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 ...

WEC Energy Group (WEC) could be a solid addition to your portfolio given its recent upgrade to a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). This upgrade primarily reflects an upward trend in earnings estimates, which is one of the most powerful forces impacting stock prices.The sole determinant of the Zacks rating is a company's changing earnings picture. The Zacks Consensus Estimate -- the consensus of EPS estimates from the sell-side analysts covering the stock -- for the current and following years is tracked by the system.Th ...

Investors with an interest in Utility - Electric Power stocks have likely encountered both Entergy (ETR) and WEC Energy Group (WEC) . But which of these two stocks is more attractive to value investors? We'll need to take a closer look to find out.We have found that the best way to discover great value opportunities is to pair a strong Zacks Rank with a great grade in the Value category of our Style Scores system. The Zacks Rank favors stocks with strong earnings estimate revision trends, and our Style Scor ...

MILWAUKEE, Dec. 19, 2024 /CNW/ - WEC Energy Group, Inc. (NYSE: WEC) ("WEC Energy Group") today announced the pricing terms of the previously announced upsized cash tender offer (the "Tender Offer") for $400,000,000 in aggregate principal amount (the "Aggregate Maximum Principal Amount") of the outstanding senior notes listed in the table below (the "Securities"). The table below summarizes certain information regarding the Securities and the Tender Offer, including the order of priority and purchase price i ...

Core Viewpoint - WEC Energy Group has initiated a cash tender offer for up to $350 million in aggregate principal amount of its outstanding senior notes, providing an opportunity for bondholders to tender their securities [1]. Summary by Sections Tender Offer Details - The tender offer is for a maximum of $350 million in senior notes, with specific acceptance priority levels and purchase price information outlined in a table [2][3]. - The tender offer will expire at 5:00 p.m. Eastern time on January 6, 2025, with an early tender date set for December 18, 2024 [5][11]. Securities Information - The tender offer includes three series of senior notes with varying principal amounts and fixed spreads, including: - 5.60% Senior Notes due 2026: $600 million outstanding, $125 million acceptance sublimit, +25 bps fixed spread, $30 early tender payment [3]. - 1.80% Senior Notes due 2030: $450 million outstanding, $150 million acceptance sublimit, +47 bps fixed spread, $30 early tender payment [3]. - 2.20% Senior Notes due 2028: $500 million outstanding, $100 million acceptance sublimit, +40 bps fixed spread, $30 early tender payment [3]. Payment and Consideration - Holders of securities accepted for purchase will receive accrued and unpaid interest from the last interest payment date up to the settlement date [6]. - The total consideration for securities validly tendered will be determined based on the fixed spread and yield to maturity, with early tender payments included for those who tender before the early tender date [7][9]. Conditions and Management - The tender offer is not subject to a minimum tender condition but is subject to the satisfaction of conditions described in the Offer to Purchase [14]. - WEC Energy Group has retained Barclays Capital Inc. as the dealer manager for the tender offer, and inquiries can be directed to their Liability Management Group [16]. Company Overview - WEC Energy Group is a leading energy company serving approximately 4.7 million customers across several states, with significant assets exceeding $45 billion [20][22].

MILWAUKEE, Dec. 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The board of directors of WEC Energy Group (NYSE: WEC) today announced that it is planning to raise the quarterly dividend on the company's common stock to 89.25 cents per share in the first quarter of 2025. This would represent an increase of 5.75 cents per share, or 6.9 percent.The directors expect to declare the new dividend at their regularly scheduled meeting in January. The dividend — which would be equivalent to an annual rate of $3.57 per share — would be paya ...

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported third quarter 2024 adjusted earnings of $0.82 per share, excluding a $0.06 per share charge related to disallowed capital expenditures in Illinois, which is a decrease of $0.18 per share quarter-over-quarter [7][23] - The adjusted earnings guidance for 2024 remains reaffirmed at a range of $4.80 to $4.90 per share, assuming normal weather conditions for the remainder of the year [8][30] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Adjusted earnings from utility operations decreased by $0.18 compared to 2023, primarily due to Illinois rate design changes, higher operating and maintenance costs, and increased depreciation and interest expenses [25] - Earnings from the Energy Infrastructure segment improved to $0.06 in Q3 2024 compared to Q3 2023, driven by production tax credits and increased production from renewable generation facilities [29] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Retail electric deliveries in Wisconsin, excluding the iron ore mine, increased by 0.4% quarter-over-quarter, with slight increases in residential and small commercial and industrial segments compared to Q3 last year [27] - The unemployment rate in Wisconsin stands at 2.9%, below the national average, indicating a strong local economy [9] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company plans to invest $28 billion over the next five years, marking the largest capital plan in its history, with an 18% increase from the previous plan [12] - The new capital plan supports an additional 1,800 megawatts of demand, with an average asset-based growth rate projected at 8.8% per year [13] - Investments will focus on renewable energy and natural gas generation, with plans to invest $9.1 billion in solar, wind, and battery storage, significantly increasing carbon-free generation capacity [15][16] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in meeting the 2024 adjusted earnings guidance, citing favorable weather conditions and tailwinds in Q4 [31][32] - The company is actively engaged in regulatory processes in Wisconsin, Michigan, and Illinois, with expectations for decisions that could positively impact future earnings [21][22] Other Important Information - The company plans to acquire a 90% interest in Hardin Solar III Energy Park in Ohio, expecting to invest approximately $410 million for 250 megawatts of renewable energy [19][20] - The company anticipates that 60% of its cash needs over the next five years will be funded through cash from operations, with additional funding from debt and common equity [34][35] Q&A Session Summary Question: Update on Point Beach PPA and alternatives - Management is in constructive discussions with NextEra regarding the Point Beach PPA, making good progress [42] Question: CapEx reduction in the infrastructure segment - The reduction is due to a focus on economic development in Wisconsin and a shift in capital allocation [44] Question: Wisconsin rate case and settlement - The company is far along in the Wisconsin rate case, with a decision expected soon, and is comfortable with the commission's process [50][51] Question: ATC ROE and guidance - The company is maintaining its guidance despite the upcoming recognition of a higher ROE due to timing of expenses [53] Question: Load growth and CapEx implications - The company expects a significant increase in load growth, with a forecast of 1,800 megawatts of incremental load [66] Question: Rate increase outlook - Rate increases are expected to align with inflation, driven by economic development rather than solely on retail customers [91]

Company Overview - WEC Energy is a regulated utility providing natural gas and electric services to approximately 4.7 million customers across Wisconsin, Illinois, Michigan, and Minnesota, with a market capitalization of $26 billion [3] - As a regulated utility, WEC Energy operates under a government-granted monopoly, requiring approval for its rates and spending plans, which typically results in slow and steady performance [4] Dividend Performance - WEC Energy has a strong dividend yield of around 4%, which is near its highest levels in a decade, and has increased its dividend annually for 21 consecutive years [5][4] - The company's dividend has grown at an average annualized rate of 7% over the past three, five, and ten years, indicating solid growth for a utility [6] Investment Considerations - Rising interest rates present a challenge for WEC Energy due to its capital-intensive nature and reliance on debt, but this is not expected to be a long-term issue as regulators typically account for such factors when setting rates [8] - An adverse rate ruling in Illinois has temporarily halted work on WEC Energy's natural gas network, creating uncertainty, but a resolution is anticipated over time [9] Future Outlook - Despite current challenges, WEC Energy is viewed as having a positive future, supported by a $23.7 billion capital investment plan aimed at achieving earnings growth of 6.5% to 7% annually, with dividends expected to increase correspondingly [10]

DiyanaDimitrova/iStock via Getty Images Utilities are known for being shareholder-friendly, offering consistent dividends and high yields. Twenty-five utility companies in the U.S. have increased their distributions annually for two decades or longer, with five designated as "dividend aristocrats" for maintaining streaks of at least fifty years. While rarely the market leader, the sector has performed well in 2024, ranking fourth among the eleven after lagging for much of last year. However, many utilities ...

Earnings Performance - WEC Energy Group reported second-quarter 2024 earnings of 67 cents per share, exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 64 cents by 4.7%, but down 27.2% from 92 cents per share in the same quarter last year [1] - Operating revenues were $1.77 billion, missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.86 billion by approximately 4.8%, and declined 3.3% from $1.83 billion in the year-ago quarter [2] Operational Highlights - Electricity consumption by small commercial and industrial customers increased by 0.3% in the second quarter, while large commercial and industrial customers, excluding the iron ore mine, saw a decrease of 0.1% year-over-year [3] - Total electric sales volume for the quarter was 10,375 thousand megawatt-hours, reflecting a year-over-year increase of 3.4% [3] Expenses and Income - Total operating expenses were $1.41 billion, up 0.2% from $1.4 billion in the year-ago quarter, attributed to high other operation and maintenance costs [4] - Operating income totaled $364.8 million, down 14.2% from $425.3 million in the previous year [4] - Interest expense increased to $200.6 million, up 12.3% from $178.7 million in the prior-year quarter [4] Financial Position - As of June 30, 2024, WEC had cash and cash equivalents of $224 million, a significant increase from $42.9 million as of December 31, 2023 [5] - Long-term debt rose to $16.9 billion from $15.5 billion as of December 31, 2023 [5] - Net cash provided by operating activities during the first half of 2024 was $1.9 billion, compared to $1.75 billion in the same period last year [5] Guidance - WEC reaffirmed its 2024 earnings projection in the range of $4.80-$4.90 per share, with the Zacks Consensus Estimate at $4.88 per share, higher than the midpoint of the company's guidance [6] - The company plans to invest $23.7 billion in the 2024-2028 period [6]