Short Interest in Xcel Energy Inc. (NASDAQ:XEL) Expands By 27.0%

Xcel Energy Inc. (NASDAQ:XEL) was the recipient of a large increase in short interest during the month of August. As of August 31st, there was short interest totaling 14,530,000 shares, an increase of 27.0% from the August 15th total of 11,440,000 shares. Currently, 2.5% of the shares of the stock are sold short. Based on an average trading volume of 3,480,000 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 4.2 days. Based on an average trading volume of 3,480,000 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 4.2 days. Currently, 2.5% of the shares of the stock are sold short.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Xcel Energy

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC increased its stake in Xcel Energy by 18.3% in the 1st quarter. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC now owns 472,344 shares of the company’s stock worth $33,437,000 after purchasing an additional 73,036 shares during the period. Navellier & Associates Inc. bought a new position in shares of Xcel Energy in the first quarter worth approximately $2,735,000. J.W. Cole Advisors Inc. bought a new position in shares of Xcel Energy in the first quarter worth approximately $905,000. Financial Gravity Asset Management Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Xcel Energy in the first quarter worth $329,000. Finally, Pinnacle Financial Partners Inc bought a new stake in Xcel Energy during the 1st quarter valued at $267,000. Institutional investors own 78.38% of the company’s stock.

Xcel Energy Trading Down 1.3%

XEL stock opened at $72.11 on Wednesday. The company has a market capitalization of $42.65 billion, a PE ratio of 19.98, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.46 and a beta of 0.35. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.48, a quick ratio of 0.85 and a current ratio of 0.96. Xcel Energy has a one year low of $62.12 and a one year high of $74.57. The company’s 50 day moving average price is $72.11 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $70.22.

Xcel Energy (NASDAQ:XEL) last released its earnings results on Thursday, July 31st. The company reported $0.75 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.66 by $0.09. The company had revenue of $3.29 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $3.31 billion. Xcel Energy had a net margin of 14.85% and a return on equity of 10.52%. The firm’s quarterly revenue was up 8.6% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $0.54 EPS. Xcel Energy has set its FY 2025 guidance at 3.750-3.850 EPS. As a group, analysts predict that Xcel Energy will post 3.82 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Xcel Energy Dividend Announcement

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, October 20th. Stockholders of record on Monday, September 15th will be issued a $0.57 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Monday, September 15th. This represents a $2.28 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.2%. Xcel Energy’s payout ratio is currently 63.16%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of equities research analysts recently weighed in on XEL shares. Mizuho raised their target price on shares of Xcel Energy from $74.00 to $78.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research note on Friday, August 1st. Wall Street Zen downgraded shares of Xcel Energy from a “hold” rating to a “sell” rating in a report on Tuesday, May 20th. Finally, Morgan Stanley reiterated an “outperform” rating on shares of Xcel Energy in a research report on Thursday, August 21st. Eight research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and two have given a Hold rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $76.80.

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.