Xcel Energy (NASDAQ:XEL) Downgraded by Wall Street Zen to Sell

Wall Street Zen cut shares of Xcel Energy (NASDAQ:XEL - Free Report) from a hold rating to a sell rating in a research note published on Tuesday morning.

A number of other research analysts have also recently commented on the company. Barclays upped their target price on Xcel Energy from $72.00 to $73.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a research note on Tuesday, April 22nd. Evercore ISI upped their target price on Xcel Energy from $74.00 to $77.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a research note on Monday, April 28th. Morgan Stanley set a $79.00 target price on Xcel Energy and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a research note on Wednesday, April 23rd. BMO Capital Markets upped their target price on Xcel Energy from $69.00 to $73.00 and gave the company a "market perform" rating in a research note on Wednesday, April 23rd. Finally, UBS Group upped their target price on Xcel Energy from $73.00 to $77.00 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a research note on Tuesday, April 1st. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have assigned a hold rating and seven have given a buy rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Xcel Energy currently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $75.90.

Xcel Energy Trading Up 0.8%

XEL stock traded up $0.52 during midday trading on Tuesday, reaching $69.73. 3,077,431 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 3,636,211. Xcel Energy has a 52-week low of $51.97 and a 52-week high of $73.38. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.42, a quick ratio of 0.82 and a current ratio of 0.93. The business has a 50 day moving average of $69.85 and a 200-day moving average of $68.90. The firm has a market capitalization of $40.22 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 20.27, a P/E/G ratio of 2.62 and a beta of 0.38.

Xcel Energy (NASDAQ:XEL - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, April 24th. The company reported $0.84 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates of $0.95 by ($0.11). Xcel Energy had a net margin of 14.40% and a return on equity of 10.65%. The company had revenue of $3.91 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $3.93 billion. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $0.88 earnings per share. The company's revenue for the quarter was up 7.0% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, sell-side analysts expect that Xcel Energy will post 3.82 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Xcel Energy Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Sunday, July 20th. Investors of record on Friday, June 13th will be paid a $0.57 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, June 13th. This represents a $2.28 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.27%. Xcel Energy's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 67.06%.

Insider Buying and Selling at Xcel Energy

In related news, Director Devin W. Stockfish bought 2,170 shares of the company's stock in a transaction on Tuesday, March 11th. The shares were acquired at an average price of $68.93 per share, with a total value of $149,578.10. Following the transaction, the director now owns 3,007 shares of the company's stock, valued at $207,272.51. The trade was a 259.26% increase in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Insiders own 0.09% of the company's stock.

Institutional Trading of Xcel Energy

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of XEL. Sierra Ocean LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Xcel Energy during the 4th quarter valued at $26,000. Fairway Wealth LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Xcel Energy during the 4th quarter valued at $27,000. Accent Capital Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Xcel Energy during the 1st quarter valued at $29,000. Crews Bank & Trust purchased a new stake in shares of Xcel Energy during the 4th quarter valued at $34,000. Finally, BankPlus Trust Department purchased a new stake in shares of Xcel Energy during the 1st quarter valued at $34,000. Institutional investors own 78.38% of the company's stock.

About Xcel Energy

Xcel Energy Inc, through its subsidiaries, engages in the generation, purchasing, transmission, distribution, and sale of electricity. It operates through Regulated Electric Utility, Regulated Natural Gas Utility, and All Other segments. The company generates electricity through wind, nuclear, hydroelectric, biomass, and solar energy sources, as well as coal, natural gas, oil, wood, and refuse-derived fuels.