Plus, the company is continuing its energy diversification efforts by expanding its liquid natural gas (LNG) business, something which the company feels can help fuel sustainable long-term growth. The theory regarding utility stocks was simple: Robust economic growth coupled with a full labor market was supposed to spark rising inflation. Hotter than normal weather so far in 2018 has buoyed operations for the past several months, and robust economic strength in the company's core markets has also boosted the business.