How Wall Street is shifting electric utilities toward consolidation and profit

Wall Street is driving a major shift in the electric utility sector by pushing for consolidation among companies to boost profits. Historically, utilities made money from investments in infrastructure rather than selling power, but now they're merging to optimize these investments and increase shareholder returns. This shift could mean more efficient operations and lower costs, but it also raises questions about service quality and regulatory oversight. The consolidation trend reflects a broader financialization trend where traditional utilities are being evaluated more like high-profit investment vehicles.