Xcel Energy (NASDAQ:XEL) Updates FY 2026 Earnings Guidance

Xcel Energy (NASDAQ:XEL) updated its FY 2026 earnings guidance on Thursday. The company provided earnings per share guidance of 4.040-4.160 for the period, compared to the consensus earnings per share estimate of 4.120. The company issued revenue guidance of -.

Xcel Energy Trading Down 0.3%

Shares of NASDAQ:XEL opened at $75.90 on Friday. The stock has a market capitalization of $44.90 billion, a PE ratio of 22.19, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.08 and a beta of 0.46. Xcel Energy has a one year low of $65.21 and a one year high of $83.01. The company’s 50-day moving average price is $75.22 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $76.21. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.51, a current ratio of 0.79 and a quick ratio of 0.69.

Xcel Energy (NASDAQ:XEL) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, February 5th. The company reported $0.96 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, meeting analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.96. The company had revenue of $3.56 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $3.77 billion. Xcel Energy had a return on equity of 10.83% and a net margin of 13.76%.The business’s revenue was up 14.1% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the firm posted $0.81 earnings per share. Xcel Energy has set its FY 2026 guidance at 4.040-4.160 EPS. On average, equities analysts forecast that Xcel Energy will post 3.82 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Xcel Energy Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, January 20th. Stockholders of record on Monday, December 29th were paid a dividend of $0.57 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, December 29th. This represents a $2.28 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.0%. Xcel Energy’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 69.51%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several equities research analysts have recently commented on the company. Morgan Stanley restated an “underperform” rating on shares of Xcel Energy in a report on Wednesday, January 21st. Mizuho set a $86.00 target price on shares of Xcel Energy in a research note on Friday, January 9th. Citigroup lifted their target price on shares of Xcel Energy from $80.00 to $92.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Monday, November 3rd. Weiss Ratings restated a “buy (b-)” rating on shares of Xcel Energy in a research note on Wednesday, January 21st. Finally, KeyCorp decreased their price objective on shares of Xcel Energy from $85.00 to $84.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a report on Friday, December 12th. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twelve have issued a Buy rating, one has given a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Xcel Energy has an average rating of “Buy” and an average target price of $87.60.

Xcel Energy News Summary

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

• Positive Sentiment: Xcel doubled its two‑year data‑center contract target to 6 GW, signalling materially higher corporate demand that can drive long‑term generation and transmission revenue and support infrastructure recovery mechanisms. Xcel Doubles Two-Year Data Center Contracts Goal to 6 GW
• Positive Sentiment: A strategic Data Center Power Alliance with NextEra is being highlighted as changing Xcel’s investment story by expanding scale, customer access and project execution options — should improve visibility into long‑term load growth. How Xcel–NextEra Data Center Power Alliance At Xcel Energy (XEL) Has Changed Its Investment Story
• Positive Sentiment: Q4 profit rose ~22% as higher electricity demand from data centers (AI workloads) helped offset cost pressures, showing a structural tailwind for demand. Xcel Energy’s quarterly profit rises on AI-driven power demand
• Neutral Sentiment: Xcel reiterated FY2026 EPS guidance of $4.040–$4.160 (management maintained outlook), a range that sits marginally below some street estimates — guidance is stable but offers limited upside near term. Xcel Energy 2025 Year End Earnings Report
• Neutral Sentiment: Management’s earnings call and slide deck emphasize strategic investments, data‑center traction and infrastructure recovery mechanisms — useful for medium/long‑term investors but unlikely to immediately reverse near‑term sentiment. Xcel Energy Inc. (XEL) Q4 2025 Earnings Call Transcript
• Negative Sentiment: Revenue missed estimates: Q4 revenue was $3.56B vs. analyst expectations near $3.77B, and reported operating/financing costs rose year‑over‑year — factors that pressure short‑term sentiment and valuation multiples. Xcel Energy Q4 Earnings and Revenues Lag Estimates, Expenses Rise

Institutional Trading of Xcel Energy

Several large investors have recently modified their holdings of XEL. Measured Wealth Private Client Group LLC purchased a new position in Xcel Energy during the third quarter worth approximately $42,000. Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. lifted its position in Xcel Energy by 45.3% in the 3rd quarter. Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. now owns 1,497 shares of the company’s stock valued at $121,000 after purchasing an additional 467 shares during the last quarter. Ossiam grew its position in Xcel Energy by 580.8% in the 3rd quarter. Ossiam now owns 2,335 shares of the company’s stock valued at $188,000 after buying an additional 1,992 shares in the last quarter. Flow Traders U.S. LLC bought a new position in Xcel Energy during the third quarter valued at about $201,000. Finally, Cary Street Partners Financial LLC raised its position in shares of Xcel Energy by 16.0% during the second quarter. Cary Street Partners Financial LLC now owns 2,620 shares of the company’s stock worth $178,000 after purchasing an additional 362 shares during the period. 78.38% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

About Xcel Energy

Xcel Energy (NASDAQ: XEL) is a Minneapolis-based, publicly traded utility holding company that develops, owns and operates regulated electricity and natural gas delivery systems. The company’s core activities include generation, transmission and distribution of electricity, the delivery of natural gas to customers, and related customer service operations. Xcel provides a mix of utility services to residential, commercial and industrial customers and participates in wholesale energy markets where appropriate.

Its generation portfolio combines nuclear, natural gas, coal and a growing share of renewable resources such as wind and solar.