The electoral calendar could play havoc with US markets this year, but investors already invested--and those poised to establish positions--in high-quality essential-service stocks will profit in the long run.

2011 was a good year for Utility Forecaster Portfolio Holdings. But for well-run companies with stable finances, there's no reason 2012 won't be positive as well.

Stronger balance sheets and solid and growing payout rates characterize the How They Rate universe of essential-service companies.

The key to riding out what promises to remain a volatile market is to stock your portoflio with solid businesses and quickly cut any that falter.

High-quality businesses that support growing dividends are what we’re after. That means focusing on the “micro” as opposed to the “macro.”

Essential-service companies are enjoying the benefits of extremely low interests, cutting expenses, eliminating refinancing risk and raising funds for growth.

Early reports indicate results from our essential-service dividend-payers will continue to support long-term wealth-bulding, despite politically driven market turmoil.

Companies that invest billions in long-term projects can’t afford “short-termism.” Neither can their investors.

What happens in the market on a day-to-day basis most often has nothing to do with individual company fundmentals. As long as our essential-service favorites' underlying businesses are solid, we'll stick with them.

Amid what seems a relentless bull market, it’s important as ever to focus on business quality.