This story was originally published on Utility Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily Utility Dive newsletter. Dive Brief: Data center load drove up revenue in the PJM Interconnection’s last capacity auction by $7.3 billion, or 82%, to $16.1 billion, according to the grid operator’s market monitor. Combined with PJM’s previous capacity auction, existing and forecast data center load resulted in $16.6 billion in capacity auction revenue, or about half of the $30.8 billion i ...

PG&E Corporation (NYSE:PCG) ranks among the top picks for a retirement portfolio. With a stable outlook, Fitch Ratings raised PG&E Corporation (NYSE:PCG) from BB+ to investment grade “BBB-” on September 26. The improvement is in line with the company’s efforts to lower the risk of wildfires and the recent passage of California Senate Bill 254, which establishes a $18 billion continuing account to cover participating utilities’ catastrophic wildfire liabilities. In order to provide more liquidity to handl ...

Evergy Inc. (NASDAQ:EVRG) ranks among the top picks for a retirement portfolio. UBS maintained its Buy rating and $81 price target for Evergy, Inc. (NASDAQ:EVRG) on September 19. Analyst William Appicelli believes that at its fourth quarter update, Evergy could boost its growth rate from the current 4-6% to 6-8%. Pixabay/Public Domain UBS attributed its higher capital expenditure projections and higher earnings per share estimates to the anticipated generation capacity to handle about 2GW of additional ...

Core Insights - The article discusses the strategy of selecting high-yield dividend stocks from the Global X SuperDividend US ETF (DIV), emphasizing the importance of both yield and price stability in the current market environment [1][2][4]. Group 1: Investment Strategy - The focus is on identifying three stocks from the DIV ETF that not only offer attractive dividend yields but also exhibit favorable price patterns, minimizing the risk of capital loss [1][8]. - The article highlights the necessity of analyzing stocks for their potential to provide price gains alongside high dividend payments, particularly in a volatile market [8][16]. Group 2: Market Context - Dividend stock investing has been experiencing a downturn, with less emphasis on high, consistent dividend payouts compared to previous years [6][16]. - The current market conditions require a higher standard for what constitutes a good yield-focused total return investment, as many traditional high-yield stocks have suffered significant price declines [3][16]. Group 3: Stock Analysis - The three highlighted stocks include Verizon (VZ), Clearway Energy Class C (CWEN), and Evergy (EVRG), each with varying yields and historical volatility [10][11][12]. - VZ offers a yield of 6.3%, while CWEN is approaching a recent high with a yield above 6%, and EVRG, despite a lower yield of 3.5%, has shown promising price movement [13][14][15].

NextEra Energy, Inc. (NYSE:NEE), is one of the 10 Most Promising Green Stocks According to Wall Street Analysts, supported by hedge fund interest and analyst-rated potential. U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Approves NextEra Energy, Inc. (NEE)’s Point Beach Nuclear Plant in Wisconsin On September 29, 2025, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission approved the Point Beach Nuclear Plant in Wisconsin to continue operating for an additional 20 years, marking a significant regulatory milestone for NextEra Ene ...

Company Overview - NextEra Energy, Inc. (NYSE: NEE) is the largest electric utility holding company in the U.S. and is recognized as a leader in renewable energy development and production [2][3] - The company is the parent of Florida Power & Light (FPL), which is the largest electric utility company in the country [3] Dividend Performance - NextEra Energy has a strong dividend history, having increased its payments for 29 consecutive years [4] - The current quarterly dividend is $0.5665 per share, resulting in a dividend yield of 3.00% as of September 26 [4] Market Trends and Growth Potential - The demand for electricity in the U.S. is projected to increase by up to 55% by 2040, driven by factors such as the expansion of AI data centers, the return of manufacturing to the U.S., and the rise in electric vehicle adoption [2] - This growing demand necessitates significant capacity expansion, which positions NextEra Energy favorably as a leader in enhancing power infrastructure [2]

Summary of the Conference Call Company Overview - The company operates primarily in two main businesses: energy generation and transmission, with a strong focus on natural gas, renewables, and storage solutions [2][3] Industry Position - The company is recognized as a leader in various energy sectors, including: - Largest natural gas fleet in the United States - World leader in renewable energy and storage solutions - Significant presence in nuclear energy and competitive transmission [2][3] Key Financial and Operational Highlights - The company filed a settlement agreement for the FPL rate case, with 10 out of 13 parties in agreement, resulting in a 2% compound annual growth rate in customer bills [5] - The company maintains operational costs that are 30% to 40% lower than the national average and 70% lower than the industry average on a dollar per megawatt hour basis [6] - The return on equity (ROE) is set at 10.95% as part of the settlement agreement [6] Growth Opportunities - The company anticipates significant growth in battery storage, driven by high demand in a capacity-short market, with a projected 75 gigawatt portfolio of renewable assets by 2027 [7][8] - There are four main opportunities identified for battery storage: 1. Co-location with renewable assets 2. Standalone storage projects 3. Grid solutions to alleviate transmission upgrades 4. Expansion of existing facilities [7][8][9] Future Outlook - The company is optimistic about growth through 2030 and beyond, with a focus on: - Large load tariffs to attract data centers to Florida - Expansion of transmission capabilities outside Florida, with a current rate base investment of $6 billion [12][14] - Continued demand for renewables and storage, with no permitting restrictions on credits through 2039 [17][18] Technological Advancements - The company is leveraging artificial intelligence to enhance operational efficiency and decision-making processes, providing a competitive advantage in the market [26][27] - AI tools are being used for site planning and operational improvements, which could also be monetized as a software product [66][72] Market Dynamics - The company is well-positioned to capitalize on the growing demand for energy solutions, particularly in the hyperscale data center market, where large-scale energy solutions are required [60][61] - The company has a robust financing plan to support growth initiatives, utilizing project finance, tax equity, and cash flow from existing assets [81][82] Conclusion - The company expresses confidence in its ability to navigate potential earnings slowdowns due to tax credit roll-offs, citing a strong pipeline of growth opportunities and a solid operational foundation [29][31][62]

Company Overview - NextEra Energy has an enterprise value of approximately $241 billion[7] and operates with around 75 GW of capacity[7] - NextEra Energy aims to capitalize on key long-term earnings growth drivers across its regulated and long-term contracted businesses[24, 25] Financial Performance and Expectations - NextEra Energy projects adjusted EPS growth of 6%–8% annually through 2027, based off the 2024 adjusted EPS range of $3.23–$3.43[30, 33] - The company anticipates approximately 10% annual dividend per share growth through at least 2026, off a 2024 base[32] - NextEra Energy's adjusted Earnings Per Share in 2024 is $3.43[30] Florida Power & Light (FPL) - FPL's proposed rate settlement includes a minimum four-year term starting in 2026[11] - The proposed settlement includes a 10.95% midpoint ROE with an equity ratio unchanged at 59.6%[11] Renewable Energy and Storage - Certain wind and solar projects are eligible for tax credits through 2030, while energy storage and nuclear projects have credits extending to 2039[13, 14] - Battery storage offers speed-to-market and cost advantages compared to gas peaker plants, with levelized costs of capacity ranging from $11-$22/kW-month across different regions[16, 19]

Core Viewpoint - AES Corporation's stock experienced a significant increase due to reports that BlackRock intends to acquire the company for approximately $38 billion, despite AES's high debt levels [1][3][4]. Group 1: Acquisition Details - BlackRock aims to acquire AES to leverage the growing demand for electric power, particularly for artificial intelligence data centers [3]. - The acquisition price is estimated at $38 billion, but considering AES's debt, the total cost for BlackRock's subsidiary could exceed $40 billion [4][6]. - AES's market capitalization is currently valued under $11 billion, indicating a substantial premium for the acquisition [4]. Group 2: Financial Performance - AES has reported earnings of less than $1 billion over the past 12 months, leading to a debt-adjusted price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio exceeding 40 [6]. - The company has also experienced negative free cash flow of $2.6 billion, resulting in a price-to-free-cash-flow ratio that is effectively infinite [6]. Group 3: Investment Considerations - Analysts express skepticism regarding the attractiveness of the acquisition for BlackRock, suggesting that the high price may not justify the potential returns [5][7]. - The AES Corporation is not currently recommended as a top investment choice, with alternative stocks identified as better opportunities [9].

The utility company has brokered deals with Big Tech companies like Microsoft, Alphabet, and Meta Platforms in recent years. ...