Why CenterPoint Energy (CNP) is a Top Dividend Stock for Your Portfolio

Group 1: Core Insights - The primary focus for income investors is generating consistent cash flow from liquid investments, particularly through dividends [1][2] - Dividends are a significant contributor to long-term returns, often exceeding one-third of total returns in many cases [2] Group 2: Company Overview - CenterPoint Energy - CenterPoint Energy (CNP), headquartered in Houston, has experienced a price change of 6.3% this year and currently pays a dividend of $0.21 per share, resulting in a dividend yield of 2.61$0.88 has increased by 8.6% from the previous year, with an average annual increase of 3.93% over the past five years [4] - CenterPoint's current payout ratio is 52%, indicating that it pays out 52% of its trailing 12-month earnings per share as dividends [4] Group 3: Earnings Expectations - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for CenterPoint's earnings in 2025 is $1.75 per share, with an expected increase of 8.02% from the previous year [5] Group 4: Investment Considerations - CenterPoint Energy is viewed as a compelling investment opportunity due to its attractive dividend and strong Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy) [7]