Xcel Energy (NASDAQ:XEL) Reaches New 52-Week High – Here’s Why

Xcel Energy Inc. (NASDAQ:XEL) shares reached a new 52-week high during trading on Tuesday . The stock traded as high as $80.07 and last traded at $80.05, with a volume of 5508692 shares traded. The stock had previously closed at $79.28.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several equities research analysts have recently weighed in on XEL shares. Mizuho set a $83.00 price objective on Xcel Energy in a report on Thursday, September 25th. Barclays increased their price target on shares of Xcel Energy from $72.00 to $81.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research note on Monday. BMO Capital Markets set a $84.00 price objective on shares of Xcel Energy in a research note on Thursday, September 25th. Bank of America upped their target price on shares of Xcel Energy from $78.00 to $84.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Thursday, September 25th. Finally, Morgan Stanley lowered their price target on Xcel Energy from $81.00 to $80.00 and set an “equal weight” rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, September 25th. Nine equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and two have issued a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, Xcel Energy currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $80.36.

Xcel Energy Stock Down 0.4%

The stock has a market capitalization of $47.50 billion, a PE ratio of 22.25, a PEG ratio of 2.72 and a beta of 0.37. The firm’s fifty day moving average is $73.48 and its 200-day moving average is $70.74. The company has a quick ratio of 0.85, a current ratio of 0.96 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.48.

Xcel Energy (NASDAQ:XEL) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, July 31st. The company reported $0.75 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates 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 return on equity of 10.52% and a net margin of 14.85%.The firm’s revenue for the quarter was up 8.6% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company earned $0.54 EPS. Xcel Energy has set its FY 2025 guidance at 3.750-3.850 EPS. On average, equities research analysts predict that Xcel Energy Inc. will post 3.82 earnings per share for the current year.

Xcel Energy Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, October 20th. Shareholders of record on Monday, September 15th will be issued a $0.57 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, September 15th. This represents a $2.28 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.8%. Xcel Energy’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 63.16%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Xcel Energy

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Twin Peaks Wealth Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in Xcel Energy during the second quarter worth about $25,000. Clearstead Trust LLC lifted its position in shares of Xcel Energy by 202.2% during the 2nd quarter. Clearstead Trust LLC now owns 417 shares of the company’s stock valued at $28,000 after acquiring an additional 279 shares during the period. Accent Capital Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Xcel Energy during the 1st quarter worth approximately $29,000. BankPlus Trust Department acquired a new stake in shares of Xcel Energy in the 1st quarter worth approximately $34,000. Finally, Rise Advisors LLC grew its holdings in shares of Xcel Energy by 62.9% in the 2nd quarter. Rise Advisors LLC now owns 518 shares of the company’s stock worth $35,000 after acquiring an additional 200 shares during the period. 78.38% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

About Xcel Energy

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.