Sempra (SRE) Could Be a Great Choice

Company Overview - Sempra (SRE) is headquartered in San Diego and operates in the Utilities sector, specifically in Gas Distribution [3] - The company's stock has experienced a price change of -7.49% year-to-date [3] Dividend Information - Sempra currently pays a dividend of $0.64 per share, resulting in a dividend yield of 3.18% [3] - The Utility - Gas Distribution industry's average yield is 3.32%, while the S&P 500's yield is 1.48% [3] - The annualized dividend of Sempra is $2.58, which is a 4% increase from the previous year [4] - Over the last five years, Sempra has increased its dividend five times, averaging an annual increase of 4.28% [4] - The current payout ratio for Sempra is 55%, indicating that 55% of its trailing 12-month EPS is paid out as dividends [4] Earnings Growth - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Sempra's earnings in 2025 is $4.68 per share, reflecting a year-over-year growth rate of 0.65% [5] Investment Considerations - Sempra is viewed as a compelling investment opportunity due to its attractive dividend and strong Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy) [6] - The company is positioned well for income investors, especially in the context of rising interest rates [6]