There are certain predictable themes in investing. One of those is that utilities stocks tend to shine in times of uncertainty. In 2025, the Utilities Select Sector SPDR Fund NYSEARCA: XLU is up about 9.3% and approaching its all-time high (ATH). Add in a dividend yield of 2.76%, and the total return is about 12%, which is well above the year-to-date performance of the S&P 500. Utilities are defensive stocks because consumers need power no matter what’s happening in the economy. Plus, a strict regulatory fr ...