Xcel Energy Inc. (NASDAQ:XEL) has garnered a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” from seventeen research firms, according to Marketbeat. This assessment follows a comprehensive analysis of the stock’s performance and market conditions. Among the analysts, one has issued a sell recommendation, one has a hold rating, while thirteen have endorsed a buy rating, and two analysts have provided a strong buy rating.
The average price target for the stock stands at approximately $87.14, reflecting the optimism surrounding Xcel’s future performance. Several brokerages have recently updated their ratings and price targets for Xcel Energy, indicating a range of perspectives among market analysts.
Brokerage Ratings and Price Targets
Morgan Stanley maintained an “underperform” rating and set a price objective of $84.00 per share in a report dated November 20, 2023. Meanwhile, Mizuho raised its price target from $83.00 to $87.00, assigning an “outperform” rating on October 27, 2023. KeyCorp also increased its price objective from $79.00 to $85.00, giving Xcel Energy an “overweight” rating as of October 15, 2023.
Additionally, Barclays adjusted its price target upward from $83.00 to $85.00, while also issuing an “overweight” rating in a report released on November 5, 2023. Jefferies Financial Group provided a more significant boost, raising its target price from $84.00 to $92.00 and recommending a “buy” rating in a report dated October 16, 2023.
Current Market Performance
As of Wednesday, Xcel Energy shares opened at $77.18, reflecting a 0.8% decline. The stock has experienced a one-year low of $62.58 and a high of $83.01, showcasing its fluctuating market presence. Xcel Energy currently holds a market capitalization of $45.66 billion with a price-to-earnings ratio of 23.53 and a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.30.
The company reported a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.51, a current ratio of 0.79, and a quick ratio of 0.69. Furthermore, its fifty-day moving average price stands at $80.52, while the two-hundred day moving average price is $74.24.
Xcel Energy announced its latest earnings results on October 29, 2023, reporting earnings per share (EPS) of $1.24 for the quarter, which fell short of analysts’ expectations of $1.32. The company’s revenue reached $3.92 billion, surpassing the estimated $3.89 billion. Compared to the same quarter last year, Xcel Energy’s quarterly revenue increased by 7.4%, although earnings per share were slightly lower than the previous year’s $1.25.
Analysts project that Xcel Energy will achieve an EPS of 3.82 for the current fiscal year, indicating an expected steady performance moving forward.
Xcel Energy Inc. operates through various subsidiaries, engaging in the generation, purchasing, transmission, distribution, and sale of electricity. The company utilizes diverse energy sources, including wind, nuclear, hydroelectric, biomass, solar, coal, natural gas, oil, and refuse-derived fuels, across its regulated electric utility, regulated natural gas utility, and other segments.
For further updates on Xcel Energy and related market news, readers can subscribe to daily summaries provided by MarketBeat.com, which offer insights into stock performance and analyst ratings.
