Xcel Energy (NASDAQ:XEL) Stock Gets Downgrade from Wall Street Zen

Xcel Energy (NASDAQ:XEL) was downgraded by stock analysts at Wall Street Zen from a “hold” rating to a “sell” rating in a report released on Saturday, Wall Street Zen reports.

A number of other research analysts have also weighed in on the company. HSBC assumed coverage on Xcel Energy in a report on Thursday, October 22nd. They set a “buy” rating and a $89.00 target price on the stock. BMO Capital Markets lowered their price objective on Xcel Energy from $91.00 to $86.00 and set an “outperform” rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, October 20th. The Goldman Sachs Group lowered their price objective on Xcel Energy from $95.00 to $93.00 in a report on Thursday, October 15th. Scotiabank initiated coverage on shares of Xcel Energy in a research note on Tuesday, September 29th. They issued a “sector outperform” rating and a $77.00 target price on the stock. Finally, Truist Financial cut their price target on shares of Xcel Energy from $88.00 to $87.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, October 14th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, sixteen have issued a Buy rating and one has given a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of “Buy” and a consensus target price of $90.28.

Xcel Energy Stock Performance

Shares of XEL stock opened at $79.82 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.43, a current ratio of 0.69 and a quick ratio of 0.61. The stock has a market cap of $51.23 billion, a PE ratio of 18.61, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.65 and a beta of 0.34. The stock has a 50-day moving average of $74.68 and a 200-day moving average of $78.19. Xcel Energy has a one year low of $68.72 and a one year high of $84.23.

Xcel Energy (NASDAQ:XEL) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, October 28th. The company reported $1.52 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.39 by $0.13. Xcel Energy had a net margin of 17.94% and a return on equity of 11.10%. The business had revenue of $4.17 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $4.26 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company posted $1.24 EPS. The firm’s revenue for the quarter was up 6.6% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, sell-side analysts expect that Xcel Energy will post 4.13 earnings per share for the current year.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Xcel Energy

Several large investors have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Kestra Private Wealth Services LLC boosted its stake in shares of Xcel Energy by 18.0% in the third quarter. Kestra Private Wealth Services LLC now owns 13,777 shares of the company’s stock valued at $971,000 after purchasing an additional 2,104 shares during the period. Bfsg LLC raised its position in shares of Xcel Energy by 46.8% in the 3rd quarter. Bfsg LLC now owns 822 shares of the company’s stock worth $58,000 after purchasing an additional 262 shares during the last quarter. Chicago Partners Investment Group LLC raised its holdings in shares of Xcel Energy by 28.0% in the third quarter. Chicago Partners Investment Group LLC now owns 12,230 shares of the company’s stock worth $955,000 after buying an additional 2,675 shares during the period. Associated Banc Corp purchased a new stake in Xcel Energy during the third quarter worth about $20,311,000. Finally, Integrity Alliance LLC. boosted its position in Xcel Energy by 15.3% during the 3rd quarter. Integrity Alliance LLC. now owns 4,073 shares of the company’s stock worth $287,000 after purchasing an additional 541 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 78.38% of the company’s stock.

Xcel Energy News Roundup

Here are the key news stories impacting Xcel Energy this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Third-quarter EPS beat expectations. Xcel reported ongoing earnings of $1.52 per share, up from $1.24 a year earlier and above the $1.39 analyst consensus. Higher electric sales, favorable weather and increased recovery of electric costs supported results. Xcel Energy Q3 revenue jumps 6.6% to $4.17B as EPS beats forecasts
• Positive Sentiment: Long-term growth investment increased. Xcel outlined a roughly $70 billion, five-year capital investment plan, aimed at expanding and upgrading its electric system to meet rising demand. The company also initiated 2027 EPS guidance of $4.48 to $4.62, providing investors with a new earnings framework. Xcel outlines $70B 5-year investment plan while initiating 2027 EPS guidance
• Positive Sentiment: Analyst sentiment remained supportive. Barclays raised its price target to $94 from $85, while RBC Capital Markets maintained a Buy rating, signaling confidence in Xcel’s regulated utility growth prospects. Barclays Adjusts Price Target on Xcel Energy to $94 From $85
• Neutral Sentiment: Revenue grew but missed estimates. Third-quarter revenue rose 6.6% year over year to $4.17 billion, though it fell short of the $4.26 billion consensus, limiting the impact of the earnings beat. Xcel Energy Q3 Earnings Beat Estimates, Revenues Increase Year over Year
• Negative Sentiment: 2026 earnings guidance was lowered or narrowed. Management reduced its full-year ongoing EPS outlook despite the quarterly beat, reflecting uncertainty around the timing of cost recovery and operating conditions. The large investment program may also increase financing and execution requirements. Xcel Energy Q3 Earnings Beat Estimates, Revenues Increase Year over Year

About Xcel Energy

Xcel Energy Inc is a public utility holding company that provides electricity and natural gas services to residential, commercial, and industrial customers. Its operations include the generation, transmission, distribution, and sale of electricity, as well as the distribution and sale of natural gas.

The company serves customers across Colorado, Michigan, Minnesota, New Mexico, North Dakota, South Dakota, Texas, and Wisconsin through operating companies including Northern States Power, Public Service Company of Colorado, Southwestern Public Service Company, and NSP-Wisconsin.