3 Biggest Dividends That Just Raised Payouts—Here’s the Best in 2026

The big benefits word doesn’t just keep payments in 2026—they increase them. That’s important in a market where growth expectations change, prices remain a factor, and investors pay for reliable returns.

The increase in shares is also more pronounced than the rhythm of the title. When companies with already strong yields push payouts higher, they’re putting real money behind their vision—and, in some cases, making it easier for cash-strapped investors to enter.

NEE: Top US Utilities Company Boosts Profits After 2025 Firm

NextEra Energy (NYSE: NEE) is one of the largest electric and power infrastructure companies in North America. In fact, with a market capitalization of close to $190 billion, NextEra is the most valuable stock in the United States’ utilities sector. The company generates most of its revenue and profits through Florida Power and Light (FPL), which serves approximately 12 million people.

Meanwhile, its NextEra Energy Resources (NEER) division develops and operates energy infrastructure, with generating capacity in all 44 states and parts of Canada. It focuses on renewables, nuclear, natural gas and battery storage.

The stock is doing well in 2025, delivering a total return of more than 15%, with shares already up 15% in 2026. NEE’s 8% adjusted earnings per share (EPS) growth through 2025 exceeded the high end of its guidance, with both FPL and NEER seeing strong momentum. With Florida’s population growing and NEER having a nearly 30-gigawatt backlog, the company believes it can sustain 8% or more annual adjusted EPS growth through 2032.

On February 13, NEE increased its quarterly dividend by 10% to about 62 cents per share. NEE will pay its next dividend on March 16 to shareholders of record from Feb. 27. This gives the stock a solid yield that is pegged at around 2.7%. The company expects to deliver another dividend increase, targeting 6% annual growth from the end of 2026 to 2028.

PLD: Massive REIT Lifts Dividend, Sets Yield at 3%

Next up is Prologis (NYSE: PLD ), an industrial real estate investment trust (REIT). With a market capitalization of nearly $130 billion, Prologis is the second most valuable stock in the real estate industry in the United States. The company generates approximately 85% of its total operating income from facilities in the United States, and some in other countries. It leases warehouses and warehouses to companies involved in business-to-business distribution of goods and firms that provide e-commerce or wholesale.

Notably, Prologis’ largest customer is Amazon.com (NASDAQ: AMZN ). However, its customer base is very diverse, and its top 25 customers account for only 22% of total active rent.

Shares of Prologis delivered an impressive 25% return last year, and shares are up nearly 10% in 2026. Core Funds From Operations (FFO) rose 4.5% to $5.81, a good move given that the number is down through 2024. The firm’s guidance for 2026 implies Core-based growth of 5% expected to grow at a solid pace, FFO for the year expected to average figures.

On February 12, Prologis increased its dividend by 6% to $4.28 per share. The company plans to pay its next dividend of $1.07 per share for the quarter ending March 31 to shareholders at the close of business on March 17. This gives PLD shares an implied gross yield of about 3%.

QSR: The high-yield restaurant is raising dividends again

Last up is Restaurant Brands International (NYSE: QSR ). It is one of the largest fast food companies in the world, with brands such as Tim Hortons, Burger King and Popeyes. With a market capitalization close to $32 billion, QSR easily ranks as one of the ten most valuable stocks in the United States.

QSR delivered an average return of 9% through 2025, and shares are up about 1% in the new year. Much of this sluggish performance is due to the company missing its long-term target for comparable sales growth through 2025. Comparable sales rose 2.4% for the full year, below the company’s target of 3%. However, management believes that 2025 was a “low point” and that growth will accelerate in 2026.

On Feb. 12, QSR announced a 5% increase in its dividend, moving its quarterly payout to 65 cents per share. The company will pay this new dividend on April 2 to shareholders at the close of business on March 19. Overall, the stock now has a dividend yield of about 3.8%. This makes QSR the largest performing stock in the US hotel, restaurant, and leisure industry. QSR has now raised its dividend for 14 consecutive years.

Stock Highlight: NextEra Energy

NEE, PLD and QSR are all making good on their commitments to return more capital to shareholders. Among this group, NextEra may be the most interesting. The company generates strong and stable profits from its FPL segment.

At the same time, it can benefit from increased leverage through NEER, although this part of the business is highly volatile. With analysts expecting US electricity demand to increase 25% by 2030, NEE has a strong long-term growth trajectory.

Companies mentioned in this article:

Company	Current Price	Price Changes	Dividend Yield	The P/E ratio	Consensus ratio	Consensus Price Target
NextEra Energy (NEE)	$94.03	+2.0%	2.41%	28.58	Buy Medium	$93.05
Prologis (PLD)	$140.76	-0.5%	2.87%	39.65	Buy Medium	$136.95
Restaurant Brands International (QSR)	$67.47	-2.0%	3.68%	28.59	Hold on	$76.62

About Leo Miller

Experience

Leo Miller has been a contributing writer for DividendStocks.com since 2024.

• Professional Background: Leo Miller is a financial writer with a background in investment research and market analysis. He held roles as an investment research partner at Laird Norton Wetherby and as a research analyst at Sungarden Investment Publishing, where he gained extensive experience in valuation and portfolio strategies.
• Confirmation: He holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance from the University of Washington’s Foster School of Business, a top-ranked public business school. Passed the CFA Level II exam.
• Financial Experience: Leo started researching and investing in gold mining stocks in 2019 and started writing about finance and investing in 2021. He joined DividendStocks.com as a contributing writer in 2024, where he covers both stocks and ETFs. A strong research base and direct exposure to the financial markets shape his opinions.
• Writing Focus: He specializes in technology stocks, dividend-paying companies, ETFs, and value-oriented opportunities. His work emphasizes clarity, practical understanding, and education for investors at all levels.
• How to Invest: Leo follows a disciplined, long-term investment strategy based on fundamental analysis, with a strong focus on economics, industry and sector research, and passive investment principles.
• Motivation: Leo finds the stock market endlessly compelling and enjoys the challenge of separating meaningful data from the noise. He is passionate about analyzing what makes businesses stand out—and sharing that insight to guide informed investment decisions. As he puts it, “Strong analysis requires separating the wheat from the chaff.”
• Fun fact: Leo credits his grandfather with sparking his interest in investing and is a lifelong animal lover.
• Areas of Expertise: Fundamental analysis, economics, industry and sector analysis

Education

Bachelor in Business Administration, Finance, Foster School of Business at the University of Washington