Consolidated Edison, Inc. vs Utilities Select Sector SPDR Fund — how do they compare? Consolidated Edison, Inc. trades at $107.5 (market cap $39.31B), while Utilities Select Sector SPDR Fund trades at $43.66. The key difference: Consolidated Edison, Inc. pays a 3.3% dividend while Utilities Select Sector SPDR Fund pays none, and Consolidated Edison, Inc. is trading nearer its 52-week high, Utilities Select Sector SPDR Fund nearer its low. Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| ED | XLU | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $39.31B | — |
Sector | Utilities | — |
52-Week High | $115.46 | $47.73 |
52-Week Low | $95.37 | $41.31 |
Enterprise Value | $66.16B | — |
Dividend Yield | 3.3% | — |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
Consolidated Edison (ED) trades at $107.98, down 0.89% on the day, with mixed technical signals showing bearish moving averages but neutral oscillators. The utility reported strong Q2 2026 earnings of $0.83 per share, beating estimates, with revenue growth driven by higher electric and gas rates. Analyst consensus remains cautious with 63% hold ratings and a $103.25 price target below current levels. The company maintains stable dividends and benefits from regulated monopoly positioning in New York.
ED offers defensive utility exposure with predictable cash flows and a 3.2% dividend yield, supported by mid-8% rate base growth and 9.4% allowed ROE through 2029. However, high debt levels ($27.3B total debt), capital-intensive grid upgrades, and regulatory risks present challenges. Current valuation at 17.8x P/E appears fair relative to earnings growth, making it suitable for income-focused investors seeking stability amid market volatility.
XLU trades at $43.61, up 0.51% with a bearish technical signal from moving averages. The ETF benefits from AI-driven power demand, with recent news highlighting increased call option activity and sector momentum. Support sits at $42-43 while resistance is at $44-45. The utilities sector is gaining attention as AI data centers drive electricity consumption growth.
The outlook remains mixed with technical weakness offset by strong sector fundamentals. AI power demand creates growth opportunities, but regulatory risks and interest rate sensitivity pose challenges. The ETF's defensive income characteristics provide stability amid market volatility.
Trailing returns across standard periods
Con Ed is a holding company for Consolidated Edison of New York, or CECONY, and Orange & Rockland, or O&R. These utilities provide steam, natural gas, and electricity to customers in southeastern New York—including New York City—and small parts of New Jersey. The two utilities will generate nearly all of Con Ed's earnings once it closes the sale of its clean energy business to RWE. Con Ed's clean energy business owns the second-largest portfolio of utility-scale solar projects in the U.S. Following the sale, Con Ed's only non-utility earnings will come from investments in gas and electric transmission.
Read more on ED →In seeking to track the performance of the index, the fund employs a replication strategy. It generally invests substantially all, but at least 95%, of its total assets in the securities comprising the index. The index includes securities of companies from the following industries: electric utilities; water utilities; multi-utilities; independent power and renewable electricity producers; and gas utilities. The fund is non-diversified.
Read more on XLU →