Westar Energy, Inc. (WR)

DonnerDiv (53.92) Submitted: 11/11/2009 5:52:55 PM : Start Price: $20.03 WR Score: +2.49

Income

jawilde (75.79) Submitted: 8/25/2009 9:30:10 AM : Start Price: $20.29 WR Score: -5.48

Great Total Return potential. Bought for my personal account and will track using caps.

FOOLFULY (46.95) Submitted: 8/11/2009 7:49:01 PM : Start Price: $19.72 WR Score: -6.86

100

QwertyHero (53.35) Submitted: 6/18/2009 2:40:05 PM : Start Price: $18.43 WR Score: -8.87

I've always felt that the West has a greater energy then the the East, North and even South. That's why I bought this company. I hope I am richer than all of you someday. But don't worry, I will let you work for me and teach my children kids how to use the toilet.

Have a great day!

dubblebubbler (< 20) Submitted: 6/15/2009 5:09:50 PM : Start Price: $18.03 WR Score: -5.34

This has become my favorite utility stock. At $17.14...the stock has a 7% dividend and trades at a nearly 16% discount to book. PEG and payout ratio are both high but it's a ute. Go for it under $18...I know I will.

dirtpoorfool (22.07) Submitted: 3/12/2009 5:30:12 PM : Start Price: $15.51 WR Score: -14.84

One of the few companies that has actually INCREASED their dividend during these tough times. I thought this one was worth a roll of the dice.

corpblues (98.62) Submitted: 3/3/2009 12:34:00 PM : Start Price: $14.86 WR Score: -20.85

Value makes WR a potential takeover target

woodruffdavid (63.49) Submitted: 1/20/2009 9:45:53 PM : Start Price: $18.78 WR Score: -27.18

This stock is included in the Morningstar "Dividend Portfolio," which I use as my core stock group. I highly suggest anyone interested in dividend income take a look at this grouping of quality income producing stocks.

valari25 (< 20) Submitted: 1/2/2009 7:41:48 PM : Start Price: $18.12 WR Score: -24.34

5.7% yield, well covered, slow but steady dividend growth.

LuvABear (45.62) Submitted: 3/22/2008 3:07:02 PM : Start Price: $21.47 WR Score: +10.01

Would have been a better buy at $20, But I still expect an increase of another 20% in the next couple months.

scollier67 (39.93) Submitted: 3/17/2008 3:17:04 PM : Start Price: $20.89 WR Score: +8.76

Good defensive stock

NicieNicie (84.85) Submitted: 7/12/2007 6:26:08 PM : Start Price: $21.76 WR Score: +19.36

The kind of stock I wish we had more of: nice, mid-sized, Kansas-based supplier of energy; profitable, too small to entertain "Imperial ambitions," too large to worry to much about being swallowed by other regional companies -- besides, who's gonna do it? Aquila (ILA)?

Stock seems reasonably priced for its field. Utilities, even relatively traditional (core regulated) ones like WR, are pretty jiggy right now. Institutions these days are looking for a little higher but still reliable return; yet there is something like a trickle (not a rush) back to quality companies. I consider WR a buy-and-hold.

jmweese (79.44) Submitted: 4/30/2007 9:23:04 PM : Start Price: $23.79 WR Score: +7.93

I really like Western Resources but I liked it much more about 4 years ago when it was only about $10 a share. After quickly browsing its annual report, I believe Western Resources will outperform the market in the near term. However, I see a major weakness in their alternative energy sector. Western Resources is well positioned to use wind energy (come on, where better for wind than Kansas or Western Kansas) but it is slow to expand into that area. Additionally, I wonder the effects the continued push for “greener” sources of power will have on the company. Review its assets and you see plants built in the 1960s and 70s and probably are not the most efficient. A Democratic president and congress that pass a number of global warming bills will hurt small operators like Western Resources.

Pros:

- Good dividend, decent return on investment.

- Located in Kansas which is good for wind (and not just from the Statehouse).

- Faces increased demand for electricity.

- Owns rights to some energy produced by Wolf Creek Nuclear Power Plant.

- Provides limited electrical capacity to the larger rural communities in Western Kansas.

- Building a couple of “cleaner” gas fired power plants.

Cons:

- Generates 54.5% (as of 2006) of its power from coal. On one hand, that is good for business but if the environmentalists start complaining and passing laws…WR could have substantial costs associated with cleaning up.

- Raising costs of input (natural gas and oil).

- Faces ongoing legal trouble with the former thieves who ran the company. Although immaterial, one wonders if current management will ever let such “wonderful” professional managers return. Additionally, look at insider trading…the current managers have been dumping their stock. To me, a sign of overvaluation.

- Located in Kansas which faces a shrinking population

Personally, I like the stock but would only hold it as long as the dividend remains strong and the company considers more alternative energy sources (not because I am necessarily an environmentalist but because the next few years might see a push for more “green” power and such a small utility could carve a niche market). However, if environmental regulations increase and cause the operating environment for Western Resources to worsen (i.e. raising costs of fuel combined with raising costs of plant rework), I would sell.

bdbartle1 (83.53) Submitted: 4/3/2007 1:17:57 PM : Start Price: $24.39 WR Score: +3.22

Dividend Yield > 2%
Return on Equity > 5%
Positive Earnings Surpris in the past 90 days
Did not lag the S&P in the past 52 weeks and the past 13 weeks

mittenvald (29.86) Submitted: 10/5/2006 1:28:08 PM : Start Price: $20.30 WR Score: +14.58

This company has had some problems but i believe they are on the right track for future growth.