Xcel Energy (NASDAQ:XEL) Downgraded by Wall Street Zen to Sell

Wall Street Zen downgraded shares of Xcel Energy (NASDAQ:XEL) from a hold rating to a sell rating in a research note published on Saturday morning,Wall Street Zen reports.

A number of other research firms have also recently weighed in on XEL. Scotiabank initiated coverage on Xcel Energy in a report on Tuesday, September 29th. They issued a “sector outperform” rating and a $77.00 price target for the company. BTIG Research set a $92.00 price objective on shares of Xcel Energy in a research report on Friday. KeyCorp dropped their price objective on shares of Xcel Energy from $90.00 to $87.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, October 13th. Mizuho set a $92.00 target price on shares of Xcel Energy and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research report on Friday, July 31st. Finally, UBS Group boosted their target price on shares of Xcel Energy from $91.00 to $96.00 in a research report on Monday, July 6th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, sixteen have assigned a Buy rating and one has assigned a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, Xcel Energy has a consensus rating of “Buy” and a consensus price target of $90.28.

Xcel Energy Trading Up 1.0%

NASDAQ XEL opened at $79.82 on Friday. Xcel Energy has a one year low of $68.72 and a one year high of $84.23. The company’s 50 day moving average price is $74.68 and its 200 day moving average price is $78.19. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.49, a quick ratio of 0.62 and a current ratio of 0.70. The firm has a market capitalization of $49.86 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 18.61, a PEG ratio of 2.65 and a beta of 0.36.

Xcel Energy (NASDAQ:XEL) last released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, October 28th. The company reported $1.52 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.39 by $0.13. Xcel Energy had a net margin of 17.94% and a return on equity of 11.29%. The company had revenue of $4.17 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.26 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business earned $1.24 earnings per share. The business’s quarterly revenue was up 6.6% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, sell-side analysts predict that Xcel Energy will post 4.13 EPS for the current year.

Institutional Trading of Xcel Energy

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the company. BlackRock Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Xcel Energy in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $4,890,136,000. GQG Partners LLC acquired a new stake in Xcel Energy in the 2nd quarter valued at $891,688,000. Barrow Hanley Mewhinney & Strauss LLC bought a new stake in Xcel Energy in the second quarter valued at $708,086,000. Legal & General Group Plc bought a new stake in Xcel Energy in the second quarter valued at $503,543,000. Finally, Deutsche Bank AG acquired a new position in Xcel Energy during the second quarter worth $433,927,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 78.38% of the company’s stock.

Xcel Energy News Roundup

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

• Positive Sentiment: Third-quarter EPS beat expectations. Xcel reported ongoing earnings of $1.52 per share, up from $1.24 a year earlier and above the $1.39 analyst consensus. Higher electric sales, favorable weather and increased recovery of electric costs supported results. Xcel Energy Q3 revenue jumps 6.6% to $4.17B as EPS beats forecasts
• Positive Sentiment: Long-term growth investment increased. Xcel outlined a roughly $70 billion, five-year capital investment plan, aimed at expanding and upgrading its electric system to meet rising demand. The company also initiated 2027 EPS guidance of $4.48 to $4.62, providing investors with a new earnings framework. Xcel outlines $70B 5-year investment plan while initiating 2027 EPS guidance
• Positive Sentiment: Analyst sentiment remained supportive. Barclays raised its price target to $94 from $85, while RBC Capital Markets maintained a Buy rating, signaling confidence in Xcel’s regulated utility growth prospects. Barclays Adjusts Price Target on Xcel Energy to $94 From $85
• Neutral Sentiment: Revenue grew but missed estimates. Third-quarter revenue rose 6.6% year over year to $4.17 billion, though it fell short of the $4.26 billion consensus, limiting the impact of the earnings beat. Xcel Energy Q3 Earnings Beat Estimates, Revenues Increase Year over Year
• Negative Sentiment: 2026 earnings guidance was lowered or narrowed. Management reduced its full-year ongoing EPS outlook despite the quarterly beat, reflecting uncertainty around the timing of cost recovery and operating conditions. The large investment program may also increase financing and execution requirements. Xcel Energy Q3 Earnings Beat Estimates, Revenues Increase Year over Year

About Xcel Energy

Xcel Energy Inc is a public utility holding company that provides electricity and natural gas services to residential, commercial, and industrial customers. Its operations include the generation, transmission, distribution, and sale of electricity, as well as the distribution and sale of natural gas.

The company serves customers across Colorado, Michigan, Minnesota, New Mexico, North Dakota, South Dakota, Texas, and Wisconsin through operating companies including Northern States Power, Public Service Company of Colorado, Southwestern Public Service Company, and NSP-Wisconsin.