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

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.

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 0.4%. By the end of trading, NRG Energy rose 41 cents (1.9%) to $21.89 on heavy volume. Throughout the day, 8.8 million shares of NRG Energy exchanged hands as compared to its average daily volume of 4.4 million shares. The stock ranged in a price between $21.53-$21.91 after having opened the day at $21.59 as compared to the previous trading day's close of $21.48. Other companies within the Utilities sector that increased today were: American DG Energy ( ADGE), up 6.7%, China Hydroelectric Corporation ( CHC), up 6.7%, GreenHunter Energy ( GRH), up 6%, and GenOn Energy ( GEN), 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 $4.89 billion and is part of the utilities industry. Shares are up 18.4% year to date as of the close of trading on Thursday. Currently there are six analysts that rate NRG Energy a buy, no analysts rate it a sell, and one rates it a hold.

TheStreet Ratings rates NRG Energy as a hold. The company's strengths can be seen in multiple areas, such as its good cash flow from operations and expanding profit margins. However, as a counter to these strengths, we also find weaknesses including disappointing return on equity, generally higher debt management risk 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).

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

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