Beyond Oil and Gas: Alternative Energy Plays

Those of you who read the Tools of the Trade column on energy Web sites earlier this month are no doubt aware that there are lots of ways to play this sector.

For example, maybe you think a summer's worth of brownouts in California and elsewhere will force corporate IT managers to find ways to keep their computers running. If so, take a look at C&D Technologies(CHP Quote) or American Power Conversion(APCC Quote). Both companies supply back-up power systems to offices. APC's been creeping up all during May to a recent price of $16.42, which is well below its 52-week high of $49. CDT's also been rising steadily, but its recent price of $30.44 was also well off its high of $62.

Piping Hot

An active energy stock trader named Maryke wrote to say she likes stocks of so-called "oil country tubulars." These are the companies that make the pipes that actually extract oil or natural gas from drill sites. Her favorite company is Maverick Tube(MVK Quote). Her rationale: "On average, a 5,000-foot well needs 50 tons of tubular steel, but a 10,000-foot well needs 600 tons of it," she says. As everyone knows, drillers must continually dig deeper as worldwide supplies diminish. ...