FirstEnergy (NYSE:FE) Sets New 12-Month High Following Better-Than-Expected Earnings

FirstEnergy Corporation (NYSE:FE) shares hit a new 52-week high during trading on Wednesday following a stronger than expected earnings report. The stock traded as high as $50.44 and last traded at $49.38, with a volume of 6094159 shares. The stock had previously closed at $50.10.

The utilities provider reported $0.53 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.52 by $0.01. The firm had revenue of $3.80 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $3.20 billion. FirstEnergy had a net margin of 9.19% and a return on equity of 11.15%. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $0.67 earnings per share. FirstEnergy has set its FY 2026 guidance at 2.620-2.820 EPS.

FirstEnergy Increases Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, June 1st. Investors of record on Thursday, May 7th will be given a $0.465 dividend. This represents a $1.86 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.8%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, May 7th. This is a positive change from FirstEnergy’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.45. FirstEnergy’s dividend payout ratio is presently 77.73%.

More FirstEnergy News

Here are the key news stories impacting FirstEnergy this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Reported strong full‑year 2025 results and raised the outlook — 2025 GAAP $1.77/sh and Core Earnings $2.55/sh (top of revised range); company affirms 2026 core guidance and expects multi‑year core EPS CAGR near the top end of 6–8%, supporting longer‑term growth expectations. PR Newswire: FirstEnergy Announces 2025 Financial Results
• Positive Sentiment: Company unveiled a $36 billion capital investment plan through 2030 to expand transmission and grid assets — this supports revenue and rate base growth that could drive multi‑year earnings upside if projects win regulatory approval and are rate‑recovered. Reuters: FirstEnergy announces $36 billion investment plan
• Neutral Sentiment: Q4 operating performance was roughly in line: EPS of $0.53 beat Zacks’ $0.52 estimate but matched the consensus $0.53; margins and ROE reported were solid but not dramatically higher year‑over‑year. Zacks: FirstEnergy Q4 Earnings and Revenues Surpass Estimates
• Neutral Sentiment: Regional transmission project approval in central Ohio (Transource/FirstEnergy JV) is a constructive execution milestone for grid expansion, but it is one project within a much larger capex program. PR Newswire: Transource & FirstEnergy Project Approval
• Negative Sentiment: The $36B investment plan raises near‑term concerns about funding, cash flow and potential credit pressure; investors may be worried about execution risk, regulatory timing and the need to finance large capex — a likely reason for the stock moving lower despite the earnings/guidance news. Reuters: FirstEnergy announces $36 billion investment plan

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of research firms have issued reports on FE. Mizuho lifted their price objective on shares of FirstEnergy from $45.00 to $50.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a report on Friday, October 24th. Scotiabank increased their price target on FirstEnergy from $49.00 to $51.00 and gave the stock a “sector outperform” rating in a research note on Friday, October 24th. UBS Group cut their price target on FirstEnergy from $49.00 to $46.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, December 17th. Barclays decreased their price target on FirstEnergy from $51.00 to $50.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, January 22nd. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group lifted their price objective on FirstEnergy from $45.00 to $47.00 and gave the company a “hold” rating in a research note on Tuesday, October 21st. Nine investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and five have given a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $48.85.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On FirstEnergy

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in FE. American National Bank & Trust raised its stake in shares of FirstEnergy by 380.2% during the third quarter. American National Bank & Trust now owns 581 shares of the utilities provider’s stock valued at $27,000 after acquiring an additional 460 shares during the last quarter. Harel Insurance Investments & Financial Services Ltd. bought a new stake in shares of FirstEnergy during the 3rd quarter valued at $27,000. TruNorth Capital Management LLC increased its stake in shares of FirstEnergy by 187.5% during the third quarter. TruNorth Capital Management LLC now owns 621 shares of the utilities provider’s stock valued at $28,000 after purchasing an additional 405 shares in the last quarter. State of Wyoming bought a new position in FirstEnergy during the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $25,000. Finally, Olistico Wealth LLC bought a new position in shares of FirstEnergy during the fourth quarter valued at $31,000. 89.41% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

FirstEnergy Trading Down 1.4%

The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.80, a current ratio of 0.75 and a quick ratio of 0.64. The stock has a market cap of $28.53 billion, a P/E ratio of 21.56, a P/E/G ratio of 2.86 and a beta of 0.64. The firm’s 50 day moving average price is $46.06 and its 200-day moving average price is $45.46.

FirstEnergy Company Profile

FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE: FE) is a U.S.-based electric utility holding company headquartered in Akron, Ohio. The company’s primary business is the delivery of electricity through its regulated transmission and distribution utilities, serving residential, commercial and industrial customers across parts of the Midwest and Mid‑Atlantic. FirstEnergy’s service territory includes states such as Ohio, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland and West Virginia, and it operates primarily within the PJM regional transmission organization.

FirstEnergy’s core activities center on owning and operating electric distribution networks and transmission systems, maintaining and upgrading grid infrastructure, managing storm response and restoration, and offering customer programs that include energy efficiency and reliability services.