Consolidated Edison, Inc. (ED) is engaged in regulated electric, gas, and steam delivery businesses in the United States. The company, through its subsidiary, Consolidated Edison Company of New York, Inc., provides electric services to approximately 3.4 million customers in New York City and Westchester County; gas to approximately 1.1 million customers in Manhattan, the Bronx, and parts of Queens and Westchester County; and steam to approximately 1,703 customers in parts of Manhattan This dividend champion has paid dividends since 1885 and managed to increase them for 40 years in a row.
The annual dividend payment has increased by 1% per year over the past decade, which is lower than the growth in EPS. I would expect the dividend growth rate to be slightly higher to 2% for the near future, as the dividend payout ratio is more sustainable these days.
Currently, Con Edison looks attractively valued on the surface at 16.30 times forward earnings, and has a dividend yield of 4%. However, due to the low earnings and dividend growth, I am not planning to initiate a position in the company anytime soon. The shares only make sense for investors who really need current income today, but are fine if their dividend income loses purchasing power over time, and their ability to generate capital gains is extremely limited at best.
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