Utilities Sector Under Pressure: 3 Stocks to Watch

Strategic Insights -

As of Monday, Feb. 9, 2015, the Utilities sector is under pressure, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average trading down 44 points (-0.2%) at 17,781. Among the top decliners in the sector are TECO Energy and Wisconsin Energy, down 2.5% and 1.5%, respectively. However, there are also some bright spots, with top gainers Ormat Technologies, CPFL Energy, Companhia De Saneamento Basico Do Estado De, Western Gas Equity Partners, and Dominion Resources up 11.0%, 4.4%, 3.9%, 1.0%, and 1.0%, respectively.

Key Takeaways:

  • PPL Corporation, an energy and utility holding company, is down $0.16 (-0.5%) to $35.06 on average volume, and has a market cap of $24.2 billion.
  • American Electric Power, a public utility holding company, is down $0.39 (-0.7%) to $58.76 on average volume, and has a market cap of $30.6 billion.
  • Exelon, a utility services holding company, is down $0.20 (-0.6%) to $34.80 on light volume, and has a market cap of $31.5 billion.
  • TheStreet Ratings rates all three companies as buys, citing their strengths in revenue growth, solid stock price performance, and compelling growth in net income.
  • Currently, there are 5 analysts that rate PPL a buy, 7 analysts that rate American Electric Power a buy, and 5 analysts that rate Exelon a buy.
  • The Utilities sector is down 0.1% as of Feb. 9, 2015, with 1,569 issues advancing, 1,401 declining, and 177 unchanged.

Statistics:

  • Dow Jones Industrial Average: 17,781, down 44 points (-0.2%)
  • NYSE advances/declines ratio: 1,569 issues advancing, 1,401 declining, and 177 unchanged
  • Utilities sector index: down 0.1%
  • PPL Corporation: down $0.16 (-0.5%) to $35.06 on average volume
  • American Electric Power: down $0.39 (-0.7%) to $58.76 on average volume
  • Exelon: down $0.20 (-0.6%) to $34.80 on light volume
  • Number of analysts that rate PPL a buy: 5
  • Number of analysts that rate American Electric Power a buy: 7
  • Number of analysts that rate Exelon a buy: 5

Sources:

  • TheStreet
  • TheStreet Quant Ratings
  • Dow Jones Industrial Average
  • NYSE
  • Utilities sector index
  • PPL Corporation
  • American Electric Power
  • Exelon