Xcel Energy (NASDAQ:XEL) Releases Earnings Results, Beats Estimates By $0.14 EPS

Xcel Energy (NASDAQ:XEL) posted its earnings results on Thursday. The company reported $0.93 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.79 by $0.14, FiscalAI reports. The company had revenue of $3.12 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $3.54 billion. Xcel Energy had a net margin of 15.28% and a return on equity of 10.79%. Xcel Energy’s quarterly revenue was down 5.1% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the company posted $1.59 earnings per share.

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

• Strong quarterly results: Second-quarter EPS rose to $0.93 from $0.75 year over year, driven by higher electric revenues, sales growth, AFUDC, and lower depreciation. Xcel reaffirmed its 2026 ongoing EPS guidance of $4.04–$4.16.
• Expanded investment visibility: The company added approximately $6 billion of incremental investment opportunities through the SPS generation selection, bringing identified opportunities beyond its base plan to more than $10 billion. Management now expects 9%+ average EPS growth through 2030, while noting some projects may extend into the early 2030s.
• Data center and load-growth pipeline remains robust: Xcel has 1 GW of data centers operating or under construction, another 1 GW covered by signed agreements, and expects to secure an additional 4 GW by the end of 2027. Large-load tariffs are designed to require new customers to cover their generation and interconnection costs, limiting impacts on existing customers.
• Infrastructure growth requires substantial financing: Higher interest expense reduced second-quarter EPS by $0.12 and common-equity financing reduced it by $0.06. Although Xcel has addressed roughly 85% of its planned $7 billion equity need, continued capital investment may create ongoing dilution and funding pressure.
• Regulatory and wildfire execution remain important variables: Xcel reported progress in six rate cases and extensive Colorado wildfire-mitigation efforts, but several settlements still require final commission approval and the company expects additional wildfire legislation and mitigation proceedings in 2027.

Xcel Energy Trading Down 0.0%

Shares of XEL traded down $0.03 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $78.20. 7,003,417 shares of the company’s stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 4,637,129. The stock’s 50-day moving average is $79.54 and its two-hundred day moving average is $79.44. The stock has a market cap of $48.82 billion, a P/E ratio of 21.42, a P/E/G ratio of 2.06 and a beta of 0.39. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.45, a current ratio of 0.77 and a quick ratio of 0.68. Xcel Energy has a 12 month low of $69.16 and a 12 month high of $84.23.

Xcel Energy Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, October 20th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, September 15th will be given a dividend of $0.5925 per share. This represents a $2.37 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.0%. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, September 15th. Xcel Energy’s payout ratio is 64.93%.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Brighton Jones LLC bought a new stake in shares of Xcel Energy during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $240,000. Empowered Funds LLC increased its holdings in Xcel Energy by 30.7% during the 1st quarter. Empowered Funds LLC now owns 13,810 shares of the company’s stock worth $978,000 after purchasing an additional 3,242 shares during the period. Woodline Partners LP raised its position in Xcel Energy by 40.7% during the 1st quarter. Woodline Partners LP now owns 48,515 shares of the company’s stock valued at $3,434,000 after purchasing an additional 14,029 shares in the last quarter. Brown Advisory Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Xcel Energy by 4.8% in the 2nd quarter. Brown Advisory Inc. now owns 10,193 shares of the company’s stock worth $694,000 after buying an additional 469 shares during the period. Finally, Cary Street Partners Financial LLC grew its position 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 buying an additional 362 shares in the last quarter. 78.38% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Key Xcel Energy News

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

• Positive Sentiment: Quarterly earnings exceeded expectations. Xcel reported second-quarter GAAP and ongoing earnings of $0.93 per share, up from $0.75 a year earlier and above the $0.79 analyst consensus. Results benefited from increased recovery of infrastructure investments and lower power costs. Xcel Energy Second Quarter 2026 Earnings Report
• Positive Sentiment: Management reaffirmed 2026 guidance and outlined strong longer-term growth. Xcel maintained its ongoing EPS forecast of $4.04 to $4.16 for 2026 and projected average EPS growth of more than 9% through 2030, supported by utility infrastructure investment and regulatory recovery. Xcel outlines 9 percent average EPS growth through 2030
• Positive Sentiment: Income investors continue to receive a meaningful yield. Xcel declared a quarterly dividend of $0.5925 per share, equivalent to an annualized yield of approximately 3.0%, with payment scheduled for October 20 to eligible shareholders. Xcel Energy dividend announcement
• Neutral Sentiment: Analyst commentary focused on Xcel’s utility outlook and valuation. Recent analyst coverage compared Xcel with WEC Energy Group, offering investors updated perspectives on regulated utility growth, capital spending and expected returns. Analysts offer insights on utilities companies
• Negative Sentiment: Revenue missed expectations. Second-quarter revenue was $3.12 billion, below the $3.55 billion consensus and down 5.1% year over year. The earnings beat was therefore driven primarily by cost and recovery factors rather than stronger top-line growth. Xcel Q2 earnings beat estimates

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

XEL has been the topic of several research reports. Mizuho set a $92.00 target price on Xcel Energy in a report on Friday. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their price target on shares of Xcel Energy from $91.00 to $102.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research note on Thursday, July 16th. Truist Financial lifted their price objective on shares of Xcel Energy from $92.00 to $94.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Thursday, July 16th. Barclays upped their target price on shares of Xcel Energy from $87.00 to $90.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research report on Thursday, July 9th. Finally, BMO Capital Markets reduced their price objective on Xcel Energy from $95.00 to $92.00 and set an “outperform” rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, July 22nd. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, fourteen have given a Buy rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of “Buy” and a consensus target price of $92.76.

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.