We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience. This includes personalizing content and advertising. To learn more, click here. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies, revised Privacy Policy and Terms of Service.
You are being directed to ZacksTrade, a division of LBMZ Securities and licensed broker-dealer. ZacksTrade and Zacks.com are separate companies. The web link between the two companies is not a solicitation or offer to invest in a particular security or type of security. ZacksTrade does not endorse or adopt any particular investment strategy, any analyst opinion/rating/report or any approach to evaluating individual securities.
If you wish to go to ZacksTrade, click OK. If you do not, click Cancel.
Xcel Energy Poised to Benefit from Continued Investments
Read MoreHide Full Article
We issued an updated research report on Xcel Energy Inc. (XEL - Free Report) on Jun 22. It is a holding company, with subsidiaries engaged primarily in the utility business.
To offer reliable services to customers and effectively meet rising electricity demand, Xcel Energy makes consistent investment in utility assets. Toward this end, the company plans to invest $18.4 billion in the next five year period of 2017-2021, in its transmission, distribution, electric generation and renewable projects.
Moreover, considering the untapped opportunities of the emerging green energy market, Xcel Energy’s large-scale clean energy projects are expected to be beneficial in the long run. In this line, the company is currently diversifying its generation portfolio with emphasis on renewable sources with over $3.5 billion investment in the cards over a span of five years.
These sumptuous investments are anticipated to drive rate base growth of 5.4% compounded annually, consequently aiding the top line.
With respect to expanding renewable assets, the company’s 600 megawatt (MW) Rush Creek wind project in Colorado has been approved by the Colorado Public Utilities Commission in September and is expected to begin operations in 2018.
These initiatives have allowed the company to outperform the broader industry. In the last 12 months, Xcel Energy’s shares rallied 14.5% compared with the Zacks categorized Electric Power industry’s gain of 2.7%.
Moreover, a sign of economic improvement is evident across Xcel Energy’s service territories, especially in Minnesota. The company’s NSP-Minnesota subsidiary’s resource plan with Minnesota Public Utility Commission will result in 63% of the NSP System energy being carbon-free by 2030 from 2005-levels through the early retirement of two coal units, and the addition of wind and solar generation.
On the downside, the company’s natural gas transmission and distribution operations are exposed to several risks, including explosions, leaks and mechanical setbacks that are likely to affect the company’s operations, consequently impacting financial performance.
Also, the company faces intense competition from other utilities in the market like RWE AG (RWEOY - Free Report) , Algonquin Power & Utilities Corp. (AQN - Free Report) and Atlantic Power Corporation .
Today you are invited to download the full, up-to-the-minute list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 ""Strong Buys"" free of charge. From 1988 through 2015 this list has averaged a stellar gain of +25% per year. Plus, you may download 220 Zacks Rank #5 ""Strong Sells."" Even though this list holds many stocks that seem to be solid, it has historically performed 6X worse than the market. See these critical buys and sells free >>
Zacks' 7 Best Strong Buy Stocks (New Research Report)
Valued at $99, click below to receive our just-released report predicting the 7 stocks that will soar highest in the coming month.
Image: Bigstock
Xcel Energy Poised to Benefit from Continued Investments
We issued an updated research report on Xcel Energy Inc. (XEL - Free Report) on Jun 22. It is a holding company, with subsidiaries engaged primarily in the utility business.
To offer reliable services to customers and effectively meet rising electricity demand, Xcel Energy makes consistent investment in utility assets. Toward this end, the company plans to invest $18.4 billion in the next five year period of 2017-2021, in its transmission, distribution, electric generation and renewable projects.
Moreover, considering the untapped opportunities of the emerging green energy market, Xcel Energy’s large-scale clean energy projects are expected to be beneficial in the long run. In this line, the company is currently diversifying its generation portfolio with emphasis on renewable sources with over $3.5 billion investment in the cards over a span of five years.
These sumptuous investments are anticipated to drive rate base growth of 5.4% compounded annually, consequently aiding the top line.
With respect to expanding renewable assets, the company’s 600 megawatt (MW) Rush Creek wind project in Colorado has been approved by the Colorado Public Utilities Commission in September and is expected to begin operations in 2018.
These initiatives have allowed the company to outperform the broader industry. In the last 12 months, Xcel Energy’s shares rallied 14.5% compared with the Zacks categorized Electric Power industry’s gain of 2.7%.
Moreover, a sign of economic improvement is evident across Xcel Energy’s service territories, especially in Minnesota. The company’s NSP-Minnesota subsidiary’s resource plan with Minnesota Public Utility Commission will result in 63% of the NSP System energy being carbon-free by 2030 from 2005-levels through the early retirement of two coal units, and the addition of wind and solar generation.
On the downside, the company’s natural gas transmission and distribution operations are exposed to several risks, including explosions, leaks and mechanical setbacks that are likely to affect the company’s operations, consequently impacting financial performance.
Also, the company faces intense competition from other utilities in the market like RWE AG (RWEOY - Free Report) , Algonquin Power & Utilities Corp. (AQN - Free Report) and Atlantic Power Corporation .
Zacks Rank
Xcel Energy currently carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
The Best & Worst of Zacks
Today you are invited to download the full, up-to-the-minute list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 ""Strong Buys"" free of charge. From 1988 through 2015 this list has averaged a stellar gain of +25% per year. Plus, you may download 220 Zacks Rank #5 ""Strong Sells."" Even though this list holds many stocks that seem to be solid, it has historically performed 6X worse than the market. See these critical buys and sells free >>