Thursday Sector Laggards: Utilities, Consumer Products

The worst performing sector as of midday Thursday is the Utilities sector, higher by 0.7%. Within that group, Edison International (NYSE: EIX) and FirstEnergy (NYSE: FE) are two large stocks that are lagging, showing a loss of 0.2% and 0.1%, respectively. Among utilities ETFs, one ETF following the sector is the Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF (AMEX: XLU), which is up 0.7% on the day, and up 19.56% year-to-date. Edison International, meanwhile, is up 32.33% year-to-date, and FirstEnergy Corp. i...