Xcel Energy Inc. XEL reported fourth-quarter 2024 operating earnings of 81 cents per share, which lagged the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 87 cents by 6.9%. The bottom line also decreased 2.4% from the year-ago quarter’s figure of 83 cents.
It reported GAAP earnings of 81 cents per share compared with 74 cents in the year-ago quarter.
Find the latest EPS estimates and surprises on Zacks Earnings Calendar.
Total Revenues of XEL
Revenues of $3.12 billion missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $3.72 billion by 16.1%. The figure also declined 9.3% from the year-ago quarter’s $3.44 billion.
Full-year 2024 revenues totaled $13.4 billion, down 5.6% from last year’s recorded figure of $14.2 billion.
Xcel Energy Inc. Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise
Xcel Energy Inc. price-consensus-eps-surprise-chart | Xcel Energy Inc. Quote
XEL’s Segmental Results
Electric: This segment’s revenues totaled $2.4 billion, down 11.1% from $2.7 billion in the year-ago quarter.
Natural Gas: Revenues in this segment declined 3.3% to $695 million from $719 million in the year-ago quarter.
Other: Revenues amounted to $15 million compared with $28 million in the prior-year quarter.
Highlights of XEL’s Earnings Release
Total operating expenses declined 3.3% year over year to $2.77 billion. This can be attributed to lower electric fuel and purchased power costs and the cost of natural gas sold and transported.
Operating income decreased 39.6% year over year to $347 million.
Total interest charges and financing costs rose 18.8% from the prior-year quarter’s $250 million to $297 million.
In 2024, Xcel Energy registered 1.2% growth in electric customer volume and a 0.9% increase in natural gas customer volume. In the same time frame, natural gas sales decreased 0.7% from the year-ago period’s level and electric sales volume increased 1%.
XEL’s Guidance
Xcel Energy reaffirmed its projection for 2025 earnings per share in the range of $3.75-$3.85. The Zacks Consensus Estimate is pegged at $3.82, higher than the midpoint of the guided range.
XEL estimates retail electric sales to increase 3% in 2025. Natural gas sales volumes are anticipated to increase 1% from the year-ago level.
Xcel Energy plans to invest $45 billion in 2025-2029 to further strengthen its infrastructure.
XEL’s Zacks Rank
XEL currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
Upcoming Releases
IDACORP IDA is scheduled to report fourth-quarter results on Feb. 20, before market open. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings is pegged at 63 cents per share, which suggests a year-over-year increase of 3.3%.
IDA’s long-term (three to five years) earnings growth rate is 8.35%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2024 earnings is pinned at $5.42 per share, which implies a year-over-year improvement of 5.5%.
Alliant Energy LNT is slated to report fourth-quarter results on Feb. 20, after market close. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings is pegged at 68 cents per share.
LNT’s long-term earnings growth rate is 6.75%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for fourth-quarter sales is pinned at $1.20 billion.
Pinnacle West Capital Corporation PNW is scheduled to report fourth-quarter results on Feb. 25, before market open. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings is pegged at a loss of 15 cents per share.
PNW’s long-term earnings growth rate is 5.58%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2024 earnings is pinned at $5.13 per share, which implies a year-over-year improvement of 16.3%.
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