Short Interest in Xcel Energy Inc. (NASDAQ:XEL) Expands By 72.0%

Xcel Energy Inc. (NASDAQ:XEL) was the recipient of a significant growth in short interest in the month of September. As of September 30th, there was short interest totaling 27,010,000 shares, a growth of 72.0% from the September 15th total of 15,700,000 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 4,310,000 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 6.3 days. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 4,310,000 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 6.3 days.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Xcel Energy

Several institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of XEL. Twin Peaks Wealth Advisors LLC bought a new stake in Xcel Energy in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $25,000. Clearstead Trust LLC lifted its stake in Xcel Energy by 202.2% in 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 in the last quarter. Accent Capital Management LLC bought a new stake in Xcel Energy in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $29,000. BankPlus Trust Department bought a new stake in Xcel Energy in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $34,000. Finally, Rise Advisors LLC lifted its stake in Xcel Energy by 62.9% in the 2nd quarter. Rise Advisors LLC now owns 518 shares of the company’s stock valued at $35,000 after acquiring an additional 200 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 78.38% of the company’s stock.

Xcel Energy Stock Down 0.8%

Shares of Xcel Energy stock opened at $80.64 on Wednesday. The firm has a market cap of $47.69 billion, a PE ratio of 22.34, a P/E/G ratio of 2.87 and a beta of 0.37. The business’s 50 day simple moving average is $75.73 and its 200 day simple moving average is $71.84. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.48, a quick ratio of 0.85 and a current ratio of 0.96. Xcel Energy has a 52-week low of $62.58 and a 52-week high of $83.01.

Xcel Energy (NASDAQ:XEL) last released its earnings results on Thursday, July 31st. The company reported $0.75 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.66 by $0.09. The firm had revenue of $3.29 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $3.31 billion. Xcel Energy had a return on equity of 10.52% and a net margin of 14.85%.The business’s quarterly revenue was up 8.6% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business posted $0.54 EPS. Xcel Energy has set its FY 2025 guidance at 3.750-3.850 EPS. On average, analysts predict that Xcel Energy will post 3.82 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Xcel Energy Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, October 20th. Shareholders of record on Monday, September 15th were paid a $0.57 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Monday, September 15th. This represents a $2.28 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.8%. Xcel Energy’s payout ratio is presently 63.16%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several equities analysts have weighed in on XEL shares. TD Cowen began coverage on Xcel Energy in a research note on Thursday, October 16th. They issued a “buy” rating and a $93.00 target price on the stock. Mizuho set a $83.00 price objective on Xcel Energy in a research report on Thursday, September 25th. Morgan Stanley lowered their target price on Xcel Energy from $81.00 to $80.00 and set an “equal weight” rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, September 25th. Evercore ISI began coverage on Xcel Energy in a research note on Monday, October 6th. They set an “outperform” rating and a $92.00 target price for the company. Finally, Cowen began coverage on Xcel Energy in a research note on Wednesday, October 15th. They set a “buy” rating for the company. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eleven have issued a Buy rating and three have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Xcel Energy presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $85.77.

Xcel Energy Company Profile

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.