This Top Dividend Stock Continues to Be 1 of the Smartest Investments You Can Make

Core Insights - NextEra Energy has demonstrated strong growth driven by Florida's economy and investments in clean energy, achieving a 10% compound annual growth rate in dividends over the past decades, resulting in total returns of 13% annualized compared to 10% for the S&P 500 [1][2] Financial Performance - In the first quarter, NextEra Energy's adjusted earnings per share increased nearly 9% year-over-year, showcasing robust growth for a utility [3] - Florida Power & Light (FPL) generated $1.3 billion in adjusted net income, a more than 12% increase from the previous year, supported by smart capital investments and a focus on solar energy [4] - NextEra's energy resources segment reported $908 million in adjusted net income, a 10% increase from the prior year, benefiting from investments in renewable energy capacity [5] Growth Projections - NextEra Energy aims to grow adjusted earnings per share at a rate of 6% to 8% annually through 2027, while also increasing dividends by around 10% annually [6] - FPL has submitted a four-year rate request plan to support investments in solar and battery storage, forecasting the need for over 17 GW of solar generation capacity and more than 7.6 GW of battery storage over the next decade [6] Investment Opportunities - The company added 3.2 GW to its backlog of renewable and storage projects, bringing the total to 28 GW, supporting long-term growth expectations [7] - The U.S. is projected to need an additional 450 GW of clean power capacity by 2030, positioning NextEra as a leader in capturing new development opportunities [8] Investment Appeal - NextEra Energy is well-positioned to continue growing earnings at an above-average rate due to its operations in Florida and its renewable power platform, which supports a strong dividend yield of 3.3% compared to less than 1.5% for the S&P 500 [9][10]