Utilities

Spectra Energy Partners, LP (NYSE: SEP) today announced it has entered into a definitive agreement with EQT Corporation (NYSE: EQT) to acquire all of the ownership interests of Big Sandy Pipeline, LLC for approximately $390 million in cash, subject to customary closing adjustments.

The Board of Directors of Integrys Energy Group, Inc. (NYSE: TEG) has declared a quarterly dividend of $0.68 per share on common stock, payable on June 20, 2011, to shareholders of record May 31, 2011. With this payment, Integrys Energy Group will now have paid a dividend to its shareholders for...

KeyBanc downgraded its rating on IDACORP (NYSE: IDA) from Buy to Hold. In a research report published today, KeyBanc stressed that recent strong performance of IDACORP's shares has moved it past KeyBanc's price target. As a result, KeyBanc decided there was no reason for it to keep a Buy rating on...

ALLETE, Inc. (NYSE: ALE) has named President and Chief Executive Officer Alan R. Hodnik to succeed Don Shippar as Chair of the ALLETE Board of Directors effective May 10, 2011.

On CNBC's Fast Money, Tim Seymour said that he would buy Vale (ADR) (NYSE: VALE) on Wednesday. Vale (ADR) (VALE) gained 0.48% today, and it closed at $31.47. Steve Cortes thinks that The Southern Company (NYSE: SO) should be bought tomorrow. The Southern Company (SO) gained 0.48% on Tuesday, and...

UIL Holdings Corporation (NYSE: UIL) announced that its Board of Directors declared a quarterly dividend of $0.432 per share on its Common Stock at today's Board meeting. This dividend is payable July 1, 2011 to shareowners of record at the close of business on June 17, 2011.

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton presided over a signing ceremony in which Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK) and China-based ENN Group joined forces to form an EcoPartnership with the city of Charlotte, N.C., and the Chinese city of Langfang in Hebei Province.

Oppenheimer upgraded Mindray Medical International Ltd (NYSE: MR) from “perform” to “outperform.” MR's shares closed at $27.54 yesterday. Mindray Medical's PEG ratio is 0.88. Analysts at Goldman Sachs upgraded Saks Inc (NYSE: SKS) from “sell” to “neutral.” SKS' shares closed at $11.32 yesterday....

NRG Energy, Inc. (NYSE: NRG), announced that it has commenced a tender offer to purchase any and all of its outstanding $2.4 billion in aggregate principal amount of 7.375% Senior Notes due 2016 through a cash tender offer with the net proceeds from NRG's concurrent private placement of $2.0 ...

NRG Energy, Inc. (NYSE: NRG) intends to commence an offering of $2.0 billion in aggregate principal amount of senior notes due 2019 and 2021. The notes will be senior unsecured obligations of NRG and will be guaranteed by certain of its domestic subsidiaries. NRG expects to use the net proceeds...

US stock futures are higher this morning, as China reported stronger-than-expected trade surplus. Microsoft Corp (NASDAQ: MSFT) is reportedly nearing a deal to purchase Internet phone company Skype Technologies. Futures on the Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 39 points to 12,670.00 and futures...

Dean Foods Co (NYSE: DF) is projected to report its Q1 EPS at $0.06 on revenue of $3.07 billion. Molycorp Inc (NYSE: MCP) is estimated to post its Q1 EPS at $0.10 on revenue of $41.68 million. Walt Disney Company (NYSE: DIS) is projected to report its FQ2 EPS at $0.56 on revenue of $9.13...

Sempra Energy (NYSE: SRE) says, "reached partnership pact with BP on Energia wind project... sees reporting one-time gain next quarter... doesn't see share repurchase this year."

Pepco Holdings (NYSE: POM) has committed over $500 million in capital investments dedicated to the deployment of Smart Grid technology. PHI also received a grant of $168 million from USDOE as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

Wunderlich Securities lowered its 2011 earnings per share estimates on Constellation Energy (NYSE: CEG) after worse than expected Q1 results. Wunderlich raised its earnings per share estimates for the next two year, however, leaving its rating unchanged at Hold. Wunderlich stressed ongoing merger...