RICHMOND, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dominion Energy released the following statement in response to the U.S. Department of Interior's Director's Order for a 90-day suspension of work issued earlier today for the Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind project: The Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind Project (CVOW) is essential for American national security and meeting Virginia's dramatically growing energy needs, the fastest growth in America. This growth is driven by the need to provide reliable power tomany of America's m ...

During times of turbulence and uncertainty in the markets, many investors turn to dividend-yielding stocks. These are often companies that have high free cash flows and reward shareholders with a high dividend payout.Benzinga readers can review the latest analyst takes on their favorite stocks by visiting Analyst Stock Ratings page. Traders can sort through Benzinga's extensive database of analyst ratings, including by analyst accuracy.Below are the ratings of the most accurate analysts for three high-yield ...

Core Viewpoint - Dominion Energy, Inc. is facing price target reductions from analysts, reflecting a cautious outlook on the utility sector's growth potential, particularly influenced by data center demand [3][4]. Group 1: Analyst Ratings and Price Targets - Morgan Stanley analyst David Arco lowered the price target for Dominion Energy from $65 to $62 while maintaining an 'Equal Weight' rating, indicating a potential upside of 4.5% [3]. - JPMorgan also reduced its price target from $62 to $59 and kept an 'Underweight' rating, aligning with broader updates in the North American utilities sector [4]. Group 2: Company Position and Market Dynamics - Dominion Energy provides regulated electricity to 3.6 million customers and natural gas service to 500,000 customers in South Carolina [2]. - The company has established a significant presence in Virginia's 'Data Center Alley,' connecting 450 data centers, with over 25% of its sales attributed to these facilities [5]. - As of September 2025, Dominion Energy has approximately 47 GW of data-center supply in various contracting stages, an increase from around 40 GW as of December 2024 [5].

In this article, we are going to discuss the best utility stocks to invest in according to hedge funds.The utility sector emerged as one of the biggest winners of the AI boom. Major utility companies all over the country signed hefty contracts with hyperscalers to power their data centers, leading to commitments of billions of dollars of investments in the coming years.However, bullish sentiment in the sector appears to have cooled following recent fears of an AI bubble, with investors concerned about wheth ...

Industry Overview - The AI-powered data center infrastructure is experiencing significant growth, with global capital expenditure projected to reach approximately $7 trillion by 2030 [1] - The demand for electricity from data centers in the U.S. is expected to rise from 19 gigawatts (GW) in 2023 to 35 GW by 2030 [2] Nuclear Energy Sector - Nuclear energy is gaining traction as a solution to meet increasing global electricity demand and transition to cleaner energy sources [2] - The U.S. aims to increase its nuclear capacity from about 100 GW in 2024 to 400 GW by 2050 through various executive orders aimed at modernizing the nuclear sector [3] Constellation Energy Corp. (CEG) - CEG is a leading energy company focused on clean energy, particularly nuclear, with a strategic capital expenditure of $5.1 billion planned through 2025 [5] - CEG's nuclear reactors achieved a 98.8% operating rate during mid-2025, powering approximately 16 million homes and businesses [6] - CEG has entered into significant contracts, including a $1.6 billion agreement with Microsoft to revive the Three Mile Island nuclear plant and a $1 billion deal with the U.S. General Services Administration for clean energy [8][9] - Expected revenue and earnings growth rates for CEG are 11% and 22.5%, respectively, for the next year [12] Talen Energy Corp. (TLN) - TLN operates various power plants and is expanding its nuclear energy relationship with Amazon to provide 1,920 megawatts of carbon-free power through 2042 [16][17] - TLN's expected revenue and earnings growth rates are 67.4% and over 100%, respectively, for the next year [17] Dominion Energy Inc. (D) - D is focused on strengthening its electric and natural gas infrastructure while adding renewable assets to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050 [18] - D is exploring small modular reactors (SMRs) and has signed an MOU with Amazon to enhance potential SMR nuclear development in Virginia [20] - Expected revenue and earnings growth rates for D are 6.2% and 5.9%, respectively, for the next year [21]

Core Viewpoint - The S&P 500 utilities sector has experienced significant gains in 2025, but a correction may be on the horizon as the market approaches its third consecutive year of double-digit gains, presenting a potential opportunity for investors to acquire top utility stocks [1][2]. Industry Overview - The utility sector is expected to perform better than high-flying technology stocks, particularly in the context of rising demand driven by AI and data center growth, making high-yielding utilities an attractive option for cautious investors seeking passive income [2][3]. - Utilities are among the most recession-resistant sectors, as the demand for power remains constant regardless of economic conditions [3]. Company Highlights - **Dominion Energy**: Offers a 4.60% dividend and serves approximately 7 million customers across Virginia and North Carolina, focusing on regulated electricity and natural gas services [6][8]. - **Duke Energy**: Provides a 3.67% dividend and operates in the Carolinas, Florida, and the Midwest, generating and distributing electricity while investing in renewable natural gas projects [9][10]. - **Exelon**: The largest electric parent company in the U.S. by revenue, Exelon pays a 3.67% dividend and is involved in energy distribution and transmission across the U.S. and Canada [11][12]. - **Southern Company**: Serves 8.8 million customers with a 3.45% dividend, focusing on power generation and natural gas distribution across several states [15][16]. Investment Rationale - Dividend stocks have historically contributed significantly to total returns, with sustainable dividend income and potential capital appreciation being crucial for investors [5]. - The utility sector's stability and consistent demand make it a favorable choice for investors looking for reliable income streams amidst market volatility [2][3].

Core Viewpoint - Utility stocks are expected to deliver strong returns in 2026 due to surging electricity demand, particularly from AI data centers, with Constellation Energy, Dominion Energy, and NextEra Energy positioned to benefit significantly from this trend [1][15]. Constellation Energy - Constellation Energy's share price has increased nearly 50% this year, driven by a resurgence in nuclear energy demand [3]. - The company signed a 20-year power purchase agreement with Microsoft to restart the Three Mile Island Unit 1 facility, which will supply power for Microsoft's data centers starting in 2028 [4]. - A $26.6 billion acquisition of Calpine is expected to close in early 2026, combining Constellation's nuclear fleet with Calpine's natural gas and geothermal assets, enhancing earnings growth potential [6]. Dominion Energy - Dominion Energy has underperformed compared to peers, with a 6% increase in share price over the past year, but is well-positioned to benefit from rising power demand in Virginia, a major data center market [7][9]. - The company plans to invest $50 billion through 2029, primarily in Virginia, including the Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind project, which is expected to support 5% to 7% annual earnings-per-share growth [10]. NextEra Energy - NextEra Energy's share price has risen nearly 11% over the past year, benefiting from its position as Florida's largest electric utility and its clean energy infrastructure [11]. - The company is focused on building the largest utility-owned solar energy platform and has a growing backlog of renewable energy projects, positioning it for earnings growth at the high end of its 6% to 8% annual target range through 2027 [13][14]. - NextEra has signed a 25-year power deal with Google to support the restart of the Duane Arnold Energy Center, expected to be operational by early 2029 [14].

Core Insights - The article discusses the emerging investment opportunities in alternative networks that aggregate idle GPU capacity, driven by the increasing demand for AI computing and the limitations of traditional data center expansion [1][6][25] Cost Structure and Market Dynamics - Alternative networks do not rely on debt to finance data centers; instead, they incentivize participants directly for computing capacity, shifting costs from capital expenditures to distributed incentives [1] - The current economic landscape favors these companies as they can resell idle computing capacity at significantly lower costs compared to centralized data centers [1][8] Demand and Supply Constraints - Major tech companies like Microsoft, Alphabet, Amazon, and Meta are projected to spend a combined $370 billion on capital expenditures in 2025, yet they face significant delays in building new data centers, which can take up to six years [3] - AI computing workloads are expected to consume around 500 terawatt-hours annually by 2027, highlighting the urgent demand for power and computing resources [4][5] Investment Opportunities - The investment opportunity lies in the gap between surging AI demand and the slow expansion of centralized infrastructure, with a projected window of 24 to 36 months for these alternative networks to capitalize on this demand [6][19] - Companies that aggregate idle GPU capacity can quickly add nodes without the need for large upfront investments, creating a unique arbitrage opportunity [7][8] Market Segmentation - These networks are capturing demand from smaller labs, indie studios, and emerging markets that cannot afford traditional cloud services, positioning themselves as viable alternatives even after the constraints ease [8][23] - The article outlines three approaches for investors: aggregating idle GPU capacity, focusing on generic GPU computing, and offering a broader marketplace for cloud computing and storage [10][12][13] Risk and Maturation Timeline - The investment timeline suggests that the peak growth opportunity will occur from Q2 2026 to Q2 2027, with growth normalizing as new data centers come online [20][21] - The maturation phase will see these networks transition from high-growth arbitrage plays to steady-state infrastructure alternatives, maintaining profitability but with reduced explosive growth [22][24] Broader Implications - If GPU aggregation networks can prove their reliability and competitive pricing during the 2026-2028 constraint period, they may establish a legitimate market presence, even as hyperscalers regain market share [23] - The article emphasizes the importance of positioning to profit from the temporary dislocation in the market before normalization occurs [25]

Core Insights - Dominion Energy is positioned as a key player in the evolving utility sector, particularly with the rise of AI and data centers, which is transforming traditional utility operations into essential components of the digital economy [5][6][14] - The company has demonstrated solid financial performance, with a year-to-date share price increase of 16.54% and a consistent dividend yield of 4.25%, which is above the sector average [2][4] Financial Performance - For Q3 2025, Dominion reported GAAP net income of $1.0 billion, or $1.16 per share, an increase from $934 million, or $1.09 per share, year-over-year [7] - Full-year sales reached $14.46 billion, with annual net income at $2.124 billion, indicating strong underlying progress [7] - The forward price-to-earnings ratio stands at 18.40x, slightly below the utilities sector average of 19.53x, suggesting a modest discount [1] Growth and Expansion Initiatives - Dominion operates nearly 27,100 megawatts of generating capacity and 14,800 miles of natural gas infrastructure, making it a vital supplier for data center growth [3] - The company is actively pursuing renewable energy projects, such as the installation of over 1,700 solar panels at the Richmond Flying Squirrels' future stadium, expected to generate about 1 megawatt of carbon-free electricity [8] - A collaboration with Power Up Connect has led to the development of the MBESS mobile battery energy storage system, enhancing flexibility in energy solutions [9][10] Analyst Perspectives - Analysts have mixed views on Dominion, with J.P. Morgan maintaining an "Underweight" rating but raising its price target from $53 to $56, while Barclays rates it a "Buy" with a target of $63, highlighting its role in powering AI data centers [12] - The consensus among surveyed analysts is a "Hold" rating, with an average price target of $64.86, indicating potential upside from the current share price [13] Future Outlook - The company has tightened its 2025 operating earnings guidance to a range of $3.33 to $3.48 per share, with a long-term growth target of 5% to 7% annually through 2029 [11] - The overall setup suggests a gradual upward trajectory for shares, driven by AI-related demand and ongoing investments in infrastructure and renewable energy [14]

Company Overview - Dominion Energy, Inc. has a market cap of $51.5 billion and is a leading provider of regulated electricity and natural gas services in the U.S. [1] - The company operates primarily in Virginia, South Carolina, and through contracted renewable energy, serving millions of customers with extensive infrastructure for electric generation, transmission, and distribution [1][2]. Financial Performance - As of December 31, 2024, Dominion Energy's portfolio includes 30.3 GW of generating capacity and a vast network of transmission and distribution lines [2]. - In Q3 2025, the company reported an adjusted EPS of $1.06 and revenue of $4.53 billion, but the stock fell 1.4% on October 31 [5]. - The company narrowed its full-year operating earnings guidance to a range of $3.33 to $3.48 per share, maintaining a midpoint of $3.40 [5]. Stock Performance - Dominion Energy's shares have decreased over 4% from their 52-week high of $62.87 and have risen 2.1% over the past three months, underperforming the S&P 500 Index's 6.5% gain during the same period [3]. - Year-to-date, the stock has gained 12.1%, lagging behind the S&P 500's 16.1% increase, and has returned 5.3% over the past 52 weeks compared to the S&P 500's 12.9% return [4]. - The stock has been trading mostly above its 50-day moving average since May and above its 200-day moving average since July [4]. Analyst Sentiment - Analysts have a cautious consensus rating of "Hold" from 20 analysts, with a mean price target of $64.86, indicating a premium of 7.5% to current levels [6].