Q: Dear Pat: In view of the world’s increasing electrification, I would be grateful for your analysis of Glencore Xstrata. It mines several metals used in the production and transmission of electricity. Thanks again for your invaluable advice.

A: Glencore Xstrata plc Holdings (ADR), $4.99, symbol GLCNF on the U.S. over-the-counter market (ADRs outstanding: 14.4 billion; Market cap: $73.1 billion; www.glencore.com), is an Anglo–Swiss multinational commodity-trading and mining company headquartered in Baar, Switzerland. The business is officially registered in Saint Helier, Jersey, while… Read More

High-yielding MLPs not for everyone

Low interest rates have spurred strong investor interest in these two high-yielding master limited partnerships (MLPs).

Both have strong businesses that give them lots of cash flow for distributions. However, we feel Cedar Fair (see box) is the better choice, because Buckeye’s aggressive growth-by-acquisition strategy… Read More

BUCKEYE PARTNERS L.P. $77 – New York symbol BPL

BUCKEYE PARTNERS L.P. $77 (New York symbol BPL; Income Portfolio, Utilities sector; Units outstanding: 127.0 million; Market cap: $9.8 billion; Price-to-sales ratio: 1.5; Dividend yield: 5.9%; TSINetwork Rating: Average; www.buckeye.com) operates over 9,600 kilometres of pipelines in the northeastern and midwestern U.S. Its network pumps… Read More