Utilities: risk v. value.

Given the ongoing falls in UK utilities and the inertia effect it seems to having on my own portfolio, its interesting to read Citi's comments that much of the risk is now being discounted and value has appeared (uk.webfg.com: Downside for United Utilities now limited even if nationalised, Citi says).

Is this enough to sway investors and begin a fightback for these companies?

Melrose musings.

Given the current low level of global sentiment and its completed takeover of GKN, Melrose has starting to interest me today  (uk.webfg.com: Melrose happy to find 'no black holes' in GKN business). More musings and analysis needed.

October 2018: Dividend Pipeline and Apple comparison

As mentioned, after a bumper couple of months, expected October dividends will be a little scarce on the ground, as will the run to the end of the year.
Through August and September, all 4 of my big hitters, Lloyds, National Grid, Aviva, and BP delivered a payout, ably supported by a number of other chunky yielding companies.

As things stand though, for the year to date and v. the start of the year portfolio figure, actual dividends received have amounted to a yield of 4.12% (not adjusted for any funds removed), which is a figure I'm happy with. Although, it also has to be noted that this may have been at the expense of some capital growth, so I continue to look for a happy balance.

One thing that occurred to me to check was my current yield on Apple, which has a historic figure of 1.6% for the year ending Sept 2017, and a consensus forecast estimate of 1.2%.
After the 15% US withholding tax and a weaker sterling exchange rate, the net yield to me is around 0.9%, and a forecast estimate of 1.03%.
However, this does not always show the bigger picture given the strong long term capital growth that Apple has given. 
Just for a little comparison, if I was to take the current forecast net yield (incl. 15% withholding tax and an exchange rate of $1: £1.3), and pitch it against my original investment in Apple, I see that I am actually receiving a net yield of 6.15%. Perhaps the best of both worlds and long may it continue to appreciate its share price and increase its dividend.

Looking ahead:
	Rate
Company	c.	p.	Xd	Paid
National Grid		15.49	23/11/2017	10/01/2018
Vodafone		4.84	23/11/2017	02/02/2018
BAT		48.8	27/12/2018	07/02/2018
Apple	63		12/02/2018	15/02/2018
SSE		28.4	18/01/2018	16/03/2018
Berkeley Group		56.75	01/03/2018	23/03/2018
RDS 'B'	47		15/02/2018	26/03/2018
Imperial Brands		59.51	22/02/2018	29/03/2018
BP	10		15/02/2018	29/03/2018
Galliford Try		28	15/03/2018	06/04/2018
BAT		48.8	22/03/2018	09/05/2018
Aviva		19	05/04/2018	17/05/2018
Apple	73		14/05/2018	17/05/2018
Lloyds		2.05	19/04/2018	29/05/2018
RDS 'B'	47		10/05/2018	18/06/2018
BP	10		10/05/2018	22/06/2018
Imperial Brands		28.43	24/05/2018	29/06/2018
Vodafone		10.23	07/06/2018	03/08/2018
BAT		48.8	28/06/2018	08/08/2018
National Grid		30.44	31/05/2018	15/08/2018
Apple	73		10/08/2018	16/08/2018
RDS 'B'	47		09/08/2018	17/09/2018
SSE		66.3	26/07/2018	21/09/2018
BP	10.25		09/08/2018	21/09/2018
Aviva		9.25	16/08/2018	24/09/2018
Standard Life Aberdeen		7.3	16/08/2018	25/09/2018
Lloyds		1.07	16/08/2018	26/09/2018
Imperial Brands		28.43	23/08/2018	28/09/2018
Standard Chartered	6		09/08/2018	22/10/2018
BAT		48.8	04/10/2018	15/11/2018
Galliford Try		49	08/11/2018	05/12/2018
Imperial Brands			22/11/2018	31/12/2018