ZACKS·2025-12-29 17:25Core Insights - NextEra Energy (NEE) and Constellation Energy (CEG) are leading U.S. energy companies focusing on clean energy production and emission reduction in electricity generation [1][4] Industry Demand - The demand for reliable clean electricity is increasing in the U.S. due to factors such as AI-based data centers, the rise of electric vehicles, industrial reshoring, and higher residential electricity usage [2] Company Profiles - NextEra Energy is recognized for its leadership in renewable energy, investing heavily in wind, solar, battery storage, and grid modernization, managing one of the largest wind and solar portfolios globally [3] - Constellation Energy is a major producer of carbon-free nuclear power, providing consistent baseload electricity and benefiting from rising demand for clean energy [4] Earnings Estimates - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for NextEra Energy's earnings per share (EPS) in 2026 has increased by 0.76% over the past 60 days, with long-term growth projected at 8.08% [6] - In contrast, Constellation Energy's 2026 EPS estimate has decreased by 4% in the same period, with long-term growth pegged at 15.42% [7] Valuation Metrics - NextEra Energy trades at a forward P/E of 20.14X, which is more attractive compared to Constellation Energy's 32X [8][19] - NextEra Energy plans to invest $74.6 billion through 2029, significantly higher than Constellation Energy's $3.5 billion for 2026 [8][18] Dividend Yield - NextEra Energy has a dividend yield of 2.82%, outperforming the S&P 500 average of 1.52% and Dominion Energy's 0.43% [9] Return on Equity - NextEra Energy's return on equity (ROE) is 12.42%, while Constellation Energy's ROE is higher at 21.59% [10] Debt and Solvency - Constellation Energy has a debt to capital ratio of 33.46%, compared to NextEra Energy's 59.04%, indicating lower debt utilization [14] - The Times Interest Earned (TIE) ratio for NextEra Energy is 2.3, while Constellation Energy's is 8.5, showing both companies can meet their debt obligations [16] Strategic Investment Plans - NextEra Energy plans significant capital expenditures to enhance infrastructure and clean electricity generation, while Constellation Energy's investments focus on nuclear fuel acquisition [17][18] Price Performance - Over the last six months, NextEra Energy's shares have increased by 17.5%, compared to Constellation Energy's 11.9% gain [21] Summary - NextEra Energy currently has a competitive edge over Constellation Energy due to its price performance, dividend yield, earnings estimates, capital investment plans, and valuation metrics [24]