These 2 Top High-Yielding Dividend Stocks Are Teaming Up in a Win-Win Deal

Core Viewpoint - Brookfield Renewable and Clearway Energy have entered into a strategic deal that enhances their growth profiles and dividend strategies, benefiting both companies and appealing to income-focused investors [2][11]. Deal Details - Deriva Energy, a Brookfield portfolio company, is selling a portfolio of 613 megawatts (MW) of solar energy assets to Clearway Energy, covering eight states, with the transaction expected to close in the second quarter of next year [3]. - Clearway will partner with Fengate Asset Management for 12 of the assets (227 MW) located in the Western U.S. as a 50-50 joint venture [4]. Benefits to Brookfield - Brookfield Renewable's acquisition strategy focuses on large-scale renewable energy platforms, having recently acquired Duke Energy's commercial renewable energy platform, which included 5.9 gigawatts (GW) of operating and under-construction assets and a 6.1 GW development pipeline [5]. - The deal is projected to boost Brookfield's funds from operations (FFO) by 3% per share in 2024, enhancing cash flow and growth visibility [5][6]. - The capital from the sale will be reinvested into higher-returning projects, supporting Brookfield's goal of over 10% FFO per share growth and enabling annual dividend increases of 5% to 9% [6]. Benefits to Clearway Energy - Clearway Energy is acquiring cash-flowing solar assets backed by long-term contracts, planning to invest between $210 million and $230 million, which is expected to generate an average of $27 million in annual cash available for distribution (CAFD) starting in 2027 [7]. - This acquisition positions Clearway to achieve a CAFD of at least $2.50 per share by 2027, nearly 30% above its 2025 guidance midpoint of $2.08 per share [8]. - Clearway anticipates increasing its dividend to approximately $1.98 per share by 2027, representing an over 11% increase from about $1.78 per share this year, while maintaining a payout ratio within the target range of 70% to 80% [9][10]. Conclusion - The transaction between Brookfield's Deriva Energy and Clearway Energy is a win-win, allowing Brookfield to free up capital for new investments while Clearway strengthens its earnings growth and dividend sustainability, making both companies more attractive to income-focused investors [11].