Industry Overview - The AI-powered data center industry is experiencing significant growth, with global infrastructure capex projected to reach approximately $7 trillion by 2030 [1] - The demand for electricity from data centers is driving interest in nuclear energy as a cleaner energy source to meet rising global electricity needs [2] Nuclear Energy Sector - President Trump's executive orders aim to modernize the nuclear sector, targeting an increase in U.S. nuclear capacity from about 100 gigawatts (GW) in 2024 to 400 GW by 2050 [3] - The demand for electric utilities with access to nuclear power is increasing due to the electricity requirements of data centers [4] Company Highlights Dominion Energy Inc. (D) - Dominion Energy is enhancing its electric and natural gas infrastructure, aiming for carbon neutrality by 2050 and working on Small Modular Reactors (SMR) [7][8] - The company has an expected revenue growth rate of 7.6% and earnings growth rate of 22.7% for the current year [9] Duke Energy Corp. (DUK) - Duke Energy plans to invest $87 billion from 2025 to 2029 to strengthen its grid and expand its renewable energy portfolio [10] - The company serves approximately 8.4 million customers and operates 1,500 MW of solar energy in Florida [11][12] - Expected revenue growth rate is 4.6% and earnings growth rate is 7.3% for the current year [12] Ameren Corp. (AEE) - Ameren is investing up to $26.3 billion from 2025 to 2029 to enhance its operations and aims to add 3,200 MW of renewables by 2030 [13][15] - The company has an expected revenue growth rate of 16.2% and earnings growth rate of 7.3% for the current year [16] Entergy Corp. (ETR) - Entergy plans to invest $40 billion from 2025 to 2028 to upgrade infrastructure and support renewable expansion, targeting an earnings CAGR of over 8% [17] - The company generates 27% of its power from nuclear sources and aims to add 275 MW of nuclear power through upgrades [18][19] - Expected revenue growth rate is 5.4% and earnings growth rate is 6.9% for the current year [20] PG&E Corp. (PCG) - PG&E operates California's only nuclear power plant, Diablo Canyon, and is integrating AI technology to enhance operational efficiency [21][23] - The company has an expected revenue growth rate of 6.7% and earnings growth rate of 10.3% for the current year [24]

Core Insights - The demand for electricity from data centers is expected to drive significant growth in global electricity usage for decades, with data centers consuming an estimated 415 terawatt-hours of electricity in 2024, accounting for about 1.5% of global electricity consumption [4][5]. Utility Stocks - The S&P 500 utilities sector has gained nearly 16% from its low in mid-February, outperforming the S&P 500, indicating a strong performance in the utility sector amidst market fluctuations [7]. - High-yielding utility stocks are identified as potential beneficiaries of the increasing electricity demand from data centers, providing stable and dependable passive income [6][5]. Company Profiles - **Canadian Utilities Ltd. (CDUAF)**: Operates in electricity, natural gas, renewables, and pipelines with assets of $22 billion and a dividend yield of 4.60% [8]. - **Dominion Energy Inc. (NYSE: D)**: An integrated energy utility with a strong dividend yield of 4.34%, well-positioned geographically to serve data centers [10]. - **Duke Energy Corp. (NYSE: DUK)**: Located near major data centers, this company offers a solid dividend yield of 3.28% and operates extensive electric and gas distribution networks [14][16]. - **Entergy Corp. (NYSE: ETR)**: Engaged in electric power production and retail distribution, with a dividend yield of 2.48% and serving approximately 3 million customers [19][20]. - **Exelon Corp. (NYSE: EXC)**: The largest electric parent company in the U.S. by revenue, offering a dependable dividend yield of 3.29% and engaged in energy distribution and transmission [21].

Core Insights - Dominion Energy, Inc. (NYSE:D) is recognized as one of the best utility stocks for dividends, with a current annual dividend yield of 4.34% [5] - The company serves 3.6 million homes and businesses in Virginia, North Carolina, and South Carolina, and provides regulated natural gas service to 500,000 customers in South Carolina [2] Group 1: Business Operations - Dominion Energy operates in Virginia's 'Data Center Alley', catering to a significant cluster of power-intensive data centers, with approximately 40 GW of contracted capacity and plans to double this in the coming years [3] - The company is set to invest over $50 billion through 2029 to meet the growing power demand, which is expected to drive annual EPS growth of 5% to 7% [3] Group 2: Renewable Energy Initiatives - The Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind project, a 2.6 GW initiative, aims to provide clean energy to 660,000 customers and is on track for first power delivery in early 2026, with full completion expected by the end of next year [4] Group 3: Analyst Ratings and Market Position - Barclays analyst Nicholas Campanella has raised the price target for Dominion Energy from $60 to $63 while maintaining an 'Overweight' rating, indicating confidence in the utility's fundamentals ahead of the Q3 report [5]

Industry Overview - The utility sector has outperformed the broader market, gaining over 18% since the beginning of 2025, following a 19% rally last year, resulting in nearly $500 billion in value increase over two years [2] - The Energy Information Administration projects U.S. power demand to grow to 4,191 billion kilowatt-hours in 2025 and 4,305 billion kWh in 2026, up from a record 4,097 billion kWh in 2024 [1] Capital Investments - The utility sector is expected to invest $1.1 trillion in capital expenditures through 2029 to meet the increasing demand driven by new data centers and rising energy needs [3] Dividend Stocks - The article lists the best utility dividend stocks, focusing on those with an annual dividend yield of at least 3% as of October 22, 2025, and those with significant hedge fund interest [6] Company Highlights - **Brookfield Renewable Corporation (NYSE:BEPC)**: - Dividend yield of 3.81% as of October 22, 2025, with a diversified portfolio in renewable energy [8] - Forecasts over 10% annual FFO per share growth through 2030 and aims to increase cash distributions by 5% to 9% annually [11] - **Dominion Energy, Inc. (NYSE:D)**: - Dividend yield of 4.38% as of October 22, 2025, providing regulated electricity to 3.6 million customers [12] - Plans to invest over $50 billion through 2029 to support expanding power demand, with an expected EPS growth of 5% to 7% annually [13] - Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind project is on track to deliver first power in early 2026 [14] - **OGE Energy Corp. (NYSE:OGE)**: - Dividend yield of 3.66% as of October 22, 2025, with a focus on expanding capacity by approximately 550 MW [16] - Recently received a price target increase from Jefferies, reflecting positive expectations for the upcoming quarter [17]

Core Viewpoint - The market anticipates a year-over-year decline in earnings for Dominion Energy, despite an expected increase in revenues, with actual results being crucial for stock price movement [1][2]. Earnings Expectations - Dominion Energy is projected to report quarterly earnings of $0.93 per share, reflecting a -5.1% change year-over-year, while revenues are expected to reach $4.19 billion, up 6.3% from the previous year [3]. - The earnings report is scheduled for release on October 31, and better-than-expected results could lead to a stock price increase, whereas a miss could result in a decline [2]. Estimate Revisions - The consensus EPS estimate has been revised 22.92% higher in the last 30 days, indicating a reassessment by analysts [4]. - The Most Accurate Estimate for Dominion Energy matches the Zacks Consensus Estimate, resulting in an Earnings ESP of 0% [12]. Earnings Surprise Prediction - The Zacks Earnings ESP model suggests that a positive or negative reading indicates the potential deviation of actual earnings from consensus estimates, with positive readings being more predictive of earnings beats [9][10]. - Dominion Energy's current Zacks Rank is 2, which complicates the prediction of an earnings beat due to the 0% Earnings ESP [12]. Historical Performance - In the last reported quarter, Dominion Energy exceeded the expected earnings of $0.69 per share by delivering $0.75, resulting in a surprise of +8.70% [13]. - Over the past four quarters, the company has consistently beaten consensus EPS estimates [14]. Conclusion - While Dominion Energy does not appear to be a strong candidate for an earnings beat, other factors should also be considered when evaluating the stock ahead of its earnings release [17].

Core Insights - Dominion Energy, Inc. is focused on enhancing reliability, safety, and sustainability while transitioning to low-carbon and renewable energy sources, with a market cap of $51.8 billion [1] - The company is expected to announce its fiscal Q3 earnings for 2025 on October 31, with analysts predicting a profit of $0.93 per share, a decrease of 5.1% from the previous year [2] - For fiscal 2025, analysts forecast a profit of $3.40 per share, representing a 22.7% increase from $2.77 per share in fiscal 2024, with further growth expected in fiscal 2026 [3] Financial Performance - In the previous quarter, Dominion Energy reported earnings of $0.75 per share, exceeding consensus estimates by 8.7%, with total operating revenue increasing by 9.3% year-over-year to $3.8 billion [5] - The company's stock has seen a marginal decline over the past 52 weeks, underperforming the S&P 500 Index's 16.2% return and the Utilities Select Sector SPDR Fund's 11.6% increase [4] Analyst Ratings - Wall Street analysts maintain a cautious stance on Dominion Energy's stock, with an overall "Hold" rating; among 19 analysts, 2 recommend "Strong Buy," 16 suggest "Hold," and 1 advises "Strong Sell" [6] - The mean price target for Dominion Energy is $63.25, indicating a potential upside of 4.2% from current levels [6]

Core Insights - Dominion Energy, Inc. (NYSE:D) is recognized as one of the 12 Best Nuclear Power Dividend Stocks to buy currently [1] - The company has strong fundamentals as it approaches its Q3 results, with a price target increase from Barclays analyst Nicholas Campanella from $60 to $63, maintaining an 'Overweight' rating [3] Group 1: Company Overview - Dominion Energy provides regulated electricity and natural gas services in the United States and operates several nuclear power stations [2] - The company serves the largest cluster of data centers in northern Virginia and is positioning itself to benefit from the AI boom [5] Group 2: Nuclear Power and Regulatory Approvals - Dominion Energy has received approval from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to extend the operating license for its VC Summer Nuclear Station for an additional 20 years, valid through 2062 [4] - A similar approval was granted last year for the North Anna nuclear power station in Virginia [4] Group 3: Financial Performance and Growth Projections - The company updated its capital investment forecast from 2025 through 2029 to $50 billion, which is expected to support an annual EPS growth of 5% to 7% [5] - Dominion Energy boasts a robust annual dividend yield of 4.41%, higher than the industry average of around 3%, with a declared payout of $0.6675 per share in July 2025 [6]

Core Insights - The U.S. stock market experienced its largest single-day decline since April 10, attributed to escalating trade conflicts with China [1][9] U.S.-China Trade Conflicts - Recent trade tensions escalated with China's Ministry of Commerce requiring foreign companies to obtain licenses for exporting products containing over 0.1% rare earth minerals sourced or processed in China, effective December 1 [2][3] - China supplies approximately 70% of global rare earth minerals, essential for high-tech industries, with the U.S. being a major importer [3] U.S. Government Response - On October 10, the U.S. government announced a 100% tariff on additional Chinese exports, on top of the existing average 40% tariff, effective November 1 [4] Investment Recommendations - In light of market volatility, investment in low-beta stocks with high dividend yields is recommended. These stocks are expected to provide stability and potential upside if market conditions improve [5][9] - Five recommended stocks include: - AngloGold Ashanti plc (AU) with a beta of 0.53 and a dividend yield of 4.43% [11] - Dominion Energy Inc. (D) with a beta of 0.62 and a dividend yield of 4.43% [14] - PepsiCo Inc. (PEP) with a beta of 0.46 and a dividend yield of 3.93% [17] - Cincinnati Financial Corp. (CINF) with a beta of 0.72 and a dividend yield of 2.15% [21] - Genuine Parts Co. (GPC) with a beta of 0.77 and a dividend yield of 3.13% [23] Company-Specific Insights - **AngloGold Ashanti plc (AU)**: Expected revenue growth of 61% and earnings growth over 100% for the current year, with a recent earnings estimate improvement of 7.1% [11] - **Dominion Energy Inc. (D)**: Expected revenue growth of 5.4% and earnings growth of 22.4% for the current year, with stable earnings estimates [14] - **PepsiCo Inc. (PEP)**: Expected revenue growth of 1.6% and a slight decline in earnings of -1.4% for the current year, with a recent earnings estimate improvement [17] - **Cincinnati Financial Corp. (CINF)**: Expected revenue growth of 12.3% but a significant decline in earnings of -22.4% for the current year, with a slight improvement in earnings estimates [20] - **Genuine Parts Co. (GPC)**: Expected revenue growth of 2.5% and a decline in earnings of -6.3% for the current year, with stable earnings estimates [23]

Group 1 - Dominion Energy has simplified its business model by reducing renewable investments and selling three gas distribution businesses to Enbridge for $14 billion, leading to a more focused strategy [1] - The company has significantly increased its data center power capacity under contract, which has nearly doubled in just over six months [1] - Dominion's stock is currently valued at 18 times this year's earnings estimates and offers a dividend yield of 4.3%, making it more affordable compared to Entergy [1] Group 2 - Dominion Energy provides regulated electricity and natural gas services through extensive generation, transmission, and distribution networks [2]

Core Insights - The article discusses the competitive landscape of Sempra Energy (SRE) in the Multi-Utilities sector, highlighting that competitors D and PCG may present more favorable investment opportunities due to their lower valuations and higher revenue and operating income growth compared to SRE [2][6]. Group 1: Company Performance - Sempra Energy provides energy services, including electric supply and natural gas distribution, transmission, and storage, both in the United States and globally [3]. - There is a noted divergence between Sempra's stock valuation and its performance, suggesting that SRE may be overpriced relative to its competitors [5]. Group 2: Investment Strategy - A diversified investment strategy is recommended to minimize risks associated with investing in single stocks, emphasizing the importance of strategic asset allocation [2]. - The Trefis High Quality Portfolio aims to minimize stock-specific risks while providing upside potential, having achieved over 91% returns since its inception [7].