Within the past week, utilities have been receiving a lot of hype in the media. With investment gurus like Warren Buffet recommending different utility companies, we thought we should recommend our own. Avista Corporation is an Electric and Natural Gas Utilities company. There has been a flock of good news regarding Avista within the past few months. First their most recent earnings were up 23 percent, remarkable for such distressful and trying economic times. Both the IDR (International Depository Receipt) and its unsecured debt ratings were upgraded recently; making the company an investment grade stock. Not to mention, a 4.73% dividend yield locks in return on investment even if entire market decides to go flat and does not immediately begin substantive recovery. The only thing that worries me with AVA is the very low volume but the stock makes up for it with a low P/E.  It has long been rumored that energy stocks are going to be one of the best companies to own for the second half of the fiscal year. I personally believe in playing to the energy Bull Run, but prefer utilities because they are less reliant on the day to day activities of commodities like oil than other, more petro-based energy stocks. With green stocks being targeted by investors who are looking for a “socially responsible” investment, AVA could fit into any portfolio of the like with ease. To further that argument, the prospective Obama energy plan does include expanding the use of natural gas. It’s generally for these reasons that Avista is seen as both a solid stock that can pay in trying times, and a stock with plenty of room for growth; thus we recommend Avista a buy.