Core Viewpoint - Ameren Corporation is offering $520 million of its common stock in an underwritten offering, with Goldman Sachs, J.P. Morgan, Barclays, and Wells Fargo acting as joint book-running managers [1][3]. Group 1: Offering Details - The offering consists of $520 million in shares, which are expected to be borrowed by forward counterparties from third parties and sold to underwriters [1][2]. - Ameren will issue shares to underwriters if the forward counterparties do not borrow and sell the required number of shares [2]. - The initial forward sale price per share will be equal to the price at which underwriters purchase the shares, with a potential additional $78 million option for underwriters to purchase more shares [3]. Group 2: Settlement and Use of Proceeds - Settlement of the forward sale agreements will occur on specified dates before January 15, 2027, with options for cash or net share settlement [4]. - Proceeds from the settlement will be used for general corporate purposes, including repayment of short-term debt [4]. Group 3: Company Overview - Ameren Corporation serves 2.5 million electric customers and over 900,000 natural gas customers across a 64,000-square-mile area through its subsidiaries [6].

Core Viewpoint - Vistra Corp. reported mixed first-quarter 2025 earnings, with earnings per share of 46 cents, aligning with estimates, but total revenues of $3.93 billion fell short of the $4.4 billion consensus estimate by 10.7% [1][7]. Financial Performance - Total revenues increased by 28.8% from $3.05 billion in the same quarter last year [7]. - The company reported earnings of 46 cents per share, compared to 23 cents per share in the year-ago quarter [8]. - Vistra has experienced mixed earnings expectations in recent quarters, with two misses, one beat, and one in-line result, leading to an average positive surprise of 58.13% [2]. Market Position and Stock Performance - Vistra's shares have outperformed the industry and the Zacks S&P 500 Composite over the past year [3]. - The stock is currently trading at a premium valuation, with a forward 12-month price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 20.61X, compared to the industry average of 14.22X [17]. Growth Drivers - The company benefits from strong demand for clean electricity, particularly from large-scale data centers and the electrification of oil field operations in the Permian Basin [11]. - Vistra's integrated business model and high availability of generation assets (over 95% for nuclear) provide a competitive advantage [12][20]. - The company has hedged 100% of its expected production for 2025 and 90% for 2026, enhancing visibility of long-term earnings [10]. Strategic Initiatives - Vistra continues to repurchase shares, executing nearly $5.2 billion in buybacks since November 2021 [8]. - The company holds multiple sites with land and interconnection infrastructure for future clean energy projects, positioning it well for growth [14]. Profitability Metrics - Vistra's trailing 12-month return on equity (ROE) stands at 87.33%, significantly higher than the industry average of 10.34% [15].

Group 1: Trade Developments - A trade breakthrough between the U.S. and China has been achieved, resulting in a 90-day pause on reciprocal tariffs, reducing tariffs on Chinese imports from +145% to +30% and on U.S. exports from +125% to +10% [1] - This de-escalation in the trade war has positively impacted stock markets, with major indexes showing significant gains [2] - The likelihood of a permanent trade deal within the next 90 days could further boost market performance and reduce recession risks [3] Group 2: Market Reactions - The Dow is up +1075 points, S&P is +175 points, and Nasdaq is +800 points, indicating strong market enthusiasm following the trade news [2] - Amazon and Tesla shares have both increased over 8% in pre-market trading [2] - The probability of interest rate cuts by the Federal Reserve has decreased, with the first cut now expected to occur in September instead of July [3] Group 3: Economic Indicators - The Monthly U.S. Budget for April is expected to increase to $256 billion from $210 billion reported previously [4] - The upcoming Consumer Price Index (CPI) report is anticipated to show a month-over-month increase of +0.2% and a year-over-year decrease to +2.3% [5] Group 4: Earnings Reports - NRG Energy reported Q1 earnings of $2.62 per share, exceeding estimates by +45.6%, with revenues of $8.59 billion, up from $7.43 billion year-over-year [6] - Sally Beauty's earnings of 42 cents per share surpassed estimates by 3 cents, but revenues fell short at $883 million compared to the anticipated $901 million [6]

Core Insights - Zacks Premium provides various tools for investors to enhance their stock market strategies, including daily updates on Zacks Rank and Industry Rank, Equity Research reports, and Premium stock screens [1] - The Zacks Style Scores are designed to help investors identify stocks with the highest potential to outperform the market within a 30-day timeframe, using a grading system from A to F based on value, growth, and momentum characteristics [2] Zacks Style Scores Breakdown - **Value Score**: Focuses on identifying undervalued stocks by analyzing ratios such as P/E, PEG, Price/Sales, and Price/Cash Flow to highlight attractive investment opportunities [3] - **Growth Score**: Evaluates a company's financial health and future outlook by examining projected and historical earnings, sales, and cash flow to find stocks with sustainable growth potential [4] - **Momentum Score**: Targets stocks with upward or downward price trends, utilizing metrics like one-week price changes and monthly earnings estimate changes to identify optimal buying opportunities [5] - **VGM Score**: Combines Value, Growth, and Momentum Scores to provide a comprehensive indicator for investors seeking to balance multiple investment strategies [6] Zacks Rank and Style Scores Interaction - The Zacks Rank is a proprietary model that leverages earnings estimate revisions to assist investors in building successful portfolios, with 1 (Strong Buy) stocks achieving an average annual return of +25.41% since 1988, significantly outperforming the S&P 500 [7][8] - To maximize returns, investors are encouraged to select stocks with a Zacks Rank of 1 or 2 that also possess Style Scores of A or B, ensuring a higher probability of success [9] - Stocks rated 4 (Sell) or 5 (Strong Sell) should be avoided, even if they have high Style Scores, due to their declining earnings forecasts [10] Company Spotlight: WEC Energy Group - WEC Energy Group is a diversified holding company involved in electricity generation and distribution across Wisconsin and Michigan, currently holding a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy) with a VGM Score of B [11] - The company is particularly appealing to growth investors, with a Growth Style Score of B and a projected year-over-year earnings growth of 8.5% for the current fiscal year, alongside a recent upward revision in earnings estimates [12]

Core Insights - Vistra Corp. reported $3.93 billion in revenue for Q1 2025, a year-over-year increase of 28.8% [1] - The EPS for the same period was $0.46, up from $0.23 a year ago, aligning with the consensus estimate [1] - Revenue fell short of the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $4.4 billion, resulting in a surprise of -10.66% [1] Performance Metrics - Total retail electricity sales volumes reached 33,323 GWh, exceeding the average estimate of 26,678.72 GWh [4] - Adjusted EBITDA for Texas was reported at $490 million, surpassing the average estimate of $437.52 million [4] - Adjusted EBITDA for Corporate and Other was -$10 million, better than the average estimate of -$63.88 million [4] - Adjusted EBITDA for West was $62 million, compared to the average estimate of $27.71 million [4] - Adjusted EBITDA for East was $514 million, slightly below the average estimate of $567.77 million [4] Stock Performance - Vistra's shares returned +21.5% over the past month, outperforming the Zacks S&P 500 composite's +3.8% change [3] - The stock currently holds a Zacks Rank 3 (Hold), indicating potential performance in line with the broader market [3]

Core Insights - Vistra (VST) reported first-quarter 2025 earnings of 46 cents per share, matching the Zacks Consensus Estimate, and showing an increase from 23 cents per share in the same quarter last year [1] - Total revenues for the quarter were $3.93 billion, missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $4.4 billion by 10.7%, but representing a 28.8% increase from $3.05 billion in the year-ago quarter [1] Financial Performance - Fuel, purchased power costs, and delivery fees amounted to $2.45 billion, up 42.4% from $1.72 billion in the year-ago quarter [2] - Operating costs totaled $693 million, a 39.2% increase from $498 million in the previous year [2] - Selling, general, and administrative expenses were $391 million, up 11.4% from $351 million in the year-ago quarter [2] - The company reported an operating loss of $120 million compared to an income of $86 million in the same quarter last year [2] Interest and Share Repurchase - Interest expenses and related charges were $319 million, compared to $170 million in the prior-year period [3] - Since November 2021, Vistra executed $5.2 billion in share repurchases, reducing shares outstanding by 30% to 339.3 million, with $1.5 billion of the share repurchase authorization remaining [3] Cash Flow and Capital Expenditures - Cash and cash equivalents were $0.56 billion as of March 31, 2025, down from $1.22 billion as of December 31, 2024 [4] - Net cash flow from operating activities in the first three months of 2025 was $599 million, compared to $312 million in the year-ago period [4] - Total capital expenditures for the quarter were $768 million, up from $465 million a year ago [4] Guidance - The company expects its 2025 ongoing operations adjusted EBITDA to be in the range of $5.5 billion to $6.1 billion and ongoing operations adjusted Free Cash Flow Before Growth to be between $3.0 billion and $3.6 billion [5] Zacks Rank - Vistra currently holds a Zacks Rank 2 (Buy) [6]

Alliant Energy Corporation (LNT) reported first-quarter 2025 operating earnings of 83 cents per share, which beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 57 cents by 45.6%. The bottom line also rose 33.9% from the year-ago quarter’s figure of 62 cents.(See the Zacks Earnings Calendar to stay ahead of market-making news.)LNT’s RevenuesRevenues totaled $1.128 billion, which surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.126 billion by 0.17%. The top line increased 9.4% from the year-ago quarter’s figure of $1.031 billi ...

Alliant Energy (LNT) Q1 2025 Earnings Call May 09, 2025 10:00 AM ET Company Participants Susan Gille - Manager of Investor RelationsLisa Barton - Director, President & CEORobert Durian - EVP and CFOJames Schaefer - Senior Managing DirectorNicholas Campanella - DirectorPaul Fremont - Managing DirectorAndrew Weisel - DirectorPaul Zimbardo - Managing Director Conference Call Participants Rinny S - Equity Research Analyst Operator Thank you for holding, and welcome to Alliant Energy Energy's First Quarter twent ...

Alliant Energy (LNT) Q1 2025 Earnings Call May 09, 2025 10:00 AM ET Company Participants Susan Gille - Manager of Investor RelationsLisa Barton - Director, President & CEORobert Durian - EVP and CFOJames Kennedy - Vice PresidentNicholas Campanella - DirectorPaul Fremont - Managing DirectorAndrew Weisel - DirectorPaul Zimbardo - Managing Director Conference Call Participants Rinny Singh - Equity Research Analyst Operator Thank you for holding, and welcome to Alliant Energy Energy's First Quarter twenty twent ...

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported first quarter earnings of $0.83 per share, an increase from $0.62 per share in the same quarter of the previous year, reflecting a strong start to 2025 [17] - Earnings for the quarter accounted for more than 25% of the company's earnings guidance midpoint for 2025, reaffirming the guidance range of $3.15 to $3.25 per share [5][19] - The increase in earnings was driven by higher revenue requirements from capital investments, despite negative temperature impacts on electric and gas sales [17][18] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company has secured energy supply agreements (ESAs) totaling 2.1 gigawatts of demand from three major data center developments, representing a greater than 30% increase in peak demand [8][9] - The capital expenditure (CapEx) plan has been updated to reflect a nearly 26% increase from 18 months ago, translating to a forecasted investment compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of nearly 11% from 2024 to 2028 [9][10] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company is experiencing strong interest in economic development within its service areas in Iowa and Wisconsin, with ongoing efforts to support growth through new energy supply agreements [9][12] - The company has successfully sold existing capacity into the recent MISO capacity auction, which is expected to benefit customer bills [20][76] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on an "all of the above" approach to new generation resources, including a mix of wind, batteries, and natural gas, to maintain a balanced energy resource mix [15] - The updated capital plan includes significant investments in natural gas generation to meet the growing demand from data centers, with a focus on enhancing reliability and affordability [10][72] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in achieving 2025 earnings objectives while advancing key strategic priorities, emphasizing the importance of supporting economic development [5][6] - The company is proactively managing risks related to potential changes in tax credits and tariffs, with a focus on maintaining a strong balance sheet and investment-grade credit ratings [24][52] Other Important Information - The company has completed nearly all planned safe harbor activities to preserve tax credits for future energy storage and renewable projects expected to be placed into service through 2028 [20] - The company is committed to ensuring that all individual customer rates achieve a win-win for existing customers, new customers, and shareholders [11] Q&A Session Summary Question: Timeline for converting mature opportunities to contracts and breakdown of serving those opportunities - Management indicated that they have high confidence in converting mature opportunities into contracts and are using existing resources to accelerate load growth [34][35] Question: Impact of safe harboring on the ability to go back for a rate case in Iowa - Management clarified that they are focused on activities to avoid the need to go back for a rate case and are advocating for beneficial legislative provisions [38][39] Question: Long-term EPS CAGR outlook - Management reaffirmed a long-term EPS CAGR of 5% to 7%, with current plans indicating potential for growth towards the top end of that range starting in 2027 [45][46] Question: Details on the CapEx increase - The increase in CapEx was primarily associated with natural gas generation to meet the peak demand from data center opportunities [72] Question: Impact of MISO capacity auction on consumer bills - Management stated that they are well positioned to utilize proceeds from the auction to help customer bills, contrasting with other entities that may face challenges [76] Question: Regulatory initiatives and filings in Iowa and Wisconsin - Management discussed ongoing regulatory filings for new generation resources and the potential for maintaining flat base rates through growth and cost reduction [60][61]