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Utilities and waste firms highlighted as low-volatility defensive plays
Ameren, one of the names cited, reported Q2 2026 EPS 5 cents above estimates while revenue fell nearly 6% year over year, and its shares barely moved after the results.
MarketBeat Ratings points to low-beta, low-volatility stocks as investors look for steadier exposure in 2026 after an AI sell-off that has hit higher-flying parts of the market. The outlet highlights utilities as one area that can combine defensive characteristics with longer-run demand tailwinds tied to data center growth. Ameren Corp. is described as an integrated utility serving electric and natural gas customers in the Midwest, with significant capital investment aimed at meeting infrastructure needs in Missouri driven by data center demand. It notes the company posted mixed results for Q2 2026 on July 30, with EPS 5 cents above estimates, while revenue declined by almost 6% year over year and missed analyst predictions by about $183 million. Despite the revenue miss, shares reportedly hardly moved after hours, aligning with a stated beta of 0.47. MarketBeat Ratings also emphasizes dividend support in the defensive thesis for Ameren, citing a 2.7% dividend yield and a payout ratio just below 54%, along with more than a decade of consistent dividend increases. Waste Management Inc. is listed as another example, with the company described as having a beta of 0.44. The outlet says Waste Management has returned about 3% year to date versus roughly double that for the S&P 500, and it frames the August period as a possible entry point after its late-July Q2 2026 earnings report.
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