for the green revolution!” By Dr. James Fox; and “Top 10 solar companies and what they do,” by Mariam Ahmad. Plus

Transcript & Links, Episode 101, March 10, 2023

Hello, Ron Robins here. Welcome to podcast episode 101 and published on March 10, 2023, titled “These Infrastructure Stocks Pay Great Dividends.” It’s presented by Investing for the Soul. Investingforthesoul.com is your site for vital global ethical and sustainable investing mentoring, news, commentary, information, and resources.

Remember that you can find a full transcript, and links to content – including stock symbols and bonus material – on this episode’s podcast page located at investingforthesoul.com/podcasts.

Now if any terms are unfamiliar to you, simply Google them.

Also, a reminder. I do not evaluate any of the stocks or funds mentioned in these podcasts, nor do I receive any compensation from anyone covered in these podcasts. Furthermore, I will reveal to you any personal investments I have in the investments mentioned herein.

Additionally, quotes about individual companies are brief so that I can get as many companies covered as possible in the time allowed. Please go to this podcast’s webpage for links to the actual articles for more company and stock information. Also, some companies might be covered more than once and there are also 2 article links below that time didn’t allow me to review them here.

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1) These Infrastructure Stocks Pay Great Dividends

In these volatile markets, many ESG stock analysts are focused on dividend yields. So, here’s the first of two articles with this theme. This one is titled 3 High-Yield Infrastructure Stocks to Buy in March by Daniel Foelber, Scott Levine, and Lee Samaha. Found on fool.com. Here are some quotes by the authors on each of their picks. Note the last one, Kinder Morgan might be a controversial pick for some ESG-focused investors. Quote…

“Here’s why all three dividend stocks are worth considering now.

1. Scott Levine recommends Brookfield Infrastructure Partners (NYSE: BIP)

…There are various infrastructure stocks that investors can choose from to help construct a better portfolio (and)… Fortunately, there’s Brookfield Infrastructure and its 4.5% forward dividend yield.

With a presence that stretches across five continents, Brookfield Infrastructure operates a massive portfolio of infrastructure assets, including data, utilities, midstream, and transportation. The allure of this business model for income investors is that these assets provide Brookfield Infrastructure with steady and increasing cash flows. Over the past 10 years… Brookfield Infrastructure has grown its funds from operations at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 11%.

… Since 2012, when it returned $0.60 per unit to investors, Brookfield Infrastructure has increased its distribution at a CAGR of 9%… During a recent investor presentation, management reaffirmed its ongoing target of increasing its distribution 5% to 9% annually.

2. Lee Samaha picks Caterpillar (NYSE: CAT)

… High energy and mining commodity prices are good news for Caterpillar’s mining and oil and gas equipment. Meanwhile, the residential market accounts for only 25% of Caterpillar’s construction machinery sales… Caterpillar has heavy exposure to infrastructure spending, and its construction equipment is also used in the energy industry… Caterpillar’s resource industries segment isn’t just about mining equipment; the segment encompasses machinery for the aggregates used in road building and infrastructure projects…

In addition, management is growing Caterpillar’s services sales as a share of its revenue… 

Management acknowledges the cyclicality in its earnings and aims for $4 billion to $8 billion in machinery energy and transportation free cash flow. The low end of the target is significantly more than needed to pay the current cash dividend of $2.4 billion… and Caterpillar looks able to increase its dividend for many years to come.

3. Daniel Foelber likes Kinder Morgan (NYSE: KMI)

… the first thing that stands out is the high dividend yield of 6.4%…

Over the past 10 years, Kinder Morgan has been a market-underperforming stock and cut its dividend by 75% in 2015 in response to an oil and gas downturn.

As glaring as these two red flags are, the company is far different today… The Kinder Morgan of today generates gobs of free cash flow and has an incredibly healthy balance sheet that isn’t overly dependent on debt.

The company makes money by building infrastructure its customers use to transport and store natural gas, oil, carbon dioxide, and more.” End quotes.

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2) These Infrastructure Stocks Pay Great Dividends

Now this second article focusing on dividends is from the UK with their stock picks having listings on the London Stock Exchange. It’s titled Investors should buy these dividend stocks for the green revolution! It’s by Dr. James Fox and found on uk.finance.yahoo.com. Now some quotes by Dr. Fox. He says…

“I’ve become increasingly keen on three renewable trusts with strong yields and I’ve actually bought all of them.

(This) post… appeared first on The Motley Fool UK site.” End quotes.

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Top 10 solar companies and what they do

Now back to the solar sector with this article titled Top 10 solar companies and what they do by Mariam Ahmad and seen on energydigital.com. Ms. Ahmad made brief remarks on each of her 11 picks – though the headline says 10 stocks. Some of her quotes are below.

“Energy Digital Magazine ranks the world’s top 10 solar companies…

10. Maxeon Solar Technologies (NASDAQ: MAXN)

Market cap: $775 mn

With headquarters in Singapore and a global presence in over 100 markets, Maxeon Solar Technologies is a company that specialises in the production and sale of solar energy products, including solar cells, modules, microinverters, and storage solutions…

Maxeon Solar Technologies has a proven track record in the solar power industry. The company boasts established supply, sales, and installer channels worldwide that allow for reduced costs to consumers.

9. Canadian Solar Inc (NASDAQ: CSIQ)

Market cap: $2.52 bn

Founded by Dr. Shawn Qu in 2001, and based in Guelph, Canada, Canadian Solar Inc. has a cumulative delivery of over 75 GW of solar modules to thousands of customers in more than 160 countries. Canadian Solar has the capacity to meet the clean energy needs of around 17.7 million households.

Canadian Solar’s products are used in a wide range of applications, from residential and commercial buildings to utility-scale solar power plants. 

8. SMA Solar Technology (XETR: S92)

Market cap: $2.53 bn

SMA Solar Technology is a German company that specialises in the development and production of solar inverters and monitoring systems for solar power plants. The company was founded in 1981 and has since become a leading provider of solar technology worldwide.

SMA’s products include inverters for residential, commercial, and utility-scale solar systems, as well as monitoring and control systems that enable users to optimise their solar power generation.

7. JinkoSolar Holding Co. (NYSE: JKS)

Market cap: $2.64bn

JinkoSolar is a Chinese holding company that operates through its subsidiaries and specialises in the production of solar cells, modules, and other solar energy-related materials. It is considered one of the top global producers of solar panels… The company serves customers in various regions, including China, the U.S., Europe, the Middle East, and South America.

In 2022, JinkoSolar experienced significant growth, with its quarterly module shipments globally doubling year-over-year, and shipments to China increasing five-fold during the same period.

(Second #)7. SunPower Corporation (NASDAQ: SPWR)

Market cap: $2.60 bn

With a presence in all 50 states in the U.S., Sunpower Corp specialises in designing solar solutions for residential properties. In 2022, the company achieved a remarkable 63% year-over-year growth rate, resulting in a corresponding increase in revenue.

Sunpower’s growth is expected to continue in 2023, as it has partnered with General Motors to be the exclusive installer of electrical vehicle chargers for the company. Furthermore, the company forecasts a two-fold increase in market growth through 2025, indicating a promising future for Sunpower.

6. Sharp Solar (Other OTC: SHCAY)

Market cap: $4.86 bn

What started off as a small subsidiary has now grown to be a leading player in the solar energy space, with offices in over 100 countries and more than 8,000 employees. Sharp Solar offers a wide range of solar panel products, including monocrystalline and polycrystalline solar panels, as well as solar tiles and building-integrated photovoltaic solutions. The company’s solar panels are designed to be highly efficient and durable, with a focus on quality and reliability…

Sharp Solar also offers a range of energy storage solutions, including lithium-ion battery systems for residential and commercial applications. 

5. Solaredge Technologies Inc (NASDAQ: SEDG)

Market cap: $17.61 bn

Israeli company SolarEdge was established in 2006, and has transformed the solar industry through innovative solutions that enhance energy efficiency and optimise production.

The company offers a range of products and services, including solar inverters for photovoltaic arrays, software for monitoring energy generation, battery energy storage products, and other related offerings. These products and services are available to residential, commercial, and industrial customers…

The company has established offices in Germany, Italy, Japan, and the United States.

The company’s pioneering inventions include Power Optimisers, all-in-one inverters, and tailored solutions that cater to the demands of diverse residential and commercial markets.

4. First Solar Inc (NASDAQ: FSLR)

Market cap: $17.71 bn

Headquartered in Tempe, Arizona, First Solar is a global provider of solar energy services that aims to make solar energy affordable and accessible to homeowners and businesses. The company’s focus on high-efficiency solar panels has enabled it to generate more electricity from each panel than its competitors, making it one of the world’s most efficient solar companies and one of the largest solar panel manufacturers globally.

First Solar is a vertically integrated manufacturer that specialises in designing, producing, and installing PV systems for commercial, industrial, and utility customers. The company’s solar panels use thin film technology, which provides greater flexibility than traditional crystalline silicon panels, while also being more efficient.

3. Kyocera Solar (6971.T)

Market cap: $20.71 bn

Kyocera Solar is a division of Kyocera Corporation, a Japanese multinational electronics and ceramics manufacturer. Kyocera Solar was founded in 1975 as a pioneer in solar energy, and today it offers a range of high-quality solar products for both residential and commercial applications.

In addition, the company offers solar-powered household appliances and energy storage solutions.

2. Enphase Energy Inc (NASDAQ: ENPH)

Market cap: $28.65 bn

Having installed more than 52 million microinverters on over 2.7 million homes in over 145 countries, Enphase, established in 2006, revolutionised the solar industry by introducing microinverter technology, which converts sunlight into a reliable energy source. 

Enphase solar panels are high-efficiency panels that are built using high-quality materials and advanced manufacturing techniques. The panels are available in both monocrystalline and polycrystalline configurations and are designed to work with Enphase’s microinverter technology to maximise energy production.

1. LONGi Green Technology Co. Ltd (601012.SS)

Market cap: $338.97 bn

(Is) a Chinese company that specialises in the research, development, and manufacturing of solar photovoltaic (PV) products. The company was founded in 2000 and is headquartered in Xi’an, China.

LONGi Solar is one of the world’s largest manufacturers of monocrystalline silicon wafers, cells, and modules, with a total module shipment volume of over 30 GW in 2021. The company is known for its high-efficiency solar products, including its monocrystalline solar panels, which have some of the highest conversion rates in the industry.

The company’s products are used in a variety of applications, including residential, commercial, and utility-scale solar power systems, and have a global presence, with operations in China, Japan, the United States, Germany, India, Malaysia and other countries.” End quotes.

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Now some other Honorable Mentions – no particular order

1. Title: Two funds for the sustainable food transition on esgclarity.com. By Tara Clee.

2. Title: 13 Most Profitable Renewable Energy Stocks on yahoo.com. By Aima Zaheer.

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Ending Comment

Well, these are my top news stories with their stock and fund tips — for this 101 podcast: “These Infrastructure Stocks Pay Great Dividends.”

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Talk to you next on March 24th.

Bye for now.

© 2023 Ron Robins, Investing for the Soul