PPL (NYSE:PPL) Announces Quarterly Earnings Results, Beats Estimates By $0.01 EPS

Key Points

• PPL reported quarterly EPS of $0.54, beating estimates by $0.01, while revenue of $2.50 billion exceeded forecasts and rose 11.5% year over year. The company narrowed its 2026 EPS guidance to $1.92–$1.96.
• PPL raised its long-term annual EPS growth target to 7%–9% through at least 2030, supported by a $25 billion capital plan; it expects growth in the top half of the range beginning in 2027.
• The expanded investment plan brings roughly $3 billion in expected equity needs through 2030. PPL plans to prioritize its at-the-market share program and expects dividend growth at the low end of its 4%–6% target range.

PPL (NYSE:PPL - Get Free Report) posted its quarterly earnings data on Friday. The utilities provider reported $0.54 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $0.53 by $0.01, FiscalAI reports. The company had revenue of $2.50 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.41 billion. PPL had a net margin of 13.47% and a return on equity of 9.33%. The business's quarterly revenue was up 11.5% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $0.48 earnings per share. PPL updated its FY 2026 guidance to 1.920-1.960 EPS.

Here are the key takeaways from PPL's conference call:

• PPL raised its long-term annual EPS growth target to 7%–9% through at least 2030, with growth expected in the top half of the range starting in 2027. The $25 billion capital plan supports 10% rate-base growth, while additional Kentucky generation could lift EPS growth above 9% if customer demand and projects advance.
• Third-quarter earnings from ongoing operations rose to $0.54 per share from $0.48 a year earlier, and nine-month earnings were up more than 7%. PPL narrowed its 2026 forecast to $1.92–$1.96 per share and forecast 2027 earnings of $2.06–$2.14.
• Invitium and QTS agreed on key commercial terms for about 2 GW of generation for a Pennsylvania data center, with a cost-reimbursement agreement providing some development-risk protection. The proposal represents an estimated $5 billion–$7 billion of total investment, but remains subject to final agreements, approvals, and other conditions.
• PPL expects about $3 billion of equity needs through 2030, including funding for its expanded capital plan, and plans to use its at-the-market program as a primary source. The company is also targeting dividend growth at the low end of its 4%–6% range while funding investment and maintaining credit metrics.

PPL Stock Down 0.4%

Shares of PPL stock traded down $0.15 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $35.85. 18,188,731 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 8,463,203. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.32, a quick ratio of 0.73 and a current ratio of 0.91. PPL has a one year low of $31.56 and a one year high of $40.10. The business's 50-day simple moving average is $34.20 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $36.06. The stock has a market capitalization of $26.98 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 21.21, a P/E/G ratio of 3.49 and a beta of 0.55.

PPL Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, October 1st. Stockholders of record on Thursday, September 10th were given a dividend of $0.2850 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, September 10th. This represents a $1.14 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.2%. PPL's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 67.46%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of equities analysts have weighed in on the stock. Royal Bank Of Canada began coverage on shares of PPL in a research report on Tuesday, September 15th. They issued a "sector perform" rating and a $35.00 price objective for the company. Barclays lowered their price objective on PPL from $41.00 to $38.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a research note on Monday, October 12th. Evercore set a $42.00 price objective on PPL in a research note on Monday, August 17th. Wells Fargo & Company lifted their price objective on PPL from $43.00 to $44.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a report on Monday, September 28th. Finally, HSBC assumed coverage on PPL in a research report on Thursday, October 22nd. They issued a "buy" rating and a $42.00 target price on the stock. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eleven have issued a Buy rating and four have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $40.06.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, EVP Wendy Stark sold 5,406 shares of the business's stock in a transaction dated Thursday, October 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $35.11, for a total value of $189,804.66. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president directly owned 99,220 shares of the company's stock, valued at $3,483,614.20. The trade was a 5.17% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. 0.34% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

About PPL

PPL Corporation NYSE: PPL is an energy and utility holding company headquartered in Allentown, Pennsylvania. Through its regulated utility subsidiaries, the company delivers electricity and natural gas, operates electric distribution and transmission systems, and provides related energy services to residential, commercial, and industrial customers.

PPL's principal businesses include PPL Electric Utilities in Pennsylvania, Louisville Gas and Electric Company and Kentucky Utilities in Kentucky, and Rhode Island Energy in Rhode Island.

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