Xcel Energy Q3 Earnings and Sales Lag Estimates, 2026 EPS Initiated

Xcel Energy Inc. XEL reported third-quarter 2025 operating earnings of $1.24 per share, which lagged the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.31 by 5.3%. The bottom line also missed the year-ago quarter’s figure by a penny. The year-over-year decline in earnings per share was due to higher interest charges and O&M expenses, partially offset by increased recovery of infrastructure investments.It reported GAAP earnings of 88 cents per share compared with $1.21 in the year-ago quarter.Total Revenues of XELRevenues of $3.92 billion missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $3.93 billion by 0.3%. However, the figure increased 7.4% from the year-ago quarter’s $3.64 billion.Xcel Energy Inc. Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise Xcel Energy Inc. price-consensus-eps-surprise-chart | Xcel Energy Inc. QuoteXEL’s Segmental ResultsElectric: This segment’s revenues totaled $3.64 billion, up 7.4% from $3.39 billion in the year-ago quarter.Natural Gas: Revenues in this segment increased 10.5% to $264 million from $239 million in the year-ago quarter.Other: Revenues amounted to $13 million compared with $12 million in the prior-year quarter.Highlights of XEL’s Earnings ReleaseTotal operating expenses increased 15.8% year over year to $3.17 billion. The increase in operating expenses was due to higher electric fuel and purchased power costs, and taxes other than income tax. Operating income declined 17.8% year over year to $911 million.Total interest charges and financing costs increased 14.1% from the prior-year quarter’s $348 million to $322 million.In the first nine months, Xcel Energy registered 2.5% growth in electric customer volume and a 0.3% decline in natural gas customer volume. In the third quarter, natural gas customers increased 0.8% from the year-ago period’s level and electric customers increased 0.9%.XEL’s GuidanceXcel Energy reaffirmed its projection for 2025 earnings per share in the range of $3.75-$3.85. The Zacks Consensus Estimate is pegged at $3.81, a tad higher than the midpoint of the guided range of $3.80 per share.Xcel Energy initiated 2026 earnings per share in the range of $4.04- $4.16. The Zacks Consensus Estimate is pegged at $4.13, a tad 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 remain flat compared with the year-ago level.Xcel Energy expects long-term annual earnings per share growth of 6-8% and dividend growth of 4-6%.The company plans to invest $60 billion in 2026-2030 to further strengthen its infrastructure.XEL’s Zacks RankXEL currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.Other ReleasesFirstEnergy Corp.  FE reported third-quarter 2025 operating earnings of 83 cents per share, which beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 76 cents by 9.2%.FE’s long-term (three to five years) earnings growth is pegged at 6.46%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2025 earnings per share is pegged at $2.53, indicating a year-over-year decline of 3.8%.NextEra Energy NEE posted third-quarter 2025 adjusted earnings of $1.13 per share, which surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.04 by 8.65%. NEE’s long-term earnings growth is currently pegged at 8.04%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2025 earnings per share is pegged at $3.68, indicating year-over-year growth of 7.29%.CenterPoint Energy, Inc. CNP reported third-quarter 2025 adjusted earnings of 50 cents per share, which surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 46 cents by 8.7%.CNP’s long-term earnings growth is currently pegged at 7.93%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2025 earnings per share is pegged at $1.76, indicating year-over-year growth of 8.64% Zacks' Research Chief Picks Stock Most Likely to "At Least Double"Our experts have revealed their Top 5 recommendations with money-doubling potential – and Director of Research Sheraz Mian believes one is superior to the others. Of course, all our picks aren’t winners but this one could far surpass earlier recommendations like Hims & Hers Health, which shot up +209%.See Our Top Stock to Double (Plus 4 Runners Up) >>Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Xcel Energy Inc. (XEL): Free Stock Analysis Report NextEra Energy, Inc. (NEE): Free Stock Analysis Report FirstEnergy Corporation (FE): Free Stock Analysis Report CenterPoint Energy, Inc. (CNP): Free Stock Analysis ReportThis article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).Zacks Investment ResearchWeiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Zacks Weiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Zacks