<div id="readability-page-1"><p>After trading in the red for most of the day, the S&amp;P 500 (SPX) closed higher on Thursday, driven by optimism for a U.S.-Iran peace deal.</p><h3>Meet Samuel – Your Personal Investing Prophet</h3><ul><li>Start a conversation with  TipRanks' trusted, data-backed investment intelligence </li><li> Ask Samuel about stocks, your portfolio, or the market and get instant, personalized insights in seconds</li></ul> <p>Let's break down the sectors behind the performance.</p> <h2><strong>Today's Top-Performing Sector </strong></h2> <p>Utilities was the top-performing sector on Thursday as rotated into defensive names as Treasury yields continued to rise. The move likely reflects a shift into more stable, earnings-driven companies as higher rates pressure rate-sensitive growth stocks. Vistra Energy (VST) led the sector higher following news that President Trump had both purchased shares.</p> <p>Several utilities stocks led the sector's gains, including:</p> <ul> <li>Vistra Energy (VST)</li> <li>PPL (PPL)</li> <li>NRG Energy (NRG)</li> <li>Constellation Energy (CEG)</li> <li>NextEra Energy (NEE)</li> </ul> <h2><strong>Today's Worst-Performing Sector </strong></h2> <p>Meanwhile, the consumer staples sector faced the largest drawdown, dragged lower by a disappointing earnings report from Walmart (WMT). The retailer warned that gas prices and the waning effects of tax refunds could pressure consumer spending later on in the year, contributing to weakness across the entire sector.</p> <p>Notable consumer staples stocks trading lower include:</p> <ul> <li>Walmart (WMT)</li> <li>Casey's General Stores (CASY)</li> <li>Kroger (KR)</li> <li>Costco (COST)</li> <li>Conagra Brands (CON)</li> </ul></div>

<p>On May 21, 2026, the S&P 500 closed higher, buoyed by optimism for a U.S.-Iran peace deal. The utilities sector outperformed, led by Vistra Energy, as investors shifted to stable stocks amid rising Treasury yields. Conversely, the consumer staples sector declined, primarily due to Walmart's disappointing earnings report, which raised concerns about consumer spending.</p>

- The S&P 500 closed higher due to optimism surrounding a U.S.-Iran peace deal after trading negatively for most of the day.  
- The utilities sector emerged as the top performer, driven by a shift to stable, earnings-focused companies amid rising Treasury yields, with Vistra Energy leading the gains.  
- In contrast, the consumer staples sector declined significantly, impacted by a disappointing earnings report from Walmart, which indicated potential challenges for consumer spending.

Tip Ranks

Walmart

Vistra

SPDR FD Consumer Staples

Select Sect Spdr Util

iShares US Consumer Staples ETF

Defiance Daily Target 2X Long VST ETF

ProShares Ultra Consumer Staples

ISHRS S&P Glb Utilities

First Trust North American Energy Infra Fd

Target

Costco Wholesale

Kroger

S&P 500

NRG Energy

Constellation Energy

Nextera Energy

Casey General Stores

Conagra Brands

PPL Corporation Pref Shares PPLC 7.0  02/15/2029

NEXTERA ENERGY CAPITAL HLDGS INC 5.65%JNR SUBORD DEB 01/03/2079 SER N

NEXTERA ENERGY CAPITAL HLDGS INC 6.5% BDS 15/04/86 USD1000

Nextera Energy Partners LP

NEXTERA ENERGY INC 6.926% CORPORATE UNITS 01/09/2025

NEXTERA ENERGY INC CORP UNIT 01/11/2029

NEXTERA ENERGY CAPITAL HLDGS INC 6.5% BDS 01/06/85 USD25

NEXTERA ENERGY INC CORP UNIT 01/06/2027

NEXTERA ENERGY INC CORP UNIT

S&P 500 Top Stock Gainers Today, 5/21/26