Ameren beats quarterly profit estimates on higher electricity rates

Core Viewpoint - Ameren Corp reported a fourth-quarter profit that narrowly exceeded Wall Street estimates, driven by increased electricity rates and stronger retail sales in its Missouri unit [1] Financial Performance - The company reported fourth-quarter revenue of $1.78 billion, surpassing analysts' expectations of $1.67 billion [1] - Ameren's profit for the quarter was 78 cents per share, slightly above the analysts' estimate of 77 cents per share [1] - Revenue from the gas segment increased to $337 million, up from $321 million a year earlier [1] Operational Highlights - Ameren Missouri's electric sales reached 8,405 million kilowatt hours, compared to 7,806 million in the previous year [1] - The company reaffirmed its profit forecast for 2026, estimating earnings between $5.25 and $5.45 per share [1] Strategic Developments - Ameren Missouri received approval for the Big Hollow Energy Center, a new hybrid facility expected to begin operations in 2028, which includes an 800 MW natural gas plant and a large-scale battery storage facility [1] - The company plans to add 1,000 MW of battery storage by 2030 and expand to 1,800 MW by 2042 [1] Industry Context - U.S. electricity usage reached record highs in 2025 and is projected to continue rising, influenced by the expansion of AI and the transition from fossil fuels to electric heating and vehicles [1] - Utilities are increasing power rates to offset higher grid modernization costs amid extreme weather and rising demand from industrial electrification and data center expansions [1]