Recently, the markets have taken a sharp turn lower. The S&P is down 3% in the past month, but safe-haven sectors like utilities continue to significantly outperform. The S&P utilities index,XLU, is up 26% over the past year, compared to just a 9% return for the broader S&P 500 Index. XLU is an exchange-traded fund which holds a basket of utility stocks. Its largest holdings include Duke Energy, NextEra Energy,and Southern Company. The XLU fund offers a nice safe haven for wary investors who are scared of a continued downturn. The major advantage that makes utilities secure is their business model. Utilities offer electricity and power, which are needed regardless of the economy. After all, everyone needs to heat and power their homes, so demand is very inelastic. This means profits in the utility industry remain strong year after year. And, utility stocks offer investors 3%-4% dividend yields, which add another measure of protection. Investors looking for a place to safely park cash right now should look to utilities.