Ameren, the St. Louis-based utility, is highlighted as a top dividend stock, with its shares up 10.64% year-to-date. The company pays a quarterly dividend of $0.75 per share, yielding 2.72%, which exceeds the S&P 500's 1.4% but trails the Utility - Electric Power industry average of 2.94%. Ameren's annualized dividend of $3.00 per share marks a 5.6% increase from last year, and over the past five years it has raised its dividend five times for an average annual increase of 7.11%. The payout ratio stands at 57% of trailing twelve-month earnings, and the Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2026 earnings is $5.36 per share, implying 6.56% year-over-year growth.
Ameren CorpAmeren has raised its dividend for five consecutive years, with a 5.6% increase this year, and a sustainable payout ratio of 57%, signaling financial health and shareholder returns.