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Ppl Corp. (PPL)
NYSE:PPL

PPL (PPL) AI Stock Analysis

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PP

PPL

(NYSE:PPL)

Rating:76Outperform
Price Target:
$38.00
▲(10.53%Upside)
PPL's strong financial performance and positive earnings call highlights are the most significant factors driving the stock score. However, technical analysis indicates bearish trends, and valuation concerns due to a high P/E ratio weigh on the overall score.
Positive Factors
Earnings Growth
The company's ongoing EPS grew by 9%, boosting confidence in meeting future guidance.
Market Performance
PPL's shares have outperformed the S&P Utilities, reflecting attractive EPS growth prospects and a strong balance sheet.
Strategic Initiatives
PPL continues to advance several strategic initiatives, enhancing its market position.
Negative Factors
Financial Challenges
The elevated spending drives an earlier and higher need for equity issuance than previously anticipated.
Market Disconnect
Despite significant growth opportunities, shares of PPL have remained flat, suggesting a disconnect between potential and market performance.
Regulatory Challenges
The proposed energy legislation in Pennsylvania is seen as provocative, and there is caution regarding its passage.

PPL (PPL) vs. SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY)

PPL Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company DescriptionPPL Corporation, a utility holding company, delivers electricity and natural gas in the United States and the United Kingdom. The company operates through two segments: Kentucky Regulated and Pennsylvania Regulated. It serves approximately 429,000 electric and 333,000 natural gas customers in Louisville and adjacent areas in Kentucky; 538,000 electric customers in central, southeastern, and western Kentucky; and 28,000 electric customers in five counties in southwestern Virginia. The company also provides electric services to approximately 1.4 million customers in Pennsylvania; and generates electricity from coal, gas, hydro, and solar sources in Kentucky; and sells wholesale electricity to two municipalities in Kentucky. PPL Corporation was founded in 1920 and is headquartered in Allentown, Pennsylvania.
How the Company Makes MoneyPPL Corporation generates revenue primarily from the sale of electricity and natural gas to residential, commercial, and industrial customers. The company's revenue model is based on regulated rates approved by public utility commissions, ensuring a stable and predictable income stream. PPL's earnings are driven by its subsidiaries, which include electricity distribution networks and power generation facilities. The company benefits from long-term regulatory frameworks that allow for the recovery of operational costs and capital investments. Additionally, PPL may engage in strategic partnerships and investments in renewable energy projects, contributing to its growth and sustainability objectives.

PPL Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date:Apr 30, 2025
(Q1-2025)
|
% Change Since: -4.76%|
Next Earnings Date:Aug 01, 2025
Earnings Call Sentiment Positive
The earnings call reflects a strong start to the fiscal year 2025 with significant growth in earnings and infrastructure investments. Regulatory approvals and data center interest point to positive future prospects. However, challenges remain with certain special item costs and segment performances, particularly in Rhode Island. Potential tariff impacts on planned projects are being monitored but are not expected to significantly derail the overall plan.
Q1-2025 Updates
Positive Updates
Strong Start to Fiscal Year 2025
Reported first quarter GAAP earnings of $0.56 per share, and adjusted ongoing earnings of $0.60 per share, an 11% increase over the previous year's ongoing earnings of $0.54 per share.
Infrastructure and Capital Investment
On track to complete over $4 billion in infrastructure improvements in 2025, with a projected $20 billion in capital investment from 2025 to 2028, resulting in an average annual rate base growth of 9.8%.
Operational and Regulatory Approvals
Received regulatory approval for infrastructure investments worth nearly $400 million in Rhode Island, including $220 million for electric and $145 million for gas capital investments.
Data Center Development
Nearly 11 gigawatts of data center projects in advanced planning stages in Pennsylvania, with potential capital investment between $700 million to $850 million.
Financial Flexibility and Credit Metrics
Maintained a strong balance sheet with a $2 billion ATM program for financing. Issued about $170 million of equity year-to-date.
Negative Updates
Challenges with Special Items
Recorded special items costing $0.04 per share due to IT transformation costs, settlement charges related to Rhode Island energy efficiency programs, and integration costs.
Rhode Island Segment Performance
Decreased results by $0.01 per share due to lower transmission revenues from a prior period true-up and higher operating costs.
Potential Tariff Impact on Battery Storage
Concerns about tariff impacts on roughly 400 megawatts of planned battery storage, though mitigated by domestic sourcing strategies.
Company Guidance
During the PPL Corporation First Quarter 2025 Earnings Conference Call, the company provided guidance on several key metrics. PPL reported first quarter GAAP earnings of $0.56 per share, with earnings from ongoing operations adjusted to $0.60 per share, marking an 11% increase from $0.54 per share in the previous year. The company reaffirmed its 2025 earnings forecast of $1.75 to $1.87 per share, with a midpoint of $1.81. PPL plans to invest over $4 billion in infrastructure improvements in 2025, contributing to a projected rate base growth of 9.8% annually from 2025 to 2028. They also aim to achieve at least $150 million in cumulative O&M savings compared to the 2021 baseline. PPL targets a 6% to 8% annual earnings per share growth through at least 2028 and plans to maintain a 16% to 18% FFO-to-debt ratio and a holding company to total debt ratio below 25%.

PPL Financial Statement Overview

Summary
PPL shows strong revenue growth and profitability, with a solid net profit margin of 11.5%. The balance sheet is stable with moderate leverage, though cash flow management needs improvement due to negative free cash flow.
Income Statement
85
Very Positive
PPL demonstrates strong revenue growth with a 3.0% increase in TTM revenue compared to the previous year. The gross profit margin stands at 37.5% for TTM, indicating efficient cost management. Net profit margin improved to 11.5%, showing solid profitability. EBIT and EBITDA margins are healthy at 21.7% and 38.7% respectively, reflecting strong operational performance.
Balance Sheet
78
Positive
PPL maintains a stable balance sheet with a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.21, indicating moderate leverage. The company has a return on equity of 6.96%, which is reasonable for the industry. An equity ratio of 34.2% suggests a balanced capital structure, though there is room for improvement in reducing liabilities.
Cash Flow
72
Positive
PPL's cash flow management shows some challenges with a negative free cash flow of -$431 million in TTM. However, the operating cash flow to net income ratio is strong at 2.58, indicating efficient conversion of earnings into cash. The free cash flow to net income ratio is negative, highlighting potential cash constraints that need addressing.
Breakdown
TTMDec 2024Dec 2023Dec 2022Dec 2021Dec 2020
Income StatementTotal Revenue
8.66B8.46B8.31B7.90B5.78B7.61B
Gross Profit
3.25B3.39B3.28B2.89B2.71B4.40B
EBIT
1.88B1.74B1.63B1.37B1.42B2.80B
EBITDA
3.35B3.22B2.93B2.66B2.58B2.67B
Net Income Common Stockholders
995.00M888.00M740.00M756.00M18.00M1.47B
Balance SheetCash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments
312.00M306.00M331.00M356.00M3.57B708.00M
Total Assets
41.81B41.07B39.24B37.84B33.22B48.12B
Total Debt
17.29B16.81B15.60B14.23B11.21B24.79B
Net Debt
16.97B16.50B15.27B13.87B7.64B24.08B
Total Liabilities
27.51B26.99B25.30B23.92B19.50B34.74B
Stockholders Equity
14.30B14.08B13.93B13.91B13.72B13.37B
Cash FlowFree Cash Flow
-431.00M-465.00M-632.00M-425.00M297.00M-503.00M
Operating Cash Flow
2.57B2.34B1.76B1.73B2.27B2.75B
Investing Cash Flow
-3.01B-2.82B-2.38B-5.65B7.96B-3.26B
Financing Cash Flow
458.00M435.00M650.00M709.00M-7.39B386.00M

PPL Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Positive
Last Price34.38
Price Trends
50DMA
34.74
Negative
100DMA
34.31
Positive
200DMA
33.13
Positive
Market Momentum
MACD
-0.25
Negative
RSI
50.97
Neutral
STOCH
33.17
Neutral
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For PPL, the sentiment is Positive. The current price of 34.38 is above the 20-day moving average (MA) of 34.18, below the 50-day MA of 34.74, and above the 200-day MA of 33.13, indicating a neutral trend. The MACD of -0.25 indicates Negative momentum. The RSI at 50.97 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 33.17 is Neutral, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Positive sentiment for PPL.

PPL Risk Analysis

PPL disclosed 27 risk factors in its most recent earnings report. PPL reported the most risks in the "Production" category.
Finance & Corporate - Financial and accounting risks. Risks related to the execution of corporate activity and strategy
Latest Risks Added 0 New Risks

PPL Peers Comparison

Overall Rating
UnderperformOutperform
Sector (64)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
AEAEE
77
Outperform
$26.46B21.2210.23%2.96%8.96%3.75%
PPPPL
76
Outperform
$24.93B25.187.00%3.23%5.62%30.02%
DTDTE
72
Outperform
$27.99B18.2213.28%3.23%11.16%20.94%
FEFE
72
Outperform
$23.21B21.398.69%4.43%7.92%1.54%
ESES
71
Outperform
$24.08B28.305.63%4.59%10.82%
CNCNP
67
Neutral
$23.66B24.379.22%2.43%4.76%4.08%
64
Neutral
$8.55B10.424.24%4.64%4.05%-13.04%
* Utilities Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
PPL
PPL
34.38
7.13
26.17%
AEE
Ameren
97.17
29.23
43.02%
CNP
Centerpoint Energy
36.41
6.33
21.04%
DTE
DTE Energy
136.03
27.29
25.10%
FE
FirstEnergy
40.67
3.56
9.59%
ES
Eversource Energy
65.80
9.81
17.52%

PPL Corporate Events

Executive/Board ChangesShareholder Meetings
PPL Shareholders Elect Directors, Approve Executive Compensation
Neutral
May 19, 2025

At the Annual Meeting of Shareowners of PPL Corporation held on May 16, 2025, all ten nominees for the office of director were elected. Additionally, the shareowners approved the 2024 compensation of the Company’s named executive officers and ratified the appointment of Deloitte & Touche LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 2025. However, a proposal for independent evaluation of greenhouse gas reduction targets was rejected.

The most recent analyst rating on (PPL) stock is a Buy with a $56.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on PPL stock, see the PPL Stock Forecast page.

Business Operations and Strategy
PPL Subsidiaries Seek Revenue Increases for System Upgrades
Neutral
May 15, 2025

On May 15, 2025, LG&E and KU announced plans to request revenue increases from the Kentucky Public Service Commission to support system enhancements aimed at improving reliability and resilience against severe weather. The proposed increases include 8.3% for LG&E electricity, 11.5% for KU electricity, and 14.0% for LG&E gas, with new rates potentially effective from January 1, 2026. These enhancements are part of ongoing efforts to upgrade aging infrastructure, improve customer service, and maintain competitive rates despite rising costs. The companies emphasize the importance of these investments in light of increasing severe weather events and the need for modernized systems.

The most recent analyst rating on (PPL) stock is a Buy with a $56.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on PPL stock, see the PPL Stock Forecast page.

Business Operations and StrategyFinancial Disclosures
PPL Reaffirms 2025 Earnings Guidance in May 2025
Neutral
May 2, 2025

In May 2025, PPL Corporation’s senior management will engage with analysts and investors to discuss the company’s corporate strategy and business outlook. During these meetings, PPL plans to reaffirm its 2025 earnings guidance of $1.75 to $1.87 per share, maintaining a midpoint of $1.81 per share, as previously presented in their April 30, 2025 earnings call.

Business Operations and StrategyFinancial Disclosures
PPL Reports 35% Increase in Q1 2025 Earnings
Positive
Apr 30, 2025

PPL Corporation announced its first-quarter 2025 earnings, reporting a 35% increase in GAAP earnings to $414 million, or $0.56 per share, compared to the same period in 2024. The company reaffirmed its ongoing earnings forecast for 2025 and its annual EPS and dividend growth targets through 2028, highlighting strong financial discipline and operational execution, with a focus on creating utilities of the future.

Glossary
BuyA stock rated as a "Buy" is expected to perform better than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock is likely to deliver higher returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
HoldA stock rated as a "Hold" is expected to perform in line with the overall market or a specific benchmark. This rating indicates that the stock is neither particularly compelling nor unfavorable for investment. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
SellA stock rated as a "Sell" is expected to perform worse than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock may deliver lower returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.

Disclaimer

This AI Analyst Stock Report is automatically generated by our AI systems using advanced algorithms and publicly available financial, technical, and market data. While the information provided aims to be accurate and insightful, it is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Any content created by an AI (Artificial Intelligence) system may contain inaccuracies and/or contain errors. Investing in stocks carries inherent risks, and past performance is not indicative of future results. This report does not account for your personal financial circumstances, objectives, or risk tolerance. Always conduct your own research or consult with a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions. The analysis and recommendations provided are based on historical and current data and may not fully reflect future market conditions or unexpected developments. Neither the creators of this report nor its affiliated entities guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information presented. Use this report at your own discretion and risk.