Xcel Energy (NASDAQ:XEL) Releases Quarterly Earnings Results

Xcel Energy (NASDAQ:XEL) released its earnings results on Thursday. The company reported $0.96 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, meeting analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.96, FiscalAI reports. Xcel Energy had a return on equity of 10.45% and a net margin of 13.46%.The business had revenue of $3.56 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $3.77 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $0.81 earnings per share. The company’s revenue for the quarter was up 14.1% compared to the same quarter last year. Xcel Energy updated its FY 2026 guidance to 4.040-4.160 EPS.

Here are the key takeaways from Xcel Energy’s conference call:

• Xcel reported ongoing 2025 earnings of $3.80 per share, its 21st consecutive year meeting or exceeding ongoing guidance, and reaffirmed 2026 EPS guidance of $4.04–$4.16 with 6–8%+ long-term growth (9% average through 2030).
• Management plans to invest an excess of $60 billion over the next five years and updated the 2026–2030 plan to add ~7,000 MW of company-owned renewables, natural gas, and storage, plus a new 765 kV award that adds line-of-sight to $1.5 billion of additional investment.
• The data center pipeline was expanded—over 2 GW contracted now with targets of 3 GW by end-2026 and 6 GW by end-2027—management says this will extend sales and generation investment into the 2030s.
• Xcel announced strategic alliances with NextEra (co-development of generation, storage, interconnections) and GE Vernova (equipment/supply partnership and additional gas turbine orders), aiming to accelerate delivery and secure supply chain capacity.
• Wildfire-related legal exposure remains material—a $300 million Marshall settlement charge reduced 2025 GAAP results, and Smokehouse Creek liability low-end updated to $430 million (with ~$382 million committed and ~$500 million insurance coverage), though some claims remain outstanding.

Xcel Energy Price Performance

Shares of NASDAQ XEL traded down $0.09 on Thursday, hitting $76.11. The company’s stock had a trading volume of 6,340,760 shares, compared to its average volume of 5,230,689. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $75.44 and a 200-day moving average of $76.18. The company has a market capitalization of $45.02 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 23.21, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.08 and a beta of 0.46. Xcel Energy has a 12-month low of $65.21 and a 12-month high of $83.01. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.51, a current ratio of 0.79 and a quick ratio of 0.69.

Xcel Energy Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, January 20th. Shareholders of record on Monday, December 29th were given a dividend of $0.57 per share. The ex-dividend date was Monday, December 29th. This represents a $2.28 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.0%. Xcel Energy’s payout ratio is presently 69.51%.

Xcel Energy News Summary

Here are the key news stories impacting Xcel Energy this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Higher demand from data centers and other large customers helped drive a 22% rise in Q4 profit, supporting near‑term top‑line strength. Xcel Energy’s quarterly profit rises on AI-driven power demand
• Positive Sentiment: Full‑year and ongoing results show improvement: revenue was up ~14% y/y and ongoing earnings rose, driven in part by recovery of infrastructure investments that can expand the regulated rate base. Xcel Energy 2025 Year End Earnings Report
• Neutral Sentiment: Xcel and partners filed a Certificate of Need for the 765 kV PowerOn Midwest transmission project — a potential multi‑year rate‑base growth opportunity, but subject to approvals and long timelines. Great River Energy, ITC Midwest and Xcel Energy propose 765 kV transmission line project
• Neutral Sentiment: The company’s earnings call transcript provides management color on demand drivers, margin trends and capital plans — useful for investors parsing whether growth offsets rising costs. Xcel Energy Inc. (XEL) Q4 2025 Earnings Call Transcript
• Negative Sentiment: Q4 EPS missed by $0.01 ($0.96 vs. $0.97) and revenue outcomes lagged estimates; the company cited higher operating expenses and interest/financing costs year‑over‑year — key near‑term drags on profitability. Xcel Energy Q4 Earnings and Revenues Lag Estimates, Expenses Rise
• Negative Sentiment: FY‑2026 EPS guidance of $4.040–$4.160 came in slightly below the consensus midpoint (~$4.12), which tempers near‑term upside despite the strong demand narrative. Xcel Energy 2025 earnings press release / guidance

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of research analysts have recently issued reports on the stock. BTIG Research set a $94.00 price target on shares of Xcel Energy in a research note on Friday, January 30th. Jefferies Financial Group boosted their target price on Xcel Energy from $84.00 to $92.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Thursday, October 16th. BMO Capital Markets raised their price target on Xcel Energy from $84.00 to $87.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a report on Wednesday, October 15th. Citigroup lifted their price target on Xcel Energy from $80.00 to $92.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Monday, November 3rd. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada reiterated an “outperform” rating and issued a $95.00 price objective on shares of Xcel Energy in a research report on Friday, January 23rd. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twelve have given a Buy rating, one has given a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of “Buy” and an average target price of $87.40.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Xcel Energy

Several hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of XEL. Brighton Jones LLC purchased a new stake in Xcel Energy during the 4th quarter worth about $240,000. Empowered Funds LLC boosted its position in Xcel Energy by 30.7% during the first quarter. Empowered Funds LLC now owns 13,810 shares of the company’s stock worth $978,000 after acquiring an additional 3,242 shares during the last quarter. Woodline Partners LP grew its stake in Xcel Energy by 40.7% in the 1st quarter. Woodline Partners LP now owns 48,515 shares of the company’s stock worth $3,434,000 after acquiring an additional 14,029 shares during the period. Brown Advisory Inc. raised its holdings in Xcel Energy by 4.8% in the 2nd quarter. Brown Advisory Inc. now owns 10,193 shares of the company’s stock valued at $694,000 after acquiring an additional 469 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Cary Street Partners Financial LLC lifted its stake in shares of Xcel Energy by 16.0% during the 2nd quarter. Cary Street Partners Financial LLC now owns 2,620 shares of the company’s stock worth $178,000 after purchasing an additional 362 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 78.38% of the company’s stock.

Xcel Energy Company Profile

Xcel Energy (NASDAQ: XEL) is a Minneapolis-based, publicly traded utility holding company that develops, owns and operates regulated electricity and natural gas delivery systems. The company’s core activities include generation, transmission and distribution of electricity, the delivery of natural gas to customers, and related customer service operations. Xcel provides a mix of utility services to residential, commercial and industrial customers and participates in wholesale energy markets where appropriate.

Its generation portfolio combines nuclear, natural gas, coal and a growing share of renewable resources such as wind and solar.