This pick list highlights constituents of the Morningstar US Mid Cap Index that we believe offer investors the best risk-adjusted return prospects. The market capitalization range for U.S. mid-caps typically falls between $1 billion and $8 billion and represents 20% of the total capitalization of the U.S. equity market.

Eversource Energy is largely a pure-play transmission and distribution business. It provides electric service and natural gas to 4.4 million customers in Massachusetts, Connecticut, and New Hampshire. The utility has almost 60,000 circuit miles of transmission lines, of which about 30% are underground. Eversource's core subsidiaries are: Connecticut Light & Power, which serves most of Connecticut; Yankee Gas Services Co.; Public Service Co. of New Hampshire, which serves three-quarters of New Hampshire; NSTAR Electric, which serves eastern Massachusetts; NSTAR Gas, which serves customers in Boston and eastern Massachusetts; and Aquarian Water Co., which serves part of southern Connecticut. We note that many residences in Eversource's service region continue to use heating oil to heat their homes, which tightens the utility's demographic growth. In 2023, electricity transmission accounted for 42% of earnings, distribution for 40%, natural gas for 15%, and water distribution for 2%. Eversource recently completed a strategic review of its offshore wind investments, and is selling three wind assets and looking for a buyer for its water business. It is targeting carbon neutrality by 2030, in line with other pure-play transmission utilities. The company's market cap is $20.5 billion.

Monday Tee Up: Inflation and GDP There are no summer doldrums on Wall Street this week. Key inflation data is pending as is the latest GDP data. The Dow Jones Industrial Average ended last week higher by 1.5%, the S&P 500 gained 0.6%, and the Nasdaq was flat. For the year, the Dow is higher by 4%, the S&P is up 15%, and the Nasdaq has popped 18%. On the economic calendar, Tuesday features the Case-Shiller Home Price Index and Consumer Confidence. On Wednesday, New Home Sales come out. On Thursday, GDP and Durable Goods Orders will be reported. But the big day is Friday when PCE, the Fed's favorite inflation indicator, comes out. In April, PCE printed at 2.7% and core PCE was 2.8%. For May, we forecast both PCE and core PCE will dropped down to 2.6%. Friday also beings updates on Personal Income, Personal Spending, and Consumer Sentiment. At least seven Fed officials have public speaking engagements this week. On the earnings calendar, Fedex and Carnival reported on Tuesday. On Wednesday, Micron Technology, General Mills, Paychex, Jefferies, and Levi Strauss. And on Thursday, Nike, Walgreens Boots Alliance, and McCormick step up to the plate. Overall earnings for 1Q came in 8% higher than in the same quarter last year. That's better than was expected before reporting season started. For 2024 in total, we forecast a 9.5% gain in earnings. Second-quarter earnings season kicks off on Friday, July 12, with the big banks. Last week, mortgage rates dipped further below the 7% mark, dropping to 6.87% for the average 30-year fixed-rate mortgage. Gas prices are still at $3.43 per gallon for the average price of regular gas. The Atlanta Fed GDPNow indicator is forecasting for 2Q and calls for expansion of 3.0%. The Cleveland Fed CPINow indicator is at 3.13% for June. Looking ahead, the next Fed rate decision is at the very end of July, with odds for a cut at 10%. In mid-September, the odds pop to 66%; by November 7, they hit 78%; and by December 18, the odds ring in at 95%. Of note, the Fed's most-recent dot plot implies just one rate cut this year. Despite this, we still believe the Fed will cut twice this year and two more times in 2025.

This pick list highlights constituents of the Morningstar US Mid Cap Index that we believe offer investors the best risk-adjusted return prospects. The market capitalization range for U.S. mid-caps typically falls between $1 billion and $8 billion and represents 20% of the total capitalization of the U.S. equity market.