Evergy(EVRG) The Motley Fool·2024-11-26 10:43Group 1: Evergy (EVRG) - Evergy operates electric utilities in Kansas and Missouri, serving approximately 1.7 million customers [2] - The company has a forward dividend yield of 4.15%, which is a significant factor in its investment appeal [2] - Evergy anticipates an average annual growth in adjusted earnings per share of 4% to 6%, with potential for higher growth in the latter half of the decade [3] - Recent developments include contracts to provide power to new data centers for Google and Meta Platforms, as well as Panasonic's EV battery facility, indicating growth opportunities [4] - Evergy is viewed as a stable investment in a potentially volatile market, benefiting from its regulated monopoly status and increasing electricity demand [5] Group 2: U.S. Bancorp (USB) - U.S. Bancorp is the fourth-largest bank in the U.S., with operations in 26 states and over 2,250 branches [6] - The bank has a forward dividend yield of over 3.8%, which is currently lower due to a rise in stock price rather than a dividend cut, as it has increased dividends for 14 consecutive years [7] - The stock is trading at a forward price-to-earnings ratio of 12.4, significantly below the S&P 500 financials sector average of nearly 17.5 [8] - The outlook for U.S. Bancorp is improving, with potential benefits from Federal Reserve interest rate cuts and possible regulatory relaxations in the banking industry [9]