Utilities stocks today: NextEra’s $4 billion share-sale plan keeps XLU under pressure into 2026
U.S. utilities fell in the year’s final session, with the XLU ETF down 0.6% after NextEra announced a $4 billion at-the-market equity program. Duke Energy filed for an early site permit for possible new nuclear construction in North Carolina. NextEra shares slipped 0.3%, Duke fell 0.4%, and Southern Co dropped 0.4%. Broader U.S. stocks also closed lower in thin trading.