Xcel Energy XEL is scheduled to release fourth-quarter 2024 results on Feb. 6, before market open. The company delivered a negative earnings surprise of 3.1% in the last reported quarter.

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Let’s discuss the factors that are likely to be reflected in the upcoming quarterly results.

Key Factors That Might Have Impacted XEL Stocks' Q4 Earnings

Xcel Energy’s quarterly earnings are likely to have benefited from higher demand from data centers, electric vehicle adoption, electric and natural gas customer additions and economic growth in its service region.

The company’s quarterly earnings are also likely to have benefited from the new natural gas rate in its Colorado region, which became effective in November 2024.

Courtesy of efficient operations management, the company’s natural gas and electric rates are lower than the national average. This has attracted more customers and created fresh demand, which might have aided XEL.

However, the expected increase in operation and maintenance expenses must have offset some of the positives in the to-be-reported quarter.

Q4 Expectations for XEL Stock

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings is pegged at 87 cents per share, indicating a year-over-year increase of 4.8%.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for revenues is pegged at $3.72 billion, implying a year-over-year improvement of 8%.

What the Zacks Model Unveils

Our proven model conclusively predicts an earnings beat for Xcel Energy this time around. The combination of a positive Earnings ESP and a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), #2 (Buy) or #3 (Hold) increases the odds of an earnings beat. That is not the case here, as you will see below.
 

Earnings ESP: The company’s Earnings ESP is +0.58%. You can uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they’re reported with our Earnings ESP Filter.

Zacks Rank: Currently, Xcel Energy carries a Zacks Rank #3. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

Upcoming Releases

Investors may consider the following players from the same industry as these have the right combination of elements to post an earnings beat this reporting cycle.

Dominion Energy D is likely to come up with an earnings beat when it reports fourth-quarter results on Feb. 12. It has an Earnings ESP of +5.85% and a Zacks Rank #3 at present.

D’s long-term (three to five years) earnings growth rate is 13.59%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings is pinned at 57 cents per share, which implies a year-over-year increase of 96.6%.

OGE Energy OGE is likely to come up with an earnings beat when it reports fourth-quarter results on Feb. 19. It has an Earnings ESP of +2.41% and a Zacks Rank #2 at present.

OGE’s long-term earnings growth rate is 5.92%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings is pinned at 48 cents per share, which implies a year-over-year increase of 100%.

CenterPoint Energy CNP is likely to come up with an earnings beat when it reports fourth-quarter results on Feb. 20. It has an Earnings ESP of +0.63% and a Zacks Rank #2 at present.

CNP’s long-term earnings growth rate is 7.12%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings is pinned at 40 cents per share, which implies a year-over-year increase of 25%.

 

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Xcel Energy Inc. (XEL) : Free Stock Analysis Report

OGE Energy Corporation (OGE) : Free Stock Analysis Report

CenterPoint Energy, Inc. (CNP) : Free Stock Analysis Report

Dominion Energy Inc. (D) : Free Stock Analysis Report

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