Once seen as a slow-moving defensive play, the utilities sector has surged in 2024, outperforming all other S&P 500 sectors thanks to its unexpected ties to artificial intelligence. With companies like Constellation Energy and Vistra powering AI data centers through nuclear energy, utilities are benefiting from tech-fueled demand growth typically reserved for Silicon Valley. 

This shift has pushed the sector up nearly 26% year-to-date and attracted strong inflows, even outperforming on both market-cap and equal-weighted bases. Traditionally valued for their consistent demand, pricing power, and dividends, utility stocks are now getting a second look from growth-focused investors. 

Actively managed funds like the Virtus Reaves Utilities ETF (UTES) have capitalized on this shift, delivering over 40% returns by overweighting AI-aligned holdings. Meanwhile, traditional utility ETFs such as XLU, VPU, and IDU remain popular options.

Finsum: AI could continue to reshape what investors expect from the utility sector.