Some of XLU’s 2022 sturdiness is attributable to market participants embracing defensive assets, but this year, utilities stocks could shine as the sector prices in more benefits from the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) -- something some analysts argue hasn’t occurred as of yet. That could put exchange traded funds such as the Utilities Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLU) among the sector ETFs to watch this year. XLU, the dominant name among utilities ETFs, did its job in a calamitous 2022.