4 utilities that can be bought as consumer confidence continues to decrease

Americans are not sure about economic health and its future, as several factors continue to fear their heads. The impact of the marketplace market and tariffs continues to be concerned, despite the interest rates and hints of reducing the federal reserves of last month’s federal reserves and hints of increased tariffs this year.

Given uncertainty, it would be wise to invest in defensive shares in the safe utility sector. This includes Atmos Energy Corporation Ato, Consolidated Water Co. Ltd. Cwco, Northwestern Energy Group, Inc. Owners and Northwest Natural Control Nwn. Each of these stocks contains 2 rank (buy). You can see A detailed list of today’s Zacks #1 (Strong Buy) stock here;

These stocks come from the low category of Beta (Beta Beta is larger than 0 but less than 1). Thus, the recommended approach is to invest in small beta shares with high dividend yields and favorable Zacks rank.

September Consumer confidence decreased to 94.2, and a month decreased by 3.6 points and there was a lack of consensus to estimate 96 reading, the conference board said Tuesday. The current situation index, consumer assessment of current business and labor market conditions, decreased by 7 points to 125.4.

Short -term expectations of income, business conditions and employment also decreased by 1.3 points to 74.8 in September. Any reading below the 80 threshold indicates a higher economic risk sliding into the downturn.

Increasing concern about the decline in the labor market first caused consumers’ confidence. Consumer evaluation due to the possibilities of current work has now declined for the ninth consecutive month.

In addition, high prices of goods continue to put pressure on consumer costs. President Donald Trump’s rates have already increased the prices of goods, and high inflation is still concerned.

Last month, federal reserves’ penalty reduced interest rates by 25 base points to increase the economy after the job statement has painted a gloomy economic view. The central bank also mentioned two more tariff reductions in quarterly basic points this year. But the worries once again became unstable.

Atmos Energy CorporationTogether with subsidiaries, they are engaged in regulated natural gas distribution and storage business. ATO serves nearly 3.3 million customers of more than 1,400 communities in the eight states from the Blue Ridge Mountains to the West of Rocky Mountains. Atmos Energy is operative more than 73,000 miles of transmission and distribution lines, as well as 5,700 miles of cross -border pipelines.

Atmos Energy is the expected growth rate of earnings in 7.3% in the current year. In the last 60 days, the Zacks consensus on current year’s revenue has improved by 0.8%. The ATO beta is 0.75 and the current dividend yield is 2.05%.

Consolidated Water Co. Ltd.Together with its subsidiaries, participates in the development and operation of seawater flowing equipment and water distribution systems in areas where naturally emerging drinking water supply is small or absent. CWCO also focuses on expansion of activities in areas with a large proportion of tourist properties and the growing population.

Consolidated Water Co. In the current year, the expected rate of income growth is 0.9%. The Zacks consensus on the income of the current year has improved 24.4%in the last 60 days. Currently, Cwco has Zacks rank no. 2. Consolidated water beta is 0.58 and the current dividend yield is 1.60%.

Northwestern Energy Group, Inc. is a growing, financially based energy company owned by investors. This provided a reliable and affordable energy to customers in Montana, South Dakota and Nebraska. NWE began its activities in small communities, providing essential services that allowed them to grow and prosper.

Northwest expected income growth rate will be 5.6% in the current year. The Zacks consensus on the income of the current year has improved by 0.6%in the last 60 days. NWE currently has Zacks rank no. 2. The northwest beta version is 0.40 and the current dividend yield is 4.54%.

Northwest Natural Control Creates and maintains natural gas distribution systems and also invest in natural gas pipelines through their subsidiaries. NWN serves residential, commercial and industrial customers primarily in the US, Canada and the service area.

The expected earnings of the Northwest Nature Company will be 25.3% in the current year. In the last 60 days, the Zacks consensus on current year’s revenue has improved 1.4%. The BETA version of the Northwest Nature Control Company is 0.59 and the current dividend yield is 4.37%.

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ATMOS Energy Corporation (ATO): Free Stock Analysis Report

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Consolidated Water Co. Ltd. (CWCO): Free Stock Analysis Report

This article was originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

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