NRG Energy, Inc. (NRG - Free Report) hit a new 52-week high of $30.11 before closing the session a bit lower at $29.89 on Mar 12. Year to date, the stock has delivered an impressive return of about 75.7% compared with the S&P 500 index’s rally of 18.0%.
Over the past 52 weeks, NRG Energy’s shares have ranged from a low of $14.52 to a high of $30.11. Average volume of shares traded over the last three months is approximately 6.01 million.
What's Driving NRG Energy Higher?
NRG Energy delivered an average positive earnings surprise of 374.24% in the past four quarters. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2018 also moved up 52.6% in the last 60 days.
The company continues to work and benefit from its Transformation Plan, which was announced in July 2017. The company realized cost savings of $150 million in the fourth quarter, up from its target of $65 million in 2017. Under this plan, the company aims to save $1 billion through recurring cost cuts and margin improvements.
NRG Energy is also divesting non-core assets to focus on core assets and strengthen balance sheet through reduction of debts. The company reduced its existing debt by $604 million in 2017, which lowered annual interest burden by $47 million.
NRG Energy will continue to work on its fossil fuel decarburization strategy and promote electricity generation from alternate sources. The company has completed the construction of Petra Nova — the world’s largest post-combustion carbon-capture system — which is capable of capturing more than 5,000 tons of CO2 per day. The amount is equivalent to taking more than 350,000 cars off the road.
Zacks Rank & Stocks to Consider
NRG Energy carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).
A few other better-ranked stocks in the same industry are Public Service Enterprise Group Incorporated (PEG - Free Report) , CenterPoint Energy, Inc. (CNP - Free Report) and NextEra Energy, Inc. (NEE - Free Report) . Public Service Enterprise and NextEra Energy carry a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy), while CenterPoint Energy sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
Public Service Enterprise Group (PEG - Free Report) posted an average positive earnings surprise of 4.43% in the past four quarters. The Zacks Consensus Estimate moved up .64% in the last 30 days.
CenterPoint Energy (CNP - Free Report) delivered an average positive earnings surprise of 11.5% in the past four quarters. The Zacks Consensus Estimate moved up 5.4% in the last 30 days.
NextEra Energy (NEE - Free Report) pulled off an average positive earnings surprise of 4.75% in the past four quarters. The Zacks Consensus Estimate moved up 65% in the last 30 days.
Zacks Top 10 Stocks for 2018
In addition to the stocks discussed above, would you like to know about our 10 finest buy-and-hold tickers for the entirety of 2018?
Last year's 2017 Zacks Top 10 Stocks portfolio produced double-digit winners, including FMC Corp. and VMware which racked up stellar gains of +67.9% and +61%. Now a brand-new portfolio has been handpicked from over 4,000 companies covered by the Zacks Rank. Don’t miss your chance to get in on these long-term buys.
Access Zacks Top 10 Stocks for 2018 today >>
Zacks Names "Single Best Pick to Double"
From thousands of stocks, 5 Zacks experts each have chosen their favorite to skyrocket +100% or more in months to come. From those 5, Director of Research Sheraz Mian hand-picks one to have the most explosive upside of all.
It’s a little-known chemical company that’s up 65% over last year, yet still dirt cheap. With unrelenting demand, soaring 2022 earnings estimates, and $1.5 billion for repurchasing shares, retail investors could jump in at any time.
This company could rival or surpass other recent Zacks’ Stocks Set to Double like Boston Beer Company which shot up +143.0% in little more than 9 months and NVIDIA which boomed +175.9% in one year.
Free: See Our Top Stock and 4 Runners Up >>
NRG Energy, Inc. (NRG - Free Report) hit a new 52-week high of $30.11 before closing the session a bit lower at $29.89 on Mar 12. Year to date, the stock has delivered an impressive return of about 75.7% compared with the S&P 500 index’s rally of 18.0%.
Over the past 52 weeks, NRG Energy’s shares have ranged from a low of $14.52 to a high of $30.11. Average volume of shares traded over the last three months is approximately 6.01 million.
What's Driving NRG Energy Higher?
NRG Energy delivered an average positive earnings surprise of 374.24% in the past four quarters. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2018 also moved up 52.6% in the last 60 days.
The company continues to work and benefit from its Transformation Plan, which was announced in July 2017. The company realized cost savings of $150 million in the fourth quarter, up from its target of $65 million in 2017. Under this plan, the company aims to save $1 billion through recurring cost cuts and margin improvements.
NRG Energy is also divesting non-core assets to focus on core assets and strengthen balance sheet through reduction of debts. The company reduced its existing debt by $604 million in 2017, which lowered annual interest burden by $47 million.
NRG Energy will continue to work on its fossil fuel decarburization strategy and promote electricity generation from alternate sources. The company has completed the construction of Petra Nova — the world’s largest post-combustion carbon-capture system — which is capable of capturing more than 5,000 tons of CO2 per day. The amount is equivalent to taking more than 350,000 cars off the road.
Zacks Rank & Stocks to Consider
NRG Energy carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).
A few other better-ranked stocks in the same industry are Public Service Enterprise Group Incorporated (PEG - Free Report) , CenterPoint Energy, Inc. (CNP - Free Report) and NextEra Energy, Inc. (NEE - Free Report) . Public Service Enterprise and NextEra Energy carry a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy), while CenterPoint Energy sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
Public Service Enterprise Group (PEG - Free Report) posted an average positive earnings surprise of 4.43% in the past four quarters. The Zacks Consensus Estimate moved up .64% in the last 30 days.
CenterPoint Energy (CNP - Free Report) delivered an average positive earnings surprise of 11.5% in the past four quarters. The Zacks Consensus Estimate moved up 5.4% in the last 30 days.
NextEra Energy (NEE - Free Report) pulled off an average positive earnings surprise of 4.75% in the past four quarters. The Zacks Consensus Estimate moved up 65% in the last 30 days.
Zacks Top 10 Stocks for 2018
In addition to the stocks discussed above, would you like to know about our 10 finest buy-and-hold tickers for the entirety of 2018?
Last year's 2017 Zacks Top 10 Stocks portfolio produced double-digit winners, including FMC Corp. and VMware which racked up stellar gains of +67.9% and +61%. Now a brand-new portfolio has been handpicked from over 4,000 companies covered by the Zacks Rank. Don’t miss your chance to get in on these long-term buys.
Access Zacks Top 10 Stocks for 2018 today >>
Zacks Names "Single Best Pick to Double"
From thousands of stocks, 5 Zacks experts each have chosen their favorite to skyrocket +100% or more in months to come. From those 5, Director of Research Sheraz Mian hand-picks one to have the most explosive upside of all.
It’s a little-known chemical company that’s up 65% over last year, yet still dirt cheap. With unrelenting demand, soaring 2022 earnings estimates, and $1.5 billion for repurchasing shares, retail investors could jump in at any time.
This company could rival or surpass other recent Zacks’ Stocks Set to Double like Boston Beer Company which shot up +143.0% in little more than 9 months and NVIDIA which boomed +175.9% in one year.
Free: See Our Top Stock and 4 Runners Up >>
Get the latest research report on NEE - FREE
Get the latest research report on NRG - FREE
Get the latest research report on PEG - FREE
Get the latest research report on CNP - FREE