Is Ameren Stock Underperforming the Nasdaq?

Company Overview - Ameren Corporation, based in Saint Louis, Missouri, generates and distributes electricity and natural gas across Missouri and Illinois, operating through various segments including Ameren Missouri and Ameren Illinois [1] - The company has a market capitalization of $26.7 billion, categorizing it as a large-cap stock, which reflects its significant size and influence in the utility sector [2] Stock Performance - Ameren's stock reached an all-time high of $104.10 on March 4 and is currently trading 4.9% below that peak, with a 4.9% gain over the past three months, underperforming the Nasdaq Composite's 14% increase during the same period [3] - Over the longer term, Ameren has gained 11% year-to-date and 16.4% over the past 52 weeks, lagging behind the Nasdaq's 15.3% and 26.3% gains respectively [4] Financial Results - Following the release of its Q2 results on July 31, Ameren's stock prices increased nearly 1%, with electric revenues soaring almost 34% year-over-year to $2 billion, contributing to a 31.2% growth in overall operating revenues to $2.2 billion, exceeding expectations by 20.7% [5] - Despite the revenue growth, the company experienced a contraction in margins, resulting in a modest 6.6% growth in net income to $275 million, with an EPS of $1.01 that surpassed consensus estimates by 1% [5] Comparative Analysis - Compared to its peer, Consolidated Edison, Inc., Ameren has outperformed with an 11% year-to-date gain versus Consolidated Edison's 8% [6] - Among 14 analysts covering Ameren, the consensus rating is a "Moderate Buy," with a mean price target of $108.50, indicating a 9.6% upside potential from current price levels [6]