Monday Sector Leaders: Utilities, Financial

The best performing sector as of midday Monday is the Utilities sector, higher by 0.9%. Within the sector, Southern Company (NYSE: SO) and Ameren (NYSE: AEE) are two of the day's stand-outs, showing a gain of 2.5% and 2.2%, respectively. Among utilities ETFs, one ETF following the sector is the Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF (AMEX: XLU), which is up 0.9% on the day, and up 16.98% year-to-date. Southern Company, meanwhile, is up 16.23% year-to-date, and Ameren is up 15.15% year-to-date. Combine...