Dimitra Defotis of Barron’s Recommended First Energy in this week’s Barron’s:

Track his picks at:

http://trackthepros.com/categories.php?category_id=1128

a. FirstEnergy has overcome the negative publicity surrounding its role in America’s worst blackout to become one of the utility industry’s bright spots. Improved efficiency and nuclear plants will further power profits

b. AIDED BY GROWTH in its unregulated businesses, improved efficiency and its three clean-burning nuclear plants (which account for 37% of its power production), the utility’s profits should jump nearly 27% next year. That should boost FirstEnergy’s $2.20-a-share dividend…and maybe its stock, too.

c. In addition, it has invested $125 million in a Montana coal-mine venture. Eastern miners increasingly are swapping Appalachian coal for western Powder River Basin coal, which burns cleaner but produces fewer BTUs. FirstEnergy says its coal has a higher heat content than the Powder River Basin variety

d. Its nuclear plants and increasing deregulation of its operations should help FirstEnergy prosper. Some fans see its shares rising by more than 15% over the next year.