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Shannon Saccocia, CIO, Boston PrivateSPDR Utilities E.T.F.XLUBUYNov 03, 2023

Utilities bottomed around Oct. 2. Withe change in the yield curve, she's buying more utilities and REITs to get yield.

Shannon Saccocia, CIO, Boston Private

Unknown

$62.40

Stock price when the opinion was issued

$44.53

As of Jun 12, 2026. Market Open.

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(A Top Pick May 03/24, Up 19%)

(Note the short timeframe.) Sector has been helped by falling interest rates, plus forecasted huge uptick in energy requirements by data centres. Also benefits from being defensive. This is the soft way to play that trend. Now seeing topping out and seasonal weakness (January/February). Not a preferred sector at present.

WEAK BUY

A contrarian call that he picks for defence. Dividends are solid, though valuations are a little high. Is up 7.5% in May but expects flatter gains ahead.

TOP PICK

Another defensive name that is good for investors. A.I. demand along with Bitcoin driving need for energy. Large energy suppliers are seeing record growth. Expecting upward trend to continue. Falling interest rates will be good for utility balance sheets.

BUY

Have undperformed this year, but this will enjoy clean energy growth as a tailwind.

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1550+ opinions with 4.81 rating (one of the best performing expert).

PAST TOP PICK

(A Top Pick Apr 19/22, Down 9%)Stockchase Research Editor: Michael O'Reilly Our PAST TOP PICK with XLU has triggered its stop at $68. To remain disciplined we recommend covering the position at this time. This will result in a net investment gain of 2%, when combined with previous buy recommendations.

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1550+ opinions with 4.81 rating (one of the best performing expert).

TOP PICK

Stockchase Research Editor: Michael O'Reilly We again reiterate this ultra low-MER US utilities based ETF as a defensive TOP PICK. Utilities are better able to pass along the impact of rising interest rates and inflation along to customers within its rate base. We recommend trailing up the stop (from $64) to $68. Yield 2.64%

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Curated by Michael O'Reilly since 2020.
1550+ opinions with 4.81 rating (one of the best performing expert).

TOP PICK

Stockchase Research Editor: Michael O’Reilly This US utilities based ETF is a defensive holding that provides a good yield and it is reiterated as a TOP PICK. This holding helps mitigate the impact of rising interest rates and inflation on a portfolio as these factors are generally passed along to customers. We recommend trailing up the stop (from $58) to $64. Yield 2.66%

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Curated by Michael O'Reilly since 2020.
1550+ opinions with 4.81 rating (one of the best performing expert).

TOP PICK

Stockchase Research Editor: Michael O'Reilly We reiterate XLU, a US-based utilities ETF, as a defensive holding that provides a solid yield. This can act as a hedge against investor equity holding in case of a broad market retracement. A good place to be during this uncertainty in Europe. We recommend trailing up the stop (from $54) to $58. Yield 2.98%

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Curated by Michael O'Reilly since 2020.
1550+ opinions with 4.81 rating (one of the best performing expert).

TOP PICK

Stockchase Research Editor: Michael O'Reilly Thus utilities based ETF is a defensive holding that provides a solid yield. This can act as a hedge against investor equity holding in case of a broad market retracement. Utility holdings also benefit during a prolonged low interest rate environment. We would trade this with a $54 stop-loss. Yield 3.38%

SELL

He would sell some positions. It's done very well, but he doesn't expect a repeat this year. There probably won't be a huge capital gain though you will continue to get dividends. It might not do as well as the index.

PAST TOP PICK

(A Top Pick May 09/18, Up 19%) This was a call on interest rates abating. He likes the risk diversification of the ETF. He has moved more to real estate, but would still hold.

WAIT

Utilities sector in the US. It is more correlated with interest rates and when they fall this is good for the sector. He does not like it on a risk/reward basis. It is expensive right now. If stocks collapse, then this will be the safest sector to invest in and generate a yield.

TOP PICK

Utilities. He thinks rates are going higher but less so now. They are not as big a headwind as they could have been. The top three names are renewables. You have better predictability of revenue, which is good in a downturn. They are definitely defensive.

PAST TOP PICK

(A Top Pick September 12/17 Up 2%) This was a bit of a gamble, but worked out on a total return basis. They saw this as a lifejacket in a market nearing peak levels.

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