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

Key Points

• Xcel Energy reached a new 52-week high of $81.28, closing at $80.99, with significant trading volume of 2,104,174 shares.
• Analysts maintain a consensus rating of Moderate Buy on Xcel Energy, with an average target price of $81.73, while Evercore ISI set a more optimistic target of $92.00.
• The company recently declared a quarterly dividend of $0.57, yielding 2.8%, with a payout ratio of 63.16%.

Xcel Energy Inc. (NASDAQ:XEL - Get Free Report) reached a new 52-week high during mid-day trading on Monday . The stock traded as high as $81.28 and last traded at $80.99, with a volume of 2104174 shares traded. The stock had previously closed at $80.26.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several brokerages recently issued reports on XEL. Weiss Ratings reiterated a "hold (c+)" rating on shares of Xcel Energy in a research note on Saturday, September 27th. Evercore ISI set a $92.00 target price on shares of Xcel Energy and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a research report on Monday. Bank of America raised their price target on shares of Xcel Energy from $78.00 to $84.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research report on Thursday, September 25th. BMO Capital Markets set a $84.00 target price on Xcel Energy in a research report on Thursday, September 25th. Finally, Morgan Stanley decreased their price target on Xcel Energy from $81.00 to $80.00 and set an "equal weight" rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, September 25th. Nine research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and three have given a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $81.73.

Xcel Energy Stock Up 0.9%

The company has a market capitalization of $47.91 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 22.44, a P/E/G ratio of 2.70 and a beta of 0.37. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.48, a current ratio of 0.96 and a quick ratio of 0.85. The firm's fifty day moving average price is $73.97 and its 200-day moving average price is $70.97.

Xcel Energy (NASDAQ:XEL - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, July 31st. The company reported $0.75 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $0.66 by $0.09. The business had revenue of $3.29 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates 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 quarter in the previous year, the company posted $0.54 EPS. Xcel Energy has set its FY 2025 guidance at 3.750-3.850 EPS. Sell-side analysts expect that Xcel Energy Inc. will post 3.82 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Xcel Energy Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, October 20th. Shareholders of record on Monday, September 15th will be paid 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 payout ratio is 63.16%.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Xcel Energy

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Twin Peaks Wealth Advisors LLC bought a new position in Xcel Energy during the 2nd quarter valued at $25,000. Clearstead Trust LLC lifted its holdings in Xcel Energy by 202.2% during the 2nd quarter. Clearstead Trust LLC now owns 417 shares of the company's stock worth $28,000 after purchasing an additional 279 shares in the last quarter. Accent Capital Management LLC bought a new position in Xcel Energy in the 1st quarter worth about $29,000. BankPlus Trust Department purchased a new position in Xcel Energy during the first quarter valued at approximately $34,000. Finally, Rise Advisors LLC increased its holdings in shares of Xcel Energy by 62.9% in the second quarter. Rise Advisors LLC now owns 518 shares of the company's stock worth $35,000 after purchasing an additional 200 shares during the period. 78.38% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

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.

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