Is Wall Street Bullish or Bearish on Xcel Energy Stock?

Core Insights - Xcel Energy Inc. (XEL) is a major player in the electricity and natural gas sector, with a market capitalization of $44.9 billion [1] Performance Overview - Over the past year, XEL's stock has gained 13.2%, underperforming the S&P 500 Index, which has increased nearly 14% [2] - In 2026, XEL stock has shown a YTD increase of 3.2%, outperforming the S&P 500's marginal rise [2] - Compared to the Utilities Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLU), which gained about 11% over the past year, XEL's performance is relatively stronger on a YTD basis [3] Financial Results - For Q4, XEL reported revenue of $3.6 billion, reflecting a year-over-year increase of 14.1% [5] - The adjusted EPS for the quarter grew 18.5% year-over-year to $0.96 [5] - Analysts project an 8.9% growth in XEL's EPS for the fiscal year ending December 2025, estimating it to reach $3.81 on a diluted basis [5] - XEL has a mixed earnings surprise history, missing consensus estimates in three of the last four quarters [5] Analyst Ratings - Among 18 analysts covering XEL, the consensus rating is a "Strong Buy," with 14 "Strong Buy" ratings, one "Moderate Buy," and three "Holds" [6] - The analyst sentiment has improved compared to three months ago, with 13 analysts now suggesting a "Strong Buy" [8] - BTIG has maintained a "Buy" rating on XEL, lowering the price target to $94, indicating a potential upside of 23.4% from current levels [8] - The mean price target is $87.94, representing a 15.4% premium to XEL's current price, while the highest price target of $95 suggests an upside potential of 24.7% [8]