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utilities

Utility stocks were down Monday in the wake of the wicked winter storm that tossed the Northeast over the weekend. But it's on panicky days like these that long-term investors want to be taking a second look at utilities. Not only are they less volatile than fast-growing tech stocks, some pay hefty dividends.
The S&P 500 is one of the most followed stock market index in the world. Mutual fund managers benchmark their returns against it, yet somehow the vast majority underperform the index every year. Many dividend investors choose to ignore the index, and instead focus on its components.
Expectations for power price increases have been put off to 2015 and beyond by bank analysts. But a combination of steady demand recovery, infrastructure changes and the retirement of coal-fired plants in 2015 could contribute to a tightening U.S. power market by the middle of the decade.
Amid health concerns over smart meters, which can wirelessly transmit household energy-usage data to utilities and customers, California's largest utility has proposed a plan that would allow homeowners to opt for regular meters -- at a cost. Here are some facts for consumers to consider.
#fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-473573{display:none;} .cke_show_borders #fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-473573, #postcontentcontainer #fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-473573{width:620px;height:439px;display:block;}With high energy costs driving up electricity bills and an ever-widening array of...
Yes, electric utilities are a mostly unloved sector among investors, even though everyone needs power. But maybe their steady and dividend-friendly shares have more appeal these days. Here's a look at three big names: American Electric Power, Constellation Energy and Allegheny Energy.
First Solar, one of the world's biggest solar manufacturers, is looking toward 2011 with plenty of good cheer. According to its latest forecast, released Tuesday, the company expects sales to heat up some 46% in spite of lower subsidies in Germany, the world's largest solar market.
The nation%u2019s manufacturing recovery accelerated in October as factory output jumped 0.5%, the Federal Reserve said. Overall industrial output was flat in the month, but the typical autumn plunge in utilities output skewed the top-line stat lower.
Among the day's top stories for investors: How the election results are bullish for stocks, 21 utilities yielding more than 4.5%, and many reasons to be a day trader.
Among the day's top online stories for investors: Why the housing market is ready to boom, which sector significantly outperformed the S&P over the past year, and the scoop on Warren Buffett's successor Todd Combs.

Market Movers

SymbolLastChange / %Volume

Most Actives

BAC
Bank of America Corp
8.10-0.09
-1.04%
149.19M
ALU
Alcatel-Lucent (ADR)
2.20+0.26
+13.40%
94.27M
PBR
Petroleo Brasileiro S.A. (ADR)
29.60-2.39
-7.47%
23.82M
GE
General Electric Company
18.92-0.22
-1.12%
23.49M

% Gainers

CIE
Cobalt International Energy
32.67 +8.77
+36.69%
13.67M
LNKD
LinkedIn Corp.
88.72 +12.33
+16.14%
8.26M
ALU
Alcatel-Lucent (ADR)
2.20 +0.26
+13.40%
94.27M
WNS
WNS (Holdings) Limited (ADR)
10.56 +1.16
+12.34%
2.64M

% Losers

KV-B
K-V Pharmaceutical Co. Class B
2.16-0.47
-17.87%
3,679
KV-A
K V Pharmaceutical Co. Class A
2.17-0.44
-16.86%
1.06M
NBG-A
National Bank of Greece SA (ADR)
5.71-1.04
-15.41%
79,114
OC-B
Owens Corning (Warrant) 'B'
2.27-0.38
-14.34%
12,194
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