Computed head-to-head · 6 dimensions
DUK vs NEE
Duke Energy Corporation versus NextEra Energy Inc. — yield, safety, growth trend, cost, scale, and tax treatment.
DUK wins 3–2 on our six-dimension comparison, but NEE can still be the better fit depending on your priorities — see each dimension below.
DUK or NEE — which is better?
DUK wins this comparison 3–2 across 6 dimensions. DUK yields 3.46% — higher than NEE's 3.05% — and carries a 7.3/10 dividend safety score (Solid) vs 7.8/10 for NEE (Solid). DUK wins 3–2 on our six-dimension comparison, but NEE can still be the better fit depending on your priorities — see each dimension below.
On yield alone, DUK generates 3.46% vs 3.05% — a 0.41% difference that translates to $410 more per year on a $100,000 investment. On dividend safety, NEE scores 7.8/10 (Solid) vs 7.3/10 (Solid) for DUK — investors prioritizing income reliability should weight that gap alongside the yield difference.
Scorecard at a glance
| Dimension | DUK | NEE | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yield | 3.46% | 3.05% | DUK wins |
| Dividend safety | 7.3/10 | 7.8/10 | NEE wins |
| Growth trend | -0.37% vs 5y | +0.52% vs 5y | DUK wins |
| Volatility (beta) | 0.37 | 0.65 | DUK wins |
| Scale | $97.8B | $170.7B | NEE wins |
| Tax efficiency | Qualified-eligible | Qualified-eligible | Tie |
| Overall | 3 wins | 2 wins | DUK wins |
Dimension by dimension
DUK wins on yield (3.46% vs 3.05%)
On a $10,000 investment that's about $41 more in annual dividend income before taxes — though higher yield often comes with higher risk.
DUK's higher yield (3.46%) looks attractive but investors should weigh whether the extra income compensates for any additional risk versus NEE's 3.05% — especially if the higher yield is driven by covered calls or a falling share price.
NEE wins on safety (7.8/10 vs 7.3/10)
Our score combines yield zone, payout ratio, trend vs 5-year average, instrument type, and size. NEE scores better on the weighted average of those factors.
NEE (7.8/10) scores 0.5 points higher than DUK (7.3/10). A higher safety score means lower historical indicators of dividend cut risk — payout ratio, yield zone, and trend all factor in.
DUK shows healthier dividend-vs-price trend
DUK's yield is 0.37% below its 5y average, versus 0.52% for NEE. Lower (or below-average) yield trend often means price appreciation outpaced distributions — a healthier signal.
DUK is less volatile (beta 0.37 vs 0.65)
Lower beta means smaller swings vs the S&P 500 — generally a steadier hold for income investors.
NEE is 1.7× larger by market cap
Larger companies tend to have tighter spreads, deeper liquidity, and lower closure risk.
Both pay qualified-dividend-eligible distributions
Neither is structurally flagged for ordinary-income tax treatment. Most distributions should qualify for the lower long-term capital gains rate if holding-period requirements are met.
Full breakdown per ticker: are DUK dividends qualified and are NEE dividends qualified — each with the after-tax income at every federal bracket.
How we compare these
Every comparison on this page is computed from current public data, not written by hand. Yield comes from the most recent dividend distribution annualized over current price. Safety scores combine yield zone, payout ratio, trend vs 5-year average, instrument type, and size — see our methodology for the exact formula. Tax-efficiency flags identify covered-call ETFs, REITs, and mREITs which distribute primarily as ordinary income.
This is educational, not investment advice. Scores reflect a snapshot of public data on the "as of" dates shown on each ticker's safety page. Verify on the issuer's investor relations page or your brokerage before making decisions.
Frequently asked
DUK or NEE — which is better?
DUK is better on our scoring, winning 3–2 across six dimensions: yield, dividend safety, growth, cost, scale, and tax treatment. DUK wins 3–2 on our six-dimension comparison, but NEE can still be the better fit depending on your priorities — see each dimension below.
Which is better for income, DUK or NEE?
DUK wins 3–2 on our six-dimension comparison, but NEE can still be the better fit depending on your priorities — see each dimension below.
DUK vs NEE: which has a higher dividend yield?
DUK yields 3.46% and NEE yields 3.05%. On a $10,000 investment that's about $41 more in annual dividend income before taxes — though higher yield often comes with higher risk.
Is DUK or NEE a safer dividend in 2026?
DUK scores 7.3/10 (Solid) on the Infnits dividend safety scale. NEE scores 7.8/10 (Solid). NEE is the safer pick on our scoring model.
Which has better dividend growth, DUK or NEE?
DUK's yield is 0.37% below its 5y average, versus 0.52% for NEE. Lower (or below-average) yield trend often means price appreciation outpaced distributions — a healthier signal.
DUK vs NEE: which is more tax-efficient?
Neither is structurally flagged for ordinary-income tax treatment. Most distributions should qualify for the lower long-term capital gains rate if holding-period requirements are met.
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Compare both against your actual holdings
Put DUK and NEE into the free analyzer with the rest of your portfolio. You'll see what each one contributes to your annual income, your weighted safety score, and whether adding DUK diversifies you or just duplicates what you hold. No account, no download.