Xcel Energy Poised to Benefit from Continued Investments

We issued an updated research report on Xcel Energy Inc. XEL on Jun 22. It is a holding company, with subsidiaries engaged primarily in the utility business.

To offer reliable services to customers and effectively meet rising electricity demand, Xcel Energy makes consistent investment in utility assets. Toward this end, the company plans to invest $18.4 billion in the next five year period of 2017-2021, in its transmission, distribution, electric generation and renewable projects.

Moreover, considering the untapped opportunities of the emerging green energy market, Xcel Energy's large-scale clean energy projects are expected to be beneficial in the long run. In this line, the company is currently diversifying its generation portfolio with emphasis on renewable sources with over $3.5 billion investment in the cards over a span of five years.

These sumptuous investments are anticipated to drive rate base growth of 5.4% compounded annually, consequently aiding the top line.

With respect to expanding renewable assets, the company's 600 megawatt MW Rush Creek wind project in Colorado has been approved by the Colorado Public Utilities Commission in September and is expected to begin operations in 2018.

These initiatives have allowed the company to outperform the broader industry. In the last 12 months, Xcel Energy's shares rallied 14.5% compared with the Zacks categorized Electric Power industry's gain of 2.7%.

Moreover, a sign of economic improvement is evident across Xcel Energy's service territories, especially in Minnesota. The company's NSP-Minnesota subsidiary's resource plan with Minnesota Public Utility Commission will result in 63% of the NSP System energy being carbon-free by 2030 from 2005-levels through the early retirement of two coal units, and the addition of wind and solar generation.

On the downside, the company's natural gas transmission and distribution operations are exposed to several risks, including explosions, leaks and mechanical setbacks that are likely to affect the company's operations, consequently impacting financial performance.

Also, the company faces intense competition from other utilities in the market like RWE AG RWEOY, Algonquin Power & Utilities Corp. AQN and Atlantic Power Corporation AT.

Zacks Rank

Xcel Energy currently carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

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Xcel Energy Inc. XEL: Free Stock Analysis Report
 
Atlantic Power Corporation AT: Free Stock Analysis Report
 
RWE AG (RWEOY): Free Stock Analysis Report
 
Algonquin Power & Utilities Corp. (AQN): Free Stock Analysis Report
 
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