The Dow Jones Utility Average finished the month of October up 1.9 percent. That was almost 9 percentage points better than the S&P 500, and despite rising interest rates.
Historically, a positive October for utilities has meant a solid finish to the year. This time, the sector will have two other potential catalysts to help it along: Strong third quarter earnings and guidance, and what appear to be mostly supportive outcomes from the recent nationwide elections.
I highlight numbers and guidance for the 200 plus essential service companies of our coverage universe in the Utility Report Card.
Next Issue : Dec. 11, 2018View Past Issues 
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News and Analysis
More Fires in California, Amerigas Still Solid
This year's autumn rains are late arriving in bone-dry California, resulting in another season of devastating fires. Smoke from the massive “Camp Fire” in northern California currently shrouds San Francisco and the ongoing Edison Electric Institute's annual Financial Conference in the city’s downtown area. Executives from PG&E (NYSE: PCG), the utility serving the affected region, withdrew from the conference to deal with the crisis. -
News and Analysis
Renewable Energy Growth Drives Utility Earnings
NextEra Energy’s (NYSE: NEE) third quarter results are impressive, but the best news is inside that performance.
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News and Analysis
Utility Stocks: ‘Tis The Season
The final three months of the year are seasonally strong for utility stocks. Since 1969, the Dow Jones Utility Average (DJUA) has posted positive returns in 39 Octobers and 40 Q4s, including (barely) last year.
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Mergers & Acquisitions
Sticking With Southern After Another Vogtle Deal
Southern Company (NYSE: SO) has reached a deal with its partners to keep building two new nuclear reactors at the Vogtle site in Georgia.
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Mergers & Acquisitions
Comcast Wins Sky and Other M&A Activity
Comcast bests Disney in its bid for European entertainment giant Sky: Here's the latest news on this and other current M&A deals.
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Income Insights
Electric Utilities Face the New Abnormal
California's historic Camp Fire, so far has claimed more than 60 lives, and estimates of damage to property are in already in the tens of billions. With super-dry conditions in the west and hurricanes in the east recurring more frequently," US utilities now face an increasing challenge ensuring grid resiliency and safety in a new abnormal of violent weather.
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Income Insights
Verizon: Beyond the Q3 Beat
Less than a year ago, investors could buy all the Verizon Communications (NYSE: VZ) they wanted at a price in the low 40s, but shares today are closing in on their all-time highs.
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Income Insights
Kinder’s Message: Midstream is Healthy Again
Kinder Morgan Inc (NYSE: KMI) is gathering strength and holds favorable portents for the rest of the sector, but remains largely unappreciated by investors.
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Income Insights
Staying with Southeastern Utilities Through the Storms
Already hard-hit areas of the Carolinas braced today for Hurricane Michael while residents of Florida’s Gulf Coast worked to dig themselves out from possibly the worst weather event ever to hit their region.
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Income Insights
It’s Not Time to Dump Duke
Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK) is facing challenges in the wake of Hurricane Florence, but its overall performance is hard to fault.
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Utility Report Card
Roger's current take and vital statistics on more than 200 essential-services stocks.
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