ES vs EXC: Dividend Comparison
Dividend data as of
Eversource Energy (ES) and Exelon Corp (EXC) are both in the Utilities sector, making them natural rivals for dividend investors. ES edges ahead on yield at 4.29% versus EXC's 3.54%. For dividend growth, EXC leads with a 5-year CAGR of 10.0% versus ES's 5.7%. EXC holds the edge in dividend safety with a "Safe" rating. ES is a Dividend Aristocrat with 26 years of consecutive increases.
Verdict
Yield Analysis
ES yields 0.75% more than EXC. In dollar terms, ES pays $2.97/share vs EXC's $1.58/share annually.
Dividend Growth
ES: Dividend growth has been steady, with a 3-year CAGR of 5.6% and a 5-year CAGR of 5.7% (10-year: 6.0%).
EXC: Dividend growth is slowing — the 3-year CAGR of 5.4% trails the 5-year rate of 10.0% and the 10-year rate of 10.0%.
Dividend Safety
ES: The payout ratio of 82% is elevated, which may indicate the dividend could be cut if earnings decline. Earnings cover the dividend 1.2x.
EXC: The payout ratio of 57% is well within sustainable levels, leaving room for future increases. Earnings cover the dividend 1.8x.
Estimated Annual Dividend Income
Based on current dividend yields. Actual income may vary.
What does $10,000 buy in ES vs EXC today?
At $73.58 per share, $10,000 buys about 135.9 shares of Eversource Energy (ES). Each share pays $2.97 per year in dividends, so the position starts out generating roughly $404 per year — about $34 a month.
At $48.38 per share, $10,000 buys about 206.7 shares of Exelon Corp (EXC). Each share pays $1.58 per year in dividends, so the position starts out generating roughly $327 per year — about $27 a month.
ES is the larger income stream from day one: $78 per year more on the same $10,000 invested.
What could $10,000 of ES or EXC income look like in 10 years?
Eversource Energy (ES) has raised its dividend about 5.7% a year over the past five years. If that pace held, the $429 per year that $10,000 generates today at the current 4.29% yield would reach $748 per year by 2036 — a 7.5% yield on the original cost.
Exelon Corp (EXC) has raised its dividend about 10.0% a year over the past five years. If that pace held, the $354 per year that $10,000 generates today at the current 3.54% yield would reach $918 per year by 2036 — a 9.2% yield on the original cost.
On those trailing rates, EXC pays more in 2036: $918 versus $748 per year. The projection assumes each five-year growth rate persists and no dividends are reinvested — real payouts will differ.
When would EXC's dividend growth overtake ES's higher yield?
Exelon Corp (EXC) yields less today (3.54% vs 4.29%) but has grown its dividend faster — 10.0% vs 5.7% a year over the past five years. If both trends continued, a $10,000 position in EXC would start out-earning the same position in ES around 2031 (roughly 5 years from now), paying about $570 per year at the crossover. Before that point, ES pays more each year; after it, the gap compounds in EXC's favor.
Can ES and EXC afford their dividends?
Eversource Energy (ES) earns $3.62 per share against $2.97 paid out in dividends — 1.2x coverage (a 82% payout ratio).
Exelon Corp (EXC) earns $2.79 per share against $1.58 paid out in dividends — 1.8x coverage (a 57% payout ratio).
EXC's wider coverage leaves more cushion if earnings dip. As a rule of thumb, coverage below about 1.5x (a payout ratio above ~65%) is where a dividend starts to look stretched — worth watching for ES if earnings weaken.
Which fits an early-retirement income portfolio better, ES or EXC?
For income you need right now, Eversource Energy (ES) leads: $100,000 invested today pays about $358 a month at the current 4.29% yield, versus $295 a month from Exelon Corp (EXC) at 3.54%.
With a decade or more before the income is needed, EXC's faster dividend growth (10.0% vs 5.7% a year) matters more than the starting yield — raises compound into the larger paycheck over time.
On consistency: ES has raised its dividend 26 consecutive years; EXC has raised its dividend 4 consecutive years.
Many income investors simply hold both — the mix pairs current yield with growth and spreads single-name risk. Whichever way you lean, dividends are never guaranteed; recheck the payout each quarter rather than setting and forgetting.
$10,000 with DRIP: projected annual income
If each holding keeps raising its dividend at its real 5-year rate and every payment is reinvested, a $10,000 position pays $1,138/yr in ES vs $1,300/yr in EXC by year 10.
Assumes dividends are reinvested at the current yield and grow at each holding's trailing 5-year dividend CAGR. A projection, not a prediction — no price appreciation modeled.
Track ES and EXC in your portfolio
See your real income from both — forward projections, yield on cost, and dividend safety signals. Sync your brokerage free for 30 days, or track holdings manually on the free plan.
Frequently Asked Questions
Related Resources
Individual Stock Analysis
Dividend Tools
Track Your Dividends
More Comparisons
This tool is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute investment, financial, tax, or legal advice. Consult a licensed professional before making investment decisions.
Past performance does not guarantee future results. All projections are hypothetical estimates based on user-provided inputs and may differ materially from actual outcomes.
By using this tool you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.