Xcel Energy Inc. $XEL Shares Acquired by Viking Fund Management LLC

Viking Fund Management LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Xcel Energy Inc. (NASDAQ:XEL) by 15.4% in the 3rd quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The fund owned 300,000 shares of the company’s stock after acquiring an additional 40,000 shares during the quarter. Xcel Energy accounts for 1.7% of Viking Fund Management LLC’s holdings, making the stock its 12th largest holding. Viking Fund Management LLC’s holdings in Xcel Energy were worth $21,144,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other hedge funds also recently bought and sold shares of the business. Evolution Wealth Management Inc. increased its holdings in shares of Xcel Energy by 365.3% in the first quarter. Evolution Wealth Management Inc. now owns 349 shares of the company’s stock valued at $28,000 after purchasing an additional 274 shares during the last quarter. GK Wealth Management LLC purchased a new position in Xcel Energy during the third quarter worth approximately $28,000. Pin Oak Investment Advisors Inc. acquired a new position in Xcel Energy during the second quarter worth $29,000. First Bancorp Inc ME acquired a new position in Xcel Energy during the second quarter worth $36,000. Finally, Cedar Mountain Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in Xcel Energy in the 1st quarter valued at $39,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 78.38% of the company’s stock.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of analysts have issued reports on XEL shares. KeyCorp cut their target price on Xcel Energy from $90.00 to $87.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday. BMO Capital Markets lowered their price target on shares of Xcel Energy from $95.00 to $92.00 and set an “outperform” rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, July 22nd. BTIG Research reissued a “buy” rating and issued a $99.00 price objective on shares of Xcel Energy in a report on Friday, July 31st. Jefferies Financial Group set a $101.00 price objective on shares of Xcel Energy in a research report on Tuesday, July 7th. Finally, Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of Xcel Energy from a “sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Saturday, September 26th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, fourteen have assigned a Buy rating and one has given a Hold rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of “Buy” and a consensus price target of $91.41.

Xcel Energy Price Performance

Shares of XEL opened at $75.36 on Thursday. Xcel Energy Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $68.72 and a fifty-two week high of $84.23. The firm’s 50 day moving average price is $74.87 and its 200 day moving average price is $78.00. The company has a market cap of $47.07 billion, a P/E ratio of 18.48, a PEG ratio of 2.48 and a beta of 0.36. The company has a quick ratio of 0.62, a current ratio of 0.70 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.49.

Xcel Energy (NASDAQ:XEL) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, July 29th. The company reported $0.93 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.79 by $0.14. The firm had revenue of $3.12 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $3.54 billion. Xcel Energy had a return on equity of 10.65% and a net margin of 15.28%. Xcel Energy’s revenue was down 5.1% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the business posted $1.59 earnings per share. On average, research analysts forecast that Xcel Energy Inc. will post 4.13 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Xcel Energy Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, October 20th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, September 15th will be given a dividend of $0.5925 per share. This represents a $2.37 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.1%. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, September 15th. Xcel Energy’s payout ratio is currently 64.93%.

Xcel Energy News Roundup

Here are the key news stories impacting Xcel Energy this week:

• Positive Sentiment: KeyCorp raised its EPS estimates to $4.19 for FY2026, $4.56 for FY2027, $4.97 for FY2028, $5.43 for FY2029 and $5.93 for FY2030, while retaining an Overweight rating. The higher forecasts suggest improving expectations for Xcel’s long-term earnings trajectory. KeyBanc Adjusts Xcel Energy Price Target to $87 From $90
• Positive Sentiment: KeyCorp’s $87 target remains above Xcel Energy’s recent trading level, indicating potential upside despite the reduction from $90. The company’s current-year consensus EPS estimate is approximately $4.12. Xcel Energy Analyst Estimates
• Neutral Sentiment: An earnings preview is drawing attention to Xcel Energy ahead of its quarterly results. The report could increase near-term volatility as investors assess whether the utility can meet or exceed earnings expectations. Xcel Energy Earnings Preview: What to Expect
• Neutral Sentiment: Xcel Energy was included in a Zacks screen of utility stocks with potential to beat quarterly earnings estimates, offering a modestly favorable signal but not a company-specific earnings confirmation. Utilities Stocks That Could Beat Earnings
• Negative Sentiment: Barclays lowered its Xcel Energy price target to $85 from $90. Although the revised target remains above the recent share price, the cut suggests more limited near-term upside than previously expected. Barclays Adjusts Price Target on Xcel Energy

Xcel Energy Profile

Xcel Energy Inc is a Minneapolis-based energy company that provides electricity and natural gas through regulated utility operations. Its businesses generate, transmit, distribute and sell electricity, as well as distribute natural gas to residential, commercial and industrial customers.

Through its operating companies, Xcel Energy serves customers in Colorado, Michigan, Minnesota, New Mexico, North Dakota, South Dakota, Texas and Wisconsin. The company’s operations include a diverse generation portfolio featuring wind, solar, hydroelectric, nuclear, natural gas and other energy resources.