Eversource Energy

ES

Market cap $26.1B

Seven S&P 500 high-yield 'safer' dividend stocks—like Ford, AT&T, and VICI—offer strong payouts supported by free cash flow and attractive valuations. Analyst projections indicate 22.78% to 36.88% net gains for the top ten S&P 500 dividend dogs by January 2027, with average risk 16% below the market. Nine of the top ten S&P 500 dividend dogs already meet the ideal of annual dividends from $1K invested exceeding their share price, signaling fair or undervalued entry points.

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.

The ProShares S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrat ETF (NOBL) underperformed SPY in 2025, gaining 7.2% versus SPY's 18.42%. Despite average underperformance, select Aristocrats like CAH (+74.18%), ALB (+66.90%), and CHRW (+61.22%) delivered strong double-digit returns. Dividend growth for the Aristocrats slowed to 5.52% in 2025, down from 5.78% in 2024, with 68 of 69 raising payouts.

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Eversource Energy ramps up grid upgrades with a $24.2B plan, but a blocked Aquarion Water sale adds regulatory risk.

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.

HARTFORD, Conn.

HARTFORD, Conn. & BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Board of Trustees of Eversource Energy (NYSE:ES) today approved a quarterly dividend of $0.7525 per share, payable on December 31, 2025, to shareholders of record as of the close of business on December 15, 2025. Eversource (NYSE: ES), celebrated as a national leader for its corporate citizenship, is recognized as the #1 U.S. utility on TIME's List of World's Best Companies for 2024. Eversource transmits and delivers electricity and natural gas and.

Eversource Energy, an American utility holding company, is now a $24 billion (by market cap) diversified utility. ES's current plan calls for investing slightly more than $23 billion between 2024 and 2028. ES increased its dividend for 27 consecutive years, with a 10-year dividend growth rate of 6.2%.

The ProShares S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats ETF (NOBL) has underperformed the SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) year-to-date, but November shows a reversal. Several Dividend Aristocrats, including CAH, CAT, CHRW, and ALB, have posted double-digit gains in 2025, while others lag behind. Dividend growth among Aristocrats averages 5.46% for 2025, with most constituents announcing increases, though growth is slightly below 2024 levels.