In times of market turbulence, investors often seek solace in dividend-yielding stocks. These stocks typically hail from companies with robust free cash flows, rewarding their shareholders with steady dividend payouts.
For the latest insights on analyst views of favored stocks, feel free to peruse Benzinga’s comprehensive database of analyst ratings, including assessments based on accuracy of projections. Below, we present the recent high-yield dividend stock ratings from top Wall Street analysts, whom Benzinga considers the most dependable.
Here are the ratings from the most accurate analysts for three high-yielding stocks in the utilities sector.
NextEra Energy, Inc.
- Dividend Yield: 3.34%
- Citigroup analyst Ryan Levine initiated coverage on the stock with a Buy rating and a price target of $69 on Dec. 8, 2023. This analyst boasts an impressive accuracy rate of 62%.
- JP Morgan analyst Christopher Turnure maintained an Overweight rating and raised the price target from $65 to $67 on Nov. 29, 2023. This analyst has an accuracy rate of 65%.
- Recent News: NextEra Energy recently posted better-than-expected fourth-quarter earnings.
The Southern Company
- Dividend Yield: 4.17%
- Citigroup analyst Ryan Levine initiated coverage on the stock with a Buy rating and a price target of $82 on Dec. 8, 2023. This analyst has an accuracy rate of 62%.
- Mizuho analyst Anthony Crowdell maintained a Buy rating and lowered the price target from $76 to $73 on Nov. 21, 2023. This analyst boasts an accuracy rate of 59%.
- Recent News: Southern Company announced its plans to release its fourth-quarter earnings on Feb. 15, 2024.
Duke Energy Corporation
- Dividend Yield: 4.30%
- B of A Securities analyst Julien Dumoulin-Smith maintained a Buy rating and reduced the price target from $104 to $103 on Dec. 22, 2023. This analyst has an accuracy rate of 67%.
- Wells Fargo analyst Neil Kalton upgraded the stock from Equal-Weight to Overweight and raised the price target from $94 to $103 on Nov. 30, 2023. This analyst boasts an accuracy rate of 65%.
- Recent News: Duke Energy is slated to release its fourth-quarter financial results on Feb. 8, 2024.
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