DUK vs HTO: Which Is the Better Dividend Stock?
As of Oct 19, 2026, DUK and HTO are closely matched. DUK offers the higher yield at 3.57%, DUK has the higher dividend-safety score, and HTO looks like the better value (its fair-value estimate is 6% above its share price).
Key facts: DUK vs HTO
Data as of · Source: SmarterDividends data
- As of Oct 19, 2026, Duke Energy Corporation (DUK) has the higher forward dividend yield at 3.57%, versus 3.05% for H2O America (HTO).
- As of Oct 19, 2026, SmarterDividends grades DUK's dividend safety A (92/100) and HTO's A (90/100).
- By SmarterDividends' count as of Oct 19, 2026, DUK has raised its dividend for 21 consecutive years and HTO for 45.
- As of Oct 19, 2026, DUK pays out 64% of its earnings as dividends and HTO pays out 61%.
- As of Oct 19, 2026, DUK's fair-value estimate is 1% below its share price and HTO's fair-value estimate is 6% above its share price, so HTO looks like the better value of the two on SmarterDividends' blended model.
Cite this page
SmarterDividends, "DUK vs HTO: Dividend Yield, Safety & Value Compared," updated Oct 19, 2026, https://smarterdividends.com/compare/duk-vs-hto
| Metric | DUK | HTO |
|---|---|---|
| Forward yield | 3.57% | 3.05% |
| Annual dividend | $4.34 | $1.76 |
| Payout ratio | 64% | 61% |
| Years of growth | 21 yr | 45 yr |
| 5-yr dividend growth | 2.0% | 5.6% |
| 5-yr total return | 25% | -14% |
| Dividend safety score | 92 (A) | 90 (A) |
| Fair value estimate | $119.84 | $61.15 |
| Upside to fair value | -1% | +6% |
| Frequency | quarterly | quarterly |
| Market cap | $94.7B | $2.4B |
| P/E ratio | 18.3 | 20.4 |
Higher yield
DUK
3.57%
Safer dividend
DUK
Grade A
Faster growth
HTO
5.6%
Better value
HTO
+6% upside
DUK vs HTO — FAQ
Is DUK or HTO a better dividend stock?
DUK and HTO are closely matched. DUK has the higher yield; DUK scores better on safety.
Which has a higher dividend yield, DUK or HTO?
DUK has the higher forward dividend yield at 3.57%, versus 3.05% for HTO.
Is DUK or HTO safer?
DUK has the higher dividend-safety score (92/100 vs 90/100), reflecting stronger payout coverage and dividend-growth history.
Is DUK or HTO better value right now?
As of Oct 19, 2026, HTO looks like the better value: its fair-value estimate is 6% above its share price (fairly valued). For DUK, its fair-value estimate is 1% below its share price.
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See more dividend stock comparisons · data refreshes daily · for informational purposes only, not investment advice.