Top 5 Utilities Sector Performers This Week

Looking for stocks that are outperforming their industry averages? Below we’re listed the top performing Utilities stocks over the last week, ranked by their alpha relative to industry averages.

The list has been sorted by each stock’s alpha vs. their industry average.

To help you explore the companies listed below, we’ve also included links to industry descriptions and corporate websites.

Note: All data current as of 9/10/2012.

1. CPFL Energia S.A. (CPL): Returned 6.67% over the last week vs. an industry average of 2.58%. (Industry: Foreign Utilities. Alpha vs. industry at 4.09%, based on average of 3 companies)

Engages in the generation, distribution, and sale of electricity in Brazil.


2. Niska Gas Storage Partners LLC (NKA): Returned 5.37% over the last week vs. an industry average of 1.83%. (Industry: Gas Utilities. Alpha vs. industry at 3.54%, based on average of 25 companies)

Operates natural gas storage assets in North America.


3. National Fuel Gas Co. (NFG): Returned 4.77% over the last week vs. an industry average of 1.83%. (Industry: Gas Utilities. Alpha vs. industry at 2.94%, based on average of 25 companies)

Operates as a diversified energy company primarily in the United States.


4. Atlas Energy, L.P (ATLS): Returned 4.73% over the last week vs. an industry average of 1.83%. (Industry: Gas Utilities. Alpha vs. industry at 2.9%, based on average of 25 companies)

Engages in the gathering and processing of natural gas in the Mid-Continent and Appalachia regions.


5. NiSource Inc. (NI): Returned 3.49% over the last week vs. an industry average of 1.1%. (Industry: Diversified Utilities. Alpha vs. industry at 2.39%, based on average of 22 companies)

Provides natural gas, electricity, and other products and services.


6. MGE Energy Inc. (MGEE): Returned 3.22% over the last week vs. an industry average of 1.1%. (Industry: Diversified Utilities. Alpha vs. industry at 2.12%, based on average of 22 companies)

Operates as a public utility holding company.


7. NV Energy, Inc. (NVE): Returned 3.14% over the last week vs. an industry average of 1.1%. (Industry: Diversified Utilities. Alpha vs. industry at 2.04%, based on average of 22 companies)

Distributes electric energy in Nevada.

8. IdaCorp, Inc. (IDA): Returned 3.16% over the last week vs. an industry average of 1.13%. (Industry: Electric Utilities. Alpha vs. industry at 2.03%, based on average of 43 companies)

Engages in the generation, transmission, distribution, sale, and purchase of electric energy in the United States.


9. Otter Tail Corporation (OTTR): Returned 3% over the last week vs. an industry average of 1.1%. (Industry: Diversified Utilities. Alpha vs. industry at 1.9%, based on average of 22 companies)

Engages in electric and nonelectric operations in the United States and internationally.


10. NRG Energy, Inc. (NRG): Returned 2.91% over the last week vs. an industry average of 1.1%. (Industry: Diversified Utilities. Alpha vs. industry at 1.81%, based on average of 22 companies)

Operates as a wholesale power generation company.


11. SCANA Corp. (SCG): Returned 2.94% over the last week vs. an industry average of 1.13%. (Industry: Electric Utilities. Alpha vs. industry at 1.81%, based on average of 43 companies)

SCANA Corporation and its subsidiaries engage in the generation, transmission, distribution, and sale of electricity to retail and wholesale customers in South Carolina.


12. UniSource Energy Corporation (UNS): Returned 2.8% over the last week vs. an industry average of 1.13%. (Industry: Electric Utilities. Alpha vs. industry at 1.67%, based on average of 43 companies)

Engages in the electric generation and energy delivery businesses.


13. GenOn Energy, Inc. (GEN): Returned 2.77% over the last week vs. an industry average of 1.13%. (Industry: Electric Utilities. Alpha vs. industry at 1.64%, based on average of 43 companies)

Operates as a generator of wholesale electricity in the United States.


14. UIL Holdings Corporation (UIL): Returned 2.7% over the last week vs. an industry average of 1.13%. (Industry: Electric Utilities. Alpha vs. industry at 1.57%, based on average of 43 companies)

Operates in the energy sector in the United States.


15. CenterPoint Energy, Inc. (CNP): Returned 2.65% over the last week vs. an industry average of 1.1%. (Industry: Diversified Utilities. Alpha vs. industry at 1.55%, based on average of 22 companies)

Operates as a public utility holding company in the United States.


16. ITC Holdings Corp. (ITC): Returned 2.61% over the last week vs. an industry average of 1.13%. (Industry: Electric Utilities. Alpha vs. industry at 1.48%, based on average of 43 companies)

Engages in the transmission of electricity in the United States.


17. Brookfield Infrastructure Partners L.P. (BIP): Returned 2.49% over the last week vs. an industry average of 1.13%. (Industry: Electric Utilities. Alpha vs. industry at 1.36%, based on average of 43 companies)

Operates in the utilities, transport and energy, and timber sectors.