11 Best Utility Stocks to Buy for Dividends in 2026

3. Duke Energy Corporation (NYSE:DUK)

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 51

Dividend Yield as of March 7: 3.22%

Duke Energy Corporation (NYSE:DUK) engages in the distribution of natural gas and energy-related services. The company owns and operates a diverse mix of regulated power plants – including hydro, coal, nuclear, natural gas, solar, and battery storage.

Duke Energy Corporation (NYSE:DUK) revealed on an SEC filing on March 6 that it had entered into an Equity Distribution Agreement with a group of financial institutions to establish an at-the-market equity distribution program. The company announced plans to sell up to $6 billion of its common stock, par value $0.001 per share, from time to time through the program. Duke also arranged the ability to enter into forward sale agreements with designated forward purchasers, giving it the flexibility to raise equity capital and manage issuance timing.

Duke Energy Corporation (NYSE:DUK) is targeting its adjusted earnings in the range of $6.55 to $6.80 per share for FY 2026, reaffirming its 5% to 7% long-term EPS growth rate through 2030. Moreover, the utility emphasized a $16 billion increase in its 5-year capital plan to $103 billion, with a continued focus on cost management, regulatory mechanisms, and customer affordability.

With an annual dividend yield of 3.22%, Duke Energy Corporation (NYSE:DUK) was recently included in our list of the 13 Best Defensive Dividend Stocks for 2026.