What to Know About Canadian Utilities Stocks for 2025

Here are some quick facts you need to know before investing in the Canadian utility sector.

| More on:
A meter measures energy use.

Source: Getty Images

You’re reading a free article with opinions that may differ from The Motley Fool’s premium investing services. Become a Motley Fool member today to get instant access to our top analyst recommendations, in-depth research, investing resources, and more. Learn More

Have you ever heard the term “widows and orphans stocks?” It originated decades ago to describe investments considered so safe and reliable that they were suitable even for the most risk-averse investors.

Utility stocks are a prime example—favourites of grandparents, pension funds, and anyone seeking steady income with lower volatility than the market.

That said, there’s actually a surprising amount of variety and complexity in this space. It’s not as simple as buying shares in whatever company sends you a bill for gas or electricity each month.

Here’s my five-minute, two-part guide to investing in Canadian utility stocks in 2025.

Understanding the utility business model

If you can grasp the core of how utilities operate, you’ll be able to approach utility investing far more intelligently. At their heart, utilities operate with an asymmetric risk-return dynamic: slow, steady growth on the one hand and the looming possibility of a total wipeout on the other.

Consider what a typical utility does: it delivers essential services like water, gas, or electricity to a population. However, what it can charge customers is tightly regulated. Rates are often capped and can only increase by a set percentage each year.

So, for a utility to grow, it must expand its rate base, meaning it needs more customers. To achieve this, utilities must build new infrastructure—power plants, transmission lines, or water systems in new areas.

This expansion requires substantial capital, and utilities usually take on debt to fund these projects. But here’s the catch: infrastructure takes years to build, and during that time, the utility is paying interest on its debt without any cash flow from those future customers.

If all goes well, the utility eventually generates steady, regulated income from these new customers. But when things go wrong—like cost overruns, natural disasters, regulatory setbacks, or delays—the utility can become overwhelmed by debt, forcing it to sell assets at fire-sale prices or, in worst cases, declare bankruptcy.

Understanding the different utility types

One of the most common mistakes I see new investors make is treating utilities as a monolithic sector. If you’re buying a broad ETF like iShares S&P/TSX Capped Utilities Index ETF (TSX:XUT), this approach might work since it gives you exposure to the whole sector.

Created with Highcharts 11.4.3iShares S&p/tsx Capped Utilities Index ETF PriceZoom1M3M6MYTD1Y5Y10YALLwww.fool.ca

But if you’re picking individual stocks, this mindset doesn’t hold up.

The utility sector is divided into three major categories: power generation, power transmission, and renewables (with a fourth for hybrids, which operate across two or more segments). Understanding this distinction is crucial because the risk profiles for each vary significantly.

If I had to rank these segments from least to most risky…

  1. Power transmission
    These are the least risky utilities, as they operate like toll roads for electricity. They own and maintain the infrastructure that delivers electricity from power plants to homes and businesses. Since their rates are regulated and relatively stable, their cash flows are predictable, but growth is limited to expanding their networks.
  2. Power generation
    These companies own power plants and are responsible for producing electricity. While their revenue depends on energy demand, which can fluctuate, the regulated nature of pricing provides a degree of stability. However, operational risks like plant failures or fuel price volatility can present challenges.
  3. Renewables
    The riskiest segment by far, renewables like wind and solar producers are subject to unpredictable factors like weather conditions, inconsistent government subsidies, and high upfront costs. While they have growth potential as the world transitions to green energy, the reliance on long-term contracts and policy support makes them volatile investments.

If you want exposure to the entire sector, you can opt for a hybrid utility, which combines the strengths and weaknesses of multiple segments, or stick with a sector ETF like XUT. But if you’re picking individual stocks, take the time to evaluate which segments align with your risk tolerance.

Should you invest $1,000 in Canadian Natural Resources right now?

Before you buy stock in Canadian Natural Resources, consider this:

The Motley Fool Stock Advisor Canada analyst team just identified what they believe are the Top Stocks for 2025 and Beyond for investors to buy now… and Canadian Natural Resources wasn’t one of them. The Top Stocks that made the cut could potentially produce monster returns in the coming years.

Consider MercadoLibre, which we first recommended on January 8, 2014 ... if you invested $1,000 in the “eBay of Latin America” at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $20,697.16!*

Stock Advisor Canada provides investors with an easy-to-follow blueprint for success, including guidance on building a portfolio, regular updates from analysts, and two new stock picks each month – one from Canada and one from the U.S. The Stock Advisor Canada service has outperformed the return of S&P/TSX Composite Index by 29 percentage points since 2013*.

See the Top Stocks * Returns as of 3/20/25

This article represents the opinion of the writer, who may disagree with the “official” recommendation position of a Motley Fool premium service or advisor. We’re Motley! Questioning an investing thesis — even one of our own — helps us all think critically about investing and make decisions that help us become smarter, happier, and richer, so we sometimes publish articles that may not be in line with recommendations, rankings or other content.

Fool contributor Tony Dong has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

Confidently Navigate Market Volatility: Claim Your Free Report!

Feeling uneasy about the ups and downs of the stock market lately? You’re not alone. At The Motley Fool Canada, we get it — and we’re here to help. We’ve crafted an essential guide designed to help you through these uncertain times: "5-Step Checklist: How to Prepare Your Portfolio for Volatility."

Don't miss out on this opportunity for peace of mind. Just click below to learn how to receive your complimentary report today!

Get Our Free Report Today

More on Investing

An investor uses a tablet
Stocks for Beginners

The Smartest Canadian Stock to Buy With $250 Right Now

Are you looking for the smartest Canadian stock to buy right now? Consider this gem and avoid market volatility.

Read more »

Dividend Stocks

3 Canadian REIT Stocks to Buy and Hold for the Next Quarter-Century

These three Canadian REITs trade cheaply and are highly reliable, making them some of the best stocks you can buy…

Read more »

Electricity transmission towers with orange glowing wires against night sky
Investing

Fortis Just Might Be the Best Canadian Dividend Stock to Buy in April

Let's dive into a few reasons why Canadian utility giant Fortis (TSX:FTS) still looks like a screaming buy heading into…

Read more »

A train passes Morant's curve in Banff National Park in the Canadian Rockies.
Dividend Stocks

1 Practically Perfect Canadian Stock Down 24% to Buy Now and Hold for Life!

CNR stock is a top Canadian stock for investors, especially with shares down on the TSX today.

Read more »

a man relaxes with his feet on a pile of books
Investing

Got $7,000? How I’d Spread It Across 5 Blue-Chip Stocks for an Investing Foundation

Spreading $7,000 across these five blue-chip stocks provides a solid foundation for long-term financial success.

Read more »

The letters AI glowing on a circuit board processor.
Tech Stocks

How I’d Allocate $10,000 to AI Stocks in Today’s Market

Shopify (TSX:SHOP) is one of Canada's most compelling AI stocks.

Read more »

The TFSA is a powerful savings vehicle for Canadians who are saving for retirement.
Retirement

Top Canadian Value Stocks I’d Hold in My TFSA for the Next Decade

These Canadian value stocks have significant growth potential and will enhance your TFSA portfolio’s return in the long run.

Read more »

Canada national flag waving in wind on clear day
Dividend Stocks

The Best Canadian Stocks to Buy Right Away With $30,000

If you have $30,000 you're willing to invest, these are some of the first Canadian stocks to consider on your…

Read more »