Following a year that was generally good for utilities stocks, it is surprising that NextEra Energy Inc. (NYSE: NEE) is "only” up about 24% over the last 12 months. In fact, a significant amount of that growth has come in 2026. NEE stock is up 9.2% in the first month of the year, with about 3.7% of that growth coming after NextEra reported earnings on Jan. 27.
However, with NEE stock now trading at a 52-week high and trading at 27x earnings, a premium to itself and to the sector average, investors seem to be willing to ride a hot hand, rather than discounting real risk. For now, investors like the powerful growth story laid out by NextEra management.
