NextEra Energy(US:NEE) ZACKS·2025-10-08 16:01Core Viewpoint - NextEra Energy has demonstrated strong stock performance, gaining 29.8% over the past six months, significantly outperforming the utility sector and driven by robust operational performance and a growing customer base [1][9][30] Performance Summary - NextEra Energy's stock has outperformed the Zacks Utility - Electric Power industry, which rose by 17.1%, and the broader Zacks Utilities sector, which increased by 14.6% during the same period [1][9] - The company's share price is currently above its 50-day and 200-day simple moving averages, indicating a bullish trend [6][8] Growth Drivers - The strengthening Florida economy is creating new demand opportunities for NextEra Energy, supported by strategic investments in infrastructure and competitive residential rates [11] - NextEra Energy plans to add 36.5-46.5 GW of renewable capacity and invest approximately $25 billion in clean energy through 2029 [12][9] - The company is also focusing on increasing battery storage capacity, with plans to invest nearly $5.5 billion to add 4,265 MW of storage projects by 2029 [13] Financial Performance - NextEra Energy's earnings per share (EPS) estimates indicate year-over-year growth of 7.3% and 7.9% for 2025 and 2026, respectively, with an expected annual increase of 6-8% through 2027 [16] - The company has consistently surpassed earnings expectations, achieving an average earnings surprise of 3.51% over the past four quarters [20] Return on Equity - NextEra Energy's trailing 12-month return on equity (ROE) stands at 12.31%, outperforming the industry average of 10.35%, indicating efficient use of shareholders' equity [23] Dividend and Valuation - NextEra Energy plans to increase its dividend rate by 10% annually through 2026, with a current annual dividend of $2.27 per share and a yield of 2.72% [26] - The company is currently trading at a forward 12-month P/E ratio of 21.33, which is a premium compared to the industry average of 15.49 [28]