These 2 Dividend Payers Are Some of the Best Stocks to Buy for 2026

Core Viewpoint - Constellation Energy Group (CEG) and NextEra Energy (NEE) are highlighted as key dividend stocks for 2026, benefiting from the growing demand for clean and reliable power generation in a changing electricity market [4][18]. Company Overview - Constellation Energy Group is a major power producer and energy supplier in the U.S., operating one of the largest emissions-free nuclear fleets and a significant commercial retail energy business [2]. - NextEra Energy combines utility and infrastructure operations, with its Florida Power & Light business providing regulated cash flows and its NextEra Energy Resources focusing on renewables and energy infrastructure [11]. Financial Performance - CEG has a market capitalization of $114.4 billion and an annual dividend yield of 0.42%, while NEE has a market cap of $168.5 billion with a higher yield of 2.8% [4]. - CEG's third-quarter 2025 GAAP earnings were $2.97 per share, with adjusted operating earnings rising to $3.04 from $2.74 a year earlier, and management tightened its full-year guidance to between $9.05 and $9.45 per share [8]. - NEE reported a GAAP net income of $2.44 billion, or $1.18 per share, up from $1.85 billion, or $0.90 per share, a year earlier, with adjusted earnings also showing growth [15]. Market Trends - AI data centers currently account for 4.4% of U.S. electricity consumption, projected to rise to between 12% and 20% by 2030, indicating a significant increase in demand for power generation [5]. - The utilities sector is experiencing a shift in demand, with data center electricity use expected to quadruple from 2023 to 2030, necessitating more than 450 additional terawatt-hours of power [6]. Strategic Developments - CEG is set to benefit from a $1 billion loan from the U.S. Department of Energy to support the restart of its Crane Clean Energy Center, expected to add 835 megawatts of capacity [9]. - CEG is also collaborating with GridBeyond to implement AI-powered demand response, enhancing grid flexibility and reducing peak-demand costs [10]. - NEE is expanding its partnership with Google Cloud for new gigawatt-scale data center campuses and is acquiring Symmetry Energy Solutions to enhance its natural gas capabilities [16]. Analyst Sentiment - Analysts have a consensus "Moderate Buy" rating for both CEG and NEE, with average price targets suggesting potential upside of about 21% for CEG and 14% for NEE from current levels [10][17].