NRG Energy Inc (NRG): Today's Featured Utilities Winner

NRG Energy (NRG) pushed the Utilities sector higher today making it today's featured utilities winner. The sector as a whole closed the day up 0.3%. By the end of trading, NRG Energy rose 64 cents (3.2%) to $20.88 on heavy volume. Throughout the day, 8.1 million shares of NRG Energy exchanged hands as compared to its average daily volume of 3.9 million shares. The stock ranged in a price between $20.15-$21.06 after having opened the day at $20.17 as compared to the previous trading day's close of $20.24. Other companies within the Utilities sector that increased today were: China Hydroelectric Corporation (CHC), up 9%, GenOn Energy (GEN), up 3.7%, Active Power (ACPW), up 3.1%, and Atlas Energy (ATLS), up 3.1%.

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NRG Energy, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, operates as an integrated wholesale power generation and retail electricity company. The company engages in the ownership, development, construction, expansion, modification, refurbishment, and operation of power generation facilities. NRG Energy has a market cap of $4.45 billion and is part of the utilities industry. The company has a P/E ratio of 21.2, above the average utilities industry P/E ratio of 21 and above the S&P 500 P/E ratio of 17.7. Shares are up 7.8% year to date as of the close of trading on Wednesday. Currently there are five analysts that rate NRG Energy a buy, no analysts rate it a sell, and two rate it a hold.

TheStreet Ratings rates NRG Energy as a hold. The company's strengths can be seen in multiple areas, such as its compelling growth in net income, growth in earnings per share and notable return on equity. However, as a counter to these strengths, we also find weaknesses including poor profit margins, weak operating cash flow and a generally disappointing performance in the stock itself.

• You can view the full NRG Energy Ratings Report.

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For investors not wanting singular stock exposure, ETFs may be of interest. Investors who are bullish on the utilities sector could consider Utilities Select Sector SPDR (XLU) while those bearish on the utilities sector could consider ProShares UltraShort Utilities (SDP).

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For more information on NRG Energy Inc click any of the following:

• NRG Energy Inc Stock Price

• NRG Energy Inc Analyst Ratings

• NRG Energy Inc Key Stats & Profile

• NRG Energy Inc Earnings

• NRG Energy Inc Ratio Comparison

• NRG Energy Inc Growth Rates

• NRG Energy Inc Balance Sheet

• NRG Energy Inc Cash Flow

• NRG Energy Inc Income Statement