NFWF Awards $20 Million in Grants to Restore Longleaf Pine Habitat across the Southeast

The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation announced $20 million in conservation grants to restore longleaf pine forests across nine southern states, leveraging $18.6 million in matching contributions for a total impact of $38.6 million. The 25 projects will impact over 380,000 acres, supporting wildlife habitat restoration and rural communities through prescribed fire management and seedling plantings.

06/17/2026, 10:00 AM • GlobeNewswire

My Top 3 Recession-Proof Utilities Stocks for May 2026

With inflation rising and recession concerns mounting, the article recommends three utility stocks as defensive investments: Southern Company for its stable dividend history and essential services, Brookfield Renewable for its strong dividend growth targets, and Vistra for its growth potential in AI data center power supply.

05/23/2026, 12:30 PM • The Motley Fool

This Vanguard ETF Could Be a Better Safe-Haven Investment Than Bitcoin, Gold, and Silver

The article argues that the Vanguard Utilities ETF (VPU) offers a more stable and reliable safe-haven investment compared to Bitcoin, gold, and silver. Utility stocks provide steady dividend income with lower volatility (beta of 0.59), a low expense ratio of 0.09%, and a 2.5% dividend yield—more than double the S&P 500 average. The fund has gained approximately 5% year-to-date plus dividends.

05/13/2026, 9:30 AM • The Motley Fool

The 3 Best Nuclear Energy Industry Stocks to Buy in 2026

With electricity demand expected to increase 50% between 2020 and 2040, nuclear energy is experiencing a renaissance. The article presents six nuclear-related stocks across different risk levels: conservative options like Brookfield Renewable Partners and Southern Company; moderate-risk picks like Cameco and Constellation Energy; and high-risk emerging technology plays like NuScale Power and Oklo.

05/10/2026, 9:15 AM • The Motley Fool

Want Decades of Passive Income? 2 Stocks to Buy Right Now

Enterprise Products Partners and Southern Company are recommended as reliable dividend stocks for passive income. Enterprise offers a 5.6% yield with 27 consecutive annual distribution increases, while Southern Company provides a 3.2% yield with 78 years of consistent dividend payments and 24 consecutive years of increases.

05/01/2026, 11:15 AM • The Motley Fool

Southern Company Boosted By Strong Utility Demand

Southern Company reported strong first-quarter fiscal 2026 results with adjusted EPS of $1.32 beating consensus of $1.21 and revenue of $8.4 billion exceeding estimates. The company saw kilowatt-hour sales rise 3.5% year-over-year with growth across commercial and industrial segments. Southern reaffirmed FY26 EPS guidance of $4.50-$4.60 and provided FY2028 guidance of $5.25-$5.45. Stock rose 2.44% to $95.79.

04/30/2026, 2:01 PM • Benzinga

Southern Company increases dividend for 25th consecutive year

Southern Company announced a regular quarterly dividend of 76 cents per share, increasing its annualized dividend by 8 cents to $3.04 per share. This marks the 25th consecutive year of dividend increases and the 79th consecutive year of paying equal or greater dividends, demonstrating the company's commitment to shareholder returns.

04/20/2026, 2:17 PM • Benzinga

The Strait of Hormuz is Now Open! Or Is It? Here's How President Trump's Blockade Could Continue to Impact the Energy Markets.

Iran has reopened the Strait of Hormuz to commercial traffic following a ceasefire deal between Israel and Lebanon, causing oil prices to plummet over 10%. However, the U.S. Navy maintains its blockade against Iran, and the ceasefire expires next week, creating uncertainty. Oil market normalization could take 3-5 months even after reopening, with potential fuel shortages in Europe within six weeks.

04/17/2026, 1:30 PM • The Motley Fool

Utility Stock Showdown: Southern Company vs. NextEra Energy -- Which Is the Better Buy?

Southern Company and NextEra Energy represent two different utility investment approaches. Southern Company is a conservative utility with steady 3.1% dividend yield and 78 years of consecutive dividend payments, ideal for risk-averse investors. NextEra Energy combines regulated utility operations with a high-growth renewable energy business, offering 10% annual dividend growth over the past decade but with higher risk from its unregulated clean energy segment. Both are well-managed, but Southern suits conservative investors while NextEra appeals to more aggressive growth-oriented investors.

04/17/2026, 1:15 PM • The Motley Fool

US Utility Spending To Hit $1.4 Trillion By 2030 As AI, Data Centers Drive Demand— Rate Hikes Ahead?

U.S. investor-owned utilities plan to spend $1.4 trillion on capital projects through 2030, a 21% increase driven primarily by AI and data center expansion. This surge in spending is expected to lead to future rate increase requests, with utilities already seeking $31 billion in rate hikes in 2025 alone. The top 5 utilities account for over half of planned capital expenditures.

04/15/2026, 8:26 AM • Benzinga

How to Protect Your Portfolio From Jamie Dimon's "Skunk in a Party"

JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon warns that inflation could be a "skunk in a party" if it persists longer than expected, particularly due to geopolitical risks like the Iran conflict potentially disrupting oil supplies. While Dimon expects the Iran war to have limited inflationary impact if short-lived, he cautions investors are too complacent about inflation risks. The article recommends utility stocks, particularly the Vanguard Utilities Index Fund ETF, as a hedge against potential sustained inflation and higher energy prices.

03/09/2026, 11:15 AM • The Motley Fool

Department Of Energy Loans Record $26.5 Billion To Boost Southern Power Grid, Targets Massive Cost Savings

The U.S. Energy Department announced a record $26.5 billion loan to Southern Company subsidiaries to upgrade power infrastructure in Georgia and Alabama, targeting over $7 billion in electricity cost savings. The funding will support gas power plants, nuclear upgrades, battery storage, and power lines to supply 15 million homes. The announcement comes amid rising electricity prices driven by AI data center expansion and coal revival efforts.

02/26/2026, 5:23 AM • Benzinga

Utility Heavyweight Southern Stock Climbs On Strong Q4 Demand

Southern Company reported strong Q4 2025 results with operating revenue of $6.98 billion, beating consensus estimates of $6.49 billion. The company saw 4.9% year-over-year growth in kilowatt-hour sales, though adjusted EPS of 55 cents missed the consensus of 57 cents. Southern projects 2026 adjusted EPS of $4.50-$4.60, slightly below analyst consensus of $4.56. The stock rose 3.49% following the earnings announcement.

02/19/2026, 11:49 AM • Benzinga

This Low-Cost Vanguard Fund Could Help Keep Your Portfolio Safe in 2026

The article recommends the Vanguard Utilities Index Fund ETF (VPU) as a low-risk investment option for 2026. With a 2.7% yield, 0.09% expense ratio, and a beta under 0.7, the fund offers stability and consistent dividend income through 67 utility stocks, making it suitable for risk-averse investors concerned about potential market slowdowns.

01/30/2026, 9:30 AM • The Motley Fool

Dominion Energy: A Simpler, Cleaner Utility Emerging

Dominion Energy is undergoing a strategic transformation, divesting gas distribution businesses and focusing on Virginia's regulated electric utility operations. The company benefits from substantial data center-driven electricity demand growth and is executing a multi-year offshore wind project. With an 8% projected rate base CAGR through 2029, the company offers a 5% dividend yield and potential 6-8% EPS growth, supported by Virginia's favorable regulatory framework that enables timely cost recovery.

01/07/2026, 4:40 AM • Investing