Group 1 - CMS Energy will provide its 2025 first quarter results along with a business and financial outlook on April 24, 2025, at 9:30 a.m. EDT [1] - A webcast of the presentation will be available on CMS Energy's website, and an audio replay will be accessible approximately three hours after the webcast [1] - The audio replay will be archived for 30 days in the "Investors" section of CMS Energy's website [1] Group 2 - CMS Energy is a Michigan-based energy company, with Consumers Energy as its primary business [2] - The company also owns and operates independent power generation businesses [2] - Additional information about CMS Energy can be found on its website, and email alert notifications can be signed up for in the Investor Relations section [2]

Market Overview - The Nasdaq Composite and the S&P 500 declined by 0.14% and 0.13% respectively, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 0.34% [1] - Investor sentiment is influenced by President Trump's tariff policies and their potential impact on the U.S. economy [1] - Fed Chairman Jerome Powell indicated the central bank's commitment to two rate cuts by the end of the year, aiming for a half-percentage point reduction [1] Economic Indicators - The Federal Open Market Committee maintained borrowing rates in the range of 4.25-4.5%, aligning with market expectations [2] - Preliminary consumer sentiment for March fell to 57.9 from 64.7 in the previous month [2] - Retail sales increased by 0.2% in February, with a year-over-year growth of 3.1%, surpassing the Consumer Price Index (CPI) rate of 2.8% [2] Labor Market - Jobless claims rose by 2,000 to 223,000 for the week ending March 20, indicating a slight cooling in the labor market [3] - Layoff levels remain low, but individuals are staying unemployed longer compared to the previous year, suggesting a cooling trend [3] - Overall labor market conditions are neutral amid economic uncertainty, with limited layoffs and slowing hiring [3] Stock Performance - CMS Energy Corporation shares increased by 11.7% since being upgraded to Zacks Rank 2 (Buy) on January 27, outperforming the S&P 500's 7.3% decline [4] - Shionogi & Co., Ltd. shares returned 5.3% since its upgrade to Zacks Rank 2 on January 24, also outperforming the S&P 500's 7.5% decrease [5] - The Zacks Model Portfolio of Rank 1 stocks has outperformed the S&P 500 index by almost 13 percentage points since 1988, with an annualized average return of +23.9% [7] Focus List and Recommendations - Uber Technologies, Inc. shares gained 22.9% over the past 12 weeks, while Chevron Corporation returned 14.5% during the same period [11] - The Zacks Focus List portfolio returned +18.41% in 2024, compared to +25.04% for the S&P 500 index [12] - The Zacks Earnings Certain Admiral Portfolio (ECAP) returned -6.29% in December 2024, while achieving +16.26% for the year [16] Dividend Portfolio Performance - Johnson & Johnson returned 12.2% over the past 12 weeks, and Coca-Cola Company increased by 9.3% during the same timeframe [18] - The Zacks Earnings Certain Dividend Portfolio (ECDP) returned -7.44% in December 2024, with a full-year return of +6.95% [19] Top 10 Stocks - Primo Brands Corporation has increased by 4.9% year-to-date, outperforming the S&P 500 index's 3.8% decrease [22] - The Top 10 portfolio achieved a cumulative return of +1948.35% since 2012, significantly outperforming the S&P 500 index's 469.98% [24]

Group 1: Federal Reserve and Economic Outlook - The Federal Reserve raised its annual inflation outlook to nearly 3% while keeping interest rates unchanged in the range of 4.25-4.5% for the second consecutive time this year [1][4] - The Fed lowered its GDP forecast for the year from 2.1% to 1.7% and increased its inflation gauge expectation to 2.7% from 2.5% [8] Group 2: Investment Recommendations - Given the current market volatility, investing in defensive sectors such as utilities and consumer staples is recommended, with specific stocks like CMS Energy Corporation, NiSource Inc., CenterPoint Energy, Molson Coors Beverage Company, and Carriage Services highlighted as good picks [2] - These recommended stocks are characterized as low-beta stocks with high dividend yields and favorable Zacks Ranks [3] Group 3: Company Profiles - **CMS Energy Corporation**: Expected earnings growth rate of 7.8% for the current year, Zacks Rank 2, beta of 0.35, and a dividend yield of 2.95% [10] - **NiSource Inc.**: Expected earnings growth rate of 9.1%, Zacks Rank 2, beta of 0.50, and a dividend yield of 2.88% [12] - **CenterPoint Energy, Inc.**: Expected earnings growth rate of 8%, Zacks Rank 2, beta of 0.91, and a dividend yield of 2.47% [14] - **Molson Coors Beverage Company**: Expected earnings growth rate of 6.5%, Zacks Rank 1, beta of 0.81, and a dividend yield of 3.19% [16] - **Carriage Services**: Expected earnings growth rate of 21.1%, Zacks Rank 1, beta of 0.91, and a dividend yield of 1.17% [18]

Group 1 - CMS Energy is currently ranked 4 in the Zacks Sector Rank among 104 companies in the Utilities group [2] - The Zacks Rank for CMS Energy is 2 (Buy), indicating a positive outlook based on earnings estimates and revisions [3] - CMS Energy has returned 9.2% year-to-date, outperforming the Utilities sector average return of 4.1% [4] Group 2 - Iberdrola S.A. has also outperformed the Utilities sector with a year-to-date return of 10.4% and holds a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy) [4][5] - CMS Energy belongs to the Utility - Electric Power industry, which has an average return of 5.2% this year, indicating CMS's strong performance within this specific industry [5] - Both CMS Energy and Iberdrola S.A. are expected to continue their solid performance, making them noteworthy for investors in Utilities stocks [6]

ANN ARBOR, Mich., March 17, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- NorthStar Clean Energy recently secured up to $334 million in construction-to-term financing for two transformative solar projects in Michigan. The Branch Solar project, a 200 MW facility in Branch County, will be NorthStar's largest solar asset in Michigan. The Genesee Solar project will be a 50 MW clean energy facility located in a historically disenfranchised community in Genesee County. "Our Michigan roots run deep," said Brian Hartmann, President of Nort ...

Core Viewpoint - Momentum investing focuses on following a stock's recent price trends, aiming to buy high and sell higher, with the expectation that established trends will continue [1] Company Overview: CMS Energy - CMS Energy has a Momentum Style Score of B, indicating a positive momentum outlook [2] - The company currently holds a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy), suggesting strong potential for outperformance [3] Performance Metrics - Over the past week, CMS shares increased by 2.18%, outperforming the Zacks Utility - Electric Power industry, which rose by 1.06% [5] - In the last month, CMS shares rose by 11.4%, compared to the industry's 4.5% [5] - Over the past quarter, CMS shares have risen by 9.48%, and over the last year, they are up 25.59%, while the S&P 500 has moved -2.97% and 15.34% respectively [6] Trading Volume - CMS's average 20-day trading volume is 2,276,481 shares, which serves as a bullish indicator when combined with rising stock prices [7] Earnings Outlook - In the past two months, 3 earnings estimates for CMS have increased, while only 1 has decreased, raising the consensus estimate from $3.59 to $3.60 [9] - For the next fiscal year, 4 estimates have moved upwards with no downward revisions [9] Conclusion - Given the positive performance metrics and earnings outlook, CMS Energy is positioned as a 2 (Buy) stock with a Momentum Score of B, making it a strong candidate for near-term investment [11]

For those looking to find strong Utilities stocks, it is prudent to search for companies in the group that are outperforming their peers. CMS Energy (CMS) is a stock that can certainly grab the attention of many investors, but do its recent returns compare favorably to the sector as a whole? By taking a look at the stock's year-to-date performance in comparison to its Utilities peers, we might be able to answer that question.CMS Energy is one of 104 individual stocks in the Utilities sector. Collectively, t ...

The Utilities group has plenty of great stocks, but investors should always be looking for companies that are outperforming their peers. Is CMS Energy (CMS) one of those stocks right now? A quick glance at the company's year-to-date performance in comparison to the rest of the Utilities sector should help us answer this question.CMS Energy is a member of the Utilities sector. This group includes 104 individual stocks and currently holds a Zacks Sector Rank of #7. The Zacks Sector Rank includes 16 different ...

Financial Performance - CMS Energy reported a total revenue of $6.5 billion for the year ended December 31, 2023, representing a 5% increase compared to the previous year[36]. - CMS Energy's net income for 2023 was $800 million, a 10% increase from $727 million in 2022[36]. - CMS Energy's earnings per share (EPS) for 2023 was $3.20, up from $2.90 in 2022, reflecting a 10% growth[36]. - CMS Energy's consolidated operating revenue was $7.5 billion in 2024 and 2023, and $8.6 billion in 2022[46]. - Consumers' consolidated operating revenue was $7.2 billion in 2024 and 2023, and $8.2 billion in 2022[49]. - Consumers' electric utility operations generated operating revenue of $5.1 billion in 2024, up from $4.7 billion in 2023[54]. - Consumers' gas utility operations generated $2.1 billion in revenue in 2024, down from $2.4 billion in 2023 and $2.7 billion in 2022[80]. Customer Growth and Service - Consumers Energy's customer base grew by 2.5% year-over-year, reaching approximately 3.7 million customers[36]. - In 2024, Consumers served 1.9 million electric customers and 1.8 million gas customers in Michigan's Lower Peninsula[51]. - Consumers' electric deliveries were 37 billion kWh in 2024, including ROA deliveries of 4 billion kWh, compared to 36 billion kWh in 2023[56]. - Consumers' 2024 summer peak demand was 8,030 MW, including ROA demand of 603 MW[58]. Renewable Energy Initiatives - The company plans to invest $1.2 billion in renewable energy projects over the next five years, aiming for a 30% reduction in carbon emissions by 2030[36]. - The company has set a target of achieving a 50% renewable energy generation mix by 2035[36]. - Consumers aims to achieve 60% renewable energy by 2035 and 100% clean energy by 2040, proposing an addition of up to 9,000 MW of solar and 2,800 MW of wind capacity[63]. - Consumers plans to eliminate coal use in owned generation by 2025, having retired the D.E. Karn units in June 2023 and planning to retire the J.H. Campbell units in 2025[62]. - Consumers plans to retire its last coal generating unit by 2025[23]. Operational Improvements - The company is focusing on enhancing its electric distribution system reliability through its Reliability Roadmap, which includes a $500 million investment over the next five years[36]. - The Reliability Roadmap is a five-year strategy aimed at improving the electric distribution system and grid reliability, filed with the MPSC in 2023[29]. - CMS Energy has initiated a new technology development program aimed at improving energy efficiency and reducing operational costs by 15% over the next three years[36]. Regulatory and Market Environment - CMS Energy and Consumers are subject to regulatory oversight by MPSC and FERC, impacting their rates and operations[48]. - The company faces various risks including regulatory changes, economic disruptions, and supply chain issues that could affect financial performance[38]. - Regulatory changes by the MPSC and FERC could impact electric and gas rates, affecting overall financial performance[38]. - The company is monitoring energy market changes, including commodity prices and availability of resources like coal and natural gas[39]. Environmental Compliance and Goals - Consumers plans to reduce methane emissions from its natural gas delivery system by about 80% from 2012 levels by 2030[83]. - The 2023 Energy Law in Michigan mandates a renewable energy standard of 50% by 2030 and 60% by 2035, with a clean energy standard of 80% by 2035 and 100% by 2040[102]. - CMS Energy's commitment to environmental compliance includes managing coal ash and adhering to regulations from agencies like the EPA[39]. Workforce and Employee Engagement - The number of employees at CMS Energy decreased to 8,324 in 2024 from 8,356 in 2023, while Consumers' employees decreased to 8,090 from 8,144[115]. - For the year ended December 31, 2024, CMS Energy and Consumers achieved a 72% positive sentiment for employee engagement, an increase of 11 percentage points from 2023[119]. - The companies reported a 65% positive sentiment for empowerment, up 17 percentage points from 2023[119]. - The diversity, equity, and inclusion index score for the year ended December 31, 2024, was 73%[120]. - The workforce composition includes 26% female employees, 14% racially or ethnically diverse employees, 5% employees with disabilities, and 10% veteran employees[121]. - CMS Energy and Consumers have developed a comprehensive talent strategy, the People Strategy, focusing on building skill sets, cultivating a purpose-driven culture, and creating a breakthrough employee experience[118]. - The companies utilize union apprenticeship programs and yearly trainings to develop skill sets in co-workers[118]. - The companies have established seven business employee resource groups to promote diversity and inclusion[122].

Volatility has returned to Wall Street this year, with investors’ confidence getting dented by concerns over the economy’s future. President Donald Trump’s return to the White House lifted investors’ sentiment for a while, but the euphoria has faded as fears of a trade war have escalated over the past week.Given this situation, cautious investors looking for a steady income and ways to protect their capital may want to hold or buy dividend-paying stocks. Four such stocks are Hanmi Financial Corporation (HAF ...