The world’s largest clean energy utility provider NextEra Energy Inc (NYSE: NEE) saw shares close at an all-time high, finishing Wednesday up 4.1%.
The utilities sector in the US caught up with broader market gains on Wednesday, with some of the leading utility providers (such as NextEra) benefitting the most from the rally.
Tim’s Take:
If investors want a relatively reliable way to invest in the future of clean energy, I can’t think of a better company than NextEra.
The utility provider, which provides electricity to households in the state of Florida in the US, also happens to be the world’s largest generator of wind and solar energy.
Given it’s a rate-regulated utility, the income streams it generates are predictable. Furthermore, the company is leading the way in developing battery storage for renewable energy – so that demand can be met even when the wind stops blowing and the sun stops shining.
Growing dividends
Its track record speaks for itself. Even though the utility’s dividend yields a relatively low 1.9%, NextEra has been growing its payout at a strong pace.
It has grown its dividend at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.4% over the past 16 years. Not only that but its total return over the past 10 years has amounted to 530%, more than doubling the S&P 500’s 257% return over the same period.
The stock is a “slow and steady” grower but I think investors can be confident that NextEra will continue to produce market-beating returns as we continue to transition to a greener future.