Xcel Energy Inc. (NASDAQ:XEL) Given Average Recommendation of “Moderate Buy” by Brokerages

Shares of Xcel Energy Inc. (NASDAQ:XEL) have been given a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” by the twelve analysts that are covering the company, MarketBeat reports. Five research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have given a buy rating to the company. The average 1-year price objective among analysts that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $62.83.

XEL has been the topic of a number of research reports. Wells Fargo & Company raised their target price on shares of Xcel Energy from $63.00 to $64.00 and gave the stock an “equal weight” rating in a research report on Friday, January 26th. Bank of America upped their price objective on shares of Xcel Energy from $63.00 to $66.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Monday, April 29th. Royal Bank of Canada upped their price objective on shares of Xcel Energy from $67.00 to $68.00 and gave the stock a “sector perform” rating in a research report on Tuesday, January 30th. Wolfe Research upgraded shares of Xcel Energy from a “peer perform” rating to an “outperform” rating and set a $58.00 price objective for the company in a research report on Monday, March 11th. Finally, StockNews.com upgraded shares of Xcel Energy from a “sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Thursday, May 2nd.

Xcel Energy Price Performance

NASDAQ XEL opened at $54.36 on Tuesday. The business’s fifty day moving average price is $53.17 and its 200-day moving average price is $57.85. The stock has a market capitalization of $30.20 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 16.32, a PEG ratio of 2.38 and a beta of 0.36. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.48, a current ratio of 0.86 and a quick ratio of 0.74. Xcel Energy has a 1-year low of $46.79 and a 1-year high of $69.85.

Xcel Energy (NASDAQ:XEL) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, April 25th. The company reported $0.88 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.80 by $0.08. Xcel Energy had a return on equity of 11.03% and a net margin of 13.36%. The business had revenue of $3.65 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.12 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted $0.76 EPS. Xcel Energy’s revenue for the quarter was down 10.6% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, equities analysts predict that Xcel Energy will post 3.56 earnings per share for the current year.

Xcel Energy Increases Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Saturday, April 20th. Investors of record on Friday, March 15th were paid a $0.548 dividend. This represents a $2.19 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 4.03%. This is a boost from Xcel Energy’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.52. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, March 14th. Xcel Energy’s dividend payout ratio is presently 65.77%.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Xcel Energy

A number of large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in XEL. Turtle Creek Wealth Advisors LLC acquired a new position in Xcel Energy during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $25,000. Criterion Capital Advisors LLC bought a new position in shares of Xcel Energy during the fourth quarter worth about $25,000. Pacific Capital Wealth Advisors Inc. bought a new position in shares of Xcel Energy during the fourth quarter worth about $25,000. Heritage Wealth Advisors acquired a new stake in Xcel Energy in the fourth quarter worth about $25,000. Finally, Capital Analysts LLC lifted its holdings in Xcel Energy by 293.6% in the fourth quarter. Capital Analysts LLC now owns 433 shares of the company’s stock worth $26,000 after purchasing an additional 323 shares during the period. 78.38% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Xcel Energy Company Profile

Xcel Energy Inc, through its subsidiaries, engages in the generation, purchasing, transmission, distribution, and sale of electricity. It operates through Regulated Electric Utility, Regulated Natural Gas Utility, and All Other segments. The company generates electricity through wind, nuclear, hydroelectric, biomass, and solar energy sources, as well as coal, natural gas, oil, wood, and refuse-derived fuels.