WEC Energy Group (NYSE:WEC) Releases Earnings Results, Beats Expectations By $0.21 EPS

Key Points

• WEC Energy Group beat third-quarter expectations: EPS was $1.18 versus the $0.97 consensus, while revenue rose 8.9% year over year to $2.29 billion. Net income increased to $389.3 million from $271.3 million.
• Management raised its 2026 EPS outlook to $5.60–$5.64 and expanded its 2027–2031 capital plan by $10 billion to $47.5 billion, driven largely by data-center demand and projected electric-demand growth through 2031.
• Growth prospects come with significant funding and regulatory risks: WEC expects to raise $5 billion–$5.5 billion in equity and $19 billion in incremental debt over five years, while key projects and rate cases still require regulatory approval. The company declared a quarterly dividend of $0.9525 per share, yielding about 3.3%.

WEC Energy Group (NYSE:WEC - Get Free Report) posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday. The utilities provider reported $1.18 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $0.97 by $0.21, FiscalAI reports. The business had revenue of $2.29 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.27 billion. WEC Energy Group had a net margin of 16.69% and a return on equity of 12.90%. The company's revenue was up 8.9% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business posted $0.83 earnings per share.

Here are the key takeaways from WEC Energy Group's conference call:

• 2026 EPS guidance was raised and narrowed to $5.60–$5.64, compared with the prior range of $5.51–$5.61, following third-quarter EPS of $1.18 versus $0.83 a year earlier.
• WEC increased its 2027–2031 capital plan by $10 billion to $47.5 billion, driven largely by data-center demand from Microsoft, Oracle and other very large customers. Management expects 7%–9%+ long-term EPS growth and 6.5%–7% annual dividend growth.
• Forecast electric demand growth increased to 4.9 gigawatts through 2031, including 3.2 gigawatts in southeastern Wisconsin and 1.3 gigawatts tied to the Vantage/Oracle project, with additional upside possible beyond the forecast period.
• Management said the very large customer tariff, financial security requirements and long-term commitments are designed to protect other customers from subsidizing hyperscaler-related investments, while nearly 30% of total assets could ultimately support these customers.
• The growth plan remains dependent on regulatory approvals, including the transmission project serving the Oracle site and pending Wisconsin and Illinois rate cases. WEC also expects to raise $5 billion–$5.5 billion of common equity and $19 billion of incremental debt over five years, despite keeping equity needs roughly flat versus the prior plan.

WEC Energy Group Trading Up 3.6%

WEC traded up $3.96 on Thursday, reaching $114.46. 6,529,770 shares of the company's stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 2,281,170. The company's 50 day moving average is $105.59 and its 200-day moving average is $111.33. The company has a market cap of $37.30 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 22.18, a PEG ratio of 2.29 and a beta of 0.45. WEC Energy Group has a twelve month low of $99.80 and a twelve month high of $119.91. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.35, a quick ratio of 0.39 and a current ratio of 0.53.

WEC Energy Group Dividend Announcement

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, December 1st. Stockholders of record on Friday, November 13th will be issued a dividend of $0.9525 per share. The ex-dividend date is Friday, November 13th. This represents a $3.81 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.3%. WEC Energy Group's payout ratio is presently 73.84%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several analysts have commented on WEC shares. HSBC initiated coverage on shares of WEC Energy Group in a research note on Thursday, October 22nd. They issued a "hold" rating and a $106.50 target price for the company. LADENBURG THALM/SH SH reduced their price target on WEC Energy Group from $110.50 to $108.50 and set a "neutral" rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, August 19th. BMO Capital Markets restated a "market perform" rating and set a $117.00 price objective (down from $120.00) on shares of WEC Energy Group in a report on Friday, October 16th. UBS Group raised their price objective on WEC Energy Group from $122.00 to $131.00 in a report on Monday, July 6th. Finally, Weiss Ratings downgraded WEC Energy Group from a "buy (b)" rating to a "buy (b-)" rating in a research report on Friday, September 25th. Eight equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, nine have given a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and an average target price of $117.11.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other WEC Energy Group news, Director Ulice Payne, Jr. sold 980 shares of WEC Energy Group stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, August 11th. The shares were sold at an average price of $105.58, for a total transaction of $103,468.40. Following the transaction, the director directly owned 19,588 shares of the company's stock, valued at $2,068,101.04. The trade was a 4.76% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. 0.46% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

WEC Energy Group News Roundup

Here are the key news stories impacting WEC Energy Group this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Quarterly earnings beat estimates: WEC reported third-quarter 2026 earnings of $1.18 per share, up from $0.83 a year earlier and above the roughly $0.97–$0.98 consensus estimate. Net income increased to $389.3 million from $271.3 million. WEC Energy Group reports third-quarter results
• Positive Sentiment: Revenue and operating performance improved: Revenue rose 8.9% year over year to $2.29 billion, exceeding the $2.27 billion forecast. Strong electricity demand, favorable weather and operating efficiencies supported the profit growth. WEC Q3 Earnings Beat Estimates on Strong Demand, Revenues Rise Y/Y
• Positive Sentiment: Full-year outlook raised: WEC boosted its fiscal 2026 EPS outlook, signaling management’s confidence that favorable operating trends can continue. WEC Energy Boosts FY26 EPS Outlook
• Positive Sentiment: Technical momentum also improved as the shares recently moved above their 200-day moving average, potentially attracting momentum-oriented investors. WEC Energy Group Share Price Breaks Above Two Hundred Day Moving Average
• Neutral Sentiment: RBC maintained a “sector perform” rating while lowering its price target from $124 to $122, suggesting limited near-term upside despite the earnings strength. Royal Bank of Canada analyst rating
• Neutral Sentiment: HSBC initiated coverage with a “hold” rating, reflecting a cautious view on valuation and future returns. HSBC initiates coverage of WEC Energy Group with hold

WEC Energy Group Company Profile

WEC Energy Group, Inc is an energy holding company headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Through its operating companies, the company generates and delivers electricity and provides natural gas distribution, storage and related energy services to residential, commercial and industrial customers.

WEC Energy's principal utility businesses include We Energies and Wisconsin Public Service in Wisconsin, Michigan Gas Utilities, Minnesota Energy Resources, Upper Michigan Energy Resources and North Dakota utility operations.

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