AES Corporation

The AES Corporation is a global power company that owns and operates electricity generation and utility businesses across the Americas and beyond, with a heavy and growing tilt toward renewables and energy storage. It has positioned itself as a builder of solar, wind and battery projects for large corporate customers, making it a play on the electrification and clean-energy transition. AES pays a dividend and has raised it for well over a decade, offering a yield above the market average that appeals to income investors. The caveat is a capital-intensive business carrying substantial debt and exposure to interest rates and emerging markets. The payout is meaningful but the balance sheet warrants attention, which leaves the overall dividend profile solid rather than rock-solid.