Core Viewpoint - Xcel Energy (XEL) is expected to report third-quarter 2024 earnings on October 31, with a consensus estimate of $1.29 per share and revenues of $3.97 billion, following a negative earnings surprise of 1.82% in the previous quarter [1][2]. Group 1: Earnings Expectations - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for third-quarter earnings has increased by 2.2% over the past 30 days, while the sales estimate is projected at $3.98 billion, indicating a year-over-year growth of 14.05% [6]. - Xcel Energy currently has an Earnings ESP of -0.78% and a Zacks Rank of 2, suggesting it is unlikely to exceed earnings estimates this season [2]. Group 2: Factors Influencing Earnings - The anticipated earnings for Xcel Energy are likely to benefit from increased demand from data centers, the adoption of electric vehicles, and growth in electric and natural gas customer bases due to economic expansion in its service area [3]. - However, rising operation and maintenance expenses may counterbalance some of these positive factors. Efficient management has allowed Xcel Energy to maintain natural gas and electric rates below the national average, attracting more customers and generating additional demand [4]. Group 3: Industry Comparisons - Other companies in the industry, such as FirstEnergy Corp. and Public Service Enterprise Group Incorporated, are also expected to report earnings beats, with respective Earnings ESPs of +0.22% and +0.07% [5][6]. - Eversource Energy is projected to have a more favorable Earnings ESP of +6.00% as it approaches its earnings report [7].

Core Viewpoint - Xcel Energy (XEL) and American Electric Power (AEP) are both strong candidates for value investors, with both companies currently holding a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy), indicating positive earnings estimate revisions and an improving earnings outlook [1] Valuation Metrics - XEL has a forward P/E ratio of 18.02, while AEP has a forward P/E of 18.09, indicating that both companies are similarly valued in terms of earnings [2] - The PEG ratio for XEL is 2.82, compared to AEP's PEG ratio of 2.90, suggesting that XEL may offer better value when considering expected earnings growth [2] - XEL's P/B ratio stands at 1.99, while AEP's P/B ratio is 2.06, further indicating that XEL is relatively more attractive based on book value [2] Value Grades - XEL has a Value grade of B, while AEP has a Value grade of C, suggesting that XEL is currently the superior value option based on the analyzed metrics [3]

Xcel Energy (XEL) is poised to benefit from its solid capital investment plan for infrastructure strengthening and clean power generation. Given its growth opportunities, XEL 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. XEL's Growth Projections & Surprise History The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2024 earnings per share (EPS) is pinned at $3.55, indicating year-over-year growth of 5.97% ...

Group 1 - Brad Thomas, along with HOYA Capital, leads the investing group iREIT®+HOYA Capital, focusing on REITs, BDCs, MLPs, Preferreds, and other income-oriented alternatives [1] - The team of analysts has over 100 years of combined experience, including a former hedge fund manager and an advisor to a former U.S. President [1] - Brad Thomas has over 30 years of real estate investing experience, having been involved in over $1 billion in commercial real estate transactions [2] Group 2 - Brad Thomas has been featured in major media outlets such as Barron's, Bloomberg, and Fox Business, and is the author of four books, including "REITs For Dummies" [2]

Investors interested in stocks from the Utility - Electric Power sector have probably already heard of Xcel Energy (XEL) and PSEG (PEG) . But which of these two companies is the best option for those looking for undervalued stocks? Let's take a closer look. There are plenty of strategies for discovering value stocks, but we have found that pairing a strong Zacks Rank with an impressive grade in the Value category of our Style Scores system produces the best returns. The Zacks Rank is a proven strategy that ...

Investors interested in Utility - Electric Power stocks are likely familiar with Xcel Energy (XEL) and PSEG (PEG) . But which of these two stocks offers value investors a better bang for their buck right now? We'll need to take a closer look. Everyone has their own methods for finding great value opportunities, but our model includes pairing an impressive grade in the Value category of our Style Scores system with a strong Zacks Rank. The Zacks Rank favors stocks with strong earnings estimate revision trend ...

Xcel Energy Inc. (XEL) reported second-quarter 2024 operating earnings of 54 cents per share, which lagged the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 55 cents by 1%. The bottom line increased 3.8% from the year-ago quarter's 52 cents. It reported GAAP earnings of 54 cents in the second quarter compared with 52 cents in the year-ago quarter. Total Revenues The company's revenues of $3.03 billion missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $3.28 billion by 7.8%. The figure improved 0.2% from the year-ago quarter's $3.02 bill ...

Xcel Energy (XEL) reported $3.03 billion in revenue for the quarter ended June 2024, representing a year-overyear increase of 0.2%. EPS of $0.54 for the same period compares to $0.52 a year ago. The reported revenue represents a surprise of -7.81% over the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $3.28 billion. With the consensus EPS estimate being $0.55, the EPS surprise was -1.82%. While investors closely watch year-over-year changes in headline numbers -- revenue and earnings -- and how they compare to Wall Street ex ...

Xcel Energy (XEL) came out with quarterly earnings of $0.54 per share, missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $0.55 per share. This compares to earnings of $0.52 per share a year ago. These figures are adjusted for nonrecurring items. This quarterly report represents an earnings surprise of -1.82%. A quarter ago, it was expected that this utility would post earnings of $0.80 per share when it actually produced earnings of $0.88, delivering a surprise of 10%. Over the last four quarters, the company has sur ...

Financial Performance - Second quarter GAAP and ongoing diluted earnings per share were $0.54 in 2024, up from $0.52 in 2023, reflecting a 3.85% increase[1] - Xcel Energy reported second quarter earnings of $302 million, compared to $288 million in the same period in 2023, representing a 4.86% year-over-year growth[1] - The company reaffirmed its 2024 EPS guidance of $3.50 to $3.60 per share[1] - Operating income for the second quarter was $449 million, compared to $418 million in the same period last year, marking a 7.43% increase[5] - Xcel Energy's Q2 2024 GAAP and ongoing diluted earnings per share (EPS) increased to $0.54, up from $0.52 in Q2 2023, driven by higher recovery of infrastructure investments and warmer weather[13] - NSP-Minnesota's year-to-date earnings increased by $0.13 per share, primarily due to increased recovery of electric and natural gas infrastructure investments[14] - PSCo's year-to-date earnings rose by $0.05 per share, attributed to increased recovery of electric infrastructure investments[14] - SPS's Q2 earnings increased by $0.01 per share, supported by regulatory rate outcomes and increased sales, despite higher depreciation[14] - NSP-Wisconsin's Q2 earnings decreased by $0.01 per share, largely due to unfavorable weather and increased depreciation[14] - The estimated impact of temperature variations on EPS for Q2 2024 compared to normal weather conditions was an increase of $0.022[17] - Long-term annual EPS growth is targeted at 5% to 7%, based on a 2023 actual ongoing earnings base of $3.35 per share[67] Revenue and Sales - Total operating revenues for the second quarter were $3,028 million, slightly up from $3,022 million in 2023[5] - Electric operating revenues increased to $2,659 million in Q2 2024 from $2,601 million in Q2 2023, a growth of 2.23%[5] - Total retail electric sales for Xcel Energy showed a decline of 0.2% year-to-date, with residential sales decreasing by 1.9%[20] - Firm natural gas sales decreased by 10.9% year-to-date across Xcel Energy's operations[20] - Weather-normalized electric residential sales for Xcel Energy declined by 0.9% year-to-date, with variations across different regions[22] - Electric revenues decreased by $20 million year-to-date, impacted by lower costs of electric fuel and purchased power, which decreased by $344 million[25][24] - Natural gas revenues decreased by $385 million year-to-date, primarily due to lower commodity prices and volumes[24] Operating Expenses - Total operating expenses decreased to $2,579 million in Q2 2024 from $2,604 million in Q2 2023, a reduction of 0.96%[5] - Interest charges increased to $303 million in Q2 2024 from $256 million in Q2 2023, reflecting an 18.38% rise[5] - O&M expenses increased by $34 million for the second quarter but decreased by $11 million year-to-date, attributed to lower labor costs and a land sale gain[26] - Depreciation and amortization increased by $172 million year-to-date, mainly due to system expansion and recognition of previously deferred costs[26] - Interest charges rose by $89 million year-to-date, largely due to increased debt levels and higher interest rates[27] Capital and Investments - Xcel Energy's total debt increased to $29.372 billion, representing 62% of total capitalization as of June 30, 2024[30] - Xcel Energy issued approximately $93 million of equity through its at-the-market program through June 2024[34] - Total capital investments for the wildfire mitigation plan are estimated at $1.602 billion, with O&M expenses projected at $253 million[46] - The CPUC approved PSCo's Clean Heat Plan with a budget of $441 million through 2027, focusing on electrification and efficiency programs[47] - SPS's initial Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) projected resource needs of approximately 5,300 MW to 10,200 MW by 2030, accepted by the NMPRC in February 2024[48] Regulatory and Rate Changes - NSP-Minnesota filed for a natural gas rate increase of approximately $59 million (9.6%) in November 2023, with an interim rate of $51 million approved[36] - NSP-Minnesota also requested an increase of $8.5 million (9.4%) in North Dakota, with interim rates of $8 million approved[37] - NSP-Minnesota proposed a refund of $126 million for fuel over-recoveries in 2023, with a recommendation from the Department of Commerce for a $20 million refund for replacement power costs[38] - A customer refund of $34 million related to Sherco Unit 3 outage costs was recommended by the Administrative Law Judge, with a final decision expected in late 2024[39] - NSP-Wisconsin filed a 2025 stay-out proposal to offset $28 million in electric revenue deficiency and $3 million in natural gas revenue deficiency, expecting a Commission decision by year-end 2024[40] - PSCo requested a retail natural gas rate increase of $171 million (9.5%) based on a 10.25% ROE and a $4.2 billion retail rate base, with a proposed effective date of November 1, 2024[41] Weather Impact - The company anticipates continued recovery of infrastructure investments to support future earnings growth despite challenges from higher depreciation and interest charges[15] - Natural gas sales growth was driven by a 1.1% increase in residential customers and a 0.6% increase in C&I customers year-to-date[23] - Weather-normalized retail electric sales are expected to increase by 1%, while retail firm natural gas sales are projected to remain flat[65] - The Marshall Fire is estimated to have caused over $2 billion in property losses, with PSCo disputing its power lines' involvement in the fire's ignition[56] - SPS has accrued a $215 million estimated loss related to the Smokehouse Creek Fire Complex, reflecting potential liabilities from ongoing litigation[52]