During times of turbulence and uncertainty in the markets, many investors turn to dividend-yielding stocks. These are often companies that have high free cash flows and reward shareholders with a high dividend payout.
Benzinga readers can review the latest analyst takes on their favorite stocks by visiting our Analyst Stock Ratings page. Traders can sort through Benzinga's extensive database of analyst ratings, including by analyst accuracy .
Below are the ratings of the most accurate analysts for three high-yielding stocks in the utilities sector.
NextEra Energy, Inc. (NYSE:NEE)
- Dividend Yield: 3.29%
- Wells Fargo analyst Michael Blum maintained an Overweight rating and raised the price target from $84 to $85 on March 19, 2024. This analyst has an accuracy rate of 64%.
- BMO Capital analyst James Thalacker maintained an Outperform rating and boosted the price target from $76 to $77 on March 18, 2024. This analyst has an accuracy rate of 61%.
- Recent News: On March 13, NextEra Energy announced that the Federal Election Commission voted to close its file regarding a complaint that alleged campaign finance violations.
Essential Utilities, Inc. (NYSE:WTRG)
- Dividend Yield: 3.41%
- Wells Fargo analyst Jonathan Reeder maintained an Overweight rating and cut the price target from $52 to $50 on May 10, 2023. This analyst has an accuracy rate of 60%.
- RBC Capital analyst Shelby Tucker reiterated an Outperform rating with a price target of $54 on March 16, 2023. This analyst has an accuracy rate of 60%.
- Recent News: Essential Utilities is expected to to report earnings for the quarter ended March 31, 2024, on May 2, 2024.
Sempra (NYSE:SRE)
- Dividend Yield: 3.49%
- Barclays analyst Eric Beaumont maintained an Overweight rating and raised the price target from $77 to $79 on March 14, 2024. This analyst has an accuracy rate of 68%.
- Mizuho analyst Anthony Crowdell maintained a Buy rating and cut the price target from $83 to $79 on Jan. 25, 2024. This analyst has an accuracy rate of 62%.
- Recent News: On Feb. 27, Sempra Energy posted better-than-expected quarterly earnings.
Read More: RPM International Earnings Are Imminent; These Most Accurate Analysts Revise Forecasts Ahead Of Earnings Call
