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Xcel Energy (XEL)
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Xcel Energy (XEL) AI Stock Analysis

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XEL

Xcel Energy

(NASDAQ:XEL)

Rating:72Outperform
Price Target:
$82.00
▲(13.28% Upside)
Xcel Energy's strong financial performance, positive technical indicators, and promising earnings call highlight its growth potential. The robust dividend yield also adds to its attractiveness. However, the high P/E ratio and risks from legal challenges and operational costs moderate the overall outlook.
Positive Factors
Growth Potential
Xcel Energy is expected to have the highest ratebase CAGR among large-cap utilities, enhancing its growth potential.
Litigation Resolution
The Marshall Fire litigation resolution is seen as a major de-risking event for Xcel Energy shares.
Regulatory Opportunities
The company continues to execute on the regulatory front with the approved MN resource plan settlement providing visibility into the upside capital opportunities.
Negative Factors
Financial Impacts
The Smokehouse Creek Fire update shows an increase in estimated losses, with 255 claims received and $290 million accrued as the low-end of estimated losses.
Project Risks
Projects planned post-2029 could have an adverse impact on customers if not addressed, highlighting a potential risk.
Regulatory Concerns
Caution around recent regulatory developments is reflected in the rating.

Xcel Energy (XEL) vs. SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY)

Xcel Energy Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company DescriptionXcel Energy Inc. is a leading public utility holding company headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota. It operates in the energy sector, primarily focused on the generation, transmission, and distribution of electricity and natural gas. Xcel Energy serves millions of customers across several states, including Colorado, Texas, Minnesota, New Mexico, and Wisconsin. The company is committed to providing reliable, affordable, and sustainable energy solutions, with core services that include renewable energy generation, traditional fossil fuel power plants, and a robust infrastructure for electricity and natural gas delivery.
How the Company Makes MoneyXcel Energy generates revenue primarily through the sale of electricity and natural gas to residential, commercial, and industrial customers. Its revenue model is based on regulated utility rates set by state public utility commissions, which allow the company to recover its costs and earn a reasonable return on investment. Key revenue streams include electricity sales from both renewable sources (such as wind and solar) and traditional fossil fuel sources (like natural gas and coal). Additionally, Xcel Energy earns income from natural gas sales and various energy efficiency programs. Significant partnerships with state governments, renewable energy developers, and other stakeholders contribute to its growth, particularly in expanding its renewable energy portfolio and achieving sustainability goals.

Xcel Energy Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date:Jul 31, 2025
(Q2-2025)
|
% Change Since: 0.00%|
Next Earnings Date:Oct 23, 2025
Earnings Call Sentiment Neutral
Xcel Energy demonstrated strong financial performance with significant earnings growth and an ambitious capital investment plan. The company is making substantial progress in wildfire mitigation and data center expansion. However, challenges remain with increased operational costs and ongoing litigation related to wildfires. While the highlights are prominent, the lowlights represent notable risks, leading to a balanced view.
Q2-2025 Updates
Positive Updates
Strong Earnings Performance
Xcel Energy delivered earnings of $0.75 per share for the second quarter of 2025 compared to $0.54 per share in the second quarter of 2024, driven by higher revenue from electric and natural gas services.
Significant Capital Investment Plans
Xcel Energy increased its 5-year capital plan from $45 billion to $60 billion, reflecting anticipated additional customer needs and infrastructure investments.
Wildfire Mitigation Progress
Xcel Energy's $1.9 billion Wildfire Mitigation Plan in Colorado was approved, and a $500 million system resilience plan was approved in Texas.
Data Center Expansion
Xcel Energy is making progress on its data center projects, with 1.1 gigawatts under construction and contracts in place, aiming for 2.5% by 2030.
Negative Updates
Increased Operational Costs
Higher interest charges decreased earnings by $0.04 per share, and increased operations and maintenance (O&M) costs decreased earnings by $0.02 per share.
Smokehouse Creek Wildfire Claims
Xcel Energy continues to face wildfire claims, having settled or dismissed 11 of 27 lawsuits related to the Smokehouse Creek wildfire, with an estimated liability of $290 million.
Marshall Fire Litigation
Xcel Energy is preparing for a trial regarding the Marshall Fire, with potential liabilities uncertain as the trial is set to begin in September 2025.
Company Guidance
During Xcel Energy's Second Quarter 2025 Earnings Conference Call, the company reaffirmed its 2025 earnings guidance range of $3.75 to $3.85 per share, reflecting confidence in delivering long-term earnings growth in the upper half of its 6% to 8% target range. The call highlighted a strong quarterly performance with earnings of $0.75 per share, driven by higher electric and natural gas revenue and increased sales growth. Xcel Energy also detailed its substantial infrastructure investment plans, projecting a $45 billion capital expenditure over five years, with an expected additional $15 billion to meet growing customer needs, particularly in the Texas, New Mexico, and Upper Midwest regions. This plan includes substantial investments in wind, solar, and natural gas generation, as well as in wildfire risk mitigation and system resiliency. The company also addressed ongoing legal proceedings related to the Marshall Fire and emphasized its continued focus on regulatory approvals and federal policy impacts on its operations.

Xcel Energy Financial Statement Overview

Summary
Xcel Energy shows strong operational efficiency with stable profitability and healthy margins, despite recent revenue declines. The balance sheet has manageable leverage, though high capital expenditures have negatively impacted free cash flow.
Income Statement
75
Positive
Xcel Energy demonstrates stable profitability with a consistent gross profit margin and net profit margin over the years. The TTM data shows a gross profit margin of 50.19% and a net profit margin of 14.08%. Revenue growth is slightly negative in recent periods, with a decline of 2.17% from 2022 to 2023 and a further decline of 5.60% from 2023 to 2024. However, EBIT and EBITDA margins remain strong at 17.49% and 40.77% in the TTM, indicating efficient operational performance.
Balance Sheet
70
Positive
The balance sheet reveals a moderately leveraged position with a TTM debt-to-equity ratio of 1.60, which is typical for the regulated electric industry. The return on equity (ROE) is healthy at 9.75%, reflecting effective use of shareholder funds. The equity ratio stands at 27.22%, indicating a solid capital structure despite the significant debt levels.
Cash Flow
60
Neutral
Xcel Energy's cash flow shows challenges with negative free cash flow in the TTM at -$317 million, primarily due to high capital expenditures. However, the operating cash flow to net income ratio is strong at 2.39, demonstrating robust cash generation from operations. The free cash flow to net income ratio is negative, highlighting the impact of capital investment on cash flow.
BreakdownTTMDec 2024Dec 2023Dec 2022Dec 2021Dec 2020
Income Statement
Total Revenue13.71B13.44B14.21B15.31B13.43B11.53B
Gross Profit4.66B6.15B5.93B5.86B5.26B4.96B
EBITDA5.59B5.59B5.20B5.01B4.46B4.19B
Net Income1.93B1.94B1.77B1.74B1.60B1.47B
Balance Sheet
Total Assets72.75B70.03B64.08B61.19B57.85B53.96B
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments1.12B179.00M129.00M111.00M166.00M129.00M
Total Debt32.33B30.21B27.51B26.03B24.74B22.21B
Total Liabilities52.95B50.51B46.46B44.51B42.24B39.38B
Stockholders Equity19.80B19.52B17.62B16.68B15.61B14.57B
Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow-317.00M-2.72B-527.00M-706.00M-2.06B-2.52B
Operating Cash Flow4.62B4.64B5.33B3.93B2.19B2.85B
Investing Cash Flow-7.86B-7.43B-5.93B-4.65B-4.29B-4.74B
Financing Cash Flow3.87B2.84B617.00M666.00M2.13B1.77B

Xcel Energy Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Positive
Last Price72.39
Price Trends
50DMA
69.91
Positive
100DMA
69.61
Positive
200DMA
68.23
Positive
Market Momentum
MACD
0.72
Positive
RSI
50.83
Neutral
STOCH
43.46
Neutral
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For XEL, the sentiment is Positive. The current price of 72.39 is below the 20-day moving average (MA) of 72.77, above the 50-day MA of 69.91, and above the 200-day MA of 68.23, indicating a neutral trend. The MACD of 0.72 indicates Positive momentum. The RSI at 50.83 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 43.46 is Neutral, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Positive sentiment for XEL.

Xcel Energy Risk Analysis

Xcel Energy disclosed 33 risk factors in its most recent earnings report. Xcel Energy 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

Xcel Energy Peers Comparison

Overall Rating
UnderperformOutperform
Sector (62)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
76
Outperform
$45.06B16.939.87%3.54%4.46%8.68%
73
Outperform
$35.22B20.9813.12%3.27%7.88%20.67%
72
Outperform
$43.32B21.9212.19%2.83%13.73%19.94%
72
Outperform
$42.81B20.0810.65%3.11%1.20%7.99%
66
Neutral
$33.65B14.168.48%0.57%-1.30%-8.34%
64
Neutral
$37.10B18.658.54%3.29%9.03%7.22%
62
Neutral
C$8.27B3.54-16.63%4.58%0.42%-203.16%
* Utilities Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
XEL
Xcel Energy
71.93
13.93
24.02%
ED
Consolidated Edison
100.77
4.04
4.18%
EXC
Exelon
44.58
8.34
23.01%
PCG
PG&E
15.02
-3.30
-18.01%
PEG
Public Service Enterprise
85.32
7.12
9.10%
WEC
WEC Energy Group
107.36
20.83
24.07%

Xcel Energy Corporate Events

Business Operations and StrategyRegulatory Filings and Compliance
Xcel Energy’s Rate Increase Proposal Adjustments Recommended
Neutral
Aug 11, 2025

In March 2025, Northern States Power Company-Wisconsin, a subsidiary of Xcel Energy, filed a request with the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin for a multi-year increase in electric and natural gas rates. The request includes a $151 million electric revenue increase over 2026 and 2027, and a $24 million natural gas revenue increase over the same period. On August 8, 2025, the PSCW Staff recommended adjustments, suggesting a $115 million increase for electric and $21 million for natural gas, with a decision expected by late 2025. This rate adjustment proposal reflects NSP-Wisconsin’s strategic focus on infrastructure investments and operational cost management, impacting stakeholders by potentially altering service costs and investment returns.

The most recent analyst rating on (XEL) stock is a Hold with a $66.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Xcel Energy stock, see the XEL Stock Forecast page.

Business Operations and StrategyRegulatory Filings and Compliance
Xcel Energy’s SPS Selects 3,121 MW Capacity Portfolio
Positive
Jul 18, 2025

In October 2023, SPS, a subsidiary of Xcel Energy, filed its Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) with the New Mexico Public Regulation Commission (NMPRC) to address projected load growth and reliability needs, securing replacement energy and capacity for retiring resources. By July 2025, SPS selected a portfolio of 3,121 MW of accredited capacity resources, including wind, solar, storage, and natural gas, and plans to make regulatory filings for asset approvals in 2025, with expectations for approval in 2026. This strategic move is expected to enhance SPS’s operational capacity and compliance with renewable standards, impacting its industry positioning and stakeholder interests.

The most recent analyst rating on (XEL) stock is a Buy with a $72.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Xcel Energy stock, see the XEL Stock Forecast page.

Business Operations and StrategyRegulatory Filings and Compliance
Xcel Energy Seeks $44 Million Rate Increase
Negative
Jun 30, 2025

On June 30, 2025, Northern States Power Company, a subsidiary of Xcel Energy, filed for a $44 million electric rate increase with the South Dakota Public Utilities Commission, aiming for a 15% hike based on a 2024 test year. If approved, this would lead to a 3% average annual residential bill increase over 2016-2026, potentially impacting stakeholders and the company’s financial positioning.

The most recent analyst rating on (XEL) stock is a Hold with a $66.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Xcel Energy stock, see the XEL Stock Forecast page.

Executive/Board Changes
Xcel Energy Appoints New Chief Legal Officer
Neutral
Jun 16, 2025

On June 13, 2025, Xcel Energy announced that Rob Berntsen, Executive Vice President, Chief Legal and Compliance Officer, would be leaving the company to pursue another opportunity. Ryan Long, who has been with Xcel Energy since 2015 and served in various legal roles, was promoted to fill Berntsen’s position effective June 16, 2025. Long will also continue his role as President of Northern States Power Company while a search for his successor is conducted.

The most recent analyst rating on (XEL) stock is a Hold with a $66.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Xcel Energy stock, see the XEL Stock Forecast page.

Executive/Board ChangesShareholder Meetings
Xcel Energy Shareholders Approve Board and Compensation Plans
Positive
May 23, 2025

Xcel Energy held its 2025 Annual Meeting of Shareholders on May 21, 2025, where all 11 directors nominated by the Board were elected. Shareholders also approved the company’s executive compensation plan and ratified Deloitte & Touche LLP as the independent registered public accounting firm for 2025. These decisions reflect shareholder confidence in the company’s leadership and strategic direction.

The most recent analyst rating on (XEL) stock is a Hold with a $68.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Xcel Energy stock, see the XEL Stock Forecast page.

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.Date of analysis: Aug 01, 2025