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Xcel Energy to Post Q3 Earnings: What to Expect From the Stock?

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Key Takeaways

  • XEL is set to report Q3 earnings on Oct. 29, with EPS expected to rise 12.10% and revenues to grow 5.94%.
  • Xcel Energy's solar expansion, rising power demand and rate increases may support Q3 results.
  • Higher operating and interest costs may pressure XEL's earnings; its Earnings ESP is 0.00%.

Xcel Energy (XEL - Free Report) is set to report third-quarter 2026 earnings on Oct. 29, before the market opens. The company delivered a positive earnings surprise of 17.72% in the last reported quarter.

Let us discuss the factors that are likely to be reflected in the upcoming quarterly results.

XEL’s Q3 Expectations 

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings is pegged at $1.39 per share, implying a year-over-year increase of 12.10%.

The consensus estimate for revenues is pinned at $4.15 billion, indicating an increase of 5.94% from the year-ago reported number.

Factors Likely to Have Impacted XEL’s Q3 Earnings

Xcel Energy’s third-quarter 2026 performance is likely to have benefited from continued infrastructure development and the expansion of its renewable generation portfolio. On July 21, 2026, the company completed the first three phases of the Sherco Solar facility in Becker, MN, adding to its renewable generation capacity and bringing the facility's combined capacity to 710 megawatts. These investments support reliable service for a growing customer base, drive rate base growth and are expected to contribute to earnings growth.

Growing demand for electricity and natural gas, along with previously implemented rates across the company’s regulated service territories, is likely to have supported XEL’s third-quarter 2026 performance. Growing data center demand for electricity may also have supported quarterly performance.

However, higher operations and maintenance expenses and interest costs may have partially offset these benefits during the quarter.

What Our Quantitative Model Predicts for XEL

Our proven model does not conclusively predict an earnings beat for Xcel Energy this time around. The combination of a positive Earnings ESP and a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold) increases the odds of an earnings beat. That is not the case here, as you will see below.

XEL’s Earnings ESP: The company has an Earnings ESP of 0.00% at present. You can uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they’re reported with our Earnings ESP Filter.

XEL’s Zacks Rank: Currently, Xcel Energy carries a Zacks Rank #3. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

Xcel Energy Inc. Price and EPS Surprise

Xcel Energy Inc. Price and EPS Surprise

Xcel Energy Inc. price-eps-surprise | Xcel Energy Inc. Quote

Stocks to Consider

Investors may consider the following players from the same industry, as these have the right combination of elements to post an earnings beat this reporting cycle.

Entergy (ETR - Free Report) is set to report third-quarter 2026 results on Nov. 2, and is likely to have come up with an earnings beat. It has an Earnings ESP of +0.92% and a Zacks Rank #3 at present.

ETR’s long-term (three to five years) earnings growth rate is 10.16%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for third-quarter earnings per share (EPS) is pinned at $1.71, which implies a year-over-year increase of 11.76%.

Evergy (EVRG - Free Report) is scheduled to report third-quarter 2026 results on Nov. 5, and is likely to have come up with an earnings beat. It has an Earnings ESP of +4.41% and a Zacks Rank #2 at present.

EVRG’s long-term earnings growth rate is 9.07%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for third-quarter EPS is pinned at $2.27 per share, which implies a year-over-year increase of 11.82%.

PPL Corporation (PPL - Free Report) is set to report third-quarter 2026 results on Nov. 6, and is likely to have an earnings beat. It has an Earnings ESP of +0.38% and a Zacks Rank #2 at present.

PPL’s long-term earnings growth rate is 5.27%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for third-quarter EPS is pinned at 53 cents, which implies a year-over-year increase of 10.42%.

 

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