Xcel Energy (NASDAQ:XEL) Rating Lowered to Sell at Wall Street Zen

Key Points

• Wall Street Zen downgraded Xcel Energy to “Sell” from “Hold,” contrasting with the broader analyst consensus of “Buy” and an average price target of $90.28.
• Xcel’s latest quarterly results beat expectations, with EPS of $1.52 versus the $1.39 consensus and revenue up 6.6% year over year to $4.17 billion, although revenue missed estimates.
• The stock opened at $79.82, with a market capitalization of approximately $49.86 billion; institutional investors own 78.38% of the company’s shares.

Xcel Energy (NASDAQ:XEL - Get Free Report) was downgraded by Wall Street Zen from a "hold" rating to a "sell" rating in a report issued on Saturday, Wall Street Zen reports.

XEL has been the subject of several other reports. UBS Group increased their price target on Xcel Energy from $91.00 to $96.00 in a report on Monday, July 6th. The Goldman Sachs Group reduced their price objective on Xcel Energy from $95.00 to $93.00 in a research note on Thursday, October 15th. BTIG Research set a $92.00 price objective on Xcel Energy in a research note on Friday. Truist Financial decreased their target price on Xcel Energy from $88.00 to $87.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, October 14th. Finally, Scotiabank began coverage on Xcel Energy in a research note on Tuesday, September 29th. They issued a "sector outperform" rating and a $77.00 target price for the company. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, sixteen have assigned a Buy rating and one has assigned a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of "Buy" and an average price target of $90.28.

Xcel Energy Price Performance

XEL opened at $79.82 on Friday. The company has a quick ratio of 0.62, a current ratio of 0.70 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.49. Xcel Energy has a 52-week low of $68.72 and a 52-week high of $84.23. The company has a 50 day moving average of $74.68 and a two-hundred day moving average of $78.19. The company has a market cap of $49.86 billion, a P/E ratio of 18.30, a P/E/G ratio of 2.62 and a beta of 0.36.

Xcel Energy (NASDAQ:XEL - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, October 28th. The company reported $1.52 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.39 by $0.13. Xcel Energy had a net margin of 17.94% and a return on equity of 11.29%. The company had revenue of $4.17 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.26 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business earned $1.24 earnings per share. The business's quarterly revenue was up 6.6% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, analysts expect that Xcel Energy will post 4.13 earnings per share for the current year.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Xcel Energy

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in XEL. Evolution Wealth Management Inc. raised its stake in shares of Xcel Energy by 365.3% in the 1st quarter. Evolution Wealth Management Inc. now owns 349 shares of the company's stock valued at $28,000 after acquiring an additional 274 shares in the last quarter. Pin Oak Investment Advisors Inc. bought a new stake in Xcel Energy during the second quarter worth approximately $29,000. James T. Borello RIA boosted its position in Xcel Energy by 59.6% during the third quarter. James T. Borello RIA now owns 367 shares of the company's stock worth $26,000 after purchasing an additional 137 shares during the period. GK Wealth Management LLC acquired a new position in Xcel Energy during the third quarter valued at approximately $28,000. Finally, First Bancorp Inc ME acquired a new position in Xcel Energy during the second quarter valued at approximately $36,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 78.38% of the company's stock.

Trending Headlines about Xcel Energy

Here are the key news stories impacting Xcel Energy this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Third-quarter EPS beat expectations. Xcel reported ongoing earnings of $1.52 per share, up from $1.24 a year earlier and above the $1.39 analyst consensus. Higher electric sales, favorable weather and increased recovery of electric costs supported results. Xcel Energy Q3 revenue jumps 6.6% to $4.17B as EPS beats forecasts
• Positive Sentiment: Long-term growth investment increased. Xcel outlined a roughly $70 billion, five-year capital investment plan, aimed at expanding and upgrading its electric system to meet rising demand. The company also initiated 2027 EPS guidance of $4.48 to $4.62, providing investors with a new earnings framework. Xcel outlines $70B 5-year investment plan while initiating 2027 EPS guidance
• Positive Sentiment: Analyst sentiment remained supportive. Barclays raised its price target to $94 from $85, while RBC Capital Markets maintained a Buy rating, signaling confidence in Xcel’s regulated utility growth prospects. Barclays Adjusts Price Target on Xcel Energy to $94 From $85
• Neutral Sentiment: Revenue grew but missed estimates. Third-quarter revenue rose 6.6% year over year to $4.17 billion, though it fell short of the $4.26 billion consensus, limiting the impact of the earnings beat. Xcel Energy Q3 Earnings Beat Estimates, Revenues Increase Year over Year
• Negative Sentiment: 2026 earnings guidance was lowered or narrowed. Management reduced its full-year ongoing EPS outlook despite the quarterly beat, reflecting uncertainty around the timing of cost recovery and operating conditions. The large investment program may also increase financing and execution requirements. Xcel Energy Q3 Earnings Beat Estimates, Revenues Increase Year over Year

About Xcel Energy

Xcel Energy Inc is a public utility holding company that provides electricity and natural gas services to residential, commercial, and industrial customers. Its operations include the generation, transmission, distribution, and sale of electricity, as well as the distribution and sale of natural gas.

The company serves customers across Colorado, Michigan, Minnesota, New Mexico, North Dakota, South Dakota, Texas, and Wisconsin through operating companies including Northern States Power, Public Service Company of Colorado, Southwestern Public Service Company, and NSP-Wisconsin.

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