Topic: How To Invest

Pat: What is your opinion of Williams Cos. as a defensive income holding, and what do you think of Enterprise Products Partners? Thank you.

Article Excerpt

Williams Cos., $44.04, symbol WMB on New York (Shares outstanding: 685.4 million; Market cap: $30.2 billion; co.williams.com), gathers, processes and transports natural gas throughout the U.S. It also provides gas-marketing services. The long-term outlook for energy transporters like Williams is positive, due to rising demand for infrastructure to transport oil and gas from U.S. shale regions. As well, two activist hedge funds have taken positions in the company. These investors are pressing for seats on the board of directors and other changes, including the possibility of Williams participating in partnerships with other firms and looking for other ways to increase shareholder value. However, low profit margins on natural gas liquids processing will probably slow Williams’ earnings growth this year and into 2015. The stock also trades at a high 38.3 times this year’s forecast earnings of $1.15 a share. It yields 3.7%. We don’t recommend Williams Cos. A: Enterprise Products Partners L.P., $73.21, symbol EPD on New York (Shares outstanding: 935.7 million; Market cap: $68.6…