---
title: "S&P 500 Top Stock Gainers Today, 5/21/26"
type: "News"
locale: "en"
url: "https://longbridge.com/en/news/287267578.md"
description: "On May 21, 2026, the S&P 500 closed higher, buoyed by optimism for a U.S.-Iran peace deal. The utilities sector outperformed, led by Vistra Energy, as investors shifted to stable stocks amid rising Treasury yields. Conversely, the consumer staples sector declined, primarily due to Walmart's disappointing earnings report, which raised concerns about consumer spending."
datetime: "2026-05-21T20:03:48.000Z"
locales:
  - [zh-CN](https://longbridge.com/zh-CN/news/287267578.md)
  - [en](https://longbridge.com/en/news/287267578.md)
  - [zh-HK](https://longbridge.com/zh-HK/news/287267578.md)
---

# S&P 500 Top Stock Gainers Today, 5/21/26

After trading in the red for most of the day, the S&P 500 (SPX) closed higher on Thursday, driven by optimism for a U.S.-Iran peace deal.

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Let's break down the sectors behind the performance.

## **Today's Top-Performing Sector**

Utilities was the top-performing sector on Thursday as rotated into defensive names as Treasury yields continued to rise. The move likely reflects a shift into more stable, earnings-driven companies as higher rates pressure rate-sensitive growth stocks. Vistra Energy (VST) led the sector higher following news that President Trump had both purchased shares.

Several utilities stocks led the sector's gains, including:

-   Vistra Energy (VST)
-   PPL (PPL)
-   NRG Energy (NRG)
-   Constellation Energy (CEG)
-   NextEra Energy (NEE)

## **Today's Worst-Performing Sector**

Meanwhile, the consumer staples sector faced the largest drawdown, dragged lower by a disappointing earnings report from Walmart (WMT). The retailer warned that gas prices and the waning effects of tax refunds could pressure consumer spending later on in the year, contributing to weakness across the entire sector.

Notable consumer staples stocks trading lower include:

-   Walmart (WMT)
-   Casey's General Stores (CASY)
-   Kroger (KR)
-   Costco (COST)
-   Conagra Brands (CON)

### Related Stocks

- [WMT.US](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/WMT.US.md)
- [VST.US](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/VST.US.md)
- [XLP.US](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/XLP.US.md)
- [XLU.US](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/XLU.US.md)
- [IYK.US](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/IYK.US.md)
- [VSTL.US](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/VSTL.US.md)
- [UGE.US](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/UGE.US.md)
- [JXI.US](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/JXI.US.md)
- [EMLP.US](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/EMLP.US.md)
- [TGT.US](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/TGT.US.md)
- [COST.US](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/COST.US.md)
- [KR.US](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/KR.US.md)
- [.SPX.US](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/.SPX.US.md)
- [PPL.US](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/PPL.US.md)
- [NRG.US](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/NRG.US.md)
- [CEG.US](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/CEG.US.md)
- [NEE.US](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/NEE.US.md)
- [CASY.US](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/CASY.US.md)
- [CAG.US](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/CAG.US.md)
- [PPLC.US](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/PPLC.US.md)
- [NEE-N.US](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/NEE-N.US.md)
- [NEE-W.US](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/NEE-W.US.md)
- [NEP.US](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/NEP.US.md)
- [NEE-R.US](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/NEE-R.US.md)
- [NEE-T.US](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/NEE-T.US.md)
- [NEE-U.US](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/NEE-U.US.md)
- [NEE-S.US](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/NEE-S.US.md)
- [NEE-V.US](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/NEE-V.US.md)

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