Research Analysts’ Recent Ratings Updates for Xcel Energy (XEL)

Several brokerages have updated their recommendations and price targets on shares of Xcel Energy (NASDAQ: XEL) in the last few weeks:

• 4/1/2025 – Xcel Energy had its price target raised by analysts at UBS Group AG from $73.00 to $77.00. They now have a “neutral” rating on the stock.
• 3/31/2025 – Xcel Energy had its price target raised by analysts at Barclays PLC from $69.00 to $72.00. They now have an “overweight” rating on the stock.
• 3/21/2025 – Xcel Energy had its price target raised by analysts at UBS Group AG from $70.00 to $73.00. They now have a “neutral” rating on the stock.
• 3/20/2025 – Xcel Energy had its price target raised by analysts at Morgan Stanley from $75.00 to $78.00. They now have an “equal weight” rating on the stock.
• 2/7/2025 – Xcel Energy had its price target raised by analysts at Wells Fargo & Company from $72.00 to $75.00. They now have an “overweight” rating on the stock.

Xcel Energy Stock Up 1.7 %

XEL stock traded up $1.24 during mid-day trading on Thursday, hitting $72.14. 3,572,121 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 3,571,683. The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of $68.81 and a 200 day simple moving average of $67.39. The company has a market capitalization of $41.45 billion, a PE ratio of 20.97, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.62 and a beta of 0.37. Xcel Energy Inc. has a twelve month low of $51.97 and a twelve month high of $73.38. The company has a current ratio of 0.93, a quick ratio of 0.82 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.42.

Xcel Energy (NASDAQ:XEL) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, February 6th. The company reported $0.81 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.87 by ($0.06). Xcel Energy had a net margin of 14.40% and a return on equity of 10.65%. On average, research analysts forecast that Xcel Energy Inc. will post 3.82 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Xcel Energy Increases Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Sunday, April 20th. Investors of record on Friday, March 14th will be paid a dividend of $0.57 per share. This is a positive change from Xcel Energy’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.55. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, March 14th. This represents a $2.28 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.16%. Xcel Energy’s dividend payout ratio is 66.28%.

Insider Buying and Selling at Xcel Energy

In other news, Director Devin W. Stockfish bought 2,170 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction on Tuesday, March 11th. The stock was purchased at an average price of $68.93 per share, for a total transaction of $149,578.10. Following the transaction, the director now owns 3,007 shares in the company, valued at approximately $207,272.51. This trade represents a 259.26 % increase in their ownership of the stock. The purchase was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. 0.09% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Xcel Energy

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Dakota Wealth Management grew its stake in shares of Xcel Energy by 0.7% in the fourth quarter. Dakota Wealth Management now owns 23,130 shares of the company’s stock worth $1,562,000 after purchasing an additional 151 shares in the last quarter. Rothschild Investment LLC increased its stake in Xcel Energy by 26.0% during the 4th quarter. Rothschild Investment LLC now owns 731 shares of the company’s stock valued at $49,000 after buying an additional 151 shares during the period. GenTrust LLC raised its position in shares of Xcel Energy by 4.5% during the 4th quarter. GenTrust LLC now owns 3,602 shares of the company’s stock worth $243,000 after buying an additional 155 shares in the last quarter. Creative Financial Designs Inc. ADV lifted its stake in shares of Xcel Energy by 23.2% in the 4th quarter. Creative Financial Designs Inc. ADV now owns 827 shares of the company’s stock worth $56,000 after acquiring an additional 156 shares during the period. Finally, Integris Wealth Management LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Xcel Energy by 2.6% in the fourth quarter. Integris Wealth Management LLC now owns 6,323 shares of the company’s stock valued at $427,000 after acquiring an additional 160 shares in the last quarter. 78.38% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

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.