Zacks Research Forecasts Stronger Earnings for Xcel Energy

Xcel Energy Inc. (NASDAQ:XEL - Free Report) - Research analysts at Zacks Research increased their Q1 2025 EPS estimates for Xcel Energy in a note issued to investors on Thursday, March 27th. Zacks Research analyst R. Department now anticipates that the company will earn $0.95 per share for the quarter, up from their prior forecast of $0.94. The consensus estimate for Xcel Energy's current full-year earnings is $3.82 per share. Zacks Research also issued estimates for Xcel Energy's Q2 2025 earnings at $0.62 EPS, Q3 2025 earnings at $1.28 EPS, Q3 2026 earnings at $1.50 EPS, FY2026 earnings at $4.13 EPS and FY2027 earnings at $4.44 EPS.

Other research analysts have also issued reports about the stock. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised shares of Xcel Energy from a "neutral" rating to an "overweight" rating and lifted their price target for the company from $69.00 to $80.00 in a research report on Thursday, December 12th. KeyCorp lifted their target price on shares of Xcel Energy from $74.00 to $79.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a report on Wednesday, December 4th. Morgan Stanley upped their price target on Xcel Energy from $75.00 to $78.00 and gave the stock an "equal weight" rating in a research note on Thursday, March 20th. Wells Fargo & Company raised their price objective on Xcel Energy from $72.00 to $75.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a research report on Friday, February 7th. Finally, UBS Group boosted their target price on Xcel Energy from $73.00 to $77.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a report on Tuesday. Three analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eight have given a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $73.00.

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Xcel Energy Stock Up 1.7 %

Xcel Energy stock traded up $1.24 on Monday, hitting $72.14. 3,572,202 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 3,569,493. Xcel Energy has a 1 year low of $51.97 and a 1 year high of $73.38. The firm has a market cap of $41.45 billion, a P/E ratio of 20.97, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.62 and a beta of 0.37. The company has a current ratio of 0.93, a quick ratio of 0.82 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.42. The business's fifty day simple moving average is $68.93 and its 200 day simple moving average is $67.42.

Xcel Energy (NASDAQ:XEL - Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, February 6th. The company reported $0.81 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.87 by ($0.06). Xcel Energy had a return on equity of 10.65% and a net margin of 14.40%.

Xcel Energy Increases Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Sunday, April 20th. Investors of record on Friday, March 14th will be given a dividend of $0.57 per share. The ex-dividend date is Friday, March 14th. This is a boost from Xcel Energy's previous quarterly dividend of $0.55. This represents a $2.28 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.16%. Xcel Energy's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 66.28%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, Director Devin W. Stockfish acquired 2,170 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, March 11th. The shares were bought at an average price of $68.93 per share, for a total transaction of $149,578.10. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 3,007 shares in the company, valued at approximately $207,272.51. This trade represents a 259.26 % increase in their ownership of the stock. The acquisition was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. 0.09% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Xcel Energy

Hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Sierra Ocean LLC bought a new stake in shares of Xcel Energy in the fourth quarter worth $26,000. Fairway Wealth LLC purchased a new position in Xcel Energy in the fourth quarter worth about $27,000. Crews Bank & Trust bought a new stake in shares of Xcel Energy during the 4th quarter valued at about $34,000. MCF Advisors LLC increased its position in shares of Xcel Energy by 566.3% during the 4th quarter. MCF Advisors LLC now owns 593 shares of the company's stock valued at $40,000 after purchasing an additional 504 shares during the last quarter. Finally, First Financial Corp IN bought a new position in shares of Xcel Energy in the 4th quarter worth approximately $46,000. 78.38% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

About Xcel Energy

Xcel Energy Inc, through its subsidiaries, engages in the generation, purchasing, transmission, distribution, and sale of electricity. It operates through Regulated Electric Utility, Regulated Natural Gas Utility, and All Other segments. The company generates electricity through wind, nuclear, hydroelectric, biomass, and solar energy sources, as well as coal, natural gas, oil, wood, and refuse-derived fuels.