Core Viewpoint - PPL Corporation (PPL) is experiencing growth driven by increased demand from data centers, particularly in Pennsylvania and Kentucky, despite its stock underperforming compared to the broader utility industry [1][2][23]. Group 1: Performance and Demand - PPL shares have gained 4.2% year-to-date, while the Zacks Utility-Electric Power industry has rallied 8.9% [1]. - The company is benefiting from nearly 11 gigawatts (GW) of potential data center demand, with an estimated transmission capital investment of $700 million to $850 million [6]. - Active data center requests in Pennsylvania have surged to 50 GW for the 2026-2034 period, while Kentucky has announced a 400 megawatt (MW) hyperscale data center campus [6]. Group 2: Strategic Initiatives - PPL is focusing on infrastructure construction projects for generation, transmission, and distribution, resulting in fewer outages for customers [4]. - The company is implementing its "Utility of the Future" strategy, which includes an IT transformation to standardize operations and enhance grid resilience against weather risks [5]. - PPL plans to invest $20 billion from 2025 through 2028 to meet rising demand and improve service quality [7][9]. Group 3: Financial Outlook - The Zacks Consensus Estimate indicates PPL's earnings per share (EPS) will increase by 7.69% in 2025 and 7.97% in 2026 [11]. - PPL has a history of beating earnings estimates, with an average surprise of 8.84% over the last four quarters [13]. - The company aims to reduce operating and maintenance costs by at least $150 million by 2025 and $175 million by 2026 to enhance margins [10]. Group 4: Dividend and Valuation - PPL plans to increase its annual dividend by 6-8% through at least 2028, with a current quarterly dividend of 27.25 cents per share [16]. - The targeted dividend payout ratio is expected to be in the range of 60-65% [17]. - PPL's trailing 12-month return on equity (ROE) is 9.14%, lower than the industry average of 10.31% [19].

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported first quarter 2025 earnings of $1.07 per share, an increase from adjusted earnings of $1.02 per share in the first quarter of 2024 [6][20] - The expected diluted earnings per share for 2025 is projected to be in the range of $4.85 to $5.05 [7][25] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Infrastructure investments continue to strengthen the energy grid and provide more energy resources, driving earnings growth across the company [20] - The economic outlook for service territories remains strong, with a 3% increase in total weather-normalized retail sales over the trailing twelve months ended in March [21] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The Missouri Public Service Commission approved a $355 million annual revenue increase, marking the fifth consecutive settlement of electric revenue requirements in the state [22] - The company expects approximately 5.5% compound annual sales growth in Missouri from 2025 through 2029, driven by increasing data center demand [12] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company remains committed to its strategic plan, focusing on reliable and affordable energy while investing in energy infrastructure [5][6] - The company is pursuing significant investments in dispatchable natural gas, renewable generation resources, and battery storage to ensure reliable service over the next decade [8][9] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the company's ability to execute investment plans and strategies across all business segments, expecting strong long-term earnings and dividend growth [19][34] - The company is optimistic about the prospects for growth in Missouri, supported by recent legislative developments that favor utility infrastructure investment [9][11] Other Important Information - The company has a robust pipeline of investment opportunities exceeding $63 billion, aimed at enhancing the energy grid and supporting economic growth [18] - The company plans to issue approximately $600 million of common equity in 2025 to support its capital needs [28] Q&A Session Summary Question: Clarification on the $350 million referenced - Management clarified that the incremental change is from 1.8 to 2.3 gigawatts, with an additional 500 megawatts under construction agreements related to data centers [39][40] Question: Need for new generation due to load growth - Management indicated that the 2.3 gigawatts of data center load growth provides greater confidence in sales growth estimates and aligns with their resource plan [43][44] Question: Impact of potential changes to tax credits - Management discussed the importance of maintaining tax credits and transferability for affordability and energy reliability, expressing optimism about legislative outcomes [49][50] Question: Exposure to tariffs in capital plans - Management estimated that about 2% of the overall capital plan could be exposed to tariffs, primarily related to battery projects, but noted that this is manageable [84][86] Question: Cost estimate for the Castle Bluff plant - Management confirmed the cost estimate for the Castle Bluff 800 megawatt plant is approximately $900 million [91] Question: EPS growth expectations - Management affirmed expectations for EPS growth to be at or above the midpoint of the 6% to 8% CAGR range for 2025 to 2029, driven by load growth and strategic investments [100][101]