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Exelon (EXC) Up 2.1% Since Earnings Report: Can It Continue?

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It has been about a month since the last earnings report for Exelon Corporation (EXC - Free Report) . Shareshave added about 2.1% in that time frame.

Will the recent positive trend continue leading up to its next earnings release, or is EXC due for a pullback? Before we dive into how investors and analysts have reacted as of late, let's take a quick look at its most recent earnings report in order to get a better handle on the important drivers.

Exelon Q1 Earnings and Revenues Beat on New Rates

Exelon Corporation’s first-quarter 2018 operating earnings of 96 cents per share beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 93 cents by 3.2%. Quarterly earnings were 50% higher than the year-ago figure of 44 cents.

The year-over-year improvement in earnings was due to favorable weather, rate increases at BGE and PHI, and higher electric distribution and transmission earnings at ComEd.

On a GAAP basis, quarterly earnings were 60 cents per share compared with $1.06 in the year-ago quarter. The difference between GAAP and operating earnings in the reported quarter was due to a few one-time gains and losses, resulting in a one-time impact of 36 cents per share.

Total Revenues

Exelon's total revenues of $9,693 million surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $9,015 million.

Quarterly revenues also improved 10.8% from $8,747 million reported in the year-ago quarter.

Quarterly Highlights

Exelon's total operating expenses increased 12.8% year over year to $8,648 million. The rise was primarily due to higher purchasing power and fuel expenses.

Interest expenses were $371 million, a tad lower than $373 million in the year-ago quarter.

Hedges

Exelon's hedging program involves safeguarding of commodity risks for expected generation, typically on a ratable basis, over a three-year period. The proportion of expected generation hedged as of Mar 31, 2018 was 91-94% for 2018, 63-66% for 2019, and 33-36% for 2020.

Guidance

Exelon reiterated its 2018 earnings guidance per share in the range of $2.90-$3.20 and provided second-quarter guidance within 55-65 cents per share.

How Have Estimates Been Moving Since Then?

In the past month, investors have witnessed an upward trend in fresh estimates. There have been three revisions higher for the current quarter. Last month, the consensus estimate has shifted by 7% due to these changes.

Exelon Corporation Price and Consensus

 

VGM Scores

At this time, EXC has a nice Growth Score of B, a grade with the same score on the momentum front. Following the exact same course, the stock was also allocated a grade of B on the value side, putting it in the top 40% for this investment strategy.

Overall, the stock has an aggregate VGM Score of A. If you aren't focused on one strategy, this score is the one you should be interested in.

Based on our scores, the stock is equally suitable for value, growth, and momentum investors.

Outlook

Estimates have been trending upward for the stock and the magnitude of these revisions looks promising. Interestingly, EXC has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). We expect an in-line return from the stock in the next few months.


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