ALLENTOWN, Pa., Feb. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- PPL Corporation (NYSE:PPL) announced today that the company's 2026 Annual Meeting of Shareowners will be held virtually. The Annual Meeting will convene live via the internet on Wednesday, May 13, 2026, at 9 a.m. Eastern Time. Shareowners of record as of March 4, 2026, are eligible to vote and participate in the Annual Meeting. Instructions on how to join the meeting will be included in proxy materials that will be provided to shareowners. About PPL PPL Corporat ...

PPL (PPL) closed the most recent trading day at $35.13, moving -1.04% from the previous trading session. The stock fell short of the S&P 500, which registered a loss of 0.51% for the day. On the other hand, the Dow registered a gain of 0.53%, and the technology-centric Nasdaq decreased by 1.51%. The energy and utility holding company's shares have seen an increase of 1.75% over the last month, not keeping up with the Utilities sector's gain of 3.78% and outstripping the S&P 500's gain of 0.93%.Investors wil ...

Core Insights - PPL Corporation is a regulated utility company based in Pennsylvania, with a market capitalization of $26.8 billion, primarily generating revenue from electricity transmission and distribution [1] Performance Overview - PPL shares have underperformed the broader market over the past year, gaining 5% compared to the S&P 500 Index's 15.4% increase [2] - In 2026, PPL's stock has risen 1.4%, slightly outperforming the S&P 500's 1.1% rise on a year-to-date basis [2] - PPL has also lagged behind the State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLU), which gained approximately 10.5% over the past year [3] Financial Results - For Q3, PPL reported an adjusted EPS of $0.48, exceeding Wall Street's expectation of $0.46, with revenue of $2.24 billion, surpassing the forecast of $2.17 billion [4] - The company expects full-year adjusted EPS to be in the range of $1.78 to $1.84 [4] Earnings Forecast - Analysts project PPL's EPS to grow by 7.7% to $1.82 on a diluted basis for FY2025 [5] - PPL's earnings surprise history is mixed, with the company surpassing consensus estimates in two of the last four quarters [5] Analyst Ratings - The consensus rating among 16 analysts covering PPL stock is a "Moderate Buy," consisting of ten "Strong Buy" ratings, one "Moderate Buy," and five "Holds" [5] - This consensus is slightly more bullish than two months ago, when seven analysts recommended a "Strong Buy" for the stock [7] Price Targets - PPL's mean price target of $40 indicates a premium of 12.7% from current price levels, while the highest price target of $44 suggests an upside potential of 23.9% [8]

Core Viewpoint - PPL Corporation and PPL Electric Utilities reaffirm their commitment to transparency, affordability, and collaboration in response to rising energy costs and the recent Budget Address by Governor Shapiro [1][2]. Ratemaking Transparency - PPL Electric supports enhanced transparency in the regulatory process, including full rate reviews and regular audits, to build public confidence in utility regulation [3]. Reforming Retail Markets - The company advocates for measures to protect customers from deceptive retail energy practices, highlighting that retail shopping abuses cost residential customers over $60 million in 2025 [4]. Eliminating Unnecessary Fees - PPL Electric aims to revise or eliminate "junk" fees that do not add value, which could lower customer bills, and is committed to supporting vulnerable customers [5]. Customer Protections - The company continues to uphold customer protections even without current laws and supports the reinstatement of Chapter 14, which expired in December 2024 [6]. Cost Management and Reliability - Over the past decade, PPL Electric has managed operating and maintenance expenses nearly 25% below inflation while investing in grid reliability, avoiding distribution base rate increases since 2015 [7]. Economic Development - PPL Electric's infrastructure investments support economic development projects, such as the Eli Lilly project, contributing to job creation and stability in Pennsylvania [8]. Energy Supply Prices - Rising energy supply costs are a significant concern, with supply prices for PPL Electric customers increasing by over 200% in the last five years, accounting for 47% of a typical residential bill [9][10]. Generation Capacity - The company supports building new generation capacity as a key strategy to lower energy bills and has engaged in a joint venture to support data center load growth [11]. Stakeholder Collaboration - PPL Electric is dedicated to collaborating with policymakers and stakeholders to develop effective solutions for energy cost challenges while ensuring safety and reliability [12]. Company Overview - PPL Corporation is a leading U.S. energy company serving over 3.6 million customers, focusing on building resilient power grids and advancing sustainable energy solutions [13]. PPL Electric Utilities Overview - PPL Electric Utilities provides reliable electricity to about 1.5 million customers in Pennsylvania and is recognized for its reliability and customer satisfaction [14].

Core Viewpoint - PPL Corporation is set to release its consolidated fourth-quarter and year-end 2025 earnings results on February 20, 2026, with a conference call scheduled to discuss these results and the company's business outlook [1]. Group 1: Earnings Release - The earnings results will be announced on February 20, 2026 [1]. - The conference call will begin at 11 a.m. Eastern Time and will include discussions led by PPL's president and CEO, Vincent Sorgi, along with other executives [1]. Group 2: Webcast and Access Information - The conference call will be available via a live audio webcast, and slides will accompany the presentation [2]. - Interested parties can access the webcast through the PPL investor relations website or join the call by telephone using specific numbers for domestic and international participants [2]. Group 3: Company Overview - PPL Corporation, headquartered in Allentown, Pennsylvania, serves over 3.6 million customers in the U.S. by providing electricity and natural gas [4]. - The company focuses on building smarter and more resilient power grids while advancing sustainable energy solutions [4].

Company Performance - PPL closed at $36.31, reflecting a -1.06% change from the previous day, underperforming the S&P 500 which lost 0.13% [1] - Over the past month, PPL shares have increased by 4.8%, while the Utilities sector and S&P 500 gained 1.04% and 0.78% respectively [1] Earnings Expectations - Analysts anticipate PPL to report earnings of $0.41 per share, indicating a year-over-year growth of 20.59% [2] - Revenue is expected to reach $2.35 billion, representing a 6.33% increase compared to the same quarter last year [2] Fiscal Year Projections - For the entire fiscal year, earnings are projected at $1.82 per share, reflecting a +7.69% change from the prior year, while revenue is estimated at $9.06 billion, showing no change [3] - Recent revisions to analyst forecasts for PPL are important as they indicate the evolving business trends [3] Valuation Metrics - PPL has a Forward P/E ratio of 18.77, which is higher than the industry average of 17.9 [5] - The company has a PEG ratio of 2.56, compared to the Utility - Electric Power industry average PEG ratio of 2.59 [6] Industry Ranking - The Utility - Electric Power industry ranks 83 in the Zacks Industry Rank, placing it in the top 34% of over 250 industries [7] - Strong industry rankings correlate with better stock performance, with top-rated industries outperforming lower-rated ones by a factor of 2 to 1 [7]

Industry Overview - The Zacks Utility-Electric Power industry presents an attractive investment opportunity due to stable cash flows and predictable regulated business models [1] - Domestic utilities benefit from long-term power purchase agreements, which protect revenues from economic volatility [1] - Rising electricity demand and capital investments are enhancing operational efficiency, leading to consistent earnings and reliable dividend payments [1] Shift to Clean Energy - The utility industry is transitioning to cleaner energy sources driven by increased power demand from AI data centers, industrial reshoring, and Electric Vehicle adoption [2] - Utilities are retiring fossil fuel assets, expanding renewable energy, and implementing low-emission technologies while ensuring grid reliability [2] - The sector is well-positioned for long-term value as decarbonization progresses, supported by strong capital-return programs [2] Company Focus: PPL Corporation and CMS Energy - PPL Corporation and CMS Energy are U.S.-regulated electric utility companies investing in grid infrastructure and renewable energy to meet rising demand [3] - PPL emphasizes infrastructure upgrades and clean energy investments, ensuring stable cash flows and dependable dividends [4] - CMS Energy focuses on modernizing the grid and expanding capacity to meet demand, with a clear commitment to clean energy and net zero operations by 2040 [5] Earnings Estimates - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for PPL's earnings per share in 2026 has improved by 7.6% year over year, with long-term earnings growth projected at 7.34% [7] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for CMS' earnings per share in 2026 has improved by 7.28% year over year, with long-term earnings growth projected at 7.31% [10] Financial Metrics - CMS Energy has a higher Return on Equity (ROE) of 12.1% compared to PPL's 9.08%, outperforming the industry average of 10.7% [9][11] - PPL trades at a Price/Earnings Forward 12-month (P/E-F12M) ratio of 18.67, slightly above CMS's 18.59, both higher than the industry's 15.64 [12] Dividend and Capital Return - PPL Corporation has a dividend yield of 2.99%, while CMS Energy has a yield of 3.03%, both exceeding the S&P 500 composite yield of 1.35% [17] - Both companies have maintained a times interest earned (TIE) ratio above 1 for over a decade, indicating financial flexibility to meet near-term debt obligations [19] Long-Term Capital Investment Plans - CMS plans to invest $20 billion from 2025 to 2029, with $6.3 billion allocated for enhancing pipeline integrity and reducing methane emissions [20] - PPL expects to invest $20 billion from 2025 to 2028, focusing on strengthening the grid and expanding clean energy generation capacity [21] Conclusion - Both PPL and CMS are making significant investments to enhance operations and customer service [22] - CMS has a competitive edge over PPL due to its better ROE and more attractive valuation metrics [22]

Core Insights - PPL Corp.'s shares have increased by 4% over the last month, outperforming the Zacks Utility-Electric Power industry, which declined by 2.6% [1][7] - The company serves 3.6 million customers in the U.S. and has repositioned itself as a U.S.-focused energy provider after divesting its international operations [1][4] Investment and Growth Strategy - PPL plans to invest approximately $20 billion through 2028 to modernize its grid, enhance service reliability, and reduce outage risks [2][9] - The company aims to achieve a net-zero energy system by 2050 while lowering emissions from power generation [2] - PPL's capital investment plan includes delivering 7,500 MW of zero-carbon renewable generation, 3,000 MW of natural gas-fired capacity, nearly 2,000 MW of energy storage, and 1,500 miles of new high-voltage transmission lines [12] Financial Performance and Estimates - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for PPL's earnings per share for 2026 has increased by 7.85%, supported by a 5.24% year-over-year increase in sales estimates [14] - PPL's trailing 12-month return on equity (ROE) is 9.08%, which is lower than the industry average of 10.47% [24] - The current P/E ratio for PPL is 18.19X, compared to the industry's 15.55X, indicating that PPL is trading at a premium [26] Dividend Policy - PPL has a history of consistent dividend payments and plans to increase dividends annually by 6-8% at least through 2028, subject to board approval [21][22] - The current quarterly dividend rate is 27.25 cents, resulting in an annual dividend of $1.09 per share, with a dividend yield of 3.07%, which is higher than the industry average of 2.77% [22] Market Position and Outlook - Demand for reliable clean energy is increasing in PPL's service territory, positioning the company to meet this growth through its long-term capital investment program [12][29] - Ongoing cost-reduction efforts aim to lower operating and maintenance expenses by at least $175 million by 2026 compared to the 2021 baseline [13]

Company Performance - PPL closed at $34.44, reflecting a -1.29% change from the previous day, which is less than the S&P 500's daily loss of 0.34% [1] - Over the past month, PPL shares gained 3.22%, outperforming the Utilities sector's loss of 3.09% and the S&P 500's gain of 1.19% [1] Earnings Expectations - PPL is expected to report an EPS of $0.41, representing a 20.59% increase from the prior-year quarter [2] - The consensus estimate for quarterly revenue is $2.34 billion, up 5.69% from the year-ago period [2] Full-Year Estimates - The full-year Zacks Consensus Estimates for PPL are earnings of $1.81 per share and revenue of $8.73 billion, indicating year-over-year changes of +7.1% for earnings and 0% for revenue [3] - Recent adjustments to analyst estimates for PPL may reflect shifting short-term business dynamics, with positive revisions indicating optimism about the business outlook [3] Valuation Metrics - PPL is currently trading with a Forward P/E ratio of 17.84, which is a premium compared to the industry average Forward P/E of 17.07 [6] - The PEG ratio for PPL is 2.43, compared to the average PEG ratio of 2.51 for Utility - Electric Power stocks [6] Industry Context - The Utility - Electric Power industry has a Zacks Industry Rank of 64, placing it in the top 27% of over 250 industries [7] - Research indicates that the top 50% rated industries outperform the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1 [7]

Industry Overview - The U.S. utility sector is experiencing rapid transformation due to rebounding electricity demand from data centers, AI computing, electrified transport, and domestic manufacturing [1] - Utilities are increasing investments in power generation, transmission networks, and grid upgrades to ensure reliable supply and support long-term growth [1] Transition to Clean Energy - Utilities are phasing out coal and investing in wind, solar, nuclear, and energy storage, driven by federal incentives and state decarbonization goals [2] - This transition is directing capital towards regulated assets that provide steady returns while reducing emissions [2] - A drop in interest rates to 3.5% to 3.75% is favorable for capital-intensive utility companies [2] Company Focus: PPL Corporation and Xcel Energy - PPL Corporation and Xcel Energy are U.S.-regulated electric utility companies heavily investing in grid infrastructure and renewable energy [3] - PPL emphasizes infrastructure upgrades and clean energy investments, supporting stable cash flows and dividends [4] - Xcel Energy's investment case is bolstered by strong capital spending, a clear clean-energy strategy, and rising customer demand [5] Earnings Estimates - PPL's Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2025 and 2026 EPS indicates year-over-year increases of 7.1% and 7.85%, respectively [7] - Xcel Energy's Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2025 and 2026 EPS indicates year-over-year increases of 9.1% and 7.98%, respectively [10] Financial Metrics - PPL's return on equity (ROE) is 9.08%, while Xcel Energy's ROE is 10.45% [9][11] - PPL and Xcel Energy plan to invest $20 billion and $60 billion, respectively, to strengthen their infrastructure [9] - PPL is trading at a P/E Forward 12-month of 18.01X, while Xcel Energy is at 17.99X [16][18] Dividend Yield and Debt Metrics - PPL's dividend yield is 3.11%, compared to Xcel Energy's 3.06% and the Zacks Utility-Electric Power yield of 2.84% [13] - PPL has a debt-to-capital ratio of 56.85%, while Xcel Energy's is 61.17% [14] - Both companies maintain a times interest earned (TIE) ratio above 1, indicating financial flexibility [15] Long-Term Investment Plans - PPL expects a regulated capital investment plan of $20 billion from 2025 to 2028, with significant potential demand in its Pennsylvania segment [20] - Xcel Energy aims to spend $60 billion from 2026 to 2030, focusing on electric distribution, generation, and natural gas operations [21] Conclusion - Both PPL Corporation and Xcel Energy are investing to upgrade infrastructure and expand assets, with increasing clean energy generation to meet rising customer demand [22] - Xcel Energy is viewed as having better potential going into 2026 due to better earnings estimates, valuation, ROE, and capital expenditure plans [23]