Alliant Energy's Q4 Earnings Top Estimates, Revenues Rise Y/Y

Core Insights - Alliant Energy Corporation (LNT) reported fourth-quarter 2024 operating earnings of 70 cents per share, exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 68 cents by 2.9% and reflecting a 45.8% increase from the previous year's figure of 48 cents [1] Revenue Performance - Revenues for the quarter totaled $0.976 billion, falling short of the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.196 billion by 18.4%, but showing a 1.6% increase from $0.961 billion in the same quarter last year [2] - Full-year 2024 revenues amounted to $3.98 billion, a decrease from $4.03 billion in the previous year [2] Operational Highlights - Total operating expenses were $754 million, down 3.1% from $778 million in the year-ago period, attributed to lower electric production fuel and purchased power costs [3] - Operating income reached $222 million, up 21.3% from the prior year's figure [3] - Interest expenses were $120 million, reflecting a 14.3% increase compared to the previous year [3] Customer and Sales Growth - The number of retail electric customers increased by 0.7% and retail gas customers by 0.6% year over year [4] - Total utility electric sales were 8,116 thousand megawatt-hours (MWh), up 6.6% from the year-ago quarter [4] - Total utility gas sold and transported was 44,499 thousand dekatherms, representing a 7.2% year-over-year increase [4] Financial Update - As of December 31, 2024, cash and cash equivalents were $81 million, up from $62 million as of December 31, 2023 [5] - Long-term debt (excluding the current portion) totaled $8.68 billion, an increase from $8.23 billion recorded as of December 31, 2023 [5] - Cash flow from operating activities in 2024 was $1.17 billion, compared to $0.87 billion in the previous year [5] Guidance - Alliant Energy projects its 2025 earnings to be in the range of $3.15-$3.25 per share, with the Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings at $3.23 per share, which is higher than the midpoint of the company's guidance [6] Zacks Rank - Alliant Energy currently holds a Zacks Rank 3 (Hold) [7]