Core Insights - CMS Energy Corporation reported Q2 2025 EPS of 71 cents, exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 67 cents by 6% and reflecting a 7.6% increase from 66 cents in the prior-year quarter [1][8] - Operating revenues reached $1.84 billion, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.69 billion by 9% and showing a 14.4% increase from $1.61 billion in the same quarter last year [2][8] - The company reaffirmed its 2025 adjusted EPS guidance in the range of $3.54-$3.60, with a long-term adjusted EPS growth expectation of 6-8% [5][8] Financial Performance - CMS reported operating expenses of $1.52 billion, a 14.9% increase from the previous year's figure [3] - Net income for the quarter was $193 million, up from $182 million in the year-ago quarter, while interest charges totaled $199 million, reflecting a 15% increase year-over-year [3] - Cash and cash equivalents stood at $844 million as of June 30, 2025, compared to $103 million at the end of 2024, while total debt increased to $17.40 billion from $15.87 billion [4] Market Position - CMS Energy currently holds a Zacks Rank of 3 (Hold), indicating a neutral outlook in the market [6]

Key Takeaways DUK's Q2 sales are likely to have risen on warmer weather, customer growth and new data center agreements.New rate implementations and grid investment returns are expected to boost DUK's Q2 earnings.Higher depreciation and interest costs could pressure earnings despite rate hikes and cost cuts.Duke Energy Corporation (DUK) is scheduled to release its second-quarter 2025 results on Aug. 5, before market open. The company delivered an earnings surprise of 10.69% in the last reported quarter. Mor ...

Core Insights - PG&E Corporation reported second-quarter 2025 adjusted earnings per share (EPS) of 31 cents, missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 33 cents by 6.1% and matching the prior-year quarter [1][9] - Total revenues for the second quarter were $5.90 billion, down 1.5% from $5.99 billion in the same period last year, and also missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $6.32 billion by 6.6% [2][9] Revenue Update - PG&E's second-quarter total revenues were $5.90 billion, a decrease of 1.5% year-over-year from $5.99 billion [2] - The revenue figure fell short of the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $6.32 billion by 6.6% [2] Operational Highlights - Total operating expenses for the second quarter were $4.80 billion, down 1% from the prior-year figure [3] - Operating income was reported at $1.10 billion, compared to $1.13 billion in the previous year [3] - Interest expenses totaled $792 million, a decrease from $812 million in the prior-year quarter [3] Financial Condition - As of June 30, 2025, cash and cash equivalents were $0.49 billion, down from $0.94 billion as of December 31, 2024 [4] - Cash flow from operating activities for the first half of 2025 was $3.91 billion, an increase from $2.97 billion in the same period of 2024 [4] - Capital expenditures for the first six months totaled $5.70 billion, compared to $4.94 billion in the first half of 2024 [4] - Long-term debt as of June 30, 2025, was $54.00 billion, up from $53.57 billion as of December 31, 2024 [5] Guidance - PG&E reaffirmed its 2025 adjusted EPS guidance, expecting earnings in the range of $1.48-$1.52 per share, aligning with the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.50 per share [6][9] Zacks Rank - PG&E currently holds a Zacks Rank 3 (Hold) [7]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported second quarter GAAP earnings of $0.25 per share, down from $0.26 per share in Q2 2024. Adjusted earnings from ongoing operations were $0.32 per share, a decrease of $0.06 compared to Q2 2024 [4][33] - The decline in earnings was attributed to several factors, including the timing of operating costs, favorable weather in Q2 2024, and higher interest expenses [33][34] - The company remains confident in achieving at least the midpoint of its 2025 ongoing earnings forecast of $1.81 per share, with expectations of stronger growth in the second half of the year [5][34] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The Kentucky segment results were flat compared to 2024, with lower sales volumes offset by other factors [36] - The Pennsylvania Regulated segment results decreased by $0.02 per share due to higher operating costs and timing of transmission revenue true-ups [36] - The Rhode Island segment results decreased by $0.03 per share, with higher distribution revenues offset by timing of operating costs [36] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company anticipates a significant increase in demand in Pennsylvania, with approximately 14.5 gigawatts of data center projects in advanced stages of development [17][60] - In Kentucky, the economic development pipeline remains robust, with an estimated 8.5 gigawatts of economic development load potential [30][31] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on infrastructure improvements, projecting $20 billion in investments from 2025 to 2028, resulting in average annual rate base growth of 9.8% [5][6] - A joint venture with Blackstone Infrastructure aims to build new generation resources to support data centers, with a focus on long-term energy service agreements [19][20] - The company is actively engaging with stakeholders to strengthen resource adequacy and support economic development [39][40] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in achieving financial targets despite current challenges, emphasizing the importance of infrastructure investments and regulatory support [5][39] - The company is optimistic about the potential for new generation resources to be built, contingent on long-term agreements with hyperscalers [23][24] Other Important Information - The company filed a stipulation agreement with the KPSC for new generation in Kentucky, which includes mechanisms to reduce lag on investments and support cost recovery [8][9] - The company is seeking a combined $391 million increase in annual electric and gas revenues in Kentucky to support safety and reliability investments [11][12] Q&A Session Summary Question: Can you elaborate on the $17 billion to $19 billion CapEx needs? - Management indicated that this estimate reflects the potential shift from a net long to a net short position in generation due to data center load, with the joint venture and existing IPPs likely addressing this need [43][44] Question: How will power risk be allocated within the joint venture? - The joint venture aims for a regulated-like risk profile, focusing on long-term contracted generation with creditworthy counterparties [48][49] Question: What are the future equity needs and plans for capital? - The company plans to issue $400 million to $500 million in equity this year, utilizing an ATM program for cost-effective capital [51] Question: What is the outlook on PJM capacity auctions? - Management expressed concerns about the current auction outcomes and the need for new generation, emphasizing the importance of the joint venture and legislative support [56][62] Question: How is the company addressing industrial sales contraction? - The decline in industrial sales is attributed to specific customers rather than a broader trend, with management not concerned about the overall industrial load [81][82]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Core earnings per share for Q2 2025 were $0.31, with a year-to-date total of $0.64, down from the previous year, but consistent with internal plans [5][22] - The full-year guidance range for earnings per share is reaffirmed at $1.48 to $1.52, representing a 10% increase over 2024 [5][22] - The company is targeting a 20% dividend payout by 2028, with no further equity issuance planned through that year [11][26] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The data center pipeline has grown to 10 gigawatts, a nearly threefold increase from the previous year, with over 50 projects in various stages [18][19] - The company has executed four Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) events in 2025, indicating proactive measures in wildfire risk management [13] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Residential combined bills are forecasted to remain flat for the remainder of 2025 and decrease in 2026, with a potential for lower bills in 2027 [15][17] - The company is seeing beneficial load growth from data centers, which could reduce electric bills by 1% to 2% for every gigawatt brought online [21] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on a "simple affordable model" to stabilize customer bills while making necessary capital investments [10][11] - Legislative efforts are underway to improve wildfire risk management and affordability, with the company advocating for effective solutions [6][8][9] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in achieving growth under various legislative outcomes, emphasizing the importance of affordability legislation [34][39] - The company is committed to improving physical risk mitigation and maintaining a strong balance sheet to support future growth [34][35] Other Important Information - The company has identified nearly 100 initiatives aimed at operational and maintenance savings, contributing to overall cost reduction efforts [22][25] - The company plans to file a ten-year undergrounding plan by year-end, emphasizing the importance of undergrounding in wildfire mitigation [90] Q&A Session Summary Question: Concerns about legislative outcomes affecting growth - Management reassured that they have modeled various legislative scenarios and remain confident in their guidance through 2028, emphasizing that securitization proposals would not be supported as they could increase bills [39][40] Question: Balance sheet capacity and funding - Management indicated that there is no need for a large upfront contribution to the wildfire fund, as claims typically take years to pay out, and they have sufficient flexibility in their plans [46][50] Question: Data center pipeline and load growth benefits - Management highlighted that construction for data center projects in San Jose is expected to start in late 2026 or early 2027, with load materializing predominantly in 2027 [70][71] Question: Affordability solutions in the legislature - Management expressed optimism about achieving affordability solutions in the current legislative session, noting that 30-40% of bills are policy-driven and that there are good ideas on the table [75][76] Question: Wildfire fund and legislative package - Management stated that any legislative package must be net better for customers and investors, emphasizing the importance of the wildfire fund's durability [83][84]

Core Insights - PPL Corporation reported Q2 2025 operating EPS of 32 cents, missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 37 cents by 13.5% and down from 38 cents in the same quarter last year [1][8] - Total revenues reached $2.03 billion, exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.98 billion by 2.15% and increasing 7.7% from $1.88 billion year-over-year [2][8] Financial Performance - The company sold 15,737 gigawatt hours of electricity, reflecting a 0.9% year-over-year decline [3] - Total operating expenses rose to $1.62 billion, an increase of 8.7% from $1.49 billion in the previous year, primarily due to higher fuel and energy costs [3][8] - Operating income was $406 million, up 4.1% from $390 million year-over-year [3] Interest and Debt - Interest expenses amounted to $199 million, a 9.3% increase from $182 million in the same period of 2024 [4] - As of June 30, 2025, PPL's long-term debt was $15.29 billion, down from $15.95 billion at the end of 2024 [6] Segment Performance - In the Pennsylvania Regulated segment, adjusted EPS was 19 cents, down 9.5% from 21 cents year-over-year [5] - The Kentucky Regulated segment reported adjusted EPS of 18 cents, unchanged from the previous year [5] - The Rhode Island Regulated segment's adjusted EPS was 1 cent, down 75% from 4 cents year-over-year due to lower distribution and transmission revenues [5] - The Corporate and Other segment incurred a loss of 6 cents per share, compared to a loss of 5 cents in the prior year [5] Guidance and Future Outlook - PPL reaffirmed its 2025 earnings projection in the range of $1.75-$1.87 per share, with the Zacks Consensus Estimate at $1.82 per share [9] - The company maintains a long-term annual earnings growth rate guidance of 6-8% through 2028 and plans infrastructure investments of $20 billion for 2025-2028 [9]

Core Insights - Southern Co. reported $6.97 billion in revenue for the quarter ended June 2025, a year-over-year increase of 7.9%, with an EPS of $0.91 compared to $1.09 a year ago [1] - The revenue exceeded the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $6.56 billion, resulting in a surprise of +6.24%, while the EPS surprise was +4.6% against a consensus estimate of $0.87 [1] Revenue Breakdown - Natural Gas revenues reached $979 million, surpassing the average estimate of $917.14 million, reflecting a year-over-year increase of +17.8% [4] - Southern Company Natural Gas reported $979 million, exceeding the estimated $855.44 million, marking a +17.8% change from the previous year [4] - Southern Power generated $546 million, slightly below the average estimate of $552.52 million, with a year-over-year increase of +4.2% [4] - Georgia Power - Wholesale Revenues were $107 million, significantly above the average estimate of $70.97 million, representing a +69.8% year-over-year change [4] - Georgia Power - Other Revenues totaled $238 million, exceeding the estimated $225.21 million, with a +10.7% change from the previous year [4] - Mississippi Power - Retail Revenues reached $274 million, surpassing the average estimate of $243.08 million, reflecting a +13.2% year-over-year increase [4] - Mississippi Power - Other Revenues were $9 million, below the average estimate of $12.08 million, showing a year-over-year decrease of -10% [4] - Southern Company Gas - Gas Distribution Operations reported $885 million, exceeding the average estimate of $781.07 million, with a +18.2% year-over-year change [4] - Southern Company Gas - Gas Pipeline Investments generated $8 million, below the average estimate of $23.68 million, with no year-over-year change [4] - Southern Company Gas - Gas Marketing Services reported $83 million, exceeding the estimated $74.82 million, marking an +18.6% change from the previous year [4] - Retail Electric revenues were $4.76 billion, surpassing the average estimate of $4.3 billion, reflecting a +6.1% year-over-year increase [4] - Alabama Power generated $1.97 billion, exceeding the average estimate of $1.92 billion, with a +5.1% year-over-year change [4] Stock Performance - Southern Co. shares returned +4.1% over the past month, outperforming the Zacks S&P 500 composite's +2.7% change [3] - The stock currently holds a Zacks Rank 3 (Hold), indicating potential performance in line with the broader market in the near term [3]

Financial Performance & Outlook - Black Hills Corp reaffirmed its full-year 2025 EPS guidance in the range of $400 to $420, reflecting approximately 5% year-over-year growth at the midpoint[7] - The company is targeting long-term EPS growth of 4% to 6%, planning to deliver in the upper half of this range starting in 2026, off a 2023 base of $375 per share[7,8] - Black Hills Corp is forecasting $1 billion in capital investment for 2025 and a total of $47 billion from 2025 to 2029[7] - The company targets a dividend payout ratio of 55% to 65%[7] Capital Investments & Growth Initiatives - Black Hills Corp plans to invest $47 billion in capital projects from 2025 to 2029, with key investment categories including customer growth, safety and system integrity, and electric generation and transmission[7,9,13] - The company is developing plans to serve more than 1 GW of total data center demand within the next 10 years, including 500 MW in the current plan by 2029, expecting data center EPS contribution to grow to more than 10% beginning in 2028[16] - The Ready Wyoming transmission project, a 260-mile electric transmission expansion costing $350 million, is on track for completion by year-end 2025[41,69] - The company obtained approval for a 99 MW dispatchable natural gas generation project (Lange II) in South Dakota, with an estimated investment of $280 million, expected to be in service in the second half of 2026[49,50,51] Regulatory & Reliability - A unanimous black box settlement was approved for Kansas Gas, providing $108 million in new annual revenues with new rates effective August 1, 2025[52] - Black Hills Corp is requesting recovery of $453 million of investments and inflationary impacts in Nebraska Gas application NG-124, with interim rates expected to be effective August 1, 2025[52]

2025 SECOND QUARTER EARNINGS Delivering For Customers AND Investors July 31, 2025 1 Forward-Looking Statements This presentation and the oral remarks made in connection with it contain statements regarding PG&E Corporation's and Pacific Gas and Electric Company's (the "Utility") future performance, including expectations, objectives, and forecasts about operating results (including 2025 non-GAAP core earnings), debt and equity issuances, refinancing activity, rate base growth, capital expenditures, cash flo ...

Financial Performance & Outlook - PPL reported Q2 2025 GAAP earnings of $025 per share and ongoing earnings of $032 per share[6] - The company reaffirmed its 2025 ongoing EPS forecast range of $175 - $187 per share[7] - PPL is on track to complete approximately $43 billion in capital investments and achieve at least $150 million in cumulative O&M savings in 2025[10] - PPL issued approximately $350 million of equity via the ATM year-to-date[30] Capital Investment & Growth - PPL projects $20 billion of capital investment needs through 2028, resulting in an average annual rate base growth of 98% over the period[10] - The company anticipates 6%-8% annual EPS and dividend growth through at least 2028[10,38] - The company is targeting 16%-18% FFO/CFO to debt throughout the plan[10,40] Strategic Initiatives & Regulatory Updates - A constructive agreement was reached to advance generation needs for LG&E and KU, supporting the approval for two new 645MW NGCC units[11,13] - A base rate case was filed in Kentucky on May 30, 2025, requesting an increase in annual electricity revenues of approximately $105 million and $226 million at LG&E and KU, respectively, and an increase in annual gas revenues of approximately $60 million at LG&E[14,16] - PPL Electric is enabling speed to market for data centers with $13 billion invested in Pennsylvania Grid since 2013[18] - PPL is in a joint venture with Blackstone Infrastructure, with PPL owning 51% of the interest, to build new electric generation stations to power data centers under long-term energy services agreements[19]