The Southern Company Series 2017B 5.25% Junior Subordinated Notes due December 1, 2077

Historical data suggests three stocks with strong December performance: RTX, Unilever, and Southern Company. These stocks have consistently gained in December over the past decades, with average returns ranging from 3.54% to 4.16%.

The utilities sector, particularly the XLU ETF, is emerging as an unexpected beneficiary of the AI boom due to massive projected increases in data center electricity demand and favorable interest rate trends.

Southern Company reported strong Q3 financial results with operating revenue growth of 7.5% to $7.82 billion and adjusted EPS of $1.60, exceeding analyst expectations. The company saw growth in kilowatt-hour sales and increased customer base across electric and gas segments.

Xcel Energy is expected to beat Q2 2024 earnings estimates, driven by higher demand from data centers and proactive measures to save its systems and customers from extreme weather conditions. Other companies in the industry, such as TransAlta, AES, and Southern Company, are also likely to report earnings beats.

The dividend stocks featured in this article all have a history of announcing their annual dividend increases in May. Click here for a detailed analysis.