Investing in utilities is the domain of the disciplined investor who possesses clearly defined, long-range goals - and is patient enough to reach them. Accordingly Plugging into Utilities bypasses the chase of the "sure thing" or the elusive "high yield" in favor of a no-nonsense investment strategy devised to achieve your financial goals while controlling risk.Author and well-known investment expert Donald Cassidy first maps out a typical utility investment program, then guides you in customizing your own master plan by detailing the pros and cons of every available utilities investment vehicle, including: Common stocks, Bonds, Preferred stocks, Dividend-reinvestment plans, Mutual funds, and Closed-end utility funds.Plugging into Utilities also demonstrates how to use your master plan to achieve maximum total return - not through big gains but simply by avoiding big losses. This step-by-step guide covers all of the hands-on strategies and tactics needed to execute a formula for success, including: The master utility-dividend signal system; Riding interest rate cycles for maximum gains; When to buy, when to sell - and why; Relative yield as a key signal; Avoiding the trap of local investing; and Shielding dividend income from taxes.Finally, readers will learn how to contend with the temptation to divert funds into high-risk alternatives (that look attractive), will see the importance of making investment contributions on schedule, and will learn to follow prudent rules for liquidating positions when there are problems. In short, Plugging into Utilities provides all of the support needed for the most critical element of your investment plan: your ability to stick with it! Read Less