Vanguard Utilities ETF: A New Safe-Haven Investment Option
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: 2 days ago
0mins
Source: Fool
- Investor Safe-Haven Shift: Amid increasing economic and geopolitical uncertainties, investors are gravitating towards safe-haven assets like gold, silver, and Bitcoin, yet these investments carry high speculative risks and volatility.
- Stability of Utility Stocks: Utility companies may not exhibit significant growth, but their consistent service demand generates a steady income stream, making them a relatively safe investment choice during market fluctuations.
- Advantages of Vanguard Utilities ETF: This ETF provides exposure to a diverse range of utility stocks, including major holdings like NextEra Energy, Southern Company, and Duke Energy, offering the stability and reliability associated with blue-chip stocks.
- Low Fees and High Yield: With an expense ratio of just 0.09% and a dividend yield of 2.5%, which is more than double that of the average S&P 500, combined with a 5% increase this year, the Vanguard Utilities ETF presents an ideal investment option for reducing market risk.
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Analyst Views on SO
Wall Street analysts forecast SO stock price to fall
17 Analyst Rating
4 Buy
11 Hold
2 Sell
Hold
Current: 93.680
Low
45.00
Averages
92.34
High
109.00
Current: 93.680
Low
45.00
Averages
92.34
High
109.00
About SO
The Southern Company is an energy provider. The Company owns three traditional electric operating companies, Southern Power Company and Southern Company Gas. The traditional electric operating companies-Alabama Power, Georgia Power and Mississippi Power-are operating public utility companies providing electric service to retail customers in three Southeastern states in addition to wholesale customers in the Southeast. The Southern Power Company develops, constructs, acquires, owns, and manages power generation assets, including battery energy storage projects, and sells electricity at market-based rates in the wholesale market. The Southern Company Gas is an energy services holding company whose primary business is the distribution of natural gas in four states - Illinois, Georgia, Virginia, and Tennessee, through the natural gas distribution utilities. Southern Company Gas is also involved in several other businesses that are complementary to the distribution of natural gas.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
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- Regulatory Approval Pending: The stipulated agreement is subject to review and approval by the Georgia Public Service Commission, and if approved, it will help customers manage rising electricity costs during the summer heat.
- Long-term Savings Commitment: Georgia Power has committed to providing annual savings of $102 per year for the typical residential customer by 2029, demonstrating the company's strategic efforts to attract large customers and optimize fixed cost distribution.
- Impact of Historic Storms: This agreement arises from the review of costs associated with restoring service after the historic Hurricane Helene in 2024, underscoring the company's commitment to customer service and responsibility in the face of extreme weather events.
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Vanguard Utilities ETF: A New Safe-Haven Investment Option
- Investor Safe-Haven Shift: Amid increasing economic and geopolitical uncertainties, investors are gravitating towards safe-haven assets like gold, silver, and Bitcoin, yet these investments carry high speculative risks and volatility.
- Stability of Utility Stocks: Utility companies may not exhibit significant growth, but their consistent service demand generates a steady income stream, making them a relatively safe investment choice during market fluctuations.
- Advantages of Vanguard Utilities ETF: This ETF provides exposure to a diverse range of utility stocks, including major holdings like NextEra Energy, Southern Company, and Duke Energy, offering the stability and reliability associated with blue-chip stocks.
- Low Fees and High Yield: With an expense ratio of just 0.09% and a dividend yield of 2.5%, which is more than double that of the average S&P 500, combined with a 5% increase this year, the Vanguard Utilities ETF presents an ideal investment option for reducing market risk.
See More
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- Significant Customer Savings: Starting in June, the typical residential customer is expected to save $4.04 per month, totaling nearly $50 annually, contributing to an overall annual savings of approximately $285 million, showcasing the effective negotiations between Georgia Power and the Public Interest Advocacy Staff.
- Regulatory Approval Pending: The stipulated agreement is subject to review and approval by the Georgia Public Service Commission, and if approved, it will further lower overall rates for customers, enhancing the company's competitive position in the market.
- Long-term Savings Commitment: Georgia Power has committed to providing annual savings of $102 per year for the typical residential customer by 2029, reflecting the company's successful strategy in attracting large-load customers and optimizing fixed cost distribution.
- Impact of Historic Storms: The context of this agreement is influenced by the impact of the historic Hurricane Helene in 2024, emphasizing the company's rapid response capability in restoring power services, ensuring reliability for customers during extreme weather events.
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- Supplier Investment Options: Brookfield Renewable Partners, with its globally diversified clean energy portfolio, including a 50% stake in Westinghouse, offers a 4.7% dividend yield, making it an attractive option for conservative investors looking to enter the nuclear space.
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See More
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- Significant Customer Savings: Starting in June, the typical residential customer is expected to save $4.04 per month, translating to nearly $50 annually, reflecting successful negotiations between Georgia Power and the Public Interest Advocacy Staff, with an anticipated total savings of approximately $285 million per year.
- Regulatory Approval Pending: The stipulated agreement is subject to review and approval by the Georgia Public Service Commission, and if approved, it will help customers manage rising electricity costs during the summer heat.
- Long-term Savings Commitment: Georgia Power has committed to providing annual savings of $102 per year for the typical residential customer by 2029, demonstrating the company's strategic efforts to attract large customers and optimize fixed cost distribution.
- Impact of Historic Storms: This agreement arises from the review of costs associated with restoring service after the historic Hurricane Helene in 2024, underscoring the company's commitment to customer service and responsibility in the face of extreme weather events.
See More
Vanguard Utilities ETF: A New Safe-Haven Investment Option
- Investor Safe-Haven Shift: Amid increasing economic and geopolitical uncertainties, investors are gravitating towards safe-haven assets like gold, silver, and Bitcoin, yet these investments carry high speculative risks and volatility.
- Stability of Utility Stocks: Utility companies may not exhibit significant growth, but their consistent service demand generates a steady income stream, making them a relatively safe investment choice during market fluctuations.
- Advantages of Vanguard Utilities ETF: This ETF provides exposure to a diverse range of utility stocks, including major holdings like NextEra Energy, Southern Company, and Duke Energy, offering the stability and reliability associated with blue-chip stocks.
- Low Fees and High Yield: With an expense ratio of just 0.09% and a dividend yield of 2.5%, which is more than double that of the average S&P 500, combined with a 5% increase this year, the Vanguard Utilities ETF presents an ideal investment option for reducing market risk.
See More
Georgia Power Expects $4 Monthly Savings for Customers
- Significant Customer Savings: Starting in June, the typical residential customer is expected to save $4.04 per month, totaling nearly $50 annually, contributing to an overall annual savings of approximately $285 million, showcasing the effective negotiations between Georgia Power and the Public Interest Advocacy Staff.
- Regulatory Approval Pending: The stipulated agreement is subject to review and approval by the Georgia Public Service Commission, and if approved, it will further lower overall rates for customers, enhancing the company's competitive position in the market.
- Long-term Savings Commitment: Georgia Power has committed to providing annual savings of $102 per year for the typical residential customer by 2029, reflecting the company's successful strategy in attracting large-load customers and optimizing fixed cost distribution.
- Impact of Historic Storms: The context of this agreement is influenced by the impact of the historic Hurricane Helene in 2024, emphasizing the company's rapid response capability in restoring power services, ensuring reliability for customers during extreme weather events.
See More
Surge in Nuclear Demand Reveals Investment Opportunities
- Electricity Demand Surge: Between 2000 and 2020, electricity demand increased by 9%, with projections indicating a 50% rise from 2020 to 2040, highlighting a renaissance in nuclear energy as a reliable, carbon-free source, thus creating investment opportunities in the sector.
- Supplier Investment Options: Brookfield Renewable Partners, with its globally diversified clean energy portfolio, including a 50% stake in Westinghouse, offers a 4.7% dividend yield, making it an attractive option for conservative investors looking to enter the nuclear space.
- Plant Operator Insights: Southern Company's recently constructed Vogtle nuclear plants, despite delays and budget overruns, are now connected to the grid and expected to provide decades of reliable clean energy, complemented by a 3.1% dividend yield appealing to conservative investors.
- New Technology Risk Investments: NuScale Power and Oklo are developing small modular nuclear reactors, and while neither has a commercial plant operational yet, they represent high-risk, high-reward opportunities for aggressive investors willing to bet on cutting-edge technology in the nuclear sector.
See More
Nuclear Renaissance: Investment Opportunities Explored
- Growing Electricity Demand: Between 2000 and 2020, electricity demand increased by 9%, with projections indicating a potential 50% rise by 2040, driving a renaissance in nuclear energy as a reliable, carbon-free power source with significant market potential.
- Diverse Investment Options: Investors can choose from various nuclear-related companies with differing risk profiles, such as Brookfield Renewable Partners, which boasts a globally diversified clean energy portfolio, and Cameco, which focuses on uranium mining and has seen its stock surge 150% over the past year.
- Southern Company Case Study: The Southern Company, the latest U.S. utility to construct a nuclear power plant, faced budget overruns and delays with its Vogtle project, but now that it is connected to the grid, it is expected to provide decades of reliable clean energy, appealing to conservative investors with its 3.1% dividend yield.
- High-Risk Investments: Companies like NuScale Power and Oklo are developing small modular nuclear reactors, and while they have yet to operate commercially, their innovative technologies could drive industry advancements, making them suitable for aggressive investors willing to take on high risks.
See More
Southern Company Remembers Ted Turner
- Ted Turner's Impact: Southern Company Chairman and CEO Chris Womack noted that Ted Turner was not only a pioneer in media and broadcasting but also a passionate advocate for environmental stewardship, partnering with Southern Company to advance utility-scale solar energy development.
- Solar Project Collaboration: The partnership with Turner Enterprises and Turner Renewable Energy led to several solar projects, including the Cimarron Solar facility built in 2010 on Turner's New Mexico property, marking Southern Company's entry into utility-scale solar operations.
- Business Expansion and Expertise: These projects enabled Southern Company to establish its first utility-scale solar operations, expand its development expertise, and accelerate the integration of solar energy into its generation portfolio, enhancing its competitive position in the market.
- Corporate Culture and Values: Southern Company is committed to prioritizing customer needs with nearly 30,000 employees dedicated to delivering exceptional service, reflecting the innovative and responsible spirit that Turner championed, which is key to the company's sustained success.
See More
