Ameren Corporation’s (AEE) fourth-quarter 2023 earnings of 60 cents per share missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 61 cents by 1.6%. The reported figure also decreased 4.8% year over year.The year-over-year decline in the bottom line was on account of lower Ameren Missouri electric retail sales, driven primarily by milder-than-normal winter temperatures compared with colder-than-normal winter temperatures in the year-ago quarter. Higher interest expenses at Ameren Parent also negatively impacted the year- ...

Customers avoid more than 31 million minutes of outages in 2023 thanks to stronger poles, automated switching and other grid upgrades (Editor's Note: See stories about how grid investments are helping Missouri customers and communities in our Smart Energy Plan 2023 Progress Report.) ST. LOUIS, Feb. 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Ameren Missouri, a subsidiary of Ameren Corporation (NYSE: AEE), filed its updated Smart Energy Plan with the Missouri Public Service Commission today. The $12.4 billion, five-year invest ...

Core Insights - Ameren reported a revenue of $1.62 billion for the quarter ended December 2023, reflecting a 20.9% decrease year-over-year and a significant miss of 22.34% against the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.08 billion [1] - The earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter was $0.60, down from $0.63 in the same quarter last year, and slightly below the consensus estimate of $0.61, resulting in an EPS surprise of -1.64% [1] Financial Performance Metrics - Electric Sales totaled 15,760 GWh, falling short of the estimated 16,831.04 GWh [2] - Gas Revenues for Ameren Illinois Natural Gas were reported at $232 million, compared to the average estimate of $340.18 million [2] - Electric Revenues from Ameren Illinois Electric Distribution were $496 million, significantly below the estimated $616.18 million [2] - Electric Revenues from Ameren Transmission totaled $165 million, slightly below the estimate of $169.70 million [2] - Operating Revenues from Natural Gas were $275 million, down 36.9% year-over-year, and below the average estimate of $403.88 million [2] - Operating Revenues from Electric were reported at $1.34 billion, a 16.6% decrease compared to the previous year, and below the estimated $1.66 billion [2] - Electric Revenues from Ameren Missouri were $716 million, compared to the estimated $927.56 million [2] - Gas Revenues from Ameren Missouri were $43 million, below the average estimate of $60.41 million [2] Stock Performance - Ameren's shares have returned +4.5% over the past month, outperforming the Zacks S&P 500 composite's +3.1% change [3] - The stock currently holds a Zacks Rank 3 (Hold), indicating potential performance in line with the broader market in the near term [3]

Core Insights - Ameren Corporation reported a net income of $1,152 million for 2023, translating to a diluted earnings per share (EPS) of $4.38, an increase from $1,074 million and $4.14 in 2022 respectively [1][2] - The company has established a diluted EPS guidance range for 2024 between $4.52 and $4.72, with a projected compound annual growth rate of 6% to 8% from 2024 to 2028 [1][4] Financial Performance - The increase in earnings for 2023 was attributed to solid operating performance, infrastructure investments across all business segments, and new electric service rates in Ameren Missouri effective July 9, 2023 [2][3] - Ameren Missouri's earnings for 2023 were $545 million, down from $562 million in 2022, primarily due to lower electric retail sales influenced by weather conditions [6] - Ameren Illinois Electric Distribution segment saw earnings rise to $258 million in 2023 from $202 million in 2022, benefiting from a higher allowed return on equity due to increased U.S. Treasury bond yields [6] Strategic Initiatives - The company made significant strides in executing its strategy, including substantial energy infrastructure investments and updates to Ameren Missouri's Integrated Resource Plan, focusing on a diverse mix of generation investments [3][4] - Ameren's multi-year earnings growth is expected to be driven by a projected rate base growth of approximately 8.2% compounded annually from 2023 through 2028 [4] Segment Results - Ameren Illinois Natural Gas segment reported earnings of $134 million in 2023, up from $123 million in 2022, due to increased infrastructure investments and lower operations and maintenance expenses [7] - The Ameren Transmission segment's earnings improved to $296 million in 2023 from $263 million in 2022, reflecting increased earnings on infrastructure investments [7] Future Outlook - The company remains focused on modernizing the energy grid and transitioning to a cleaner energy portfolio while maintaining disciplined cost management [4] - Ameren will conduct a conference call on February 23, 2024, to discuss 2023 earnings and 2024 guidance [8]

Exhibit 99.1 NEWS RELEASE 1901 Chouteau Avenue: St. Louis, MO 63103: Ameren.com Contacts Media Investors Tony Paraino Andrew Kirk 314.554.2182 314.554.3942 aparaino@ameren.com akirk@ameren.com For Immediate Release Ameren Announces 2023 Results and Issues Guidance for 2024 Earnings and Long-Term Growth • 2023 Diluted Earnings Per Share (EPS) were $4.38, Compared to $4.14 in 2022 • 2024 Diluted EPS Guidance Range Established at $4.52 to $4.72 • 2024 through 2028 Diluted EPS Compound Annual Growth Rate Guidan ...

So far, a handful of the S&P 500 members from the Zacks Utilities sector have released their fourth-quarter earnings. Another cohort of major utility stocks, including Dominion Energy (D) , PG&E Corp. (PCG) , Edison International (EIX) , Ameren (AEE) , Entergy (ETR) and Clearway Energy (CWEN) , is set to announce quarterly reports on Feb 22.Factors to ConsiderDomestic-focused utility companies continue to focus on cost management and implementation of energy-efficiency programs, which reduces their operatin ...

Ameren Corporation (AEE) recently announced that its board of directors has approved a 6.3% increase in its quarterly dividend rate. The revised quarterly dividend will be 67 cents, payable on Mar 29, 2024, to shareholders of record at the close of business on Mar 13, 2024.The company’s new annualized dividend rate is $2.68 per share, resulting in an annualized dividend yield of 3.9%, based on its share price of $68.67 as of Feb 9, 2024. The company’s current dividend yield is better than the Zacks S&P 500 ...

New annualized rate is $2.68 per share ST. LOUIS, Feb. 9, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The board of directors of Ameren Corporation (NYSE: AEE) today declared a quarterly cash dividend on its common stock of 67 cents per share, a 6.3% increase from the prior quarterly cash dividend of 63 cents per share, resulting in an annualized equivalent dividend rate of $2.68 per share. The previous annualized equivalent dividend rate was $2.52 per share. "We are pleased to announce this is the eleventh consecutive year we've ...

Looking for a stock that has been consistently beating earnings estimates and might be well positioned to keep the streak alive in its next quarterly report? Ameren (AEE) , which belongs to the Zacks Utility - Electric Power industry, could be a great candidate to consider.This utility has an established record of topping earnings estimates, especially when looking at the previous two reports. The company boasts an average surprise for the past two quarters of 9.64%.For the most recent quarter, Ameren was e ...

Core Viewpoint - Ameren Corporation is facing challenges in a tough regulatory environment in Illinois, which has negatively impacted its stock performance compared to the broader utility sector. Despite being slightly undervalued, the company's dividend yield is less attractive compared to competitors, leading to a preference for its preferred shares among income investors [2][3][21]. Company Overview - Ameren Corporation operates as a utility holding company with 2.4 million electric customers and 900,000 gas customers across four business segments in Missouri and Illinois. The company has a total generating capacity of 10,200 megawatts, with 10% coming from its Callaway Nuclear Plant [1]. Financial Performance - In 2023, Ameren's shares declined by 21.6%, significantly underperforming the S&P Utility Index, which fell by 7.1%. This decline was primarily due to the rejection of new grid plans by the Illinois Commerce Commission [2]. - The current share price of Ameren is $69.40, reflecting a P/E ratio of approximately 14.8, which is slightly undervalued by about 5% compared to its estimated value [3][10]. - Ameren's earnings per share (EPS) for 2023 is estimated to be in the range of $4.30 to $4.45, with a forecasted EPS growth of 6.0-8.0% from 2023 to 2027 [10]. Dividend Policy - Ameren's current quarterly dividend is $0.63, yielding 3.63%. The company expects annual dividend growth of 6-8%, aligning with earnings growth. However, the dividend yield is considered unexciting compared to competitors [4][6]. - The company has a target payout ratio between 55% and 70%, currently operating at the lower end of this range, indicating potential for higher dividends in the future [6]. Regulatory Environment - The regulatory environment in Illinois is challenging, with the Illinois Commerce Commission approving low returns on equity for Ameren and rejecting proposed rate increases. This has resulted in Ameren having some of the lowest electric rates in the country [15][17]. - Ameren's allowed return on equity for its Illinois operations is significantly below the national average, which may limit its financial performance [17]. Transition to Renewables - Ameren aims for net-zero emissions by 2045, ahead of the 2050 target set by the Inflation Reduction Act. The company plans to invest $48 billion in infrastructure development from 2023 to 2032, with a significant reduction in coal revenue expected by 2027 [18][19]. - The company is also expanding its renewable energy portfolio, with plans to add 2,700 megawatts of wind and solar capacity by 2037 [19]. Preferred Shares - Ameren offers a variety of preferred shares with yields exceeding 6%, which are considered more attractive for income investors compared to the common shares. These preferred shares are thinly traded but may provide better returns as interest rates fluctuate [7][21].