The commercial banking, electric utilities, infrastructure, household products and gas utilities sectors are having a strong week, according to Portfolio Grader.
The commercial banking sector’s track record is proving one of the best with 100% of its stocks (5 out of 5) rating a “buy”. Within the commercial banking sector, Pacific Capital Bancorp (PCBC) and StellarOne Corporation (STEL) receive top marks of A’s. Citizens Republic Bancorp (CRBC) is also getting a B.
Electric utilities is thriving this week with 85% of stocks in the sector (35 out of 41) currently rating a “buy”. Among electric utilities stocks, Edison International (EIX), Hawaiian Electric Industries, Inc. (HE) and Xcel Energy (XEL) are leading the way with A’s. Edison International is the best performer in this sector, with a 55.5% increase in the last 12 months.
With 80% of the sector’s stocks (4 out of 5) rating a “buy,” the infrastructure sector is one of the strongest. With overall grades of A, Macquarie Infrastructure Corporation (MIC), Grupo Aeroportuario del Centro Norte SAB de CV Sponsored ADR Class B (OMAB) and Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacifico SAB de CV Sponsored ADR Class B (PAC) are buoying the sector. The best performer in this sector is Macquarie Infrastructure Corporation, which saw its price rise 194.6% in the last 12 months.
Household products stands out with 78% of the sector’s stocks (7 out of 9) rating a “buy”. Clorox Company (CLX), Church & Dwight Co., Inc. (CHD) and Colgate-Palmolive Company (CL) are paving the way for the sector with A grades. Church & Dwight Co., Inc. beats the other stocks in its sector, with a 98.6% increase from a year ago.
The gas utilities sector is thriving on Portfolio Grader this week, with 76% of its stocks (13 out of 17) currently rating a “buy”. WGL Holdings, Inc. (WGL), New Jersey Resources Corporation (NJR) and ONE Gas Inc. (OGS) are lifting the sector overall, each earning a high grade of A. Over the last 12 months, ONE Gas Inc. is the best performer in this sector, with a 33.1% increase.
Louis Navellier’s proprietary Portfolio Grader stock ranking system assesses roughly 5,000 companies every week based on a number of fundamental and quantitative measures. Stocks are given a letter grade based on their results — with A being “strong buy,” and F being “strong sell.” Explore the tool here.
