Key Takeaways NEE leverages smart grid technology to improve service reliability and operational efficiency.FPL's smart grid avoided 2.7M outages in 2024 and will see further upgrades in 2025.NEE projects 6-8% annual EPS growth through 2027, supported by cost savings and policy support.NextEra Energy (NEE) , an operator in the Zacks Utility - Electric Power industry, is leveraging smart grid technology to strengthen service reliability and operational efficiency. Smart grids integrate advanced sensors, digi ...

Core Insights - Vistra Corp. (VST) shares have increased by 33.6% over the past six months, outperforming the Zacks Utility-Electric Power industry's growth of 8.2% due to strong retail and commercial operations [1][3] - The company is well-positioned to benefit from President Trump's executive order aimed at quadrupling U.S. nuclear energy production by 2050, which aligns with its growth strategy [2] Performance and Market Position - Vistra has outperformed both the Zacks Utilities sector and the S&P 500 in the last six months [3] - The demand for clean electricity is rising, driven by AI-driven data centers and electrification of oilfield operations in the Permian Basin, enhancing Vistra's performance [8] Growth Drivers - Vistra's balanced energy mix of solar, nuclear, natural gas, and other alternative sources supports its robust performance [9] - The company is investing significantly in renewable energy and storage, with planned investments of $2.27 billion in 2025, up from $1.85 billion in 2024 and $1.61 billion in 2023 [10] Financial Stability - As of August 1, 2025, Vistra has hedged its expected output for the current year and secured 95% of its projected production for 2026, enhancing financial stability [11] - The company operates six nuclear generation units with a total capacity of 6,448 megawatts, providing reliable, zero-carbon power [12] Profitability Metrics - Vistra's trailing 12-month return on equity (ROE) stands at 108.41%, significantly higher than the industry average of 10.14% [13] Earnings and Sales Estimates - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for VST's 2025 earnings per share indicates a decline of 10%, while 2026 shows an improvement of 32.51% [15] - Sales estimates for 2025 and 2026 indicate year-over-year growth of 25.33% and 15.49%, respectively [21] Shareholder Value Initiatives - Vistra has repurchased over $5.4 billion in shares from November 2021 to August 1, 2025, and plans to continue buybacks with an additional $1.4 billion through year-end 2026 [23] - The company has raised its dividend 16 times in the past five years, with a quarterly dividend of 22.60 cents approved for Q3 2025 [24] Strategic Outlook - Vistra's development of clean energy projects aligns with the executive order facilitating new nuclear projects, positioning the company for future growth [25] - The strong hedging strategy improves earnings visibility and protects against price fluctuations in future generation volumes [25]

Group 1 - Consolidated Water (CWCO) is a notable stock within the Utilities sector, currently outperforming the sector average in year-to-date returns [1][4] - The Utilities group ranks 4 in the Zacks Sector Rank, which evaluates 16 different sector groups [2] - CWCO has a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy), indicating a favorable outlook based on earnings estimate revisions [3] Group 2 - Over the past 90 days, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for CWCO's full-year earnings has increased by 16.2%, reflecting improved analyst sentiment [4] - CWCO has returned approximately 25.5% since the beginning of the calendar year, compared to an average gain of 14.1% for the Utilities sector [4] - Consolidated Water is part of the Utility - Water Supply industry, which ranks 46 in the Zacks Industry Rank, with an average gain of 18% this year [6] Group 3 - National Grid (NGG) is another Utilities stock that has outperformed the sector, with a year-to-date increase of 21.3% [5] - National Grid's consensus EPS estimate has risen by 6.3% over the past three months, and it also holds a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy) [5] - The Utility - Electric Power industry, to which National Grid belongs, is ranked 84 and has gained 13.7% this year [6]

For those looking to find strong Utilities stocks, it is prudent to search for companies in the group that are outperforming their peers. Is Iberdrola S.A. (IBDRY) one of those stocks right now? Let's take a closer look at the stock's year-to-date performance to find out. The Zacks Rank emphasizes earnings estimates and estimate revisions to find stocks with improving earnings outlooks. This system has a long record of success, and these stocks tend to be on track to beat the market over the next one to thr ...

One other Utilities stock that has outperformed the sector so far this year is Fortis (FTS) . The stock is up 22.1% year-to-date. For Fortis, the consensus EPS estimate for the current year has increased 1.5% over the past three months. The stock currently has a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). Looking more specifically, ENGIE - Sponsored ADR belongs to the Utility - Electric Power industry, which includes 59 individual stocks and currently sits at #81 in the Zacks Industry Rank. Stocks in this group have gained about ...

Enel SpA is a member of the Utilities sector. This group includes 108 individual stocks and currently holds a Zacks Sector Rank of #3. The Zacks Sector Rank considers 16 different sector groups. The average Zacks Rank of the individual stocks within the groups is measured, and the sectors are listed from best to worst. Investors interested in Utilities stocks should always be looking to find the best-performing companies in the group. Has Enel SpA (ENLAY) been one of those stocks this year? A quick glance a ...

Core Insights - Algonquin Power & Utilities reported quarterly earnings of $0.04 per share, matching the Zacks Consensus Estimate, but down from $0.09 per share a year ago [1] - The company posted revenues of $527.8 million for the quarter, missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 0.44% and down from $598.63 million year-over-year [2] - The stock has increased approximately 33% since the beginning of the year, outperforming the S&P 500's gain of 7.8% [3] Earnings Performance - The company has surpassed consensus EPS estimates only once in the last four quarters [1][2] - The current consensus EPS estimate for the upcoming quarter is $0.06, with expected revenues of $592.18 million, and for the current fiscal year, the estimate is $0.31 on $2.42 billion in revenues [7] Market Outlook - The earnings outlook and estimate revisions trend for Algonquin Power & Utilities were favorable ahead of the earnings release, resulting in a Zacks Rank 2 (Buy) for the stock [6] - The Utility - Electric Power industry is currently in the top 35% of Zacks industries, indicating a positive outlook for stocks within this sector [8]

Core Viewpoint - Alliant Energy reported quarterly earnings of $0.68 per share, exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $0.62 per share, and showing an increase from $0.57 per share a year ago, indicating a positive earnings surprise of +9.68% [1] Financial Performance - The company achieved revenues of $961 million for the quarter ended June 2025, which was 2.67% below the Zacks Consensus Estimate, but up from $894 million in the same quarter last year [2] - Over the last four quarters, Alliant Energy has surpassed consensus EPS estimates four times and topped consensus revenue estimates two times [2] Stock Performance - Alliant Energy shares have increased approximately 11.2% since the beginning of the year, outperforming the S&P 500's gain of 7.9% [3] Future Outlook - The company's earnings outlook is crucial for investors, as it includes current consensus earnings expectations for upcoming quarters and any recent changes to these expectations [4] - The current consensus EPS estimate for the next quarter is $1.20 on revenues of $1.1 billion, and for the current fiscal year, it is $3.21 on revenues of $4.23 billion [7] Industry Context - The Utility - Electric Power industry, to which Alliant Energy belongs, is currently ranked in the top 36% of over 250 Zacks industries, suggesting a favorable industry outlook [8]

Group 1: Earnings Performance - Consolidated Edison (Con Ed) reported quarterly earnings of $0.67 per share, exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $0.66 per share, and up from $0.59 per share a year ago, representing an earnings surprise of +1.52% [1] - The company posted revenues of $3.6 billion for the quarter ended June 2025, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 6.17%, compared to year-ago revenues of $3.22 billion [2] - Over the last four quarters, Con Ed has surpassed consensus EPS estimates three times and topped consensus revenue estimates four times [2] Group 2: Stock Performance and Outlook - Con Ed shares have increased approximately 16.7% since the beginning of the year, outperforming the S&P 500's gain of 7.9% [3] - The company's earnings outlook, including current consensus earnings expectations for upcoming quarters, will be crucial for investors [4] - The current consensus EPS estimate for the coming quarter is $1.83 on $4 billion in revenues, and for the current fiscal year, it is $5.63 on $16.14 billion in revenues [7] Group 3: Industry Context - The Utility - Electric Power industry, to which Con Ed belongs, is currently in the top 36% of over 250 Zacks industries, indicating a favorable industry outlook [8] - Empirical research shows a strong correlation between near-term stock movements and trends in earnings estimate revisions, which can impact Con Ed's stock performance [5] - The current Zacks Rank for Con Ed is 3 (Hold), suggesting that the shares are expected to perform in line with the market in the near future [6]

Southern Co. is expected to post earnings of $1.48 per share for the current quarter, representing a year-over- year change of +3.5%. Over the last 30 days, the Zacks Consensus Estimate has changed +8.6%. The consensus earnings estimate of $4.28 for the current fiscal year indicates a year-over-year change of +5.7%. This estimate has changed -0.2% over the last 30 days. For the next fiscal year, the consensus earnings estimate of $4.59 indicates a change of +7.3% from what Southern Co. is expected to report ...