Even Utilities Can't Get Financing Now By Jim Cramer About this article: Financing's been so easy for utilities -- has been since the 1930s -- that it is hard to understand what's happening now. It is hard to understand, for example, how NISource , a responsible and well-run utility serving 3.8 million people in Indiana, could have hit its 52-week low and be yielding 9%. Hard, until you recognize the realities of this new world and how NISource was having trouble, until Monday, rolling over paper that is due this year. On Monday, NISource got $265 million in senior secured lending for two years to replace money due in November. If they didn't get it, they might have had either to issue a gazillion shares -- hence the decline in the stock -- or eliminate the dividend, or if worse comes to worst, file bankruptcy. Believe me, this "finance in 2009 or die" element is playing havoc with... Or, call us at 1-866-321-TSCM (8726) Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-6 p.m. ET. Outside the U.S. and in Canada, call 1-212-321-5200.

If you choose a 14-day free trial of RealMoney and you do NOT call to cancel within those 14 days, you will pay $129.95 — a $100 savings off the regular annual subscription price of $229.95. Unless you cancel before the end of that year, your subscription will automatically renew for another year at the then-current subscription price.

Offer applies only to new annual subscriptions, and is subject to change at any time. Void where prohibited.

If you choose a monthly subscription, you pay $34.95 per month. You will be notified if the current monthly rate of $34.95 changes at any time in the future.

TheStreet.com is a publisher. None of the contributors or their affiliates will provide you with personally tailored advice concerning the nature, potential, value or suitability of any particular security, portfolio of securities, transaction, investment strategy or other matter. From time to time, any or all of the contributors or their affiliates may hold positions in securities mentioned and they may trade for their own accounts. In cases where the position is held at the time of publication, appropriate disclosure is made.

© TheStreet.com, Inc., 14 Wall Street, 15th Floor, New York, NY 10005.