Updating our current recommendations on Alliant Energy Corp., Quaker Chemical Corp., Wal-Mart Stores Inc. and Washington Federal Inc.

Article Excerpt

ALLIANT ENERGY CORP. $29 (New York symbol LNT; Income Portfolio, Utilities sector; Shares outstanding: 110.5 million; Market cap: $3.2 billion; Price-to-sales ratio: 0.8; WSSF Rating: Average) expects that it earned $2.65 a share in 2008. However, earnings for 2009 will likely drop to between $2.18 and $2.48 a share as the slowing economy has hurt electricity demand. The stock now trades at a reasonable 12.4 times the midpoint of that range. Despite the weaker forecast, Alliant increased its quarterly dividend by 7.1%, from $0.35 a share to $0.375. The new annual rate of $1.50 yields 5.2%. Alliant Energy is a buy. QUAKER CHEMICAL CORP. $13 (New York symbol KWR; Income Portfolio, Manufacturing & Industry sector; Shares outstanding: 10.8 million; Market cap: $140.4 million; Price-to-sales ratio: 0.2; WSSF Rating: Average) plans to cut 10% of its workforce, as the slowing economy has hurt demand for its industrial lubricants and chemicals. Severance and other costs will total $3 million. That’s equal to half of…