Xcel Energy Beats Q2 Earnings Estimates, Sales Miss, Adds Customers

Core Insights - Xcel Energy Inc. (XEL) reported second-quarter 2025 operating earnings of 75 cents per share, exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 63 cents by 19.05% and improving 38.9% from the previous year's 54 cents [1][2][9] Revenue Performance - Total revenues for XEL were $3.28 billion, slightly missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $3.31 billion by 0.8%, but representing an 8.6% increase from $3.02 billion in the year-ago quarter [3] - Electric segment revenues reached $2.87 billion, up 8.3% from $2.65 billion year-over-year [4] - Natural gas segment revenues increased 11.5% to $396 million from $355 million in the prior-year quarter [4] - Other segment revenues amounted to $13 million, down from $14 million in the previous year [4] Expense and Income Analysis - Total operating expenses rose 5.1% year-over-year to $2.71 billion, driven by higher electric fuel and purchased power costs, as well as costs associated with natural gas sold and transported [5] - Operating income increased 28.5% year-over-year to $577 million [5] - Total interest charges and financing costs rose 6.3% from $303 million in the prior-year quarter to $322 million [5] Customer Volume and Sales Growth - In the first half of 2025, Xcel Energy experienced a 2.7% growth in electric customer volume, while natural gas customer volume declined by 0.4% [6] - In the second quarter, natural gas sales increased by 0.9% year-over-year, and electric sales volume grew by 1% [6] Future Guidance - Xcel Energy reaffirmed its 2025 earnings per share guidance in the range of $3.75 to $3.85, with the Zacks Consensus Estimate at $3.81 [7] - Retail electric sales are projected to increase by 3% in 2025, while natural gas sales volumes are expected to rise by 1% [7] - The company plans to invest $45 billion from 2025 to 2029 to enhance its infrastructure [7]