Dividend Growth Stocks: 25 Aristocrats

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7. NextEra Energy, Inc. (NYSE:NEE)

5-Year Average Dividend Growth Rate: 10.11%

On January 29, BMO Capital lifted its price target on NextEra Energy, Inc. (NYSE:NEE) to $95 from $93 and kept an Outperform rating. The firm described NextEra’s fourth-quarter results as a solid close to 2025, noting that management reaffirmed its 2026 EPS guidance and reiterated expectations for roughly 8% long-term earnings growth through 2035.

According to Reuters, NextEra is also weighing an expansion of its nuclear fleet to help meet rising electricity demand from data centers. The company said on January 27 that it is in advanced talks to supply power for an additional 9 gigawatts of data center capacity. Growing demand from Big Tech has been pushing US power consumption higher, leading to landmark agreements between utilities and data center operators, including efforts to bring previously shut nuclear plants back online. Last year, NextEra said it would restart its Duane Arnold nuclear plant in Iowa to serve data centers operated by Google.

On a recent investor call, NextEra said it could add up to 6 gigawatts of new nuclear technologies at existing sites to support data center demand. The company is also evaluating new locations where advanced nuclear facilities could be built from the ground up.

Financially, NextEra edged past Wall Street’s fourth-quarter profit expectations. Results were supported by steady growth at its regulated Florida utility and a record year for renewable energy and battery storage additions, as electricity demand continues to climb across the US. Looking ahead, power consumption is expected to reach new all-time highs in 2026 as AI and cryptocurrency data centers expand and more households and businesses shift from fossil fuels to electricity for heating and transportation, according to the Energy Information Administration.

NextEra Energy, Inc. (NYSE:NEE) operates Florida Power & Light and its energy infrastructure arm, NextEra Energy Resources. The company remains focused on expanding its wind, solar, and battery storage portfolio.

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