Vineet Kulkarni

The gold rally has eased a bit this week. Since December, Barrick Gold and Newmont Goldcorp have exhibited decent uptrends until recently.

Utility stocks have been rallying for the last two years amid broader market volatility. The rally in these stocks steepened last year.

Wall Street analysts have given SunPower stock a mean target price of $8.56, which indicates a potential upside of 11.5% for the next 12 months.

Rumors of Warren Buffett buying into Boeing (NYSE:BA) have filled the air this week. The legendary investor’s interest in airline stocks is well known.

American Water Works stock returned more than 160% in the last five years, including dividends. The return is more than double utilities’ average.

Silver has shown a decent uptrend since December. Easing trade relations with China was one of the important factors driving silver prices.

PG&E will exit Chapter 11 bankruptcy by the end of June. The stock might continue to be volatile in trading as this deadline nears amid uncertainties.

Gold continued to rally amid rising geopolitical tensions recently. The spot gold prices crossed the $1,600 per ounce level on Wednesday.

Currently, utility stocks on average offer a yield of 3%. Dominion Energy offers a dividend yield of 4.5%, while NextEra Energy offers a yield of 2.1%.

The US and Iran tensions have risen since the China trade war. Defensive investments might come into focus again due to increasing geopolitical tensions.

Overall, 2019 turned out to be volatile for solar stocks. However, there were some bright spots among broader markets last year.

Williams Companies stock has recovered slightly. However, the energy stock is still trading at a 20% discount to its 52-week high of close to $30.

Recently, gold continued to rise. US gold futures rose for the eighth time in the last nine trading sessions and reached $1,582 levels per ounce today.

Southern Company (SO) stock had one of the best years in 2019. It gained almost 45%. The stock outperformed utilities at large that rose 22% last year.

This year is going to be crucial for PG&E (PCG) and its investors. The utility has a deadline of June 30, 2020, to exit Chapter 11 bankruptcy.

Energy Transfer (ET) stock had a weak run despite strong earnings growth in 2019. Here’s a look into how analysts think ET will perform in 2020.

Enphase Energy (ENPH) stock started off 2020 with a bang and surged more than 12% on January 2. Solar stocks also gained yesterday.

Utility stocks rose more than 22% in 2019. Can they continue their climb in 2020? And how do Wall Street analysts look at them right now?

During Tesla’s Q3 call, Musk said that he thinks Tesla’s solar segment could be as big or even bigger than the company’s electric vehicle business.

Stock markets maintained their uptrend. They’re trading close to all-time highs. Robert Shiller thinks that the rally was mainly a Trump effect.

Overall, 2019 has been eventful. The Dow Jones Index (DIA) and the S&P 500 (SPY) had one of their best years with gains of 24% and 29%, respectively.

Warren Buffett has been waiting for an “elephant-sized acquisition” for a long time. He didn’t have many opportunities in 2019 due to concerning valuations.

Apple (AAPL) kept the throne with a gain of almost 85% this year. The company is the third biggest component of the Dow Jones Index.

Although this year may not have gone as Elon Musk expected, there were some notable developments for Tesla (TSLA) Solar this year.

Wall Street analysts have given First Solar a mean target price of $70.9, which indicates a potential upside of 22% for the next 12 months.

This year has been special for regulated utility Southern Company (SO). Its stock has rallied more than 50% to all-time highs, beating broader markets.

Higher realized gold prices had a positive impact on these companies in 2019. The positive outlook on gold could increase their earnings next year.

Lately, there have been talks about Warren Buffett’s successor. Rumors have been circulating in the investment community for many years.

After being in bankruptcy for almost a year, PG&E stock is trading comfortably close to $11 levels. So far, PG&E stock has fallen more than 50% in 2019.

This year’s star solar stock, Enphase Energy (ENPH), has rallied almost 40% in the last month. Many solar stocks have had a strong run.

Barrick Gold (GOLD) stock has been trading in a narrow range for the last several weeks. Meanwhile, gold and silver’s performance has been lackluster.

Top utility stocks Southern Company (SO) and NextEra Energy (NEE) continued to rise and hit a new all-time high last week.

Last week, California Governor Gavin Newsom rejected PG&E’s reorganization plan. He said that the plan lacks governance changes.

On Thursday, PG&E’s chairman, Bill Johnson, said that preventive power shutoffs could continue for at least five more years.

Midstream MLPs have recovered after hitting multiyear lows early this month. The ALPS Alerian MLP ETF (AMLP) is up more than 10% in the last two weeks.

Yesterday, the Dow Jones and the S&P 500 gained approximately 0.5% each and hit a new all-time high. We’re about to enter the last trading week of the year.

Among the top utility stocks, NextEra Energy offers a yield of 2.1%, the lowest among its peers. Regulated utility Southern Company (SO) yields 4%.

A BofA Global Research Fund Managers survey showed that the bullish sentiment is increasing on equities. Fund managers are shifting their focus to equities.

Recently, uncertainty continued to pour in for PG&E (PCG). The bankruptcy court judge approved the company’s $13.5 billion settlement with wildfire victims.

Recently, Southern Company (SO) shifted to its top gear. Southern Company stock rose 2.3% on Tuesday—an increase for the fifth consecutive trading session.

So far, Barrick Gold (GOLD) stock has been trading in a narrow range in the fourth quarter. The stock has risen almost 30% in 2019.

Musk has been focusing on Tesla’s solar segment this year. Previously, he said that he was making “2019 as a year of solar.”

Consolidated Edison has a dividend yield of 3.4%, higher than utilities’ average of 3%. It declared a quarterly dividend of $0.74 per share in October.

Cowen and Company increased the target price for Enphase Energy stock. The target price indicates a potential upside of 13% from its current price of $24.6.

California Governor Gavin Newsom rejected PG&E’s (PCG) reorganization plan on December 13. The rejection is a huge setback for the company.

Embattled utility PG&E (PCG) stock is trading weakly today. It was down more than 8% at 12:00 PM ET today, sliding for the third straight day.

Barrick Gold seems well-placed going into 2020. With higher gold prices expected in 2020 and upbeat remarks by the CEO, investors could be optimistic.

Utility stocks have been some of the strongest equities this year. The stocks are up approximately 20% this year, in line with the Dow Jones.

Creditors have lobbied California governor Gavin Newson to reject PG&E’s recent $13.5 billion settlement with wildfire victims.

The US-China trade war has impacted both of the countries. A trade deal with China still looks uncertain. The new tariffs are scheduled to start this Sunday.

Barrick Gold stock has shown a decent run this year. The company has been focusing on asset sales and posted better-than-expected earnings in Q3 2019.

Top regulated utility Duke Energy (DUK) declared a quarterly dividend of $0.945 per share in October. The dividend is set to be paid on December 16.

PG&E (PCG) stock continued to increase and rose another 10% on Tuesday. The stock has risen in ten of the last 12 trading sessions.

Whether Elon Musk made 2019 the Year of Solar is debatable. But with Tesla’s Solar Roof Version 3, the company made some notable developments.

Enphase Energy (ENPH) is trading 24x its EPS of $0.98 for the next 12 months—reasonable for a growth stock. SolarEdge (SEDG) is trading 17x its forward EPS.

PG&E (PCG) stock rose as much as 20% on Monday due to the announcement of the company’s settlement with wildfire victims on December 6.

Southern Company has continued to trade sideways. The utility stock hit a new 52-week high last month but has been rangebound since September.

First Solar stock lost 3.4% last week after the US Court of International Trade blocked the Trump administration from withdrawing a tariff exemption.

Last week, PG&E reached a settlement to resolve individual claims associated with wildfires in the last few years. The agreement is valued at $13.5 billion.

Utility stocks’ dividend growth plays a vital role in driving investors’ total returns over the long term, making it important as a dividend yield.

Phase one trade deal continues to look uncertain. With better-than-expected jobs report, Dow Jones recovered later in the week.

The prospect of making bankrupt utility PG&E a customer-owned company, floated earlier this month by San Jose’s mayor, is quickly gaining ground.

Elon Musk is serious about Tesla’s (TSLA) solar segment. Electrek reports Musk has emailed employees about Tesla’s two top priorities.

Berkshire Hathaway’s huge cash pile might stay in place for a while. Warren Buffett was outbid by Apollo Global Management in his efforts to buy Tech Data.

Recently, PG&E stock continued to rise. The stock has gained in seven of the last eight trading sessions. Collectively, the stock has risen more than 30%.

American Electric Power Company (AEP) declared a quarterly dividend of $0.70 per share in October. These dividends will be paid on December 12.

Energy Transfer (ET) fell in the last five straight trading sessions and lost almost 8%. Besides ET, most midstream stocks were trading weakly.

To boost the domestic solar industry, Trump imposed a 30% tariff on imported panels last year. However, the policy severely impacted the sector.

Tesla registered a wholly-owned subsidiary in Israel last month. Along with expanding its EV business, its foray will be important for its Solar segment.

Bankrupt utility PG&E Corporation (PCG) stock started December off on a positive note, gaining more than 5% on December 2.

Solar stocks have been a sweet spot among equities this year. On average, they’ve gained 50% this year, notably outperforming broader markets.

The Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLU), which represents the top utility stocks, has been trading in a very narrow range for the last two weeks.

PG&E was strongly criticized for its preemptive blackouts this season, but according to the company, the blackouts prevented significant damage.

Enphase Energy (ENPH) stock fell more than 5% Friday after gaining around 25% collectively over the five previous trading sessions.

Generally, investors prefer utility stocks due to their stable dividend-paying capabilities. Currently, they offer an average dividend yield of 3%.

Tesla (TSLA) Solar has been struggling for a long time. The company’s recent version-three of the solar roof tiles could bring a fresh start for it.

Southern Company (SO) stock has continued to trade close to all-time highs. The stock has gained more than 42% this year, notably outperforming peers.

While it seemed that the US-China Phase 1 trade deal was coming along, the two sides may just have moved a step back with the signing of the Hong Kong bill.

Yesterday, a judge denied PG&E’s plea to reduce its current wildfire liability by dodging inverse condemnation, according to the San Francisco Chronicle.

The ALPS Alerian MLP ETF (AMLP), the representative of the top MLPs in the US, plunged to record lows last week. It’s trading near its all-time low of $7.7.

Investors keep turning to defensives this year amid uncertainties in the broader markets. Some of the top utility stocks have outperformed their peers at large.

The Dow Jones Index and the S&P 500 have risen more than 20% and 25%, respectively, this year. The Dow Jones Futures indicate a flattish opening today.

The recent uptrend in First Solar (FSLR) stock might have soothed investors, but the worst may not be over yet. Here’s why.

While PG&E Corporation (PCG) continues to tackle deadly wildfires and preemptive blackouts, it’s also readying for a major winter storm this week.

Renewables giant NextEra Energy (NEE) declared a quarterly dividend of $1.25 per share last month. It’s expected to pay a dividend of $5 per share in 2019.

Solar microinverter maker Enphase Energy (ENPH) stock marginally increased last week. Here’s what could get its stock rising faster again.

Southern Company (SO) stock has rallied almost 45% this year and is currently trading close to its all-time high. Could its rally soon end?

Duke Energy (DUK) stock fell more than 10% from its 52-week high last month after lower-than-expected third-quarter revenues and share dilution.

A US-China trade deal, which appeared to on the table up until last week, might not happen this year. Yesterday, the Dow Jones fell for a third day.

Despite solid earnings growth this year, Energy Transfer stock fell close to its multiyear lows recently. Could this weakness be seen as an opportunity?

AES Corporation (AES) stock hit a new 52-week high of $18.62 yesterday. Also, it gained in 8 of the last 9 trading sessions.

Many top utilities rely on coal and other fossil fuels for power generation. They are still far behind their zero-carbon-emission targets.

Sunrun (RUN) stock has lost almost 4% this week. Despite its recent weakness, Sunrun is sitting at a solid gain of about 30% year-to-date.

While almost all utility stocks are looking expensive right now, a T. Rowe Price analyst has called utilities “the most underappreciated” sector.

The partial trade deal between the US and China may just have hit a new snag. Yesterday, the US Senate passed a Hong Kong Human Rights bill.

Enphase Energy stock fell almost 4% on Monday. The company announced its supply agreement with Sunrun to provide seventh-generation IQ microinverters.

PG&E’s (PGE) troubles continue to mount every day. The bankrupt utility needs to raise a total of $12 billion by December 6 to fund its restructuring plan.

Innovation will be the competitive advantage for Tesla Solar. Tesla launched a solar roof tile last month that’s more efficient and is easier to install.

First Solar stock has an EV-to-EBITDA valuation of 6.4x its estimated earnings for the next 12 months. The industry’s mean valuation is greater than 11x.

One of the biggest regulated utilities, Southern Company (SO), is the top-rallying stock in the sector this year. It’s up more than 40%.