Xcel Energy Inc
Q4 2025 Earnings
Market Reaction
S&P 500 over the same 30 days: −1.15%.
Did XEL Beat Earnings? Q4 2025 Results
Xcel Energy delivered a steady but mixed fourth quarter, matching Wall Street's EPS target precisely while falling short on revenue. The utility posted Q4 2025 ongoing diluted EPS of $0.96, in line with the $0.96 consensus estimate, as infrastructure investment recovery and electric sales growth offset mounting cost pressures from higher interest charges, depreciation, and O&M expenses. Revenue of $3.56 billion grew 14.1% year over year but trailed the $3.73 billion estimate by 4.41%, a gap partly reflecting the complexity of a year shaped by the Marshall Wildfire litigation settlement, which drove $296 million in charges across 2025. The results extended Xcel's streak to 21 consecutive years of meeting earnings guidance, with full-year ongoing EPS rising to $3.80 from $3.50. Institutional investors appear to be taking note, with recent filings showing at least one asset manager more than doubling its position in the stock. Looking ahead, Xcel reaffirmed 2026 ongoing EPS guidance of $4.04 to $4.16, anchored by roughly 3% projected electric sales growth and a $60 billion five-year capital plan targeting 6% to 8%+ annual earnings growth.
- Increased recovery of infrastructure investments
- Electric sales growth of 2.0% weather-normalized
- Higher AFUDC ($165 million increase) due to system investment
- Gains on debt repurchases contributing to other income
- Strong SPS C&I sales growth of 6.1% driven by the energy sector
“In 2025, Xcel Energy delivered on our earnings guidance for the 21st year in a row - one of the best track records in the industry. We placed in service critical infrastructure to serve our customers, including Phase 2 of our Sherco Solar facility, the conversion of our Harrington coal plant to natural gas, and the first two segments of our Colorado Power Pathway. All the while, our customers continue to have some of the lowest energy bills in the country.”
Xcel Energy CEO, on the earnings call
Forward Guidance & Outlook
Xcel Energy reaffirms 2026 ongoing EPS guidance of $4.04 to $4.16 per share. Key 2026 assumptions include constructive regulatory outcomes, normal weather, weather-normalized retail electric sales growth of approximately 3%, weather-normalized natural gas sales growth of approximately 1%, capital rider revenue increases of $535-$545 million, O&M expense growth of approximately 3%, depreciation expense increases of $350-$360 million, and net interest expense increases of $300-$310 million. Long-term, the company targets annual EPS growth of 6% to 8%+ off the $3.80 per share base, annual dividend increases of 4% to 6%, and a dividend payout ratio of 45% to 55%. Base capital expenditures of $60 billion are planned for 2026-2030.
XEL YoY Financials
XEL Revenue by Segment
Figures from SEC filings and company reports. Not investment advice.