Key Takeaways SouthStar Energy Services is piloting MiQ's MethaneScout to track emissions in natural gas sourcing. MethaneScout uses data quality indicators to provide verifiable, end-to-end emissions transparency. This pilot positions SouthStar to meet regulatory demands and lead in the clean energy transition.Southern Company’s (SO) subsidiary, SouthStar Energy Services, has become the first U.S. retail energy marketer to pilot MiQ’s MethaneScout, an innovative emissions-tracking tool. This move highlig ...

Core Viewpoint - Lumen Technologies, Inc. has entered into a definitive agreement to sell its Mass Markets fiber-to-the-home business, including Quantum Fiber, to AT&T for $5.75 billion in cash, marking a significant step in Lumen's transformation into a digital enterprise networking company [1] Group 1: Transaction Details - The transaction is expected to close in the first half of 2026, pending regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions [2] - The sale includes approximately 95% of Quantum Fiber, covering around 4 million fiber-enabled locations and nearly 1 million subscribers as of March 31, 2025, projected to generate over $750 million in annualized revenues [3] Group 2: Financial Implications - Net proceeds from the deal, estimated at approximately $4.2 billion, will be used to retire about $4.8 billion in super priority debt, reducing annual interest expenses by $300 million and lowering the projected 2025 net debt to adjusted EBITDA ratio from 4.9 to 3.9 [4] - The deal will also decrease annual capital expenditures related to Mass Markets fiber by about $1 billion, allowing Lumen to reinvest in enterprise offerings and strengthen its balance sheet [4] Group 3: Future Strategy - Lumen plans to continue new fiber buildouts at a similar pace as in 2024 through the end of 2025 while retaining its existing copper network for consumer customers [5] - The company aims to expand its intercity fiber network to 47 million miles by 2028 and focus on growing the Lumen Digital Platform to provide enhanced networking solutions for business customers [6] - Management emphasized that the transaction enhances financial flexibility to innovate enterprise networking in a multi-cloud, AI-first environment, retaining core infrastructure assets for enterprise services [7] Group 4: Market Demand and Partnerships - Increasing demand for Lumen's Private Connectivity Fabric (PCF) solutions is noted, with $8.5 billion in PCF deals secured in 2024, driven by the urgent need for fiber capacity among large companies [8] - Lumen has established partnerships with major tech firms like Microsoft, Amazon, Google Cloud, and Meta Platforms to support AI innovation through enhanced network capabilities [8]

In a major move to strengthen its position in the global health and well-being sector, TELUS Corporation (TU) has partnered with GTCR, a prominent private equity firm with deep expertise in healthcare, to support TELUS Health’s acquisition of Workplace Options.This acquisition, valued at approximately C$500 million ($350 million) in cash, excluding about C$100 million ($70 million) in assumed debt, marks a pivotal step in TELUS Health’s journey to become a global leader in digital-first wellness solutions. ...

Core Viewpoint - Vistra Corp. (VST) is anticipated to show significant growth in both revenue and earnings per share for the first quarter of 2025, with a revenue estimate of $4.4 billion, reflecting a 44.14% increase year-over-year, and earnings per share expected to reach 54 cents, indicating a 134.8% increase from the previous year [1][2]. Earnings Estimates - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for VST's first-quarter earnings is 54 cents per share, with a year-over-year growth estimate of 134.78% [2][3]. - For the current quarter (March 2025), the estimates range from a low of 15 cents to a high of $1.04, with an average estimate of 54 cents [3]. - The earnings estimates for the next quarter (June 2025) are pegged at $1.37, showing a 52.22% increase year-over-year [3]. Factors Influencing Earnings - Increased demand for clean electricity, driven by the expansion of large U.S. data centers and electrification in the Permian Basin, is likely to positively impact VST's first-quarter earnings [7]. - The commercial startup of solar and battery facilities at Coffeen and Bladwin has added over 100 megawatts (MW) to the company's capacity, contributing to earnings growth [8]. - Share repurchases totaling $4.6 billion from November 2021 to November 2024 have reduced outstanding shares, thereby boosting earnings per share, with plans for an additional $2 billion in buybacks between 2025 and 2026 [9]. Operational Insights - VST has implemented a hedging program that secures 100% of its 2025 generation volume, mitigating the impact of market fluctuations [10]. - However, operating costs and selling, general, and administrative expenses have risen faster in 2024 compared to 2023, which may negatively affect earnings [11]. Stock Performance - VST's shares have increased by 70.9% over the past year, outperforming the industry average of 14.2% [14]. - The stock is currently trading at a premium compared to its industry on a forward 12-month P/E basis [15]. Strategic Positioning - Vistra is expanding its generation capacity through both organic growth and strategic acquisitions, enhancing its competitive edge [17]. - The company is positioned in a region with rising demand for clean electricity, which supports its growth strategy [19].

Core Viewpoint - Sempra Energy (SRE) is expected to report its first-quarter 2025 results on May 8, with a negative earnings surprise of 7.98% in the last quarter and a negative four-quarter average earnings surprise of 7.01% [1] Factors Impacting Q1 Results - Warmer-than-normal temperatures in the first two months of the January-March quarter likely reduced electricity demand for heating, negatively impacting top-line performance, although near-average temperatures in March may have moderated this effect [2] - Adverse weather events, including wildfires and heavy rainfall, caused outages for customers, which likely hurt revenues, but rising electricity demand in California due to infrastructure investments and customer growth may have partially offset this [3] - Increased operational and maintenance expenses due to infrastructural damage from weather events, along with higher insurance premiums and lower income tax benefits, are expected to negatively impact bottom-line performance [4] - A recent unfavorable California rate case decision led to a reduction in 2025 earnings expectations, which may inhibit growth in first-quarter earnings, although solid sales expectations and favorable returns from previous investments could provide some support [5] Q1 Expectations - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for SRE's sales is $3.85 billion, indicating a year-over-year growth of 5.7%, while the earnings estimate is $1.21 per share, suggesting a year-over-year decline of 9.7% [6] Earnings Prediction Model - The current model does not predict an earnings beat for SRE, as the combination of a positive Earnings ESP of +11.05% and a Zacks Rank of 4 (Sell) does not support an earnings surprise [7][8]

Core Insights - Duke Energy reported quarterly earnings of $1.76 per share, exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.59 per share, and up from $1.44 per share a year ago, representing an earnings surprise of 10.69% [1] - The company generated revenues of $8.25 billion for the quarter, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 2.33%, and an increase from $7.67 billion year-over-year [2] - Duke Energy shares have increased by approximately 12.1% since the beginning of the year, contrasting with a -3.9% decline in the S&P 500 [3] Earnings Outlook - The current consensus EPS estimate for the upcoming quarter is $1.26 on revenues of $7.35 billion, and for the current fiscal year, it is $6.32 on revenues of $31.81 billion [7] - The estimate revisions trend for Duke Energy is currently unfavorable, resulting in a Zacks Rank 4 (Sell) for the stock, indicating expected underperformance in the near future [6] Industry Context - The Utility - Electric Power industry, to which Duke Energy belongs, is currently ranked in the top 20% of over 250 Zacks industries, suggesting a favorable outlook compared to lower-ranked industries [8]

Core Insights - Dominion Energy reported quarterly earnings of $0.93 per share, exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $0.77 per share, and showing an increase from $0.55 per share a year ago, resulting in an earnings surprise of 20.78% [1] - The company generated revenues of $4.08 billion for the quarter ended March 2025, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 6.76%, compared to $3.63 billion in the same quarter last year [2] - The stock has added about 1% since the beginning of the year, while the S&P 500 has declined by 5.3% [3] Earnings Outlook - The current consensus EPS estimate for the upcoming quarter is $0.77 on revenues of $3.68 billion, and for the current fiscal year, it is $3.38 on revenues of $15.28 billion [7] - The estimate revisions trend for Dominion Energy is currently unfavorable, leading to a Zacks Rank 4 (Sell) for the stock, indicating expected underperformance in the near future [6] Industry Context - The Utility - Electric Power industry, to which Dominion Energy belongs, is currently ranked in the top 14% of over 250 Zacks industries, suggesting a favorable outlook compared to the bottom 50% [8] - Fortis, another company in the same industry, is expected to report quarterly earnings of $0.69 per share, with revenues anticipated to be $2.38 billion, reflecting a 2.9% increase from the previous year [9][10]

PPL Corporation (PPL) is expected to report an improvement in its top line and a decline in its bottom line when it reports first-quarter 2025 results on April 30, before market open. (See the Zacks Earnings Calendar to stay ahead of market-making news)The Zacks Consensus Estimate for PPL’s first-quarter revenues is pegged at $2.38 billion, indicating growth of 3.4% from the year-ago reported figure.The Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings is pegged at 55 cents per share. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for P ...

Core Viewpoint - Portland General Electric (POR) reported quarterly earnings of $0.91 per share, missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $0.93 per share, and down from $1.21 per share a year ago, indicating a -2.15% earnings surprise [1] Financial Performance - The company posted revenues of $928 million for the quarter ended March 2025, which was 0.41% below the Zacks Consensus Estimate and slightly down from $929 million year-over-year [2] - Over the last four quarters, Portland General Electric has surpassed consensus EPS estimates three times and topped revenue estimates three times as well [2] Stock Performance - Since the beginning of the year, Portland General Electric shares have declined approximately 1.5%, outperforming the S&P 500's decline of 6.8% [3] - The current Zacks Rank for the stock is 3 (Hold), indicating expected performance in line with the market in the near future [6] Earnings Outlook - The current consensus EPS estimate for the upcoming quarter is $0.64 on revenues of $767.66 million, and for the current fiscal year, it is $3.21 on revenues of $3.6 billion [7] - The estimate revisions trend for Portland General Electric is mixed, and future revisions may change following the recent earnings report [6] Industry Context - The Utility - Electric Power industry is currently in the top 15% of over 250 Zacks industries, suggesting a favorable outlook compared to the bottom 50% [8] - Empirical research indicates a strong correlation between near-term stock movements and trends in earnings estimate revisions, which can be tracked by investors [5]

The Utilities group has plenty of great stocks, but investors should always be looking for companies that are outperforming their peers. Fortis (FTS) is a stock that can certainly grab the attention of many investors, but do its recent returns compare favorably to the sector as a whole? Let's take a closer look at the stock's year-to-date performance to find out.Fortis is a member of our Utilities group, which includes 106 different companies and currently sits at #1 in the Zacks Sector Rank. The Zacks Sect ...