NextEra Energy, Inc., through its subsidiaries, generates, transmits, distributes, and sells electric power to retail and wholesale customers in North America. The company generates electricity through wind, solar, nuclear,natural gas, and other clean energy. It also develops, constructs, and operates long-term contracted assets that consists of clean energy solutions, such as renewable generation facilities, battery storage projects, and electric transmission facilities; sells energy commodities; and owns, develops, constructs, manages and operates electric generation facilities in wholesale energy markets. The company had approximately 33,276 megawatts of net generating capacity; approximately 90,000 circuit miles of transmission and distribution lines; and 883 substations. It serves approximately 12 million people through approximately 5.9 million customer accounts in the east and lower west coasts of Florida. The company was formerly known as FPL Group, Inc. and changed its name to NextEra Energy, Inc. in 2010. NextEra Energy, Inc. was founded in 1925 and is headquartered in Juno Beach, Florida.

For NextEra Energy, the picture looks strong in terms of earnings quality, but not in terms of valuation and liquidity. The P/E ratio of 14.76 is below the industry median, which supports the idea of a moderate undervaluation on earnings, but the P/S ratio of 5.94 and P/B ratio of 2.36 are noticeably above industry benchmarks, so the market is already pricing in a premium for quality and stability. P/FCF is 0.00, which looks atypical and provides no basis for valuation through free cash flow, so this signal is more neutral than positive. The company’s profitability is very strong: ROE of 14.0%, ROA of 4.27%, ROI of 7.12%, and return on tangible equity of 18.34% are significantly above the median, and margins are also high and generally improving over the years. It is especially important that net profit margin has risen to 40.37%, operating margin remains around 30%, and gross margin stays stable above 81%, which indicates good operating quality. Revenue, EBITDA, operating profit, and net income are growing compared with earlier periods, confirming fundamental progress. At the same time, the balance sheet remains capital-intensive and the debt burden does not look comfortable: debt/equity of 1.33 is above the median, long-term debt is very large, and current ratio of 0.53 and quick ratio of 0.45 point to weak short-term liquidity. This is typical for the utility sector, but it still limits revaluation potential, especially against the backdrop of already high valuation on revenue and book value. Dividend yield fell to 0.00 in the latest observation after levels around 0.7–0.8%, so the dividend argument is now weaker than before. Growth in assets and shareholders’ equity supports the investment profile, but liabilities are also increasing, which calls for caution. Overall, the fundamentals more likely justify keeping the valuation close to current levels with a slight downward adjustment due to expensive multiples and weak liquidity, despite strong profitability and stable business growth.

NextEra Energy, Inc.

Сильный индекс, незначительно упал. Быки в растерянности.

Strong index, slightly down. The bulls are confused.

Слабый индекс, значительно упал. Рынок на стороне быков.

Weak index, significantly down. The market is on the bulls' side.

Средний индекс, значительно упал. Отток средств из лонгов резко увеличился и находится на высоком уровне.

Medium index, significantly down. The outflow of funds from longs has increased sharply and is at a high level.

Strong profitability and growth in NEE’s metrics are offset by expensive P/S and P/B ratios, weak liquidity, and high debt burden, which limits upside.

Comparing units outstanding versus one week ago at the coverage universe of ETFs at ETF Channel, the biggest inflow was seen in the State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF, which added 29,750,000 units, or a 5.6% increase week over week. Among the largest underlying components of XLU, in morning trading today Nextera Energy is trading flat, and Southern is relatively unchanged.
And on a percentage change basis, the ETF with the biggest increase in inflows was the Tradr 2X Long APLD Daily ETF, which added 2,990,000 units, for a 39.3% increase in outstanding units.

XLU, APLX: Big ETF Inflows

Looking today at week-over-week shares outstanding changes among the universe of ETFs covered at ETF Channel, one standout is the iShares U.S. Thematic Rotation Active ETF (Symbol: THRO) where we have detected an approximate $543.5 million dollar inflow -- that's a 7.8% increase week over week in outstanding units (from 155,660,000 to 167,800,000). Among the largest underlying components of THRO, in trading today RTX Corp (Symbol: RTX) is up about 1.1%, Procter & Gamble Company (Symbol: PG) is up about 0.8%, and NextEra Energy Inc (Symbol: NEE) is lower by about 0.1%. For a complete list of holdings, visit the THRO Holdings page » The chart below shows the one year price performance of THRO, versus its 200 day moving average:
Looking at the chart above, THRO's low point in its 52 week range is $34.945 per share, with $45.035 as the 52 week high point — that compares with a last trade of $44.75. Comparing the most recent share price to the 200 day moving average can also be a useful technical analysis technique -- learn more about the 200 day moving average ».
Exchange traded funds (ETFs) trade just like stocks, but instead of ''shares'' investors are actually buying and selling ''units''. These ''units'' can be traded back and forth just like stocks, but can also be created or destroyed to accommodate investor demand. Each week we monitor the week-over-week change in shares outstanding data, to keep a lookout for those ETFs experiencing notable inflows (many new units created) or outflows (many old units destroyed). Creation of new units will mean the underlying holdings of the ETF need to be purchased, while destruction of units involves selling underlying holdings, so large flows can also impact the individual components held within ETFs.
Further THRO Research:

Notable ETF Inflow Detected - THRO, RTX, PG, NEE

Key Points
Investors reacted negatively to British American Tobacco's latest unveiling of its "smoke-free transformation," but unlike its main competitor, British American, at least it has a concrete plan in place to make this pivot.
L3Harris has tanked on an abrupt CEO change and general malaise about future defense spending, but this latest spate of pessimism could give way to a rebound on improved sentiment.
NextEra Energy is facing pressure due to rising interest rates and uncertainty over its pending merger with Dominion Energy, but these headwinds, although substantial, should only affect performance in the short run.
While the broader stock market has continued to trend higher over the past few weeks, quite a few dividend stocks have sold off, hitting new 52-week lows. In some cases, these downward moves are justified, given negative developments and/or increased risks that these stocks could become yield or value traps.
But for these three stocks, investors appear to be overreacting, at least when it comes to near-term issues for British American Tobacco (NYSE: BTI), L3Harris Technologies (NYSE: LHX), and NextEra Energy (NYSE: NEE), and to how they really affect these companies' long-term prospects.
Missed Nvidia in 2009? This Rare Signal Is Flashing Again. In 2009, a "Double Down" signal flashed for a little-known chipmaker called Nvidia. For the first time in years, that same "Total Conviction" signal is flashing for a company 1/100th the size of Nvidia. Continue »
British American Tobacco dips despite a stronger smokeless game plan
Shares in British American Tobacco, which is the parent company of U.S.-based RJ Reynolds, have fallen by around 7% year to date. Chalk this up mainly to the market's reaction to the cigarette company's Horizon 2030 "smokeless transformation" plans.
However, even as the stock keeps hitting new lows, including a recent slump to the low-$50s per share, short-term skittishness could work in the favor of long-term contrarian investors. For one, at current prices, the stock has a forward dividend yield of around 6.3%. The stock also has a strong track record of steady dividend growth over the past five years, averaging around 3% for the past five years.
Moreover, when it comes to British American Tobacco's high yield when weighed against cigarette obsolescence risk, the stock appears to be a stronger contender than Altria Group. While Altria, parent company of Philip Morris USA, has a slightly higher dividend yield of 6.6%, its smokeless transformation plans remain highly uncertain.
Meanwhile, British American Tobacco has at least a concrete plan to pivot from primarily selling cigarettes to primarily selling non-combustible tobacco and nicotine products, without affecting overall profitability. Alongside this advantage, BTI also trades at a slight valuation discount to Altria.
Recent troubles could spark a turnaround for L3Harris Technologies
Down nearly 20% year to date, L3Harris Technologies has tumbled due to a variety of factors. Despite continued strength with the defense contractor's missile business, concerns about reduced defense spending have outweighed this positive.
Christopher Kubasik's abrupt exit as CEO in August due to "code of conduct" violations has also weighed on L3's performance. However, Kubasik's exit and his subsequent replacement by Sam Mehta could prove very beneficial in the long run. After underperforming under Kubasik's watch, L3Harris' new management now has the opportunity to implement a turnaround plan.
Yes, with L3Harris trading in the middle of the pack valuation-wise among defense stocks, it may take a substantial improvement to earnings in order for shares to take off again. Still, given how much the market has rewarded faster-growing defense stocks in terms of valuation and the fact that the stock, although with only a 2.1% forward yield, has raised its payout for 25 years in a row, this suggests more long-term opportunity than meets the eye with L3Harris shares.
High uncertainty creates opportunity with NextEra Energy
NextEra Energy has fallen by only 4.3% year to date, but the fact that one of the most-followed utilities stocks is hitting new 52-week lows remains concerning. Many factors are likely driving this downward shift.
For one, the recent rate hikes have reduced the attractiveness of utility stocks, which are typically valued as much on their yield as on other metrics. Alongside interest rate-related tailwinds, there's also NextEra's pending merger with Dominion Energy. Uncertainty regarding the success of this deal may also be placing pressure on shares.
Yet while NextEra may be facing some challenges right now, its long-term merits remain intact. With over 30 years of consecutive annual dividend growth, the stock is less than two decades away from attaining Dividend King status, meaning a company that has raised its payout for 50 years or more. Currently, the stock has a forward dividend yield of around 3.25%.
Alongside its strong track record of dividend growth, the company is benefiting greatly from the artificial intelligence (AI) data center boom. This growth catalyst, coupled with potential cost and revenue synergies from the pending Dominion merger, could prove key to NextEra hitting its 8% earnings growth target over the next few years. This earnings growth, coupled with its plans to deliver at least 6% annual dividend growth over each of the next two years, could prove key to driving strong total returns for shares.
Should you buy stock in British American Tobacco right now?
Before you buy stock in British American Tobacco, consider this:
The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now… and British American Tobacco wasn’t one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years.
Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $364,023!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $1,467,933!*
Now, it’s worth noting Stock Advisor’s total average return is 948% — a market-crushing outperformance compared to 214% for the S&P 500. Don't miss the latest top 10 list, available with Stock Advisor, and join an investing community built by individual investors for individual investors.
*Stock Advisor returns as of October 6, 2026.
Thomas Niel has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends L3Harris Technologies and NextEra Energy. The Motley Fool recommends British American Tobacco P.l.c. and Dominion Energy. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

3 Dividend Stocks Worth Buying Near Their 52-Week Lows

The NASDAQ 100 After Hours Indicator is down -10.55 to 30,797.38. The total After hours volume is currently 150,344,592 shares traded.
The following are the most active stocks for the after hours session:
Grab Holdings Limited (GRAB) is +0.0102 at $3.09, with 10,888,982 shares traded. As reported by Zacks, the current mean recommendation for GRAB is in the "buy range".
Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc. (WBD) is +0.02 at $30.96, with 7,829,526 shares traded. WBD's current last sale is 99.87% of the target price of $31.
Nike, Inc. (NKE) is -0.0398 at $33.83, with 6,758,463 shares traded. NKE's current last sale is 80.55% of the target price of $42.
Walmart Inc. (WMT) is +0.01 at $104.27, with 5,864,662 shares traded. As reported by Zacks, the current mean recommendation for WMT is in the "buy range".
Ford Motor Company (F) is +0.0096 at $12.11, with 4,668,489 shares traded. F's current last sale is 80.73% of the target price of $15.
NVIDIA Corporation (NVDA) is +0.08 at $234.03, with 4,663,123 shares traded. As reported by Zacks, the current mean recommendation for NVDA is in the "buy range".
NextEra Energy, Inc. (NEE) is +0.0947 at $76.92, with 4,241,897 shares traded. NEE's current last sale is 77.31% of the target price of $99.5.
GameStop Corporation (GME) is +0.0471 at $24.75, with 3,838,220 shares traded.
Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 (QQQ) is +0.06 at $749.64, with 3,711,406 shares traded. This represents a 34.92% increase from its 52 Week Low.
Exelon Corporation (EXC) is unchanged at $40.73, with 3,282,123 shares traded., following a 52-week high recorded in today's regular session.
Pfizer, Inc. (PFE) is -0.01 at $27.79, with 3,064,153 shares traded. PFE's current last sale is 99.25% of the target price of $28.
Southern Company (The) (SO) is unchanged at $83.72, with 2,453,925 shares traded., following a 52-week high recorded in today's regular session.

After Hours Most Active for Oct 2, 2026 : GRAB, WBD, NKE, WMT, F, NVDA, NEE, GME, QQQ, EXC, PFE, SO

PPL Corporation PPL is focusing on improving operating efficiency to control costs while expanding its infrastructure investment program. The company is strengthening project execution, optimizing operations and controlling expenses across its regulated utility businesses.
In the second quarter of 2026, other operations and maintenance (O&M) expenses decreased 6.84%, indicating lower underlying costs and continued efforts to control expenses across regulated utility operations. Rhode Island Energy also benefited from lower operating expenses during the quarter.
PPL is using technology to streamline utility operations, enhance system reliability and manage expenses while limiting pressure on customer rates. On Sept. 24, 2026, PPL Electric secured up to $71.5 million in U.S. Department of Energy funding to modernize 29.3 miles of transmission infrastructure. The project will use advanced technologies to increase transmission capacity, improve reliability and maximize existing corridor utilization, supporting efficient energy delivery.
The company’s $23 billion capital investment plan through 2029 focuses on modernizing infrastructure and deploying advanced technology. These investments are expected to improve operational efficiency, reduce maintenance requirements and help control operating costs. PPL targets 6-8% annual earnings growth through 2029, with growth expected to trend toward the upper end.
These initiatives can help offset cost pressures by improving asset utilization, reducing maintenance requirements and enhancing the efficiency of utility operations, potentially linking cost management to PPL’s earnings objectives.
Enhancing Operational Performance Supports Utility Growth
Enhancing operational performance helps utilities lower operating and maintenance costs while improving system reliability. Greater efficiency can support capital investment, customer affordability and long-term earnings growth.
PG&E Corporation PCG benefited from lower net O&M expenses in the second quarter of 2026, which supported earnings as the company continued to target a 2-4% reduction in non-fuel O&M costs
NextEra Energy NEE subsidiary Florida Power & Light Company reported non-fuel O&M costs over 70% below the industry average on a dollar-per-megawatt-hour basis in the second quarter of 2026, helping maintain customer affordability and reliability.
The Zacks Rundown on PPL
PPL’s Earnings Estimates
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2026 and 2027 EPS indicates a year-over-year increase of 7.73% and 8.35%, respectively.
PPL's Debt to Capital
PPL's debt-to-capital currently stands at 57.46%, lower than the electric power industry’s 62.33%.
PPL’s Stock Price Performance
In the past three months, the company’s shares have plunged 13.2% compared with the industry’s 14.7% decline.
PPL’s Zacks Rank
PPL currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
Beyond Nvidia: AI's Second Wave Is Here
The AI revolution has already minted millionaires. But the stocks everyone knows about aren't likely to keep delivering the biggest profits. AI’s second wave is moving from infrastructure to implementation and these companies are at the forefront of this transition, positioned to become what Amazon and Google were to the internet era.
See Stocks Now >>
Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report

Can Improving Operating Efficiency Support PPL's Earnings Growth?

Key Points
NextEra Energy's Resources subsidiary gives customers a suite of options for AI power needs.
NextEra will reopen its Iowa nuclear facility with help from a DOE loan.
Investors get both growth and dividend income from NextEra stock.
Many investors have been flocking to energy names they think could help fill the massive power needs of artificial intelligence (AI) data centers. Those names include companies working to increase the capacity to produce fuel cells, develop advanced nuclear reactors, and even create small modular nuclear fission reactors.
Some of these AI labs and data centers are already in service and need steady, dependable power in the near term. One healthy, dividend-paying company is ready to help now and in the future. That company is NextEra Energy (NYSE: NEE). NextEra is much more than a power supplier to data centers, and it is positioned for multiple growth paths.
Missed AI’s "Act 1"? Act 2 Could Be 15x Bigger. Most investors think they missed the AI boat because they didn't buy Nvidia in 2005. But according to our analysts, we’re only at the end of "Act 1"—the R&D phase. "Act 2" is the global rollout. Continue »
But its Energy Resources subsidiary is very well positioned to serve the AI power needs of hyperscalers and AI labs like Anthropic. The energy infrastructure company offers solutions across renewables, natural gas, battery storage, and nuclear power, allowing it to serve all customer needs.
NextEra is going nuclear
Energy Resources reported adjusted earnings-per-share (EPS) growth of 18% in the most recent quarter. The expansion of its power generation and storage portfolio fueled that growth. More is to come, as well. The company added 3.6 gigawatts (GW) to its energy storage and generation backlog in the second quarter. That backlog now stands at over 35 GW, and is spread among wind, solar, gas generation, nuclear, and battery storage.
NextEra continues to add diversity to its mix. Earlier this month, it secured up to $1.9 billion in loans from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to help restart its 615-megawatt nuclear facility in Iowa. NextEra shuttered the facility in 2020, but now has the support of both the federal government and the Iowa Utilities Commission for this additional generation capacity. NextEra plans to reactivate the reactor by early 2029.
NextEra Energy investors get growth and income
While NextEra continues to expand capacity, investors collect income that the company is optimistic will grow as well. Management sees about a 10% dividend increase this year, followed by 6% annual growth through 2028.
Additionally, the company targets at least 8% annual EPS growth through 2035.
While the business environment and NextEra's project backlog remain strong, the macroeconomic picture has led to a recent slump in the stock. This could be a good opportunity for investors. NextEra's dividend yield has grown to about 3.2% at recent prices.
NextEra Energy Resources' 35 GW project backlog will likely continue to grow even as some of those projects come online. With the stock trading at the lowest level in nearly a year, investors can now take advantage of that.
Should you buy stock in NextEra Energy right now?
Before you buy stock in NextEra Energy, consider this:
The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now… and NextEra Energy wasn’t one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years.
Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $383,680!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $1,382,954!*
Now, it’s worth noting Stock Advisor’s total average return is 937% — a market-crushing outperformance compared to 214% for the S&P 500. Don't miss the latest top 10 list, available with Stock Advisor, and join an investing community built by individual investors for individual investors.
*Stock Advisor returns as of September 26, 2026.
Howard Smith has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends NextEra Energy. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

Anthropic Needs Gigawatts of Power It Doesn't Have. This Dividend-Paying Industrial Sells It.

Key Points
Nuclear power offers baseload power from a clean energy source.
Electricity demand is rapidly increasing.
Investor sentiment has shifted, but nuclear still doesn't look cheap, and new technology is still largely untested.
NextEra Energy (NYSE: NEE) recently agreed to buy Dominion Energy (NYSE: D), at least partly to gain access to fast-growing data center demand. The deal will also give the combined company material scale in the U.S. nuclear power sector. NextEra is leaning into what it sees as key long-term trends, with demand for electricity in the United States expected to increase by 60% between 2025 and 2045.​​
If you are an investor, nuclear power presents a huge opportunity. But all opportunities come with risk, as highlighted by the pullback in the nuclear power sector in 2026. Here are two green flags to consider and two red flags to contemplate before you jump into the nuclear power sector.
Missed AI’s "Act 1"? Act 2 Could Be 15x Bigger. Most investors think they missed the AI boat because they didn't buy Nvidia in 2005. But according to our analysts, we’re only at the end of "Act 1"—the R&D phase. "Act 2" is the global rollout. Continue »
2 green flags
Electricity demand is the primary reason for favoring nuclear power stocks as investments. As noted above, electricity demand in the United States is expected to rise 60% between 2025 and 2045. The key to understanding that figure, however, is that demand rose by only 10% in the previous 20-year period. This is a step change in demand, and renewable energy sources like solar and wind simply won't be able to meet it all because they are intermittent. Nuclear is always on baseload power.
A significant portion of the expected demand is coming from new technologies, such as electric cars and artificial intelligence. There are early signs of demand for nuclear power, as companies like Constellation Energy (NASDAQ: CEG) ink deals with AI companies to reopen shuttered nuclear power plants or keep ones slated for closure open. That said, there are currently 438 operable reactors in the world, with 417 actually operating, according to nuclear fuel supplier Cameco (NYSE: CCJ).
So there are only a limited number of opportunities for growth within the existing nuclear power fleet. The big opportunity, and the second green flag, is new construction. There are currently 77 reactors under construction, most of which are in Asia. But companies like Oklo (NYSE: OKLO) and NuScale Power (NYSE: SMR) are looking to push nuclear technology to new levels, with small modular nuclear reactors (SMRs). And government support for SMRs and nuclear power, more broadly, could help initiate a new building boom.
2 red flags
As with any new technology, however, investors need to watch the cash. For example, Oklo and NuScale are both money-losing start-ups. The idea of SMRs is exciting, but much more work remains before they become a significant factor in the industry. And while these two stocks rose dramatically on news that the U.S. government was providing funding to nuclear start-ups, they each fell back to earth when it became clear that neither company was on the verge of profitability.
That's really two red flags in one example, since new technology and funding are both issues that need monitoring. However, funding isn't just an issue for start-ups. Building a large-scale nuclear power plant is an expensive endeavor (it is also time-consuming and difficult, but put that aside for now). So money is a very big problem for any company that wants to build out its nuclear power fleet. This is part of the reason why NextEra is buying Dominion. The combined company will not only be number two in U.S. nuclear but also the largest publicly traded utility in the United States and the world. That is likely to provide it with advantaged access to capital markets.
That said, investors are always making trade-offs between risk and reward. And something that investors need to watch carefully, making it red flag number two, is valuations. Money-losing start-ups are notoriously difficult to value, but Constellation Energy, even after a sell-off, has a price-to-earnings ratio of 25x. The average utility's P/E is roughly 19x. Nuclear fuel supplier Cameco has a P/E of 157x, but it operates a commodity-driven business, which can lead to outlandish valuation figures at times. NextEra's P/E, notably, is roughly 17x, making it look relatively cheap, but it is far from a pure-play in the nuclear power space.
Even a good business can be a bad investment if you pay too much for it. And mercurial investors have proven that moods can swing quickly in the nuclear power sector. You need to tread with caution and make sure you are comfortable with what you are paying to own a nuclear power stock.
Huge opportunities and huge risks
Nuclear power has a lot going for it, but there are always risks that you have to consider when buying a stock. Right now, growing electricity demand and nuclear power plant construction are two green flags to watch. But red flags like funding for hugely expensive reactors and new technology development, as well as sector valuations, need to be watched as well, as they may temper your enthusiasm for a particular stock.
Should you buy stock in Oklo right now?
Before you buy stock in Oklo, consider this:
The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now… and Oklo wasn’t one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years.
Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $386,781!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $1,379,943!*
Now, it’s worth noting Stock Advisor’s total average return is 936% — a market-crushing outperformance compared to 213% for the S&P 500. Don't miss the latest top 10 list, available with Stock Advisor, and join an investing community built by individual investors for individual investors.
*Stock Advisor returns as of September 25, 2026.
Reuben Gregg Brewer has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Cameco, Constellation Energy, and NextEra Energy. The Motley Fool recommends Dominion Energy and NuScale Power. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

2 Green Flags and 2 Red Flags for Nuclear Stocks After This Year's Sell-Off

Key Points
NextEra combines utility stability with renewable energy growth.
Realty Income pays its shareholders dividends every single month.
Both stocks could generate growing income for decades.
If you're buying dividend stocks for the long haul, a big yield isn't enough. You want companies that can keep paying, and preferably increasing, those dividends for decades. NextEra Energy (NYSE: NEE) and Realty Income (NYSE: O) have already shown they can do exactly that. So let's jump right in.
NextEra Energy
NextEra Energy gives you something most utilities can't: exposure to both a massive regulated utility and one of the country's largest renewable energy businesses. The company owns Florida Power & Light, which provides electricity to roughly 12 million people and is the largest electric utility in the United States. It also owns NextEra Energy Resources, a major developer of wind, solar, and battery storage projects.
Missed Nvidia in 2009? This Rare Signal Is Flashing Again. In 2009, a "Double Down" signal flashed for a little-known chipmaker called Nvidia. For the first time in years, that same "Total Conviction" signal is flashing for a company 1/100th the size of Nvidia. Continue »
In Q2, the company added 3.6 gigawatts of renewable and battery-storage projects to its backlog. That brought the total backlog to roughly 35.1 gigawatts. That's a lot of generating capacity waiting to be built. Meanwhile, electricity demand is rising as data centers, artificial intelligence, manufacturing, and electrification place greater strain on the grid. And NextEra is perfectly positioned to capitalize on that growth for well beyond the next decade.
Management currently expects adjusted earnings per share to grow at least 8% annually through 2032, and it's targeting the same growth rate from 2032 through 2035. Then there's the dividend.
NextEra raised its quarterly dividend 10% this year to $0.6232 per share, or roughly $2.49 annually. Management expects roughly 6% annual dividend growth from year-end 2026 through 2028. It currently clocks in at around 3%. That's what makes NextEra particularly attractive if you have decades rather than months to work with.
Indeed, the current yield isn't enormous. But if the company keeps increasing its payout while earnings compound, the income generated from shares purchased today could look very different 10 or 20 years from now.
Realty Income
Realty Income offers almost the opposite proposition. Instead of a lower starting yield with faster growth, investors get a yield of roughly 5% and a dividend paid every single month.
The real estate investment trust owns thousands of properties leased to businesses under long-term agreements. Its tenants typically cover many property expenses, including taxes, maintenance, and insurance. That creates a relatively predictable stream of rental income. And Realty Income has turned that rent into dividends for decades.
The company has paid monthly dividends throughout its history as a public company and has steadily increased the payout along the way. Its annualized dividend has climbed from $0.90 per share in 1994 to roughly $3.26 today. That's more than 3.5 times its original payout. And the business continues to grow, too.
Realty Income expects adjusted funds from operations (AFFO) of more than $4 per share this year. AFFO is one of the most useful measures of cash-generating performance for a REIT because traditional earnings can be distorted by non-cash real estate depreciation.
Realty Income has also expanded beyond its traditional U.S. retail portfolio into Europe and additional property types, giving the company a much larger universe of potential investments. However, there are some risks.
Higher interest rates can increase borrowing costs and make acquisitions less profitable. Economic weakness can also put pressure on weaker tenants. But Realty Income has already navigated recessions, financial crises, a pandemic, and multiple interest rate cycles while continuing to deliver monthly dividends.
Two very different ways to build dividend income
NextEra Energy and Realty Income aren't interchangeable. And that's precisely why I like owning them together.
NextEra gives you exposure to rising electricity demand, renewable energy, battery storage, and a regulated Florida utility, along with the potential for meaningful dividend growth. Realty Income provides a much higher starting yield and monthly income backed by a massive portfolio of rent-producing properties.
Neither stock needs explosive growth to work. You just buy them, reinvest the dividends, and give the businesses 20 or 30 years to compound. That's how seemingly boring dividend stocks can quietly become some of the most valuable holdings in a portfolio.
Should you buy stock in NextEra Energy right now?
Before you buy stock in NextEra Energy, consider this:
The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now… and NextEra Energy wasn’t one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years.
Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $389,154!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $1,406,303!*
Now, it’s worth noting Stock Advisor’s total average return is 949% — a market-crushing outperformance compared to 214% for the S&P 500. Don't miss the latest top 10 list, available with Stock Advisor, and join an investing community built by individual investors for individual investors.
*Stock Advisor returns as of September 23, 2026.
Jeff Siegel has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends NextEra Energy and Realty Income. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
Founded in 1993 in Alexandria, VA., by brothers David and Tom Gardner, The Motley Fool is a multimedia financial-services company dedicated to building the world's greatest investment community. Reaching millions of people each month through its website, books, newspaper column, radio show, television appearances, and subscription newsletter services, The Motley Fool champions shareholder values and advocates tirelessly for the individual investor. The company's name was taken from Shakespeare, whose wise fools both instructed and amused, and could speak the truth to the king -- without getting their heads lopped off.

2 Monster Dividend Stocks to Buy Now and Hold for Decades

Looking today at week-over-week shares outstanding changes among the universe of ETFs covered at ETF Channel, one standout is the Dimensional U.S. Equity Market ETF (Symbol: DFUS) where we have detected an approximate $160.2 million dollar outflow -- that's a 0.7% decrease week over week (from 257,800,000 to 255,900,000). Among the largest underlying components of DFUS, in trading today NextEra Energy Inc (Symbol: NEE) is off about 1.4%, Boeing Co. (Symbol: BA) is up about 2.2%, and Corning Inc (Symbol: GLW) is lower by about 3.2%. For a complete list of holdings, visit the DFUS Holdings page » The chart below shows the one year price performance of DFUS, versus its 200 day moving average:
Looking at the chart above, DFUS's low point in its 52 week range is $68.59 per share, with $85.27 as the 52 week high point — that compares with a last trade of $83.82. Comparing the most recent share price to the 200 day moving average can also be a useful technical analysis technique -- learn more about the 200 day moving average ».
Exchange traded funds (ETFs) trade just like stocks, but instead of ''shares'' investors are actually buying and selling ''units''. These ''units'' can be traded back and forth just like stocks, but can also be created or destroyed to accommodate investor demand. Each week we monitor the week-over-week change in shares outstanding data, to keep a lookout for those ETFs experiencing notable inflows (many new units created) or outflows (many old units destroyed). Creation of new units will mean the underlying holdings of the ETF need to be purchased, while destruction of units involves selling underlying holdings, so large flows can also impact the individual components held within ETFs.
Further DFUS Research:

Noteworthy ETF Outflows: DFUS, NEE, BA, GLW

Key Points
Bloom Energy is leveraging solid oxide fuel cell technology to target the rapid growth of AI-driven data centers.
NextEra Energy provides a combination of stable regulated utility income and a massive portfolio of renewable energy assets.
Which energy stock is the better choice for your 2026 portfolio?
Energy demand is surging as data centers and artificial intelligence technologies strain the existing power grid. Deciding between Bloom Energy Corp (NYSE:BE) and NextEra Energy Inc (NYSE:NEE) requires weighing high-growth innovation against stable, utility-backed profitability.
Bloom Energy provides on-site solid oxide fuel cells, offering a decentralized alternative to traditional power grids for energy-intensive industries. NextEra Energy operates Florida's largest regulated utility and is also a global leader in wind and solar power generation. These companies represent two different ways to invest in the future of the American power infrastructure.
The case for Bloom Energy
Bloom Energy manufactures solid oxide fuel cell systems that provide on-site electricity and hydrogen for high-demand environments. The company focuses on sectors like data centers and semiconductor manufacturing that require reliable power outside the traditional grid. Key partners include American Electric Power Co (NASDAQ:AEP) and Brookfield Corp (NYSE:BN), though such customer concentration adds a layer of risk to the business.
In FY 2025, revenue reached a little more than $2 billion, which represents a 37% increase compared to the prior year. Despite this top-line growth, the company reported a net loss of approximately $88 million for the period. This resulted in a wider net margin of negative 4.4%, a metric that measures how much of each dollar of revenue is kept as profit after all expenses are paid.
As of its December 2025 balance sheet, the debt-to-equity ratio was nearly 3.9x, which compares total debt to shareholder equity to see how much a company relies on borrowing. The so-called current ratio, which measures the ability to pay short-term debts with assets that can be converted to cash within a year, was roughly 6.0x. For the fiscal year, free cash flow reached about $57.2 million, representing the cash remaining after paying for operations and capital expenditures.
The case for NextEra Energy
NextEra Energy operates through two primary segments: Florida Power & Light and NextEra Energy Resources. Florida Power & Light is a massive regulated utility serving approximately 6 million accounts in Florida, providing a steady foundation of revenue. This scale makes it a prominent name among electric utility stocks for those seeking renewable energy exposure.
In FY 2025, revenue reached close to $27.5 billion, which represents an 11% increase over the previous year. Net income for the year was roughly $6.8 billion, resulting in a net margin of nearly 25%. In its latest annual report, filed in 2026, the company highlighted the consistent demand for its utility services and its expansion into battery storage solutions.
As of the December 2025 balance sheet, the debt-to-equity ratio was approximately 1.8x. The current ratio, which compares short-term assets to short-term liabilities, was close to 0.6x, while free cash flow reached nearly $3.2 billion. Free cash flow is the cash a company generates after accounting for the money spent on maintaining or expanding its physical assets.
Risk profile comparison
Bloom Energy is currently defending against multiple securities class action lawsuits while facing scrutiny regarding supply chain practices and Chinese scandium sourcing. Significant project execution risks exist due to long sales cycles and a reliance on a limited number of suppliers. Furthermore, maintaining market confidence in its liquidity remains a concern given its history of reporting net losses.
NextEra Energy faces risks from severe weather events like hurricanes and adverse regulatory decisions that could impact its utility operations in Florida. The company also handles integration and execution risks related to its large-scale acquisition of Dominion Energy Inc (NYSE:D). Finally, the use of artificial intelligence technologies introduces potential vulnerabilities regarding cybersecurity and model inaccuracy.
Valuation comparison
NextEra Energy appears to be the more conservatively valued option because it features a lower Forward P/E and P/S ratio than its peer.
Metric
Bloom Energy
NextEra Energy
Forward P/E
56.8x
18.3x
P/S ratio
25.1x
5.8x
Valuation metrics sourced from Financial Modeling Prep (FMP) and may differ from other data providers.
Which stock would I buy in 2026?
NextEra Energy is a regulated utility and one of the world's largest operators of renewable energy assets, with about one-third of its 4 gigawatts (GW) of generation capacity coming from wind and solar. As energy demand continues to soar, NextEra is well-suited to meet it. Its FPL subsidiary added more than 90,000 customers in the second quarter compared to the prior year's comparable quarter. The typical FPL residential bill remains approximately 30% below the national average and is projected to increase by only 2% annually on average through the end of the decade.
Energy storage is also a growth area for the company. Battery storage represented 2 GW of additions this quarter. NextEra can build battery storage as a stand-alone project or co-locate storage across the company's existing renewable sites. NextEra can also develop batteries as grid solutions, and can expand 4 hour batteries to 8 hours at its existing storage sites to accommodate customer growth.
All of that is helping the business raise sales to more than $31 billion in fiscal 2026, according to Wall Street analyst consensus. Net income should rise more than 25% to close to $8.8 billion. Free cash flow continues to be a problem, with FCF projected at negative $19 billion.
Bloom Energy's core product is its Energy Server, a stand-alone power source for commercial and industrial customers. The Energy Server is based on solid oxide fuel cell technology and runs on natural gas, biogas, or hydrogen.
The business aims to reduce its production costs by about 10% per year to attract more customers (its main markets are the U.S. and Korea). The AI datacenter boom is a tailwind for Bloom, which should see revenue leap 85% to $4.1 billion in fiscal 2026. That has Wall Street expecting a swing to net income of about $658 million.
Bloom is growing fast and is an exciting business, given the increasing demand for local power sources coming from the AI data center explosion. However, NextEra has the heft of renewable energy assets at scale, with the stabilizing influence of being a regulated utility across much of its operations. Coupled with much more reasonable ratios, NEE is the stock for long-term investors to buy.
Should you buy stock in Bloom Energy right now?
Before you buy stock in Bloom Energy, consider this:
The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now… and Bloom Energy wasn’t one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years.
Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $395,625!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $1,397,147!*
Now, it’s worth noting Stock Advisor’s total average return is 951% — a market-crushing outperformance compared to 214% for the S&P 500. Don't miss the latest top 10 list, available with Stock Advisor, and join an investing community built by individual investors for individual investors.
*Stock Advisor returns as of September 22, 2026.
Brendan Coffey has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Bloom Energy, Brookfield Corporation, and NextEra Energy. The Motley Fool recommends Dominion Energy. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

NextEra Energy, Inc.

Trend

Trend Class

Trend Power

Pattern

EMA

EMA-20

EMA-50

EMA-100

EMA-20

EMA-50

EMA-100

Oscillators

Stochastic

RSI

MACD

Candle pattern type