Xcel Energy Inc. (NASDAQ:XEL) has received a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” from seventeen research firms that currently cover the stock, according to Marketbeat. The evaluations are varied, with one analyst recommending a sell, one suggesting a hold, while thirteen analysts have issued buy ratings, and two have assigned a strong buy rating. The average target price among analysts who have updated their assessments in the past year stands at **$87.14**.
Brokerage Reports Reflect Divergent Perspectives
Several leading brokerages have issued their reports on Xcel Energy, illustrating a spectrum of opinions. Notably, **Morgan Stanley** restated an “underperform” rating with a price target of **$84.00** in a report published on **November 20, 2023**. In contrast, **Mizuho** raised its price target from **$83.00** to **$87.00**, endorsing an “outperform” rating on **October 27, 2023**. Similarly, **KeyCorp** adjusted its price objective from **$79.00** to **$85.00**, also giving the company an “overweight” rating on **October 15, 2023**. **Barclays** followed suit, increasing their target from **$83.00** to **$85.00** with an “overweight” rating on **November 5, 2023**. Lastly, **Jefferies Financial Group** boosted their target from **$84.00** to **$92.00** and maintained a “buy” rating as of **October 16, 2023**.
Stock Performance and Financial Highlights
As of **Wednesday**, Xcel Energy’s stock was trading at **$77.18**, reflecting a decrease of **0.8%**. The stock has experienced a one-year low of **$62.58** and a high of **$83.01**. With a market capitalization of **$45.66 billion**, the company holds a **price-to-earnings ratio** of **23.53** and a **price-to-earnings-growth ratio** of **2.30**. Xcel Energy’s beta is recorded at **0.45**, indicating lower volatility compared to the market.
The company recently reported its earnings results on **October 29, 2023**. Xcel Energy reported earnings per share (EPS) of **$1.24**, falling short of analysts’ consensus estimates of **$1.32** by **$0.08**. Revenue for the quarter reached **$3.92 billion**, slightly exceeding analyst estimates of **$3.89 billion**. Year-on-year, the company’s revenue increased by **7.4%**, while the previous year’s EPS was **$1.25**. Analysts are forecasting an EPS of **$3.82** for the current fiscal year.
Xcel Energy, through its subsidiaries, engages in the generation, purchasing, transmission, distribution, and sale of electricity. Its operations are divided into segments including Regulated Electric Utility, Regulated Natural Gas Utility, and All Other segments. The company utilizes a diverse mix of energy sources, such as wind, nuclear, hydroelectric, biomass, and solar, alongside traditional fuels like coal and natural gas.
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