utilities

Manufacturing Rose 1.1% Last Month on Rebound from Sandy

U.S. factories rebounded in November from Superstorm Sandy, boosting production of cars, equipment and appliances. The Fed says factory output increased 1.1 percent from October, offsetting a 1 percent decline from the month before, which was blamed on the storm.

Power Outages After Sandy Weren't Unusually Long After All

As the days without power stretched on for hundreds of thousands after Superstorm Sandy, patience turned to anger. But an AP analysis of outages from other big storms shows that the time it took to utility companies to restore electricity was no worse than average -- and in some places, actually faster.

Wall Street Watch: Dycom Earnings a Bad Sign for the Telecom Biz

Dycom Industries may not be a household name, but behind the scenes, it does a lot of heavy lifting for the telecommunications industry. So its unusual earnings miss Tuesday night could mean the telephone, cable and utility companies that are its customers are having troubles of their own.

5 Hot Utility Stocks After Snowstorm's Winter Wipeout

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.

10 Highest Dividend Stocks of the S&P

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.

Cheap Summer Power Predicted for the U.S.

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.

California's Smart-Meter Controversy: What You Need to Know

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.

Face-Off on Stocks: Electric Utility Companies [Video]

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 Forecasts
46% Higher Sales in 2011

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.

U.S. Manufacturing Output Rises 0.5%, the Most Since July

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.

Blogwatch: The Housing Market Is Poised to Boom

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.

U.S. Industrial Production Slipped 0.2% in September

It's the first decline since June 2009. Still, despite the dip, the nation's industrial sector remains in an uptrend, and a weaker dollar may further boost international sales of key U.S. companies in the months ahead.

With Interest Rates So Low, What's an Investor to Do?

Interest rates are hovering near record lows, so investors looking for higher returns will have to look beyond interest-bearing assets like CDs and money-market funds. If low risk is a priority, consider two interesting options: utilities and oil pipeline partnerships.

Legal Briefing: Obama Backs Utilities in Climate Change Case

Eight states, New York City and three groups won the legal right to sue greenhouse-gas emitting utilities. The companies appealed to the Supreme Court, and the Obama administration has filed a brief supporting them. Find out the implications of this move.

U.S. Industrial Production Surged in July

The 1% increase eases worries that activity in the sector that's so far led the recovery is slowing. The July increase was led by strong performances in the manufacturing and mining segments, while utility output cooled off.

Warm Weather Turns Utilities Into Hot Investments

The combination of increased revenue from the warm temperatures and the prospect of increased electric use from a sustained economic recovery bodes well for electric utility stocks for the remainder of 2010 and into 2011.

California's Revolt Against Smart Electric Meters

Despite promises of environmental benefits and lower costs to consumers, smart meters are running into stiff resistance in some areas where you'd least expect it. Among the concerns: More electromagnetic radiation and loss of privacy.

Industrial Surveys Show Economic Recovery Slowing

One nation industrial and two regional surveys released this week provided further evidence that the U.S. economic recovery weakened somewhat in the second quarter, as manufacturing growth slowed.