Dividend Stocks

[gfp927z]

>>> Duke Energy (DUK)



https://www.thestreet.com/story/13646215/10/10-best-dividend-stocks-to-own-now-for-a-safe-retirement.html



Based in Charlotte, Duke Energy Corp. is a diversified energy company operating in three segments of the United States, Canada and Latin America. These include: Regulated Utilities (89%), International Energy (7%), and Commercial (4%). Duke ranks as the largest electric power holding company in America where it does the bulk of its business.

Dukes energy business is connected to heavily regulated utilities in the Carolinas, Ohio, Kentucky and Florida. The outcome of any year's operations is tied to the cost of commodities such as fossil fuels such as oil and coal. Many of the company's power generation come from coal-fired plants. This places the company in the middle of a controversial environmental and regulatory issue.

Duke has paid dividends ever since 1926, and the company's most important financial ratios remain healthy. The payout has increased continuously since 2008. The latest increase of 3.6% took place July 11, reaching an annual level of $3.42. This offers investors a current dividend yield of 4.0%.

Earnings at $2.8 billion in 2015, operating cash flow of $6.7 billion that covers capital expenditures, and a payout ratio of 83% suggest dividend growth will follow a path of future earnings. Analysts expect this growth to be about 4.5% annually.

<<<