Xcel Energy (XEL - Free Report) is expected to release second-quarter 2018 results on Jul 26, before the market opens. The utility company delivered a positive earnings surprise of 11.76% in the last reported quarter.
What Our Quantitative Model Predicts
Our proven model shows that Xcel Energy is likely to beat estimates in the upcoming quarterly results. A stock needs to have a positive Earnings ESP (which represents the difference between the Most Accurate Estimate and the Zacks Consensus Estimate) and a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold) to surpass estimates and Xcel Energy has the right mix. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
Earnings ESP: Earnings ESP is pegged at +1.25%.
You can uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they’re reported with our Earnings ESP Filter.
Zacks Rank: Xcel Energy carries a Zacks Rank #3. The combination of Xcel Energy’s favorable Zacks Rank and a positive ESP makes us reasonably confident of a positive earnings surprise.
Conversely, we caution against Sell-rated stocks (#4 or 5) going into the earnings announcement, especially when the company is seeing negative estimate revisions.
Factors at Play
Xcel Energy is expected to benefit from lower unemployment rate in service territories. In addition, the company registered growth in its customer level, which is having a positive impact on electric and natural gas sales volumes. The trend is likely to be in second-quarter 2018 results, which drive the top and the bottom line.
Xcel Energy’s improved operating efficiency, particularly in nuclear area, is expected to offset cost hikes in other areas. The company expects a flat O&M expenses. Improving operating efficiency is likely to have a positive impact and costs are expected to remain flat compared with year-ago quarter’s levels.
Other Stocks to Consider
In addition to Xcel Energy, here are a few other players from the industry that have the right combination of elements to post an earnings beat this quarter.
Alliant Energy Corporation (LNT - Free Report) is expected to release second-quarter results on Aug 2. It has an Earnings ESP of +1.10% and a Zacks Rank #2.
CMS Energy Corporation (CMS - Free Report) is anticipated to release second-quarter results on Jul 26. It has an Earnings ESP of +11.26% and carries a Zacks Rank #2.
Dominion Energy Inc (D - Free Report) is expected to release second-quarter results on Aug 1. It has an Earnings ESP of +7.17% and a Zacks Rank #2.
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Xcel Energy (XEL - Free Report) is expected to release second-quarter 2018 results on Jul 26, before the market opens. The utility company delivered a positive earnings surprise of 11.76% in the last reported quarter.
What Our Quantitative Model Predicts
Our proven model shows that Xcel Energy is likely to beat estimates in the upcoming quarterly results. A stock needs to have a positive Earnings ESP (which represents the difference between the Most Accurate Estimate and the Zacks Consensus Estimate) and a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold) to surpass estimates and Xcel Energy has the right mix. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
Earnings ESP: Earnings ESP is pegged at +1.25%.
You can uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they’re reported with our Earnings ESP Filter.
Zacks Rank: Xcel Energy carries a Zacks Rank #3. The combination of Xcel Energy’s favorable Zacks Rank and a positive ESP makes us reasonably confident of a positive earnings surprise.
Conversely, we caution against Sell-rated stocks (#4 or 5) going into the earnings announcement, especially when the company is seeing negative estimate revisions.
Factors at Play
Xcel Energy is expected to benefit from lower unemployment rate in service territories. In addition, the company registered growth in its customer level, which is having a positive impact on electric and natural gas sales volumes. The trend is likely to be in second-quarter 2018 results, which drive the top and the bottom line.
Xcel Energy’s improved operating efficiency, particularly in nuclear area, is expected to offset cost hikes in other areas. The company expects a flat O&M expenses. Improving operating efficiency is likely to have a positive impact and costs are expected to remain flat compared with year-ago quarter’s levels.
Other Stocks to Consider
In addition to Xcel Energy, here are a few other players from the industry that have the right combination of elements to post an earnings beat this quarter.
Alliant Energy Corporation (LNT - Free Report) is expected to release second-quarter results on Aug 2. It has an Earnings ESP of +1.10% and a Zacks Rank #2.
CMS Energy Corporation (CMS - Free Report) is anticipated to release second-quarter results on Jul 26. It has an Earnings ESP of +11.26% and carries a Zacks Rank #2.
Dominion Energy Inc (D - Free Report) is expected to release second-quarter results on Aug 1. It has an Earnings ESP of +7.17% and a Zacks Rank #2.
Looking for Stocks with Skyrocketing Upside?
Zacks has just released a Special Report on the booming investment opportunities of legal marijuana.
Ignited by new referendums and legislation, this industry is expected to blast from an already robust $6.7 billion to $20.2 billion in 2021. Early investors stand to make a killing, but you have to be ready to act and know just where to look.
See the pot trades we're targeting>>
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 >>
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