In this article, we discuss 10 best utility dividend stocks to buy. If you want to see more stocks in this selection, click 5 Best Utility Dividend Stocks To Buy.
In 2022, the electric power industry will continue to move towards a cleaner, more resilient grid. As the US economy started to recover from its pandemic-driven recession, electricity sales grew 3.8% through August 2021 compared to the prior year. The electric power industry is undergoing decarbonization, digitalization, and decentralization.
Heading into the last quarter of 2021, 46 out of 54 American investor-owned utility firms had pledged to lower carbon emissions, and many set a target of net zero carbon by 2050. In 2022, even more utilities jumped on board and reaffirmed commitments, driven by consumer support, chances for adding value, advanced environmental, social, and governance (ESG) targets, growing clean energy mandates, and potential federal subsidies.
The global utilities market grew from $5,488.88 billion in 2021 to $5,937.42 billion in 2022 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.2%. The utilities sector is forecasted to grow to $7,376.5 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate of 5.6%. The swift growth and significant investments in renewable power generation facilities is anticipated to support the advancement of the utilities industry during the forecast period. To benefit from the utilities sector, which is known for paying generous dividends, some of the best stocks include NextEra Energy, Inc. (NYSE:NEE), The AES Corporation (NYSE:AES), and Dominion Energy, Inc. (NYSE:D).
Our Methodology
We selected the following utility dividend stocks based on positive analyst coverage, strong business fundamentals, and solidity of dividend profiles. The dividend yields as of October 28 have been mentioned. We have assessed the hedge fund sentiment from Insider Monkey’s database of 895 elite hedge funds tracked as of the end of the second quarter of 2022.
Pixabay/Public Domain
Best Utility Dividend Stocks To Buy
10. Fortis Inc. (NYSE:FTS)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 9
Dividend Yield as of October 28: 4.27%
Fortis Inc. (NYSE:FTS) operates as an electric and gas utility company in Canada, the United States, and the Caribbean countries. The company was founded in 1885 and is headquartered in St. John’s, Canada. The company expects its long-term growth to support earnings and dividend increases, while lowering its dividend payout ratio over time to reach historical levels. The dividend growth guidance of 4%-6% annually through 2027 will also offer the flexibility to finance more capital with internally raised funds.
On September 28, Fortis Inc. (NYSE:FTS) declared a C$0.565 per share quarterly dividend, a 5.6% increase from its prior dividend of C$0.535. The dividend is payable on December 1, to shareholders of record as of November 17. Fortis Inc. (NYSE:FTS) also posted Q3 2022 results which were ahead of Wall Street consensus.
Raymond James analyst David Quezada on October 19 upgraded Fortis Inc. (NYSE:FTS) to Outperform from Market Perform with a C$58 price target. The analyst now sees attractive value in the low-risk regulated name.
According to Insider Monkey’s second quarter database, Fortis Inc. (NYSE:FTS) was part of 9 hedge fund portfolios, compared to 10 in the prior quarter. Rajiv Jain’s GQG Partners is the leading position holder in the company, with 9.3 million shares worth $442 million.
Like NextEra Energy, Inc. (NYSE:NEE), The AES Corporation (NYSE:AES), and Dominion Energy, Inc. (NYSE:D), Fortis Inc. (NYSE:FTS) is one of the best utility dividend stocks to invest in.
9. Spire Inc. (NYSE:SR)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 16
Dividend Yield as of October 28: 3.93%
Spire Inc. (NYSE:SR) is based in St. Louis, Missouri, and the company is engaged in the purchase, distribution, and sale of natural gas to residential, commercial, industrial, and other end-users of natural gas in the United States. Spire Inc. (NYSE:SR) paid a $0.685 per share quarterly dividend to shareholders on October 4 and it has a dividend yield of nearly 4% as of October 28. Spire Inc. (NYSE:SR) is one of the premier dividend stocks to invest in.
On September 9, JPMorgan analyst Richard Sunderland upgraded Spire Inc. (NYSE:SR) to Overweight from Neutral with a price target of $78, up from $74. “Recent Staff testimony in Spire’s Missouri rate case appears consistent with company efforts to address a narrow scope of issues lingering from the utility’s disappointing 2021 rate outcome”, the analyst told investors in a research note. He is now “cautiously optimistic” on the company and the risk/reward outlook with Spire Inc. (NYSE:SR)’s current valuation “appears compelling”.
According to Insider Monkey’s data, 16 hedge funds were long Spire Inc. (NYSE:SR) at the end of Q2 2022, compared to 18 funds in the preceding quarter. Sander Gerber’s Hudson Bay Capital Management is the largest stakeholder of the company, with 195,000 shares valued at $14.50 million.
Here is what Miller Howard Investments has to say about Spire Inc. (NYSE:SR) in its Q3 2021 investor letter:
“In late August, we increased the portfolio’s cyclical exposure by trimming utilities after a period of relative outperformance and reallocating the capital to midstream energy, which had pulled back over the summer. We also added Spire Inc. (SR) which trades at a heavily discounted multiple, reflecting a worst-case scenario on one of its pipelines.”
8. Atmos Energy Corporation (NYSE:ATO)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 21
Dividend Yield as of October 28: 2.54%
Atmos Energy Corporation (NYSE:ATO) is a Texas-based company involved in the regulated natural gas distribution, pipeline transportation, and storage businesses in the United States. Atmos is positioned to generate upper single-digit profit and dividend growth. It is one of the best dividend stocks to consider.
On October 14, Credit Suisse analyst Nicholas Campanella maintained an Outperform rating on Atmos Energy Corporation (NYSE:ATO) but trimmed the price target on the shares to $105 from $131 ahead of the company’s year-end update. The analyst expects Atmos Energy Corporation (NYSE:ATO) to reiterate and expand its 6%-8% long-term EPS CAGR, offer FY23 guidance in-line with Street expectations, confirm dividend growth of 8%-9%, and deliver updated CapEx and financing considerations.
According to Insider Monkey’s second quarter database, 21 hedge funds held stakes worth $852.5 million in Atmos Energy Corporation (NYSE:ATO), compared to 16 funds in the earlier quarter worth $636 million. Ken Griffin’s Citadel Investment Group is a notable position holder in the company, with 700,617 shares valued at $78.5 million.
Here is what Aristotle Capital Management Value Equity has to say about Atmos Energy Corporation (NYSE:ATO) in its Q1 2022 investor letter:
“Headquartered in Dallas, Atmos Energy is the largest fully regulated natural gas-only utility in the U.S. It serves over three million distribution customers across eight states, primarily in the South. Approximately 70% of its revenue comes from Texas, where it owns one of the largest natural gas pipeline systems in the state.
High-Quality Business
Some of the quality characteristics we have identified for Atmos Energy include:
-Strong balance sheet and financial strength, perhaps most visible during 2021’s winter storm Uri when millions of Texans lost power. The significant spikes in natural gas prices stressed distributors, but Atmos handled over $2 billion of incremental costs with little long-term impact;
-Experienced and shareholder-friendly management team, as demonstrated by 38 consecutive years of dividend increases; and
-Attractive demographics and favorable regulatory environments in the states where it operates.
Attractive Valuation
Given our estimates of higher normalized earnings and dividend payments, we believe shares of Atmos Energy are trading at a discount relative to our estimate of their intrinsic value.
Compelling Catalysts
Catalysts we have identified for Atmos Energy, which we believe will cause its stock price to appreciate over our three- to five-year investment horizon, include:
-Old pipes and aging infrastructure, coupled with a growing population, have created a large backlog of safety and maintenance projects – completion of which should drive earnings growth and steady dividend increases. Updates should both increase reliability as well as the value of Atmos Energy’s assets, enhancing profit levels permitted by regulators;
-Well positioned to source low-cost natural gas from prolific basins in Texas to its distribution network, helping to keep customer prices down and economically favorable relative to other sources of energy; and
-Advantageous regulatory environment should continue to support rate adjustments so that revenues are earned on capital projects within six to 12 months.”
7. CenterPoint Energy, Inc. (NYSE:CNP)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 27
Dividend Yield as of October 28: 2.50%
CenterPoint Energy, Inc. (NYSE:CNP) was founded in 1866 and is headquartered in Houston, Texas. It operates as a public utility holding company in the United States, working through Electric and Natural Gas segments. On September 29, CenterPoint Energy, Inc. (NYSE:CNP) declared a $0.18 per share quarterly dividend, in line with previous. The dividend is payable on December 8, to shareholders of the company as of November 17. CenterPoint Energy, Inc. (NYSE:CNP) is one of the top dividend stocks to monitor.
On October 24, Guggenheim analyst Shahriar Pourreza maintained a Buy recommendation on CenterPoint Energy, Inc. (NYSE:CNP) but lowered the firm’s price target on the shares to $30 from $35. The analyst updated select estimates ahead of Q3 earnings season from the Power and Utilities group to reflect “known and measurable year-over-year items,” to factor in seasonality and re-mark to the latest commodity curves.
Among the hedge funds tracked by Insider Monkey, CenterPoint Energy, Inc. (NYSE:CNP) was part of 27 public stock portfolios at the end of June 2022, up from 23 funds in the preceding quarter. Israel Englander’s Millennium Management is the biggest shareholder of the company, with 1.65 million shares worth $49 million.
Here is what Miller Howard Investments has to say about CenterPoint Energy, Inc. (NYSE:CNP) in its Q3 2021 investor letter:
“In late August, we increased the portfolio’s cyclical exposure by trimming utilities after a period of relative outperformance and reallocating the capital to midstream energy, which had pulled back over the summer. Additionally, we trimmed CenterPoint Energy (CNP) after periods of relative strength. We had previously increased our positions in late 2020 and February 2021, respectively, after periods of relative weakness.”
6. Sempra (NYSE:SRE)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 29
Dividend Yield as of October 28: 3.01%
Sempra (NYSE:SRE), a California-based energy holding company specializing in electric services and natural gas, is one of the best dividend stocks to monitor. The company delivered a $1.145 per share quarterly dividend to shareholders on October 15. Sempra (NYSE:SRE) announced on October 20 that Port Arthur LNG and Bechtel have updated the engineering, procurement, and construction contract for the proposed Phase 1 liquefaction project in Texas, which is valued at nearly $10.5 billion.
On October 24, Guggenheim reiterated a Buy rating on Sempra (NYSE:SRE) but slashed the firm’s price target on the shares to $165 from $174. Analyst Shahriar Pourreza issued the ratings update.
According to Insider Monkey’s data, 29 hedge funds held stakes worth $285.3 million in Sempra (NYSE:SRE) at the end of the second quarter of 2022, compared to 23 funds in the last quarter worth $209.15 million. Jim Simons’ Renaissance Technologies is a significant position holder in the company, with 270,000 shares valued at $40.6 million.
In addition to NextEra Energy, Inc. (NYSE:NEE), The AES Corporation (NYSE:AES), and Dominion Energy, Inc. (NYSE:D), Sempra (NYSE:SRE) is one of the best utility dividend stocks to buy according to elite hedge funds.
Here is what ClearBridge Investments Large Cap Value Strategy has to say about Sempra (NYSE:SRE) in its Q1 2022 investor letter:
“Energy shortages in Europe were only intensified by the invasion. The conflict and economic sanctions against Russia have brought to the forefront EU dependence on Russian oil and natural gas. As Germany and its EU neighbors look to diversify their natural gas suppliers, some U.S. companies stand to benefit. Within the portfolio, Sempra Energy (NYSE:SRE) is well-positioned. Sempra’s previously underappreciated portfolio of infrastructure assets, with existing as well as prospective liquified natural gas (LNG) facilities, should benefit from renewed interest in U.S.-sourced LNG. The U.S. commitment to increase LNG exports to Europe over the coming years should create a favorable long-term demand environment and hopefully regulatory framework benefiting Sempra along with other natural gas and LNG suppliers. Sempra’s core utilities operations in California and Texas continue to generate solid mid- to high-single-digit earnings growth, and it enjoys additional growth opportunities from renewable natural gas (RNG), hydrogen and other renewable sources of energy.”
Click to continue reading and see 5 Best Utility Dividend Stocks To Buy.
Suggested articles:
- 10 Biggest Courier Companies in the World
- 10 Most Successful Penny Stocks Ever
- 12 Biggest Genomics Companies in the World
Disclosure: None. 10 Best Utility Dividend Stocks To Buy is originally published on Insider Monkey.