Advertisement
UK markets close in 2 hours 24 minutes
  • FTSE 100

    8,115.61
    +36.75 (+0.45%)
     
  • FTSE 250

    19,790.54
    +188.56 (+0.96%)
     
  • AIM

    754.74
    +1.62 (+0.22%)
     
  • GBP/EUR

    1.1672
    +0.0016 (+0.13%)
     
  • GBP/USD

    1.2511
    +0.0000 (+0.00%)
     
  • Bitcoin GBP

    51,244.36
    +661.67 (+1.31%)
     
  • CMC Crypto 200

    1,388.28
    -8.26 (-0.59%)
     
  • S&P 500

    5,048.42
    -23.21 (-0.46%)
     
  • DOW

    38,085.80
    -375.12 (-0.98%)
     
  • CRUDE OIL

    84.38
    +0.81 (+0.97%)
     
  • GOLD FUTURES

    2,356.20
    +13.70 (+0.58%)
     
  • NIKKEI 225

    37,934.76
    +306.28 (+0.81%)
     
  • HANG SENG

    17,651.15
    +366.61 (+2.12%)
     
  • DAX

    18,054.18
    +136.90 (+0.76%)
     
  • CAC 40

    8,048.49
    +31.84 (+0.40%)
     

Utility Stocks' Q1 Earnings Due on May 5: D, EVRG, PPL & More

The Zacks Utilities sector is benefiting from demand recovery in the commercial and industrial group of customers post-pandemic. Improvement in economic conditions after the pandemic has generated fresh demand for utility services.

Domestic-focused companies operating in the sector have benefited from various favorable factors. These are new electric rates, customer additions, cost management, implementation of energy-efficiency programs, ongoing investments to improve the resilience of the electric infrastructure against extreme weather conditions and transition toward cost-effective alternate sources of fuel to produce electricity.

Yet, the performance of capital-intensive utilities is likely to have been adversely impacted by an increase in interest rates from the near-zero levels. An increase in borrowing costs and the resultant rise in interest expenses is likely to have adversely impacted the earnings of companies operating in the space.

Utility companies focus on producing more electricity from clean sources and gradually shutting down coal-based production units. Courtesy of government incentives and a decline in expenses of utility-scale renewable power projects, quite a few companies have announced plans to achieve zero emissions by 2050.

In the reported quarter, the utilities are expected to have benefited from higher demand. Cold winter months and above-average temperature in the month of March are expected to have boosted demand for electricity.

Per the current Earnings Trends report, utility is among the 9 Zacks sectors that are expected to earn more in the first quarter than the year-ago period. Below we take a look at utility companies Dominion Energy Inc. D, Evergy Inc. EVRG, PPL Corporation PPL, Consolidated Edison, Inc. ED, and Sempra Energy SRE to see how they are placed ahead of their earnings releases.

According to the Zacks model, a company needs the right combination of two key ingredients — a positive Earnings ESP and a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) or better — to increase the odds of an earnings surprise. You can uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they’re reported with our Earnings ESP Filter.

Dominion Energy’s first-quarter earnings are likely to have benefited from regulated investment, and improving sales from commercial and industrial customer groups. (Read More: Dominion Energy to Report Q1 Earnings: What to Expect)

Our proven model predicts an earnings beat for Dominion Energy this time around. D has an Earnings ESP of +0.42% and a Zacks Rank #3. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

Dominion Energy Inc. Price and EPS Surprise

Dominion Energy Inc. Price and EPS Surprise
Dominion Energy Inc. Price and EPS Surprise

Dominion Energy Inc. price-eps-surprise | Dominion Energy Inc. Quote

ADVERTISEMENT

Evergy Inc.’s first-quarter earnings are likely to have gained from higher transmission revenues due to consistent investments to strengthen the transmission infrastructure. Return to normal weather conditions and high D&A might adversely impact first-quarter earnings. ( Read More: Evergy to Report Q1 Earnings: What's in the Offing?)

Our proven model does not conclusively predict an earnings beat for Evergy this time around. EVRG has an Earnings ESP of 0.00% and a Zacks Rank of 3.

Evergy Inc. Price and EPS Surprise

Evergy Inc. Price and EPS Surprise
Evergy Inc. Price and EPS Surprise

Evergy Inc. price-eps-surprise | Evergy Inc. Quote

PPL Corporation’s first-quarter earnings are likely to have benefited from ongoing economic development in PPL Corporation’s service territories and a reduction in the long-term debt balance are likely to have reduced capital servicing costs and boosted margins in the first quarter. (Read more: PPL Readies to Report Q1 Earnings: What's in the Offing?)

Our proven model does not conclusively predict an earnings beat for PPL Corporation this time around. PPL has an Earnings ESP of 0.00% and a Zacks Rank of 3.

PPL Corporation Price and EPS Surprise

PPL Corporation Price and EPS Surprise
PPL Corporation Price and EPS Surprise

PPL Corporation price-eps-surprise | PPL Corporation Quote

Consolidated Edison Inc.’s first-quarter earnings are likely to have benefited from positive outcomes from timely rate revisions. The overall impact of temperature on Consolidated Edison’s first-quarter revenues is expected to have been neutral. (Read moe: What's in Store for Consolidated Edison in Q1 Earnings?)

Our proven model does not conclusively predict an earnings beat for Consolidated Edison this time around. ED has an Earnings ESP of -0.33% and a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy).

Consolidated Edison Inc Price and EPS Surprise

Consolidated Edison Inc Price and EPS Surprise
Consolidated Edison Inc Price and EPS Surprise

Consolidated Edison Inc price-eps-surprise | Consolidated Edison Inc Quote

Sempra Energy’s first-quarter 2022 earnings are likely to have benefited from favorable rate revision. Positive returns from invested capital in infrastructure and customer growth are likely to have boosted first-quarter earnings, while weather might have an adverse impact on first-quarter earnings. (Read more: Sempra Energy to Post Q1 Earnings: What's in the Cards?)

Our proven model does not conclusively predict an earnings beat for Sempra Energy this time around. SRE has an Earnings ESP of -0.45% and a Zacks Rank of 3.

Sempra Energy Price and EPS Surprise

Sempra Energy Price and EPS Surprise
Sempra Energy Price and EPS Surprise

Sempra Energy price-eps-surprise | Sempra Energy Quote

Stay on top of upcoming earnings announcements with the Zacks Earnings Calendar.


Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report

PPL Corporation (PPL) : Free Stock Analysis Report

Sempra Energy (SRE) : Free Stock Analysis Report

Consolidated Edison Inc (ED) : Free Stock Analysis Report

Dominion Energy Inc. (D) : Free Stock Analysis Report

Evergy Inc. (EVRG) : Free Stock Analysis Report

To read this article on Zacks.com click here.

Zacks Investment Research