Utilities Gain on Earnings Bets -- Utilities Roundup

Shares of utilities rose on bets the sector would exceed modest expectations for second-quarter earnings.

Of the 10 Standard & Poor's 500 sectors, only the utility sector is anticipated to report a decline in quarterly earnings, according to a review of analyst estimates by Thomson Reuters I/B/E/S.

First Solar rose after Axiom raised its rating on the maker of solar-power equipment.

-By Rob Curran, rob.curran@dowjones.com

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

July 19, 2017 17:56 ET (21:56 GMT)