Group 1 - Sempra's shares fell nearly 20% in a single session after the company reduced its guidance in February [1] - Dominion Energy has reported solid results despite facing a different market reaction compared to Sempra [1] Group 2 - Joseph Jones, a professor with over fifteen years of market study experience, focuses on portfolio construction from a dividend growth investor's perspective [1]

Group 1 - Utilities (XLU) is one of only three S&P 500 sector ETFs that is up for the year, indicating strong performance in a generally declining market [1] - Despite a significant rebound in US equities since last week's lows, most sectors are experiencing notable declines, highlighting the defensive nature of utilities [1] - The trend suggests that defensive sectors like utilities remain in vogue as investors seek stability amid market volatility [1]

Group 1 - The article emphasizes the importance of stability in earnings and the ability to generate steady dividend income, particularly highlighting utility companies as strong candidates for meeting these criteria [2] - Sempra (NYSE: SRE) is specifically mentioned as a utility company that currently trades favorably, suggesting potential for investment [2] Group 2 - The focus of the investment service is on income-producing asset classes that provide sustainable portfolio income, diversification, and inflation hedging [1]

Core Viewpoint - The utility sector is viewed as a safe investment during economic turbulence, providing essential services that consumers prioritize even in difficult times [1][7][8]. Group 1: Definition and Characteristics of Utility Stocks - Utility stocks are companies primarily involved in distributing essential services such as electricity, gas, and water [5][6]. - The Global Industry Classification Standard (GICS) categorizes the utility sector to include electric, gas, and water utilities, as well as independent power producers and energy traders [6]. - Utility companies exhibit low economic sensitivity, generating stable revenues and profits, and are known for their substantial dividends [8][9]. Group 2: Investment Appeal - Investors are drawn to utility stocks due to their "stickiness" in revenues, similar to healthcare and consumer staples, making them defensive stocks [7][8]. - Utilities are often among the best-yielding market sectors, providing safety and potential upside during market downturns [9]. - The sector's stability allows for gradual rate increases, although growth is typically capped at low single-digit rates [11]. Group 3: Recent Trends and Opportunities - The rise of artificial intelligence (AI) is expected to significantly increase power usage over the next decade, presenting a unique growth opportunity for utility companies [12][13]. - This trend may enable utilities to enhance their business results in a way that has not been seen before [13]. Group 4: Criteria for Selecting Utility Stocks - A quality screen for selecting utility stocks includes companies within the S&P Composite 1500, with a long-term estimated earnings-per-share growth rate of at least 5% [15]. - Stocks should have a dividend yield of at least 2.5%, with a history of growing dividends by at least 5% over the past year [16][17]. - Companies should have at least five covering analysts and a consensus Buy rating of 2.5 or less on S&P Global Market Intelligence's ratings scale [18][19]. Group 5: Recommended Utility Stocks - Recommended utility stocks include: - IDACORP (IDA): 2.9% yield, 5.5% estimated annual dividend growth, 8.3% long-term EPS growth, consensus rating 1.75 [19]. - NiSource (NI): 2.8% yield, 6.8% estimated annual dividend growth, 8.0% long-term EPS growth, consensus rating 1.53 [19]. - DTE Energy (DTE): 3.1% yield, 6.9% estimated annual dividend growth, 8.0% long-term EPS growth, consensus rating 2.05 [19]. - New Jersey Resources (NJR): 3.6% yield, 5.4% estimated annual dividend growth, 7.6% long-term EPS growth, consensus rating 2.22 [19]. - CMS Energy (CMS): 2.9% yield, 5.8% estimated annual dividend growth, 7.3% long-term EPS growth, consensus rating 2.21 [19]. - Sempra (SRE): 3.7% yield, 5.6% estimated annual dividend growth, 7.0% long-term EPS growth, consensus rating 2.11 [19]. - Ameren (AEE): 2.6% yield, 6.3% estimated annual dividend growth, 6.9% long-term EPS growth, consensus rating 2.24 [19]. - Public Service Enterprise Group (PEG): 3.1% yield, 5.7% estimated annual dividend growth, 6.6% long-term EPS growth, consensus rating 2.35 [19]. - Essential Utilities (WTRG): 3.2% yield, 6.6% estimated annual dividend growth, 6.5% long-term EPS growth, consensus rating 1.46 [19]. - FirstEnergy (FE): 4.1% yield, 5.6% estimated annual dividend growth, 5.7% long-term EPS growth, consensus rating 2.39 [20].

Core Viewpoint - Sempra is taking strategic actions to simplify its portfolio and recycle capital to support growth in its Texas and California utilities, including the sale of certain energy infrastructure assets in Mexico and a minority stake in Sempra Infrastructure Partners [1][2]. Asset Sales - Sempra Infrastructure plans to sell Ecogas México, which operates three utility franchises and has over 5,000 kilometers of distribution pipelines serving more than 600,000 consumers in Mexico [3]. - The sale of Ecogas is part of a strategy to divest non-core assets and focus on the U.S. utilities [14]. Minority Stake Sale - The company is initiating a process to sell a minority interest in Sempra Infrastructure, which has a strong position in liquefied natural gas (LNG) assets [4]. - Previous sales of non-controlling interests in Sempra Infrastructure were valued at approximately $16.9 billion in 2021 and $17.9 billion in 2022 [4]. LNG Growth Opportunities - Sempra Infrastructure is expanding its LNG franchise, with projects like Energía Costa Azul LNG Phase 1 expected to commence operations in spring 2026, and Port Arthur LNG Phase 1 on track for 2027 and 2028 [5][6]. - The company is in discussions for Phase 2 of Port Arthur LNG, which has strong commercial interest and aims for a final investment decision in 2025 [6][7]. Value Creation Initiatives - The announced sales are part of five value creation initiatives for 2025, aimed at increasing long-term value for shareholders and stakeholders [8]. - These transactions are expected to be accretive to earnings-per-share forecasts and enhance the company's credit profile [9].

A month has gone by since the last earnings report for Sempra (SRE) . Shares have lost about 2.9% in that time frame, outperforming the S&P 500.Will the recent negative trend continue leading up to its next earnings release, or is Sempra due for a breakout? Before we dive into how investors and analysts have reacted as of late, let's take a quick look at the most recent earnings report in order to get a better handle on the important catalysts.How Have Estimates Been Moving Since Then?It turns out, estimate ...

Investors in Sempra (SRE) need to pay close attention to the stock based on moves in the options market lately. That is because the Apr 17, 2025 $40.00 Call had some of the highest implied volatility of all equity options today.What is Implied Volatility?Implied volatility shows how much movement the market is expecting in the future. Options with high levels of implied volatility suggest that investors in the underlying stocks are expecting a big move in one direction or the other. It could also mean there ...

LOS ANGELES, March 18, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Southern California Gas Company (SoCalGas) today announced it executed a contract with Organic Energy Solutions (OES) to procure renewable natural gas (RNG) converted from organic waste and inject it into SoCalGas' pipeline system. The contract is the first approved by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) under Senate Bill (SB) 1440 which sets specific RNG procurement targets for the state's natural gas utilities. The RNG will be sourced from a projec ...

SAN DIEGO, March 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) announced today the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) has approved an expansion of the company's Westside Canal Battery Energy Storage facility in California's Imperial Valley. This expansion project will add 100 megawatts (MW) of energy storage capacity to the existing 131 MW facility and is projected to be fully operational by June 2025. "The expansion of Westside Canal is a critical step toward strengthening our regio ...

Key TakeawaysThe S&P 500 fell by 0.5% on Tuesday, Feb. 25, after a weak consumer confidence report raised investor worries over slower growth.Energy company Sempra shares plummeted after the gas and electric holding company reported disappointing earnings and a weak outlook.Solventum’s stock jumped after the medical device maker agreed to sell its purification and filtration business to Thermo Fisher Scientific. Major U.S. equities indexes were mixed after a weak consumer confidence report and losses from s ...