Xcel Energy (NASDAQ:XEL) Sets New 52-Week High - Should You Buy?

Xcel Energy Inc. (NASDAQ:XEL - Get Free Report)'s share price hit a new 52-week high on Tuesday . The company traded as high as $80.07 and last traded at $80.05, with a volume of 5508692 shares. The stock had previously closed at $79.28.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

XEL has been the subject of a number of analyst reports. Morgan Stanley reduced their price objective on shares of Xcel Energy from $81.00 to $80.00 and set an "equal weight" rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, September 25th. BMO Capital Markets set a $84.00 price objective on shares of Xcel Energy in a research note on Thursday. UBS Group set a $82.00 price objective on shares of Xcel Energy in a research note on Thursday. Bank of America raised their price objective on shares of Xcel Energy from $78.00 to $84.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research note on Thursday, September 25th. Finally, Mizuho set a $83.00 price objective on shares of Xcel Energy in a research note on Thursday. Nine investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and two have issued a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, Xcel Energy currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $80.36.

Xcel Energy Stock Performance

The stock has a market capitalization of $47.34 billion, a P/E ratio of 22.17, a PEG ratio of 2.67 and a beta of 0.35. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $73.17 and a 200 day moving average of $70.61. The company has a quick ratio of 0.85, a current ratio of 0.96 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.48.

Xcel Energy (NASDAQ:XEL - Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, July 31st. The company reported $0.75 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.66 by $0.09. The firm had revenue of $3.29 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $3.31 billion. Xcel Energy had a return on equity of 10.52% and a net margin of 14.85%.Xcel Energy's quarterly revenue was up 8.6% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the business earned $0.54 earnings per share. Xcel Energy has set its FY 2025 guidance at 3.750-3.850 EPS. Research analysts anticipate that Xcel Energy Inc. will post 3.82 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Xcel Energy Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, October 20th. Investors of record on Monday, September 15th will be given a $0.57 dividend. This represents a $2.28 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.8%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, September 15th. Xcel Energy's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 63.16%.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Xcel Energy

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC boosted its stake in shares of Xcel Energy by 18.3% in the 1st quarter. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC now owns 472,344 shares of the company's stock valued at $33,437,000 after purchasing an additional 73,036 shares in the last quarter. Navellier & Associates Inc. bought a new stake in Xcel Energy during the first quarter worth about $2,735,000. J.W. Cole Advisors Inc. bought a new stake in Xcel Energy during the first quarter worth about $905,000. Financial Gravity Asset Management Inc. bought a new stake in Xcel Energy during the first quarter worth about $329,000. Finally, Pinnacle Financial Partners Inc bought a new stake in Xcel Energy during the first quarter worth about $267,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 78.38% of the company's stock.

Xcel Energy Company Profile

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.

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