Group 1 - The article emphasizes the importance of uncovering and allocating capital to high-quality dividend growers as a core investment strategy [1] - The author has been involved in dividend investing since 2009 and has documented their journey towards financial independence through a blog focused on dividend growth investing [1] - The author expresses gratitude for the opportunities provided by their blog, which led to their involvement in the Seeking Alpha community as an analyst [1] Group 2 - The article does not provide any specific company or industry analysis, focusing instead on the author's personal investment philosophy and experiences [2]

Core Insights - WEC Energy Group reported fourth-quarter 2024 earnings of $1.43 per share, slightly missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.44, but showing a 30% increase from $1.10 in the same quarter last year [1] - Operating revenues for the quarter were $2.28 billion, falling short of the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.6 billion by approximately 12.1%, but reflecting a 2.7% increase from $2.22 billion in the previous year [2] - Full-year 2024 revenues totaled $8.6 billion, down 3.3% from $8.89 billion in 2023 [2] Revenue and Consumption - Electricity consumption by small commercial and industrial customers rose by 0.7% in 2024, while large commercial and industrial customers, excluding the iron ore mine, saw a 0.1% increase year over year [3] - Total electric sales volume for the quarter was 10,566.4 thousand megawatt-hours, up 0.4% year over year [3] Expenses and Income - Total operating expenses were $1.69 billion, a decrease of 10% from $1.88 billion in the previous year, attributed to lower cost of sales and reduced operation and maintenance expenses [4] - Operating income reached $590.9 million, marking a 73.1% increase from $341.4 million in the year-ago quarter [4] - Interest expense was $211.9 million, up 9.5% from $193.5 million in the prior year [4] Financial Position - As of December 31, 2024, WEC had cash and cash equivalents of $9.8 million, down from $42.9 million a year earlier [5] - Long-term debt increased to $17.2 billion from $15.4 billion as of December 31, 2023 [5] - Net cash provided by operating activities during 2024 was $3.21 billion, compared to $3.02 billion in the previous year [5] Guidance - WEC reaffirmed its 2025 earnings projection in the range of $5.17-$5.27 per share, with the Zacks Consensus Estimate at $5.23 per share, higher than the midpoint of the company's guidance [6] - The company plans to invest $28 billion in the period from 2025 to 2029 [6]

Energizing the Future Investor Update: January 2025 1 Much of the information contained in this presentation is forward-looking information based upon management's current expectations and projections that involve risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking information includes, among other things, information concerning earnings per share, rate case activity, earnings per share growth, cash flow, sources of revenue, dividend growth and dividend payout ratios, sales volumes, capital plans, credit ratings, cred ...

Core Viewpoint - WEC Energy Group reported quarterly earnings of $1.43 per share, slightly missing the consensus estimate of $1.44 per share, but showing an increase from $1.10 per share a year ago, indicating a year-over-year growth in earnings despite the miss [1][2] Financial Performance - The company posted revenues of $2.28 billion for the quarter ended December 2024, which was 12.07% below the Zacks Consensus Estimate, but slightly higher than the $2.22 billion reported a year ago [2] - Over the last four quarters, WEC Energy has surpassed consensus EPS estimates three times, but has not beaten revenue estimates during the same period [2] Stock Performance - WEC Energy shares have increased approximately 6.8% since the beginning of the year, outperforming the S&P 500, which gained 1.9% [3] - The stock currently holds a Zacks Rank 3 (Hold), indicating it is expected to perform in line with the market in the near future [6] Earnings Outlook - The current consensus EPS estimate for the upcoming quarter is $2.26 on revenues of $2.83 billion, and for the current fiscal year, it is $5.23 on revenues of $9.47 billion [7] - The trend of estimate revisions for WEC Energy is mixed, which could change following the recent earnings report [6] Industry Context - The Utility - Electric Power industry, to which WEC Energy belongs, is currently ranked in the bottom 44% of over 250 Zacks industries, suggesting potential challenges ahead [8] - The performance of WEC Energy's stock may be influenced by the overall outlook of the industry [8]

Financial Performance - WEC Energy Group reported net income of $1.5 billion, or $4.83 per share, for 2024, compared to $1.3 billion, or $4.22 per share, in 2023, reflecting a year-over-year increase of 15.4% in net income[1][2]. - Adjusted earnings for 2024 rose to $4.88 per share, a 5.4% increase from 2023's adjusted earnings of $4.63 per share[2][10]. - For Q4 2024, net income was $453.5 million, or $1.43 per share, compared to $218.5 million, or $0.69 per share, in Q4 2023, marking a significant increase of 107%[3][11]. - Net income for the year ended December 31, 2024, was $1,524.3 million, up 14.5% from $1,331.7 million in 2023[27]. - Earnings per share for 2024 were $4.83, an increase from $4.22 in 2023, marking a 14.5% growth[23]. Revenue and Deliveries - Consolidated revenues for 2024 were $8.6 billion, down $293.1 million from 2023[4]. - Retail electricity deliveries increased by 0.5% in 2024, excluding the iron ore mine in Michigan's Upper Peninsula[4][5]. - Natural gas deliveries in Wisconsin decreased by 2.9% during 2024, with a weather-normal basis showing a decline of 0.1%[6]. - Operating revenues for Q4 2024 were $2,284.2 million, a 3.0% increase from $2,217.5 million in Q4 2023[23]. Dividends and Shareholder Returns - A quarterly cash dividend of $0.8925 per share was declared, an increase of 6.9% over the previous rate, marking the 22nd consecutive year of dividend increases[8]. - Dividends paid on common stock increased to $1,056.2 million in 2024 from $984.2 million in 2023[27]. Guidance and Future Expectations - The company reaffirmed its earnings guidance for 2025, expecting earnings to be in the range of $5.17 to $5.27 per share, representing a growth of 7.6% from the midpoint of 2024's adjusted guidance[7]. Assets and Capital Expenditures - WEC Energy Group has approximately $47 billion in assets and is a component of the S&P 500[18]. - Total assets as of December 31, 2024, reached $47,363.2 million, a 7.3% increase from $43,939.7 million in 2023[25]. - Capital expenditures for the year were $2,781.1 million, compared to $2,492.9 million in 2023, reflecting a 11.6% increase[27]. - The company issued long-term debt amounting to $4,460.9 million in 2024, compared to $2,170.0 million in 2023[27]. Customer Base and Shares - The company serves approximately 4.7 million customers across Wisconsin, Illinois, Michigan, and Minnesota[16]. - The weighted average diluted shares outstanding remained stable at 316.5 million in 2024, compared to 315.9 million in 2023[23]. - Cash and cash equivalents decreased to $9.8 million in 2024 from $42.9 million in 2023[25].

Core Viewpoint - WEC Energy Group reported strong financial performance for 2024, with net income increasing to $1.5 billion, or $4.83 per share, compared to $1.3 billion, or $4.22 per share, in 2023 [1][2]. Financial Performance - Full-year 2024 earnings included a charge of 6 cents per share related to capital expenditures disallowed by the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC), while 2023 included a non-cash charge of 41 cents per share [2]. - Adjusted earnings for 2024 rose to $4.88 per share, a 5.4% increase from 2023's adjusted earnings of $4.63 per share [2]. - For Q4 2024, net income was $453.5 million, or $1.43 per share, compared to $218.5 million, or 69 cents per share, in Q4 2023 [3]. - Consolidated revenues for the full year were $8.6 billion, down $293.1 million from 2023 [3]. Operational Highlights - Retail electricity deliveries, excluding the iron ore mine, increased by 0.5% in 2024 [4]. - Electricity consumption by small commercial and industrial customers rose by 0.7%, while large commercial and industrial customers saw a 0.1% increase [5]. - Residential electricity use also increased by 0.5% [6]. - Natural gas deliveries in Wisconsin decreased by 2.9%, with a weather-normal basis showing a 0.1% decline [7]. Future Outlook - The company reaffirmed its earnings guidance for 2025, expecting earnings in the range of $5.17 to $5.27 per share, representing a growth of 7.6% from the midpoint of 2024's adjusted guidance [8]. - A quarterly cash dividend of 89.25 cents per share was declared, marking a 6.9% increase over the previous rate, continuing a 22-year trend of increasing dividends [9]. Company Overview - WEC Energy Group serves approximately 4.7 million customers across Wisconsin, Illinois, Michigan, and Minnesota [18]. - The company operates several principal utilities and has a growing fleet of renewable generation facilities [19][20].

Company Overview - WEC Energy Group Inc. is a leading energy company based in Milwaukee, serving approximately 4.7 million customers across Wisconsin, Illinois, Michigan, and Minnesota [2][3] - The company operates several principal utilities, including We Energies, Wisconsin Public Service, Peoples Gas, North Shore Gas, Michigan Gas Utilities, Minnesota Energy Resources, and Upper Michigan Energy Resources [3] - WEC Energy Group is a Fortune 500 company and a component of the S&P 500, with around 34,000 stockholders of record and 7,000 employees, managing over $47 billion in assets [4] Upcoming Financial Events - The company will release its 2024 fourth-quarter and full-year earnings news before the stock market opens on February 4, 2025 [1] - A conference call for investors and security analysts is scheduled for the same day at 1 p.m. Central time, with detailed financial information available on the company's website by 6:30 a.m. Central time [1] Subsidiaries and Operations - WEC Energy Group's major subsidiary, We Power, is involved in the design, construction, and ownership of electric generating plants [3] - WEC Infrastructure LLC owns a growing fleet of renewable generation facilities located in various states, including South Dakota and Texas [3]

MILWAUKEE, Jan. 16, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The board of directors of WEC Energy Group (NYSE: WEC) today declared a quarterly cash dividend of 89.25 cents per share on the company's common stock, an increase of 6.9 percent over the current quarterly dividend of 83.50 cents per share. This raises the annual dividend rate to $3.57 per share. The higher dividend is payable March 1, 2025, to stockholders of record on Feb. 14, 2025. This marks the 330th consecutive quarter — dating back to 1942 — that the company w ...

Core Viewpoint - WEC Energy Group (WEC) has experienced a downtrend with a 5.1% decline over the past four weeks, but it is now in oversold territory, suggesting a potential turnaround due to analysts' positive earnings outlook [1][5][6]. Group 1: Technical Indicators - The Relative Strength Index (RSI) for WEC is at 15.66, indicating that the heavy selling pressure may be exhausting, which could lead to a price rebound [5]. - RSI is a momentum oscillator that helps identify oversold conditions, typically when the reading falls below 30 [2][3]. Group 2: Fundamental Indicators - There is a strong consensus among sell-side analysts to raise earnings estimates for WEC, resulting in a 0.2% increase in the consensus EPS estimate over the last 30 days [6]. - WEC holds a Zacks Rank 2 (Buy), placing it in the top 20% of over 4,000 ranked stocks based on earnings estimate revisions and EPS surprises, indicating a strong potential for a near-term turnaround [7].

WEC Energy Group’s (WEC) ongoing investments in infrastructure projects, systematic acquisitions and focus on clean energy boost its overall performance. The company also gains from expanding customer base. Given its growth opportunities, WEC makes for a solid investment option in the utility sector.Let’s focus on the factors that make this Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) company a strong investment pick at the moment.WEC’s Growth Projections & Surprise HistoryThe Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2025 earnings per share (E ...