KeyCorp Forecasts Xcel Energy's Q3 Earnings (NASDAQ:XEL)

Key Points

• KeyCorp raised its Q3 2026 EPS estimate for Xcel Energy to $1.37 from $1.30 and maintained an Overweight rating with an $87 price target.
• Xcel Energy’s shares recently traded near $75, below the analyst consensus price target of $91.41; the stock has a consensus Buy rating.
• The utility pays a quarterly dividend of $0.5925 per share, equivalent to an annualized $2.37 payout and an approximately 3.1% yield.

Xcel Energy Inc. (NASDAQ:XEL - Free Report) - Research analysts at KeyCorp upped their Q3 2026 earnings per share (EPS) estimates for Xcel Energy in a note issued to investors on Monday, October 12th. KeyCorp analyst S. Karp now expects that the company will earn $1.37 per share for the quarter, up from their prior estimate of $1.30. KeyCorp currently has an "Overweight" rating and a $87.00 price target on the stock. The consensus estimate for Xcel Energy's current full-year earnings is $4.13 per share.

XEL has been the topic of a number of other reports. Mizuho set a $92.00 price objective on Xcel Energy in a report on Friday, July 31st. Morgan Stanley lowered their price target on Xcel Energy from $89.00 to $83.00 and set an "equal weight" rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, September 18th. New Street Research set a $91.00 price objective on Xcel Energy in a research note on Tuesday, June 23rd. Wall Street Zen raised Xcel Energy from a "sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Saturday, September 26th. Finally, Weiss Ratings raised shares of Xcel Energy from a "buy (b-)" rating to a "buy (b)" rating in a report on Friday, October 2nd. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, fourteen have issued a Buy rating and one has given a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of "Buy" and an average price target of $91.41.

Xcel Energy Price Performance

NASDAQ:XEL opened at $75.36 on Thursday. The company has a 50-day moving average of $74.87 and a 200-day moving average of $78.00. The company has a market capitalization of $47.07 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 20.65, a PEG ratio of 2.48 and a beta of 0.36. Xcel Energy has a 52 week low of $68.72 and a 52 week high of $84.23. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.49, a quick ratio of 0.62 and a current ratio of 0.70.

Xcel Energy (NASDAQ:XEL - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, July 29th. The company reported $0.93 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $0.79 by $0.14. The firm had revenue of $3.12 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $3.54 billion. Xcel Energy had a net margin of 15.28% and a return on equity of 10.65%. The business's revenue was down 5.1% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company earned $1.59 earnings per share.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Xcel Energy

Several institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Viking Fund Management LLC raised its position in shares of Xcel Energy by 15.4% in the 3rd quarter. Viking Fund Management LLC now owns 300,000 shares of the company's stock valued at $21,144,000 after acquiring an additional 40,000 shares during the period. Mitchell & Pahl Private Wealth LLC boosted its position in shares of Xcel Energy by 5.1% during the third quarter. Mitchell & Pahl Private Wealth LLC now owns 30,348 shares of the company's stock worth $2,139,000 after purchasing an additional 1,462 shares in the last quarter. First Citizens Bank & Trust Co. acquired a new position in shares of Xcel Energy in the 3rd quarter valued at $789,000. Focus Financial Network Inc. increased its holdings in shares of Xcel Energy by 2.3% in the third quarter. Focus Financial Network Inc. now owns 78,138 shares of the company's stock worth $5,507,000 after acquiring an additional 1,749 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Perpetual Ltd lifted its stake in Xcel Energy by 53.2% in the third quarter. Perpetual Ltd now owns 1,054,254 shares of the company's stock valued at $74,304,000 after buying an additional 365,941 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 78.38% of the company's stock.

Xcel Energy Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, October 20th. Investors of record on Tuesday, September 15th will be given a dividend of $0.5925 per share. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, September 15th. This represents a $2.37 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.1%. Xcel Energy's dividend payout ratio is 64.93%.

Xcel Energy News Summary

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

• Positive Sentiment: KeyCorp raised its EPS estimates to $4.19 for FY2026, $4.56 for FY2027, $4.97 for FY2028, $5.43 for FY2029 and $5.93 for FY2030, while retaining an Overweight rating. The higher forecasts suggest improving expectations for Xcel’s long-term earnings trajectory. KeyBanc Adjusts Xcel Energy Price Target to $87 From $90
• Positive Sentiment: KeyCorp’s $87 target remains above Xcel Energy’s recent trading level, indicating potential upside despite the reduction from $90. The company’s current-year consensus EPS estimate is approximately $4.12. Xcel Energy Analyst Estimates
• Neutral Sentiment: An earnings preview is drawing attention to Xcel Energy ahead of its quarterly results. The report could increase near-term volatility as investors assess whether the utility can meet or exceed earnings expectations. Xcel Energy Earnings Preview: What to Expect
• Neutral Sentiment: Xcel Energy was included in a Zacks screen of utility stocks with potential to beat quarterly earnings estimates, offering a modestly favorable signal but not a company-specific earnings confirmation. Utilities Stocks That Could Beat Earnings
• Negative Sentiment: Barclays lowered its Xcel Energy price target to $85 from $90. Although the revised target remains above the recent share price, the cut suggests more limited near-term upside than previously expected. Barclays Adjusts Price Target on Xcel Energy

About Xcel Energy

Xcel Energy Inc is a Minneapolis-based energy company that provides electricity and natural gas through regulated utility operations. Its businesses generate, transmit, distribute and sell electricity, as well as distribute natural gas to residential, commercial and industrial customers.

Through its operating companies, Xcel Energy serves customers in Colorado, Michigan, Minnesota, New Mexico, North Dakota, South Dakota, Texas and Wisconsin. The company's operations include a diverse generation portfolio featuring wind, solar, hydroelectric, nuclear, natural gas and other energy resources.

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