Stocks

Aquila Inc. is maintaining its previously set 25% growth target for the year despite the downturn in energy stocks and the continuing regulatory and legislative tirade against western power generators and marketers. By remaining geographically diverse across the United States, Aquila executives said they effectively eliminate concentration risk.

With legislative action at a standstill, the California PublicUtilities Commission (CPUC) may pick up the ball and run with it.CPUC President Loretta Lynch said Monday the commission will votetoday on a 30% electric retail rate increase (3 cents/kWh) goingforward and three other measures designed to stabilize thecash-strapped investor-owned utilities and assure power supplieswill continue to flow.

Merrill Lynch urged investors in energy marketing stocks to “proceed with caution” during this period of “finger pointing” in California. “Outrageous claims and ignorance appear to be the themes of the day,” the Wall Street analysts said in a bulletin titled “Santa Claus, the Tooth Fairy and Leprechauns Do Exist – Just Ask California.”

Merrill Lynch urged investors in energy marketing stocks to”proceed with caution” during this period of “finger pointing” inCalifornia. “Outrageous claims and ignorance appear to be thethemes of the day,” the Wall Street analysts said in a bulletintitled “Santa Claus, the Tooth Fairy and Leprechauns Do Exist -Just Ask California.”

As the dot.com stocks begin to lose a “little bit of theirluster,” Wall Street investors quickly are setting their sights oncompanies that are involved in the development of fuel-celltechnology for the energy market, as well as the individualutilities that are “embracing” the new technology.

As the dot.com stocks begin to lose a “little bit of theirluster,” Wall Street investors quickly are setting their sights oncompanies that are involved in the production of fuel-celltechnology for the energy market, as well as the individualutilities that are “embracing” the new technology, a Wall Streetanalyst says.