Utility investors' long-term performance is highly dependent on their service location. Most utility companies' performances are largely dependent on several vital factors including: the amount of regulated profit it can generate; underlying economic and population growth; ability of management to generate above-average returns for shareholders. Too few investors spend the time and effort to appreciate what I believe is the most important investment consideration: regulatory environment under which each utility operates.
At the top of my utility due diligence research list is a review of the regulatory environment controlling the profitability of firms in their