PPL Corporation’s (PPL - Free Report) ongoing capital investments are expected to further strengthen its infrastructure. The company is also likely to benefit from new customer additions. The completion of the Narragansett Electric acquisition increases predictability of earnings.
However, this Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) company’s dependence on its subsidiaries and strong competition in the transmission business act as headwinds.
Tailwinds
PPL’s capital investment plan primarily focuses on infrastructure construction projects for generation, transmission and distribution. Customers have been experiencing far less outages, courtesy of the ongoing investments in infrastructure strengthening. The company expects a regulated capital investment of $12 billion during 2023-2026.
The completion of the Narragansett Electric Company’s acquisition on May 25, 2022, substantiates PPL's strategic repositioning as an U.S.-focused energy company. The buyout will give PPL a more diversified asset portfolio, lowering income from coal generation and increasing the chances of investing in a sustainable energy future.
The company is also working on reducing its operating and maintenance (O&M) costs by at least $175 million through 2026. In 2023, PPL expects to save $50-$60 million in O&M costs. It is focused on reducing total operating expenses in the coming years, owing to a decrease in fuel costs and energy purchases.
Headwinds
PPL’s Pennsylvania Regulated segment faces competition for transmission projects. It has to abide by certain rules of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to develop transmission projects and structure costs for the same.
The company conducts all operations through its subsidiaries. In case the subsidiaries fail to perform as expected and are unable to pay dividends to PPL, the latter’s financial performance will be adversely impacted.
Stocks to Consider
Some better-ranked stocks from the same industry are Consolidated Edison (ED - Free Report) , NiSource Inc.(NI - Free Report) and IDACORP, Inc (IDA - Free Report) , each holding a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) at present. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
Consolidated Edison’s long-term (three to five year) earnings growth rate is 2%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for ED’s 2023 earnings per share (EPS) indicates an increase of 6.81%.
NiSource’s long-term earnings growth rate is 6.9%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for NI’s 2023 EPS implies an improvement of 6.8%.
IDACORP’s long-term earnings growth rate is 3.68%. The company delivered an average earnings surprise of 4.6% in the last four quarters.
Where Will Stocks Go…
If Biden Wins? If Trump Wins?
The answers may surprise you.
Since 1950, even after negative midterm years, the market has never had a lower presidential election year. With voters energized and engaged, the market has been almost unrelentingly bullish no matter which party wins!
Now is the time to download Zacks' free Special Report with 5 stocks that offer extreme upside for both Democrats and Republicans…
1. Medical manufacturer has gained +11,000% in the last 15 years.
2. Rental company is absolutely crushing its sector.
3. Energy powerhouse plans to grow its already large dividend by 25%.
4. Aerospace and defense standout just landed a potentially $80 billion contract.
5. Giant Chipmaker is building huge plants in the U.S.
Hurry, Download Special Report FREE >>
PPL Corporation’s (PPL - Free Report) ongoing capital investments are expected to further strengthen its infrastructure. The company is also likely to benefit from new customer additions. The completion of the Narragansett Electric acquisition increases predictability of earnings.
However, this Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) company’s dependence on its subsidiaries and strong competition in the transmission business act as headwinds.
Tailwinds
PPL’s capital investment plan primarily focuses on infrastructure construction projects for generation, transmission and distribution. Customers have been experiencing far less outages, courtesy of the ongoing investments in infrastructure strengthening. The company expects a regulated capital investment of $12 billion during 2023-2026.
The completion of the Narragansett Electric Company’s acquisition on May 25, 2022, substantiates PPL's strategic repositioning as an U.S.-focused energy company. The buyout will give PPL a more diversified asset portfolio, lowering income from coal generation and increasing the chances of investing in a sustainable energy future.
The company is also working on reducing its operating and maintenance (O&M) costs by at least $175 million through 2026. In 2023, PPL expects to save $50-$60 million in O&M costs. It is focused on reducing total operating expenses in the coming years, owing to a decrease in fuel costs and energy purchases.
Headwinds
PPL’s Pennsylvania Regulated segment faces competition for transmission projects. It has to abide by certain rules of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to develop transmission projects and structure costs for the same.
The company conducts all operations through its subsidiaries. In case the subsidiaries fail to perform as expected and are unable to pay dividends to PPL, the latter’s financial performance will be adversely impacted.
Stocks to Consider
Some better-ranked stocks from the same industry are Consolidated Edison (ED - Free Report) , NiSource Inc.(NI - Free Report) and IDACORP, Inc (IDA - Free Report) , each holding a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) at present. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
Consolidated Edison’s long-term (three to five year) earnings growth rate is 2%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for ED’s 2023 earnings per share (EPS) indicates an increase of 6.81%.
NiSource’s long-term earnings growth rate is 6.9%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for NI’s 2023 EPS implies an improvement of 6.8%.
IDACORP’s long-term earnings growth rate is 3.68%. The company delivered an average earnings surprise of 4.6% in the last four quarters.
Where Will Stocks Go…
If Biden Wins? If Trump Wins?
The answers may surprise you.
Since 1950, even after negative midterm years, the market has never had a lower presidential election year. With voters energized and engaged, the market has been almost unrelentingly bullish no matter which party wins!
Now is the time to download Zacks' free Special Report with 5 stocks that offer extreme upside for both Democrats and Republicans…
1. Medical manufacturer has gained +11,000% in the last 15 years.
2. Rental company is absolutely crushing its sector.
3. Energy powerhouse plans to grow its already large dividend by 25%.
4. Aerospace and defense standout just landed a potentially $80 billion contract.
5. Giant Chipmaker is building huge plants in the U.S.
Hurry, Download Special Report FREE >>
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