We recently compiled a list of 8 Most Profitable Utility Stocks To Invest In. In this article, we will look at where NextEra Energy (NYSE:NEE) ranks among the most profitable utility stocks.

Utilities to Experience Significant Growth

According to Research and Markets, the global utility market was valued at $6.89 trillion in 2024 and is projected to reach $8.83 trillion by 2028, growing at a CAGR of 6.4%. The market’s expansion is expected to be driven by several factors, including population growth, economic development, investments in renewable energy, and a rise in utility mergers and acquisitions. Key trends in the sector include a focus on Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs), increased funding for solar energy battery storage, and investments in technologies such as smart grids and smart meters.

A Stable and Secure Investment

Keith Meister, Chief Investment Officer at Corvex Management, in an interview on CNBC, shared his perspective on the utility sector. Meister pointed out that utilities are well-regulated businesses that have historically experienced flat electricity load growth in the U.S. from 2013 to 2023. However, new technologies and regulatory changes, such as the Inflation Reduction Act (I.R.A.) and advances in Artificial Intelligence (A.I.), have boosted the sector’s projected growth rate to 3%. This growth is driven by increasing electricity demand, particularly as renewable energy sources become more widely adopted and the need for power to support technological advancements rises.

Meister believes the U.S. has created strong capital markets and incentives for investment in the utility sector, making it a favorable investment in the current cycle. He noted that a few years ago, utilities were trading at 20 times the market, but now they are more reasonably priced at two times the market. This drop in valuation makes utilities an appealing investment opportunity, especially considering their guaranteed income and solid dividends.

Meister highlighted the sector’s appealing characteristics, such as guaranteed income and good dividends, which make utilities a strong investment option. Investors don’t need to rely on multiple expansions to achieve 10% growth from these stocks, and any additional earnings growth would be a bonus. In a market where growth and returns are increasingly uncertain, utilities offer a relatively stable and secure investment opportunity.

The global utilities market is poised for significant growth, driven by a combination of factors including population growth, economic development, and increasing investments in renewable energy. The global utilities market is an attractive opportunity for investors looking for a stable income and return on investment.

Our Methodology

To compile our list of the 8 most profitable utility stocks to invest in, we used the Finviz and Yahoo stock screeners to compile an initial list of the 20 largest utility companies by market cap. From that list, we narrowed our choices to companies with positive TTM net income and 5-year net income growth informed by reputable sources, including SeekingAlpha, which provided insights into 5-year growth rates, and Macrotrends, which supplied information on trailing twelve-month (TTM) net income. Then we sorted the stocks in ascending order, according to their hedge fund sentiment, which was taken from our database of 912 elite hedge funds as of Q2 of 2024.

Why do we care about what hedge funds do? The reason is simple: our research has shown that we can outperform the market by imitating the top stock picks of the best hedge funds. Our quarterly newsletter’s strategy selects 14 small-cap and large-cap stocks every quarter and has returned 275% since May 2014, beating its benchmark by 150 percentage points (see more details here).

NextEra Energy (NYSE:NEE)  

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 73  

TTM Net Income: $6.32 Billion  

5-Year Net Income CAGR: 13.60%

NextEra Energy (NYSE:NEE) is the world’s largest producer of wind and solar energy, with a focus on clean and renewable energy solutions. The company operates through its two main subsidiaries, Florida Power & Light (FPL) and NextEra Energy Resources.

The company’s renewable origination has improved, with a higher backlog compared to Q1 2024. The company’s backlog totals 22.6GW, up from 21.5GW last quarter. This suggests that NextEra Energy (NYSE:NEE) will be able to achieve its 40GW of renewable energy target for the 2024-2027 timeframe. NextEra Energy (NYSE:NEE) is well-positioned to benefit from rising electricity demand form to data centers (AI) and reshoring activities.

On September 18, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) granted Florida Power & Light Company’s (FPL) Turkey Point Nuclear Power Plant Units 3 and 4 a subsequent license renewal, allowing the facility to operate for an additional 20 years. Located in South Florida, the Turkey Point facility is a major economic asset, generating enough energy to power nearly 1 million homes and businesses. The subsequent license renewal process was rigorous, with FPL completing a reapplication process that included providing additional documents for a site-specific environmental impact statement. The company’s efforts were recognized by the NRC, which granted the license renewal approval.

FPL’s commitment to clean energy solutions is evident in its fuel mix, with nuclear power comprising 20% of its energy sources. The company is also undergoing subsequent license renewal applications for its St. Lucie Nuclear Power Plant and the Point Beach Nuclear Power Plant, owned by its NextEra Energy Resources. In conclusion, NextEra Energy (NYSE:NEE) is a well-positioned utility company with a strong growth trajectory, driven by data centers and reshoring activities. Industry analysts expect the company to increase its earnings by 7.29% this year.

Overall NEE ranks 1st on our list of most profitable utility stocks to invest in. While we acknowledge the potential of NEE as an investment, our conviction lies in the belief that AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns and doing so within a shorter timeframe. If you are looking for an AI stock that is more promising than NEE but that trades at less than 5 times its earnings, check out our report about the cheapest AI stock.

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Disclosure. None. This article is originally published on Insider Monkey.