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What's in Store for NRG Energy (NRG) This Earnings Season?

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NRG Energy, Inc. (NRG - Free Report) is scheduled to report first-quarter 2019 results on May 2, before market opens. In the last reported quarter, the company delivered positive earnings surprise of 85.71%

 Let’s see how things are shaping up for this earnings season.

Factors to Consider

NRG Energy is on track with its transformation plan and is expected to benefit from the same. In February, the company closed the sale of South Central and Carlsbadand other assets, it generated total proceeds of $3 billion under the transformation plan.

The company focuses on executing cost savings, undertaking margin-enhancement initiatives and reducing outstanding debts. NRG Energy is reserving up to $600 million of 2019 capital for potential debt reduction. We expect these factors to be reflected in the first quarter as well. We believe that the company will gain from share buyback programs in the to-be-reported quarter.

NRG Energy, Inc. Price and EPS Surprise

NRG Energy, Inc. Price and EPS Surprise | NRG Energy, Inc. Quote

Earnings Whisper

Our proven model does not show that NRG Energy will beat estimates in the quarter to be reported. A stock needs to have a positive Earnings ESP and a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold) for this to happen. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

Earnings ESP: The company’s Earnings ESP is 0.00%. You can uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they’re reported with our Earnings ESP Filter.

Zacks Rank: NRG Energy has a Zacks Rank #3. The company’s favorable Zacks Rank, when combined with 0.00% ESP, lowers the possibility of an earnings beat.

Note that we caution against stocks with a Zacks Rank #4 or 5 (Sell-rated) going into the earnings announcement, especially when the company is witnessing negative estimate revisions.

Stocks to Consider

Investors can consider other stocks from the same industry, which have the right combination of elements to post an earnings beat in the to-be-reported quarter.

Pinnacle West Capital Corporation (PNW - Free Report) has an Earnings ESP of +1.41% and a Zacks Rank #2. The company is expected to release first-quarter 2019 results on May 1.

PPL Corporation (PPL - Free Report) has an Earnings ESP of +0.28% and a Zacks Rank #3. The company is expected to release first-quarter 2019 results on May 2.

Exelon Corporation (EXC - Free Report) has an Earnings ESP of +0.46% and a Zacks Rank #3. The company is expected to release first-quarter 2019 results on May 2.

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