Utility Stocks

Utility stocks include electric, gas, water and other provider companies. Utility equities often come as bonds since those companies have significant debts from the infrastructure needed. Therefore, Fed interest rates greatly affect the utility sector, which understandably prefers low interest rates. Utilities pay out dividends that have historically risen faster than inflation rates. So, utility stocks are often a decent choice for older or retired investors.

Will You Miss the Biggest Stock Market Advance of Your Lifetime?

By Sam Collins, InvestorPlace Chief Technical Analyst
A major new bull market is under way, and like all others, it is being met with disbelief.

Don’t Expect Utilities to Stay Defensive During a Downturn

By Daniel Putnam, InvestorPlace Contributor
The utilities sector is richly valued and populated by nervous investors looking for 'bond proxies,' which may prevent it from outperforming during the next downturn.

Have We Seen the Highs for the Summer?

By Sam Collins, InvestorPlace Chief Technical Analyst
My guess is that the market will turn lower but hold at the support line of the bull channel.

Utilities: Big Gains, But Rising Risks

By Daniel Putnam, InvestorPlace Contributor
The utilities sector has surged to a 15%-plus gain this year, but the group could suffer if the rally in defensive stocks peters out.

Utilities Burn Bright as Market Outlook Dims

By Dan Burrows, InvestorPlace Feature Writer
An improving U.S. economy and the coldest March in recent memory have the utility sector putting up electrifying returns so far this year. Their defensive nature will help maintain that run in months ahead.

3 Water Utilities That Could Make a Big Splash

By Aaron Levitt, InvestorPlace Contributor
In the coming year, rocketing demand for water could mean shortages and rising prices. Cash in on the trend with one of these water utility stocks.

Bond Fund Could be Signaling End to Fed’s Easy Money Policy

By Sam Collins, InvestorPlace Chief Technical Analyst
Its move up could be foretelling a rise in interest rates before the end of this year.

3 Hot Nuclear Power Stocks, Plus 3 That Are Too Hot to Handle

By Susan J. Aluise, Aviation, Auto & Transportation Writer
Nuclear power has staged a comeback since the Fukushima nuclear disaster nearly two years ago, but some stocks are a better bet than others.

Exelon’s Dividend Cut Switches the Power Off

By Marc Bastow, InvestorPlace Assistant Editor
Slashing its payout by 41% is a stark sign of the utility giant's 'spending problem.' I'd add EXC to any list of utilities to avoid.

It’s an ETF Picker’s Market

By Jim Woods, Editor-in-Chief, Successful Investing, Intelligence Report, Bullseye Stock Trader
In some sectors, it just doesn’t pay to go stock shopping when you can buy the ETF instead. But that's some -- not all. Here are a few examples.

10 Stocks for a Made-in-America Portfolio

By Alyssa Oursler, InvestorPlace Contributor
The U.S. is starting to look like the least-ugly option in a globe full of uncertainty. If you agree, here are a few concentrated ways to play America.

2 Utilities to Power Your Portfolio

By Will Ashworth, InvestorPlace Contributor
Utility stocks have been in the doldrums for some time. However, these two picks should buck the trend.

Alcoa: From Bellwether to Red Herring

By Dan Burrows, InvestorPlace Feature Writer
Alcoa's fourth-quarter earnings expectations look rosy -- which is better than you can say for the broader market

The Best Buying Opportunity the Market Has to Offer Right Now

By Sam Collins, InvestorPlace Chief Technical Analyst
Each year, this sector has had a major correction that offered long-term investors excellent entry points. It's that time again.

Stocks at New Highs, New Lows for 11/20

By Alyssa Oursler, InvestorPlace Contributor
Get the scoop on today's big moves. See which stock hit a new 52-week high, and one that found a new 52-week low.

NextEra Delivers a Jolt For Dividend Investors

By Dividend Growth Investor
NextEra Energy is in a sweet spot location for growth and their dividend history along with growth prospects provide investors great returns.

Get Ready to Buy This ‘Safe’ Sector

By Sam Collins, InvestorPlace Chief Technical Analyst
Utilities are now oversold and present a great buying opportunity.

2 Utility Stocks Worth a Jolt

By Richard Band
Utility companies are losing ground as dividend income tax treatment gets scrutiny after the election. It's a good time for investors to look at these players.

Retirees Shouldn’t Fear the Storm in Utilities

By Marc Bastow, InvestorPlace Assistant Editor
Sandy has hit Con Ed hard, and 2012 in general hasn't been kind to utilities. But those in panic mode are missing the sector's point in the long term.
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