FirstEnergy Corp (FE): Today's Featured Utilities Laggard

Editor's Note: TheStreet ratings do not represent the views of TheStreet's staff or its contributors. Ratings are established by computer based on metrics for performance (which includes growth, stock performance, efficiency and valuation) and risk (volatility and solvency). Companies with poor cash flow or high debt levels tend to earn lower ratings in our model.

FirstEnergy (FE) pushed the Utilities sector lower today making it today's featured Utilities laggard. The sector as a whole closed the day down 0.4%. By the end of trading, FirstEnergy fell 45 cents (-1%) to $43.28 on heavy volume. Throughout the day, 5.1 million shares of FirstEnergy exchanged hands as compared to its average daily volume of 2.4 million shares. The stock ranged in price between $42.97-$43.79 after having opened the day at $43.70 as compared to the previous trading day's close of $43.73. Other companies within the Utilities sector that declined today were: China Hydroelectric Corporation (CHC), down 10.3%, Ocean Power Technologies (OPTT), down 10.2%, Huaneng Power International (HNP), down 6.2%, and American Water Works (AWK), down 3.6%.

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FirstEnergy Corp. operates as a diversified energy company. The company, through its subsidiaries, engages in the generation, transmission, and distribution of electricity. FirstEnergy has a market cap of $17.82 billion and is part of the utilities industry. The company has a P/E ratio of 15.7, equal to the average utilities industry P/E ratio and below the S&P 500 P/E ratio of 17.7. Shares are down 3.8% year to date as of the close of trading on Thursday. Currently there are four analysts that rate FirstEnergy a buy, no analysts rate it a sell, and 11 rate it a hold.

TheStreet Ratings rates FirstEnergy as a buy. Among the primary strengths of the company is its respectable return on equity which we feel is likely to continue. We feel these strengths outweigh the fact that the company has had sub par growth in net income.

• You can view the full FirstEnergy Ratings Report.

On the positive front, Transportadora de Gas del Sur (TGS), up 4.3%, American DG Energy (ADGE), up 4%, TransAlta Corporation (TAC), up 3.8%, and GreenHunter Energy (GRH), up 3.8%, were all gainers within the utilities sector with Exelon (EXC) being today's featured utilities sector leader.

• Use our utilities section to find sector-relevant news.
• Or find some new ideas from our top rated stocks lists.

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).

• Find other investment ideas from our top rated ETFs lists.

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For more information on FirstEnergy Corp click any of the following:

• FirstEnergy Corp Stock Price

• FirstEnergy Corp Analyst Ratings

• FirstEnergy Corp Key Stats & Profile

• FirstEnergy Corp Earnings

• FirstEnergy Corp Ratio Comparison

• FirstEnergy Corp Growth Rates

• FirstEnergy Corp Balance Sheet

• FirstEnergy Corp Cash Flow

• FirstEnergy Corp Income Statement