Six mid-cap utility stocks to watch as economy paces ahead

The mid-cap companies have a market capitalization of US$2 billion-US$10 billion. The utility companies offer electricity, water, natural gas, sewage removal, and other essential services. The utility companies have been affected by the pandemic and are gradually nursing back to health.

Here we look at the top six mid-cap public utility stocks in the market.

Stericycle, Inc. (Nasdaq: SRCL)

The stock of this company traded at US$66.38 at 9.52 am ET on August 24, up 0.02 percent over the August 23 closing price. The SRLC stock decreased by 4.27 percent YTD.

The market capitalization of this waste management company is US$6 billion. The P/E ratio is 276.54, and the forward P/E one year is 25.93. The EPS is US$0.24. The highest and the lowest stocks prices of the company for the past 52 weeks were US$79.97 and US$59.51.

The company reported total revenue of US$672.7 million in Q2, 2021, compared to US$598.2 million in Q2 last year. The gross profit was US$269.1 million against US$236.5 million in Q2 the previous year. The net income was US$29.3 million against a net loss of US$4.5 million in Q2 last year.

Also read: Eight hot stocks to consider in a booming EV market

New Fortress Energy Inc. (Nasdaq: NFE)

The stocks of this natural gas utility company traded at US$66.38 at 9.52 am ET on August 24, up 0.02 percent over the August 23 closing price. The stock price of NFE decreased by 45.33 percent YTD.

The total revenue of the company in Q2, 2021, was US$223.8 million compared to US$94.6 million in Q2 last year. The gross profit of NFE was US$116 million against US$30.8 million in Q2 the previous year. The net income of the clean energy provider was US$6 million compared to US$137.5 million in Q2 last year.

The market capitalization of NFE is US$6 billion. The forward P/E one year is 75.19. The EPS is US$-0.45, and the annual dividend is US$0.40. The highest and the lowest stock prices of the public utility company for the past 52 weeks were US$65.90 and US$25.83.

Source: Pixabay.

InterDigital, Inc (Nasdaq: IDCC)

The stock of the telecommunications company traded at US$72.4009 at 10.17 am ET on August 24, up 0.33 percent over the August 23 closing price. The stock price of IDCC increased by 19.09 percent YTD.

The company reported total revenue of US$87.7 million in Q2, 2021, compared to US$104.5 million in Q2 last year. The net income was US$1.6 million against US$22.3 million in Q2 last year.

The market cap of the company is US$2.2 billion. The P/E ratio is 76.07 and the forward P/E one year is 53.85. The EPS is US$0.95, and the annual dividend is US$1.40. The highest and lowest stock prices of the wireless company for the past 52 weeks were US$72.88 and US$72.12. 

Source: Pixabay.

Portland General Electric Co (NYSE: POR)

The stocks of this electric utility company traded at US$50.99 at 10.29 am ET on August 24, down 0.84 percent over the August 23 closing price. The stock price of POR increased by 19.22 percent YTD.

The market capitalization of the US-based company is US$4.5 billion. The P/E ratio is 28.13 and the forward P/E one year is 18.63. The EPS is US$1.81, and the annual dividend is US$1.72. The highest and the lowest stock prices of the electricity distribution company for the past 52 weeks were US$51.82 and US$31.96. 

The public utility company had total revenue of US$537 million in Q2 this year compared to US$469 million in Q2 last year. The net income of POR was US$32 million against US$39 million in Q2 last year.

Black Hills Corporation (NYSE: BKH)

The stock of this multiline utility company traded at US$70.885 at 10.32 am ET on August 24, down 0.97 percent over the August 23 closing price. The stock price of BKH increased by 15.38 percent YTD.

The market capitalization of the company is US$4.4 billion. The P/E ratio is 18.81 and the forward P/E one year is 18.45. The EPS is US$3.75, and the annual dividend is US$2.26. The highest and lowest stock prices of the power company for the past 52 weeks were US$72.78 and US$51.97. 

Total revenue for the fiscal year 2020 was US$1.6 billion against US$1.7 billion in FY 2019. The company reported a net income of US$227.6 million in FY 2020 compared to US$199.3 million in FY 2019.

Also read: Six growth stocks under US$100 to explore

Murphy USA Inc. (NYSE: MUSA)

The stock of this oil and gas refining company traded at US$154.56 at 10.38 am ET on August 24, up 0.10 percent over the August 23 closing price. The stock price of MUSA surged by 18.09 percent YTD.

The market capitalization of the motor fuel retailer is US$3.9 billion. The P/E ratio is 13.77, and the forward P/E one year is 14.15. The EPS is US$11.23, and the annual dividend is US$1. The highest and lowest stocks prices of the company for the past 52 weeks were US$159 and US$117.08. 

The total revenue of MUSA for Q2, 2021, was US$4.4 billion against US$2.3 billion in Q2, 2020. The gross profit for the period was US$501.9 million against US$443.1 million in Q2, 2020. The net income of the US-based company was US$128.8 million compared to US$168.9 million in Q2, 2020.

Bottom line: 

Public utility companies are always in demand regardless of which direction the economy is heading. The sector expects stable growth in the next quarter.