Utility stocks are stocks of the companies that provide basic utilities to the people. The essential services include water, electricity, and natural gas. More recently, the companies that produce alternative forms of energy like geothermal energy are also considered utility companies.
Utility stocks are considered defensive stocks as they are mostly unaffected by the economic upturns and downturns. The demand for necessities included in the utility sector remains stable, and so does the price of the utility stocks.
At the same time, companies in the utility sector and their stocks are regulated by government bodies. Therefore, utility stocks are relatively safe modes of investment.
Ticker | Company Name | Last Price | 1-Year Return | Market Cap |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NEE | NextEra Energy, Inc. | $70.43 | 11.94% | 144.8B |
| DUK | Duke Energy Corporation | $106.81 | 7.47% | 82.5B |
| D | Dominion Energy, Inc. | $54.03 | 10.24% | 45.4B |
| SO | The Southern Company | $81.09 | 12.38% | 88.8B |
| EXC | Exelon Corporation | $37.53 | 2.29% | 37.7B |
| AEP | American Electric Power Company, Inc. | $90.47 | 7.05% | 48.2B |
| SRE | Sempra Energy | $84.23 | 9.45% | 53.4B |
| XEL | Xcel Energy Inc. | $65.64 | 3.24% | 37.7B |
| PEG | Public Service Enterprise Group Incorporated | $85.41 | 37.36% | 42.6B |
| OKE | ONEOK, Inc. | $101.61 | 42.57% | 59.2B |
| ED | Consolidated Edison, Inc. | $88.00 | -6.19% | 31.1B |
| WEC | WEC Energy Group, Inc. | $93.19 | 8.90% | 29.5B |
| ES | Eversource Energy | $56.08 | -10.80% | 20.5B |
| EIX | Edison International | $77.38 | 5.75% | 30.0B |
| FE | FirstEnergy Corp. | $39.31 | 2.42% | 22.7B |
| DTE | DTE Energy Company | $120.38 | 7.94% | 24.9B |
| ETR | Entergy Corporation | $75.96 | 45.13% | 32.6B |
| PPL | PPL Corporation | $32.00 | 14.33% | 23.6B |
| AWK | American Water Works Company, Inc. | $121.63 | -8.58% | 23.7B |
| AEE | Ameren Corporation | $87.96 | 17.81% | 23.5B |
| CMS | CMS Energy Corporation | $65.71 | 10.31% | 19.6B |
| AGR | Avangrid, Inc. | $37.10 | -22.38% | 1.2B |
| EVRG | Evergy, Inc. | $60.54 | 12.28% | 13.9B |
| CNP | CenterPoint Energy, Inc. | $30.87 | 4.96% | 20.1B |
| ATO | Atmos Energy Corporation | $136.63 | 14.96% | 21.2B |
| VST | Vistra Energy Corp. | $163.37 | 317.40% | 55.6B |
| LNT | Alliant Energy Corporation | $57.36 | 9.61% | 14.7B |
| NI | NiSource Inc. | $35.77 | 31.07% | 16.7B |
| PNW | Pinnacle West Capital Corporation | $83.20 | 11.69% | 9.5B |
| AES | The AES Corporation | $12.95 | -32.09% | 9.2B |
| UGI | UGI Corporation | $28.35 | 14.22% | 6.1B |
| NRG | NRG Energy, Inc. | $96.73 | 85.16% | 19.6B |
| OGE | OGE Energy Corp. | $40.55 | 14.32% | 8.1B |
| PCG | PG&E Corporation | $19.98 | 10.69% | 53.4B |
| IDA | IDACORP, Inc. | $109.25 | 11.00% | 5.8B |
| POR | Portland General Electric Company | $42.54 | -3.62% | 4.5B |
| SWX | Southwest Gas Holdings, Inc. | $70.76 | 9.45% | 5.1B |
| OGS | ONE Gas, Inc. | $68.05 | 5.45% | 3.9B |
| HE | Hawaiian Electric Industries, Inc. | $9.08 | -40.30% | 1.6B |
| BKH | Black Hills Corporation | $56.19 | 0.27% | 4.0B |
| ALE | ALLETE, Inc. | $64.95 | 3.94% | 3.8B |
| SR | Spire Inc. | $66.50 | 5.46% | 3.8B |
| PNM | PNM Resources, Inc. | $0.02 | -75.00% | 10.1M |
| NJR | New Jersey Resources Corporation | $45.66 | 1.49% | 4.6B |
| NWE | NorthWestern Corporation | $51.94 | 1.11% | 3.2B |
| ORA | Ormat Technologies, Inc. | $69.92 | -5.13% | 4.2B |
| AWR | American States Water Company | $73.05 | -6.50% | 2.8B |
| AVA | Avista Corporation | $36.04 | -1.34% | 2.9B |
| SJI | South Jersey Industries, Inc. | #N/A | #N/A | #N/A |
| NEP | NextEra Energy Partners, LP | $18.87 | -38.35% | 1.8B |
| MGEE | MGE Energy, Inc. | $91.03 | 26.24% | 3.3B |
| CWT | California Water Service Group | $44.36 | -10.55% | 2.6B |
| NWN | Northwest Natural Holding Company | $38.58 | -2.65% | 1.5B |
| OTTR | Otter Tail Corporation | $74.00 | -14.01% | 3.1B |
| SJW | SJW Group | $46.82 | -26.56% | 1.6B |
| CPK | Chesapeake Utilities Corporation | $118.66 | 12.85% | 2.7B |
| SPH | Suburban Propane Partners, L.P. | $17.64 | 0.74% | 1.1B |
| CWEN | Clearway Energy, Inc. | $26.51 | -2.72% | 5.2B |
| MSEX | Middlesex Water Company | $51.03 | -17.06% | 911.2M |
| UTL | Unitil Corporation | $52.48 | 0.46% | 849.6M |
| YORW | The York Water Company | $31.28 | -16.09% | 449.6M |
| CLNE | Clean Energy Fuels Corp. | $3.02 | -16.34% | 674.8M |
| BE | Bloom Energy Corporation | $25.06 | 80.42% | 5.7B |
| ARTNA | Artesian Resources Corporation | $30.66 | -21.00% | 316.2M |
| SPKE | Spark Energy, Inc. | #N/A | #N/A | #N/A |
| CDZI | Cadiz Inc. | $4.77 | 63.92% | 358.6M |
| GWRS | Global Water Resources, Inc. | $11.46 | -8.98% | 277.6M |
| AT | Atlantic Power Corporation | $553.00 | -9.34% | 444.1M |
| PCYO | Pure Cycle Corporation | $12.07 | 20.10% | 290.6M |
| RGCO | RGC Resources, Inc. | $19.37 | 0.41% | 198.8M |
| IPLDP | Interstate Power and Light Company | #N/A | #N/A | #N/A |
| FCEL | FuelCell Energy, Inc. | $13.07 | -68.88% | 267.3M |
Factors to Consider Before Investing in Utility Stocks
Utility stocks are considered a good fit for investors who aim for low risk and high short-term gains. It can attribute to the fact that utilities and their shares are recession-proof to no small extent. People still require basic amenities even in times of economic downturn.
However, it must be considered that utility stocks are affected by the prices of commodities like coal and natural gas. Thus, investing in utility stocks may be less risky than the overall stock market, yet they have more risk exposure compared to the bond market.
Which Utilities Stocks Should I Buy?
You can choose from the list of utility stocks that we have consolidated for you. The choice will, mainly, depend on what outcome you expect from your portfolio.
Utility stocks are an excellent means for diversification and stability in the portfolio. They also generate regular dividend income. However, the long-term capital gains from utility stocks are limited as the companies in the utility sector are highly regulated and hold fewer opportunities for future growth.
Overall, utility stocks are an excellent choice for short-term gains while they may not be the right choice for long-term capital appreciation.
