Utilities Sector Seasonality

How S&P 500 utilities stocks have behaved through the calendar year, measured with XLU, the Utilities Select Sector SPDR Fund, over the last 15 years. Its strongest month has been March (average +3.11%, higher in 12 of 15 years), and its weakest February (−0.84%, higher in 9 of 15).

Utilities seasonality chart

-5%0%+5%+10%+15%JFMAMJJASONDToday
Average year for XLU over the last 15 years: it ends the year +11.1%, with its highest point around December 29 (+11.4%) and its lowest around January 12 (−0.6%). Each past year is rebased to 0% on January 1 and the years are averaged day by day. Rising stretches are when XLU has tended to gain.

Utilities stocks seasonality by month

XLU has beaten the S&P 500 (SPY) on average in 5 of the 12 months, with its biggest edge in March (+2.54%).

MonthXLU avgHigher inSPY avg
January+0.95%9 of 15 yrs+1.28%
February−0.84%9 of 15 yrs+1.12%
March+3.11%12 of 15 yrs+0.57%
April+1.58%12 of 15 yrs+1.18%
May+0.67%9 of 15 yrs+1.03%
June−0.07%8 of 15 yrs+1.37%
July+2.68%11 of 15 yrs+2.70%
August−0.16%8 of 15 yrs+0.16%
September−0.43%9 of 15 yrs−1.16%
October+2.54%13 of 15 yrs+2.17%
November+0.63%9 of 15 yrs+3.29%
December+0.44%9 of 15 yrs+0.31%

From split- and dividend-adjusted prices, complete years only. See our methodology. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

Utilities stocks in the S&P 500

31 stocks, largest first by market cap as of November 2026. Open any one for its own seasonality chart and best months.

NEENextEra EnergySOSouthernDUKDuke EnergyCEGConstellation EnergyAEPAmerican Electric PowerDDominion EnergySRESempraETREntergyXELXcel EnergyEXCExelonVSTVistraEDConsolidated EdisonPCGPG&EWECWEC EnergyPEGPublic Service EnterpriseAEEAmerenATOAtmos EnergyAWKAmerican Water WorksDTEDTE EnergyCNPCenterPoint EnergyFEFirstEnergyPPLPPLESEversource EnergyEIXEdison InternationalCMSCMS EnergyNINiSourceNRGNRG EnergyEVRGEvergyLNTAlliant EnergyPNWPinnacle West CapitalAESAES

Utilities seasonality FAQ

What is the best month for utilities stocks?

Measured by XLU over the last 15 years, March has been the strongest month, averaging +3.11% and rising in 12 of 15 years.

What is the worst month for utilities stocks?

February has been the weakest, averaging −0.84% and rising in 9 of 15 years.

Which stocks are in the utilities sector?

The 31 S&P 500 utilities stocks listed on this page, led by NEE, SO, DUK, CEG, AEP by market cap.

Find the windows starting soon

The Index Scanner checks every stock in a sector at once. Free during beta.

Open the Index Scanner

Other sectors

TechnologyHealth CareFinancialsConsumer DiscretionaryCommunication ServicesIndustrialsConsumer StaplesEnergyReal EstateMaterials

Compare them all in the best month for every sector ETF.