Xcel Energy Inc. (NASDAQ: XEL) has garnered a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” from seventeen research firms monitoring the stock, according to Marketbeat. The overall assessment indicates a strong interest in the company, with thirteen analysts issuing buy recommendations, two giving a strong buy, one suggesting a hold, and another recommending a sell.
Analysts have recently updated their price targets for Xcel Energy, with the average one-year price target now sitting at approximately $87.14. Several notable brokerages have shared their perspectives. For instance, on November 20, 2023, Morgan Stanley reiterated an “underperform” rating, setting a price objective of $84.00. Meanwhile, Mizuho raised its price target from $83.00 to $87.00 on October 27, assigning an “outperform” rating to the stock.
On October 15, KeyCorp increased its price objective from $79.00 to $85.00, labeling the stock as “overweight.” Similarly, Barclays adjusted its target from $83.00 to $85.00, also giving it an “overweight” rating on November 5. Lastly, Jefferies Financial Group boosted its target from $84.00 to $92.00 with a “buy” rating in a report on October 16.
Xcel Energy Stock Performance
As of Wednesday, Xcel Energy shares opened at $77.18. The stock has fluctuated between a one-year low of $62.58 and a high of $83.01. Currently, the company boasts a market capitalization of $45.66 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 23.53, and a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.30. The stock’s beta stands at 0.45, indicating lower volatility compared to the broader market.
The company has a fifty-day moving average price of $80.52 and a two-hundred-day moving average price of $74.24. Financially, Xcel Energy reports a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.51, a current ratio of 0.79, and a quick ratio of 0.69.
On October 29, 2023, Xcel Energy announced its latest earnings results, reporting earnings per share (EPS) of $1.24 for the quarter. This figure fell short of analysts’ consensus estimate of $1.32 by $0.08. The company generated revenue of $3.92 billion, slightly exceeding the anticipated $3.89 billion. Xcel Energy’s return on equity stands at 10.45%, with a net margin of 13.46%. Notably, the business’s quarterly revenue increased by 7.4% compared to the same quarter last year, when it posted an EPS of $1.25.
About Xcel Energy Inc.
Xcel Energy Inc. is engaged in the generation, purchasing, transmission, distribution, and sale of electricity through its subsidiaries. The company operates across several segments, including Regulated Electric Utility, Regulated Natural Gas Utility, and All Other segments. Xcel Energy’s electricity generation portfolio includes a diverse mix of renewable sources such as wind, solar, and hydroelectric, alongside traditional fuels such as coal and natural gas.
As the company continues to evolve within the energy sector, analysts anticipate that Xcel Energy will report an EPS of 3.82 for the current year. The ongoing interest from research firms reflects a positive outlook for the company, highlighting its potential for growth in the evolving energy landscape.
