Utility stocks outperform in morning trading

Utility stocks were the clear stars of the $S&P 500 Index (.SPX.US)$ in Wednesday morning trading.
The sector of the S&P 500 was up 0.8%. Health care was the only other of the index’s 11 sectors to trade in the green with a relatively modest 0.2% advance. The S&P 500 as a whole was down around 0.4%.Health care was the only other of the index’s 11 sectors to trade in the green with a relatively modest 0.2% advance.
The S&P 500 as a whole was down around 0.4%. $Alliant Energy (LNT.US)$ and $CMS Energy (CMS.US)$ led the utilities sector up with each gaining around 1.8%. $Sempra Energy (SRE.US)$ was the next best performer in the sector, adding 1.4%.