Financial Performance - Ameren reported 2025 net income of $1,456 million, or $5.35 per diluted share, up from $1,182 million, or $4.42 per diluted share in 2024, reflecting a 23.2% increase in net income[2]. - Adjusted net income for 2025 was $1,370 million, or $5.03 per diluted share, compared to $1,237 million, or $4.63 per diluted share in 2024, marking an increase of 10.7%[2]. - The fourth quarter of 2025 saw GAAP net income of $252 million, or 92 cents per diluted share, compared to $207 million, or 77 cents per diluted share in the same period of 2024, reflecting a 21.7% increase[6]. - Net income for the year ended December 31, 2025, increased to $1,461 million, up from $1,187 million in 2024, representing a growth of 23%[29]. - Net cash provided by operating activities rose to $3,353 million in 2025, compared to $2,763 million in 2024, marking a 21.3% increase[29]. Earnings Guidance - The earnings guidance for 2026 is affirmed at $5.25 to $5.45 per diluted share, with a projected compound annual growth rate of 6% to 8% from 2026 through 2030[5]. Infrastructure Investments - Ameren's infrastructure investments are projected to total $31.8 billion, supporting an expected rate base growth of approximately 10.6% compounded annually from 2025 through 2030[9]. Segment Performance - Ameren Missouri's 2025 GAAP and adjusted earnings were $747 million, compared to $559 million in 2024, reflecting a year-over-year increase of 33.7%[13]. - Ameren Transmission's 2025 GAAP earnings were $415 million, up from $323 million in 2024, indicating a 28.5% increase[14]. - Ameren Illinois Electric Distribution reported 2025 GAAP earnings of $281 million, compared to $234 million in 2024, representing a 20.1% increase[15]. Revenue and Sales - Total operating revenues for the three months ended December 31, 2025, were $1,782 million, a decrease from $1,941 million in the same period of 2024, while total operating revenues for the year ended December 31, 2025, increased to $8,799 million from $7,623 million in 2024[25]. - Total electric sales for Ameren increased to 69,416 million kilowatt-hours in 2025, up from 68,744 million kilowatt-hours in 2024, reflecting a growth of 1%[32]. - Ameren Missouri's total electric revenues decreased to $4,631 million in 2025 from $3,847 million in 2024, a decline of 1.5%[32]. - Gas revenues for Ameren totaled $1,131 million in 2025, an increase from $1,083 million in 2024, representing a growth of 4.4%[34]. Operating Income - Operating income for the three months ended December 31, 2025, was $360 million, compared to $198 million in the same period of 2024, and for the year ended December 31, 2025, it rose to $2,026 million from $1,516 million in 2024[25]. Shareholder Information - Dividends on common stock increased to $768 million in 2025 from $714 million in 2024, a rise of 7.6%[29]. - The number of shares outstanding increased to 276.4 million in 2025 from 269.9 million in 2024, reflecting a growth of 2%[34]. - The book value per share rose to $48.48 in 2025, up from $44.88 in 2024, indicating an increase of 8.7%[34]. Assets and Liabilities - Total assets as of December 31, 2025, were $48,476 million, an increase from $44,598 million as of December 31, 2024[27]. - Current assets increased to $2,571 million as of December 31, 2025, from $2,264 million as of December 31, 2024[27]. - Long-term debt, net, as of December 31, 2025, was $18,214 million, compared to $17,262 million as of December 31, 2024[27]. - The company reported a total of $1,526 million in the nuclear decommissioning trust fund as of December 31, 2025, up from $1,342 million in 2024[27]. Challenges and Risks - The increase in earnings was primarily driven by higher electric retail sales and new electric service rates, partially offset by increased interest expenses and operational costs[3]. - The effectiveness of risk management strategies and the use of financial and derivative instruments were highlighted as critical for future operations[23]. - The company faces challenges related to supply chain disruptions affecting the construction and acquisition of utility infrastructure, impacting overall performance[23]. Capital Expenditures - Capital expenditures for the year were $4,128 million in 2025, slightly down from $4,319 million in 2024, indicating a decrease of 4.4%[29]. - Net cash used in investing activities decreased to $4,145 million in 2025 from $4,456 million in 2024, a reduction of 7%[29].

Core Insights - Ameren Corporation reported a net income of $1,456 million for 2025, translating to $5.35 per diluted share, an increase from $1,182 million or $4.42 per diluted share in 2024 [1] - The company affirmed its earnings guidance for 2026, projecting earnings between $5.25 and $5.45 per diluted share, with a compound annual growth rate of 6% to 8% expected from 2026 through 2030 [1][2] - The increase in earnings was attributed to higher infrastructure investment returns, new electric service rates, and increased retail electric sales, particularly in Ameren Missouri, driven by favorable weather conditions [1][2] Financial Performance - 2025 adjusted EPS was $5.03 compared to $4.63 in 2024, while GAAP diluted EPS rose from $4.42 in 2024 to $5.35 in 2025 [1] - For Q4 2025, GAAP net income was $252 million or $0.92 per diluted share, up from $207 million or $0.77 per diluted share in Q4 2024 [1] - The total operating revenues for 2025 were $8,799 million, compared to $7,623 million in 2024, reflecting a significant year-over-year increase [4] Segment Performance - Ameren Missouri's 2025 GAAP and adjusted earnings were $747 million, up from $559 million in 2024, driven by infrastructure investments and new electric service rates [2] - Ameren Transmission reported 2025 GAAP earnings of $415 million, an increase from $323 million in 2024, attributed to higher infrastructure investment returns [2] - Ameren Illinois Electric Distribution segment saw GAAP earnings rise to $281 million in 2025 from $234 million in 2024, reflecting increased infrastructure investments [2] Future Outlook - The company plans to invest $31.8 billion in infrastructure, which is expected to support a projected rate base growth of approximately 10.6% compounded annually from 2025 through 2030 [1][2] - The earnings guidance for 2026 assumes normal temperature conditions and is subject to various regulatory and market factors [1][2] - The company emphasizes a strategic approach to investing in energy infrastructure to enhance reliability and support community growth [1]

Core Viewpoint - Jefferies expresses a positive outlook on five dividend-paying utility stocks while cautioning about potential regulatory and political challenges in the sector due to upcoming elections [1]. Group 1: Sector Overview - The utility sector has seen a significant increase, with a nearly 21% gain from its low in April 2025, driven by rising electricity demand from data centers [1]. - Despite the positive start to 2026, investor concerns have emerged due to unfavorable regulatory and political developments, particularly with 36 gubernatorial elections expected [1]. - Jefferies highlights that utility stocks are likely to perform better than high-flying technology stocks during potential market declines [1]. Group 2: Recommended Utility Stocks - **Ameren Corp. (NYSE: AEE)**: Offers a 2.69% dividend; operates in four segments including electric and natural gas distribution. Jefferies target price is $124 [1]. - **CenterPoint Energy Inc. (NYSE: CNP)**: Provides a 2.16% dividend; operates electric and natural gas distribution services. Jefferies target price is $44 [1]. - **Entergy Corp. (NYSE: ETR)**: Engaged in electric power production with a 2.48% dividend; operates in the Deep South. Jefferies target price is $114 [2]. - **NiSource Inc. (NYSE: NI)**: Offers a 2.55% yield; operates natural gas distribution in several states. Jefferies target price is $49 [2]. - **One Gas Inc. (NYSE: OGS)**: Provides a 3.32% dividend; focuses on natural gas distribution across multiple states. Jefferies target price is $95 [2].

Key Takeaways Ameren is set to report Q4 results, with consensus EPS at 77 cents, flat year over year.AEE may benefit from grid modernization, smart switches, data center demand and new electric service rates.Ameren is likely to have faced higher O&M and interest costs, even as revenues may rise 7.9%.Ameren Corporation (AEE) is scheduled to release fourth-quarter 2025 results on Feb. 11, after market close. The company delivered an earnings surprise of 3.3% in the last reported quarter. Let’s discuss the fa ...

ST. LOUIS, Feb. 9, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Ameren Corporation (NYSE: AEE) announced today that Timothy S. Rausch has been elected to the Ameren board of directors, effective March 1. Continue Reading Timothy S. Rausch has been elected to the Ameren board of directors, effective March 1. Rausch served as executive vice president and chief nuclear officer of Tennessee Valley Authority ("TVA") from October 2018 to July 2025. TVA is a federally owned electric utility corporation serving over 10 ...

New annualized rate is $3.00 per share ST. LOUIS, Feb. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The board of directors of Ameren Corporation (NYSE: AEE) today declared a quarterly cash dividend on its common stock of 75 cents per share, a 5.6 percent increase from the prior quarterly cash dividend of 71 cents per share, resulting in an annualized equivalent dividend rate of $3.00 per share. ...

Analysts on Wall Street project that Ameren (AEE) will announce quarterly earnings of $0.77 per share in its forthcoming report, representing no change year over year. Revenues are projected to reach $2.09 billion, increasing 7.9% from the same quarter last year.Over the past 30 days, the consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has been adjusted downward by 0.2% to its current level. This demonstrates the covering analysts' collective reassessment of their initial projections during this period.Before a comp ...

We came across a bullish thesis on Ameren Corporation on MaxDividends’s Substack by Serhio MaxDividends. In this article, we will summarize the bulls’ thesis on AEE. Ameren Corporation's share was trading at $104.01 as of February 3rd. AEE’s trailing and forward P/E were 19.86 and 19.38, respectively according to Yahoo Finance. UBS Raises Edison International (EIX) Price Target to $70, Keeps Buy Rating Ameren Corporation (AEE) is a quietly essential regulated utility that powers millions of homes and bus ...

Wall Street expects flat earnings compared to the year-ago quarter on higher revenues when Ameren (AEE) reports results for the quarter ended December 2025. While this widely-known consensus outlook is important in gauging the company's earnings picture, a powerful factor that could impact its near-term stock price is how the actual results compare to these estimates.The stock might move higher if these key numbers top expectations in the upcoming earnings report, which is expected to be released on Februar ...

Economic Overview - Consumer confidence in the U.S. has dropped to 84.5 in January, a decline of 9.7 points from the previous month, marking a 12-year low [5] - The percentage of consumers who believe jobs are "plentiful" has decreased to 23.9%, the lowest since February 2021, while 20.8% of respondents find jobs "hard to find," the highest since February 2021 [6] - The labor market has been struggling, with the unemployment rate remaining at 4.4% in December, indicating potential further increases in January due to low consumer confidence [7] - The Federal Reserve has kept interest rates unchanged amid high inflation, leading to uncertainty regarding its near-term monetary policy [8] Investment Recommendations - Investors are advised to focus on low-beta, defensive stocks from the utility, healthcare, and consumer staples sectors to mitigate market volatility [3][4] - Recommended stocks include Ameren Corporation (AEE), Fortis, Inc. (FTS), Cardinal Health, Inc. (CAH), and J&J Snack Foods Corp. (JJSF), all of which have a Zacks Rank of 1 (Strong Buy) or 2 (Buy) [3][10] Company Profiles - **Ameren Corporation (AEE)**: A utility company serving nearly 2.4 million electric and over 900,000 natural gas customers, with an expected earnings growth rate of 8.2% for the current year and a dividend yield of 2.75% [9][11] - **Fortis, Inc. (FTS)**: Engaged in electric and gas utility business, with an expected earnings growth rate of 5.4% for the current year and a dividend yield of 3.42% [12][13] - **Cardinal Health, Inc. (CAH)**: A major healthcare services provider serving nearly 90% of U.S. hospitals, with an expected earnings growth rate of 21.5% for the current year and a dividend yield of 0.95% [14][15] - **J&J Snack Foods Corp. (JJSF)**: Manufacturer and distributor of branded snack foods, with an expected earnings growth rate of 4.5% for the current year and a dividend yield of 3.37% [16][17]