WEC Energy Group Stock (NYSE:WEC), Trade Ideas

WEC Energy Group

WEC Energy Group's electric and gas utility businesses serve electric and gas customers in Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin service territories. The company also owns a 60% stake in American Transmission Co. WEC's asset mix is approximately 48% electric generation and distribution, 36% gas distribution, 10% electric transmission, and 6% unregulated renewable energy.

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WEC Energy to acquire 90% ownership of Delilah I Solar Energy Center for $459 million. Commercial operation expected by June. Exciting addition to clean energy portfolio.

What&#39;s Going On With WEC Energy Shares Monday?

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FirstEnergy (NYSE: FE) reported first-quarter 2024 operating earnings of 55 cents per share, which surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 53 cents by 3.8%. However, the bottom line decreased 8.3% from the year-ago quarter&#39;s figure of 60 cents.

FirstEnergy Q1 Earnings Beat Estimates, Revenues Lag

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Top Wall Street analysts changed their outlook on these top names. For a complete view of all analyst rating changes, including upgrades and downgrades, please see our analyst ratings page.

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WEC Energy Group Inc

WHITE ENERGY CO LTD by White Energy Company Ltd.

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WeCommerce Holdings Ltd Ordinary Shares - Class A

BMO Capital analyst James Thalacker maintains WEC Energy Group (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WEC#NYSE">WEC</a>) with a Market Perform and raises the price target from $89 to $90.

BMO Capital Maintains Market Perform on WEC Energy Group, Raises Price Target to $90

Guidance

WEC Energy Reaffirms 2024 EPS Guidance Of $4.80-$4.90 Vs. Consensus Of $4.89

WEC Energy Group (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WEC#NYSE">WEC</a>) reported quarterly earnings of $1.97 per share which beat the analyst consensus estimate of $1.91 by 3.14 percent. This is a 22.36 percent increase over earnings of $1.61 per share from the same period last year. The company reported quarterly sales of $2.680 billion which missed the analyst consensus estimate of $2.916 billion by 8.11 percent. This is a 7.20 percent decrease over sales of $2.888 billion the same period last year.

Earnings Misses

WEC Energy Group Q1 2024 GAAP EPS $1.97 Beats $1.91 Estimate, Sales $2.680B Miss $2.916B Estimate

WEC Energy Group, Inc.&nbsp;(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WEC#NYSE">WEC</a>) shares are trading higher after the company inked a deal to acquire a 90% ownership interest in the Delilah I&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/pressreleases/24/04/n38487298/wec-energy-group-to-acquire-90-ownership-of-delilah-i-solar-energy-center" rel="noreferrer noopener">Solar Energy Center for $459 million</a>.
Delilah I is a 300-megawatt project located around 140 miles northeast of&nbsp;Dallas, Texas, and the commercial operation&nbsp;is expected&nbsp;to begin by the end of June.
Delilah I is part of the five-phase Samson &amp; Delilah solar portfolio and is one of the&nbsp;largest&nbsp;solar facilities under construction in&nbsp;the U.S.&nbsp;
WEC Energy Group owns a majority stake in Samson I,&nbsp;which is&nbsp;a separate phase of the Samson &amp; Delilah project.
Gale Klappa,&nbsp;executive&nbsp;chairman,&nbsp;said, &#8220;The Delilah Solar project is an exciting addition to our Infrastructure business and highlights our continued investment in affordable, reliable&nbsp;and&nbsp;clean energy.&nbsp;This project will help one of the world&#8217;s largest automakers meet their clean energy goals for years to come.&#8221;&nbsp;
The company plans to release&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/calendars/earnings" rel="noreferrer noopener">first-quarter FY24 earnings&nbsp;on May 1</a>.
Investors can gain exposure to the stock via&nbsp;Invesco Dorsey Wright Utilities Momentum ETF&nbsp;(NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PUI#NASDAQ">PUI</a>) and&nbsp;First Trust EIP Carbon Impact ETF&nbsp;(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ECLN#NYSE">ECLN</a>).
Price Action: WEC shares are up 1.41% at $82.64 at the last check Monday.
Photo via Shutterstock

What's Going On With WEC Energy Shares Monday?

WEC Energy Group (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WEC#NYSE">WEC</a>) today announced that the company has agreed to acquire a 90% ownership interest in the Delilah I Solar Energy Center.
Delilah I is a 300-megawatt project located approximately 140 miles northeast of Dallas, Texas. The project was developed and built by Invenergy — a leading global developer and operator of sustainable energy solutions. Commercial operation is expected to begin by the end of June.
Delilah I will generate renewable energy under a long-term power purchase agreement with a global automaker. WEC Energy Group's investment is expected to total $459 million for the 90% ownership interest.
"The Delilah Solar project is an exciting addition to our Infrastructure business and highlights our continued investment in affordable, reliable and clean energy. This project will help one of the world's largest automakers meet their clean energy goals for years to come," said Gale Klappa, executive chairman.
Delilah I is part of the five-phase Samson &amp; Delilah solar portfolio, one of the largest solar facilities under construction in the United States. WEC Energy Group already owns a majority interest in Samson I — a separate phase of the Samson &amp; Delilah project.
The Delilah Solar investment is eligible for production tax credits as outlined in the Inflation Reduction Act passed by Congress. The transaction is subject to receipt of all necessary regulatory approvals.
WEC Energy Group's Infrastructure segment has existing or planned investments in 11 solar and wind projects totaling more than 2 gigawatts of capacity. All of the projects have long-term off-take agreements.

WEC Energy Group To Acquire 90% Ownership Of Delilah I Solar Energy Center; Investment Is Expected To Total $459M For The 90% Ownership Interest

FirstEnergy (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/fe#NYSE">FE</a>) reported first-quarter 2024 operating earnings of 55 cents per share, which surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 53 cents by 3.8%. However, the bottom line decreased 8.3% from the year-ago quarter&#39;s figure of 60 cents.
<h3>Total Revenues</h3>
Operating revenues of $3.29 billion missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $3.36 billion by 2.04%. The top line, however, increased 1.8% from $3.23 billion recorded in the year-ago quarter.
<h3>&nbsp;</h3>
<div class="chart_embed">
<h3>FirstEnergy Corporation Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise <a href="https://www.zacks.com/stock/chart/FE/price-consensus-eps-surprise-chart?icid=chart-FE-price-consensus-eps-surprise-chart"> <img alt="FirstEnergy Corporation Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise" src="https://staticx-tuner.zacks.com/images/charts/94/1714122526.png" style="height:282px; width:615px" title="" /> </a></h3>
FirstEnergy Corporation price-consensus-eps-surprise-chart | FirstEnergy Corporation Quote
</div>
<h3>Segmental Performance</h3>
Distribution: Earnings from this segment totaled $1.77 billion, down 2.8% from the prior-year quarter&#39;s level. The decline can be attributed to higher planned operating expenses during 2024. 
Integrated: Earnings from this segment amounted to $1.09 billion, up 6.5% from the prior-year quarter&#39;s reported actuals. The improvement was primarily due to the approval of recent base rate cases in Maryland, New Jersey and West Virginia, investments in formula rate capital programs, and higher weather-related demand. 
Stand-Alone Transmission: Earnings from this segment totaled $438 million, up 9.5% from the prior-year quarter&#39;s figure. The first-quarter results were driven by the rate base growth in formula rates from its capital investment program. 
Corporate/Other: The loss from this segment amounted to $13 million compared with a loss of $14 million in the year-ago quarter.
<h3>Highlights of the Release</h3>
Total operating expenses were $2.65 billion, up 1.1% from the year-ago quarter&#39;s level of $2.62 billion. 
The company reported an interest expense of $305 million, up 16% from the prior-year quarter&#39;s level of $263 million. 
Total distribution deliveries for the first quarter increased 1.5% from that recorded in the year-ago period. Usage increased 1% among residential customers. While industrial sales increased 3% year over year, sales were essentially flat in the commercial sector.
<h3>Financial Highlights</h3>
As of Apr 22, 2024, FE reported available liquidity of $4.73 billion, including cash and cash equivalents of $110 million. 
Long-term debt and other long-term obligations as of Mar 31, 2024, totaled $21.65 billion compared with $22.89 billion as of Dec 31, 2023. 
Net cash used for operating activities for the first three months of 2024 totaled $40 million compared with $112 million in the year-ago period.
<h3>Guidance</h3>
FirstEnergy expects 2024 earnings per share in the range of $2.61-$2.81, which indicates a 7% increase over the 2023 guidance midpoint, driven by robust regulated growth. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the same is pegged at $2.67, lower than $2.71, the midpoint of the company&#39;s guided range. 
FirstEnergy reaffirmed its long-term annual operating EPS growth rate of 6-8%. FE continues with its capital investment plan of $26 billion for the 2024-2028 period.
<h3>Zacks Rank</h3>
FirstEnergy currently has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).
<h3>Upcoming Releases</h3>
WEC Energy Group (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/wec#NYSE">WEC</a>) is scheduled to report first-quarter results on May 1, before market open. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for first-quarter earnings is pegged at $1.92 per share. 
WEC&#39;s long-term (three to five years) earnings growth rate is 5.9%. It delivered an average earnings surprise of 4.9% in the last four quarters. 
Pinnacle West Capital (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/pnw#NYSE">PNW</a>) is scheduled to report first-quarter results on May 2, before market open. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for first-quarter earnings is pegged at 3 cents per share. 
PNW&#39;s long-term earnings growth rate is 7.6%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2024 earnings is pegged at $4.76 per share. 
NRG Energy (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/nrg#NYSE">NRG</a>) is scheduled to report first-quarter results on May 7, before market open. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for first-quarter earnings is pegged at 51 cents per share. 
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2024 earnings is pinned at $5.36 per share. NRG delivered an average earnings surprise of 6.4% in the last four quarters.
<a href="https://www.zacks.com/stock/news/2263047/firstenergy-fe-q1-earnings-beat-estimates-revenues-lag?cid=CS-BENZ-FT-analyst_blog|earnings_article-2263047">To read this article on Zacks.com click here.</a>

Scotiabank analyst Andrew Weisel maintains WEC Energy Group (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WEC#NYSE">WEC</a>) with a Sector Outperform and lowers the price target from $96 to $90.

Scotiabank Maintains Sector Outperform on WEC Energy Group, Lowers Price Target to $90

WEC Energy Group (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WEC#NYSE">WEC</a>) underwent analysis by 7 analysts in the last quarter, revealing a spectrum of viewpoints from bullish to bearish.
The table below summarizes their recent ratings, showcasing the evolving sentiments within the past 30 days and comparing them to the preceding months.
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th></th>
<th style="text-align: right;">Bullish</th>
<th style="text-align: right;">Somewhat Bullish</th>
<th style="text-align: right;">Indifferent</th>
<th style="text-align: right;">Somewhat Bearish</th>
<th style="text-align: right;">Bearish</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Total Ratings</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">2</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">2</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">3</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Last 30D</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">1</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>1M Ago</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">1</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2M Ago</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>3M Ago</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">1</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">1</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">3</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
The 12-month price targets assessed by analysts reveal further insights, featuring an average target of $86.14, a high estimate of $96.00, and a low estimate of $75.00. This current average represents a 3.21% decrease from the previous average price target of $89.00. 
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1713531619_0.png" alt="price target chart" />
<h2>Understanding Analyst Ratings: A Comprehensive Breakdown</h2>
The perception of WEC Energy Group by financial experts is analyzed through recent analyst actions. The following summary presents key analysts, their recent evaluations, and adjustments to ratings and price targets.
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Analyst</th>
<th>Analyst Firm</th>
<th>Action Taken</th>
<th>Rating</th>
<th>Current Price Target</th>
<th>Prior Price Target</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Sophie Karp</td>
<td>Keybanc</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Overweight</td>
<td>$96.00</td>
<td>$95.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Carly Davenport</td>
<td>Goldman Sachs</td>
<td>Announces</td>
<td>Neutral</td>
<td>$88.00</td>
<td>-</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Eric Beaumont</td>
<td>Barclays</td>
<td>Lowers</td>
<td>Underweight</td>
<td>$75.00</td>
<td>$79.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Shelby Tucker</td>
<td>RBC Capital</td>
<td>Lowers</td>
<td>Sector Perform</td>
<td>$90.00</td>
<td>$95.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Neil Kalton</td>
<td>Wells Fargo</td>
<td>Lowers</td>
<td>Overweight</td>
<td>$91.00</td>
<td>$93.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Jeremy Tonet</td>
<td>JP Morgan</td>
<td>Lowers</td>
<td>Underweight</td>
<td>$84.00</td>
<td>$90.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Eric Beaumont</td>
<td>Barclays</td>
<td>Lowers</td>
<td>Underweight</td>
<td>$79.00</td>
<td>$82.00</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<h3>Key Insights:</h3>
<ul>
<li>Action Taken: Analysts respond to changes in market conditions and company performance, frequently updating their recommendations. Whether they 'Maintain', 'Raise' or 'Lower' their stance, it reflects their reaction to recent developments related to WEC Energy Group. This information offers a snapshot of how analysts perceive the current state of the company.</li>
<li>Rating: Providing a comprehensive analysis, analysts offer qualitative assessments, ranging from 'Outperform' to 'Underperform'. These ratings reflect expectations for the relative performance of WEC Energy Group compared to the broader market.</li>
<li>Price Targets: Understanding forecasts, analysts offer estimates for WEC Energy Group's future value. Examining the current and prior targets provides insight into analysts' changing expectations.</li>
</ul>
To gain a panoramic view of WEC Energy Group's market performance, explore these analyst evaluations alongside essential financial indicators. Stay informed and make judicious decisions using our Ratings Table.
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/WEC/analyst-ratings?utm_source=Benzinga Insights">Stay up to date on WEC Energy Group analyst ratings.</a>
<h2>About WEC Energy Group</h2>
WEC Energy Group's electric and gas utility businesses serve electric and gas customers in Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin service territories. The company also owns a 60% stake in American Transmission Co. WEC's asset mix is approximately 48% electric generation and distribution, 36% gas distribution, 10% electric transmission, and 6% unregulated renewable energy.
<h3>A Deep Dive into WEC Energy Group's Financials</h3>
Market Capitalization Analysis: Above industry benchmarks, the company's market capitalization emphasizes a noteworthy size, indicative of a strong market presence.
Revenue Growth: WEC Energy Group's revenue growth over a period of 3 months has faced challenges. As of 31 December, 2023, the company experienced a revenue decline of approximately -13.32%. This indicates a decrease in the company's top-line earnings. When compared to others in the Utilities sector, the company faces challenges, achieving a growth rate lower than the average among peers.
Net Margin: WEC Energy Group's net margin falls below industry averages, indicating challenges in achieving strong profitability. With a net margin of 9.85%, the company may face hurdles in effective cost management.
Return on Equity (ROE): WEC Energy Group's ROE is below industry averages, indicating potential challenges in efficiently utilizing equity capital. With an ROE of 1.86%, the company may face hurdles in achieving optimal financial returns.
Return on Assets (ROA): The company's ROA is below industry benchmarks, signaling potential difficulties in efficiently utilizing assets. With an ROA of 0.5%, the company may need to address challenges in generating satisfactory returns from its assets.
Debt Management: The company maintains a balanced debt approach with a debt-to-equity ratio below industry norms, standing at 1.6.
<h2>The Core of Analyst Ratings: What Every Investor Should Know</h2>
Ratings come from analysts, or specialists within banking and financial systems that report for specific stocks or defined sectors (typically once per quarter for each stock). Analysts usually derive their information from company conference calls and meetings, financial statements, and conversations with important insiders to reach their decisions.
Analysts may enhance their evaluations by incorporating forecasts for metrics like growth estimates, earnings, and revenue, delivering additional guidance to investors. It is vital to acknowledge that, although experts in stocks and sectors, analysts are human and express their opinions when providing insights.
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

Peeling Back The Layers: Exploring WEC Energy Group Through Analyst Insights

Keybanc analyst Sophie Karp maintains WEC Energy Group (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WEC#NYSE">WEC</a>) with a Overweight and raises the price target from $95 to $96.

Keybanc Maintains Overweight on WEC Energy Group, Raises Price Target to $96

WIIM

Shares of utilities stocks are trading lower amid a rise in yields following hotter-than-expected March inflation data. A rise in yields could pressure dividend-paying sectors.

Goldman Sachs analyst Carly Davenport initiates coverage on WEC Energy Group (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WEC#NYSE">WEC</a>) with a Neutral rating and announces Price Target of $88.

Initiation

Goldman Sachs Initiates Coverage On WEC Energy Group with Neutral Rating, Announces Price Target of $88

Highlighted on March 5, it was unveiled in an SEC filing that KLAPPA, Executive Chairman at WEC Energy Group (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WEC#NYSE">WEC</a>), executed a significant transaction involving the exercise of company stock options.
What Happened: The latest Form 4 filing on Tuesday with the <a href="https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/0000783325/000010781524000104//Archives/edgar/data/783325/000010781524000104/0000107815-24-000104-index.htm">U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission</a> uncovered KLAPPA, Executive Chairman at WEC Energy Group, exercising stock options for 50,000 shares of WEC. The total transaction was valued at $1,368,250.
The Tuesday morning market activity shows WEC Energy Group shares up by 0.68%, trading at $80.26. This implies a total value of $1,368,250 for KLAPPA's 50,000 shares.
<h3>All You Need to Know About WEC Energy Group</h3>
WEC Energy Group's electric and gas utility businesses serve electric and gas customers in Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin service territories. The company also owns a 60% stake in American Transmission Co. WEC's asset mix is approximately 49% electric generation and distribution, 36% gas distribution, 10% electric transmission, and 5% unregulated renewable energy.
<h3>Financial Milestones: WEC Energy Group's Journey</h3>
Negative Revenue Trend: Examining WEC Energy Group's financials over 3 months reveals challenges. As of 31 December, 2023, the company experienced a decline of approximately -13.32% in revenue growth, reflecting a decrease in top-line earnings. In comparison to its industry peers, the company trails behind with a growth rate lower than the average among peers in the Utilities sector.
Holistic Profitability Examination:
<ul>
<li>
Gross Margin: The company shows a low gross margin of 40.7%, indicating concerns regarding cost management and overall profitability relative to its industry counterparts.
</li>
<li>
Earnings per Share (EPS): WEC Energy Group's EPS reflects a decline, falling below the industry average with a current EPS of 0.69.
</li>
</ul>
Debt Management: WEC Energy Group's debt-to-equity ratio is below industry norms, indicating a sound financial structure with a ratio of 1.6.
Assessing Valuation Metrics:
<ul>
<li>
Price to Earnings (P/E) Ratio: The current P/E ratio of 18.89 is below industry norms, indicating potential undervaluation and presenting an investment opportunity.
</li>
<li>
Price to Sales (P/S) Ratio: With a higher-than-average P/S ratio of 2.83, WEC Energy Group's stock is perceived as being overvalued in the market, particularly in relation to sales performance.
</li>
<li>
EV/EBITDA Analysis (Enterprise Value to its Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation &amp; Amortization): WEC Energy Group's EV/EBITDA ratio of 12.46 exceeds industry averages, indicating a premium valuation in the market
</li>
</ul>
Market Capitalization Analysis: With an elevated market capitalization, the company stands out above industry averages, showcasing substantial size and market acknowledgment.
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<h3>The Relevance of Insider Transactions</h3>
Insider transactions contribute to decision-making but should be supplemented by a comprehensive investment analysis.
From a legal standpoint, the term "insider" pertains to any officer, director, or beneficial owner holding more than ten percent of a company's equity securities as outlined in Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. This encompasses executives in the c-suite and significant hedge funds. These insiders are mandated to inform the public of their transactions through a Form 4 filing, to be submitted within two business days of the transaction.
A company insider's new purchase is a indicator of their positive anticipation for a rise in the stock.
While insider sells may not necessarily reflect a bearish view and can be motivated by various factors.
<h3>Navigating the World of Insider Transaction Codes</h3>
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/investing-tools">Investors</a> prefer focusing on transactions that take place in the open market, indicated in Table I of the Form 4 filing. A P in Box 3 indicates a purchase, while S indicates a sale. Transaction code C indicates the conversion of an option, and transaction code A indicates grant, award or other acquisition of securities from the company.
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/sec/insider-trades/search/index?company_cik=0000783325">Check Out The Full List Of WEC Energy Group's Insider Trades.</a>
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

Insider Trades

Insider Unloading: GALE KLAPPA Sells Options, Realizes $1.37M

On March 5, it was revealed in an SEC filing that Scott Lauber, President and CEO at WEC Energy Group (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WEC#NYSE">WEC</a>) executed a significant exercise of company stock options.
What Happened: Lauber, President and CEO at WEC Energy Group, exercised stock options for 5,330 shares of WEC stock. This information was disclosed in a Form 4 filing with the <a href="https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/0000783325/000010781524000105//Archives/edgar/data/783325/000010781524000105/0000107815-24-000105-index.htm">U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission</a> on Tuesday. The exercise price of the options was $52.9 per share.
As of Tuesday morning, WEC Energy Group shares are down by 0.0%, with a current price of $79.72. This implies that Lauber's 5,330 shares have a value of $142,977.
<h3>All You Need to Know About WEC Energy Group</h3>
WEC Energy Group's electric and gas utility businesses serve electric and gas customers in Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin service territories. The company also owns a 60% stake in American Transmission Co. WEC's asset mix is approximately 49% electric generation and distribution, 36% gas distribution, 10% electric transmission, and 5% unregulated renewable energy.
<h3>WEC Energy Group's Financial Performance</h3>
Revenue Challenges: WEC Energy Group's revenue growth over 3 months faced difficulties. As of 31 December, 2023, the company experienced a decline of approximately -13.32%. This indicates a decrease in top-line earnings. As compared to competitors, the company encountered difficulties, with a growth rate lower than the average among peers in the Utilities sector.
Evaluating Earnings Performance:
<ul>
<li>
Gross Margin: The company issues a cost efficiency warning with a low gross margin of 40.7%, indicating potential difficulties in maintaining profitability compared to its peers.
</li>
<li>
Earnings per Share (EPS): WEC Energy Group's EPS is below the industry average. The company faced challenges with a current EPS of 0.69. This suggests a potential decline in earnings.
</li>
</ul>
Debt Management: WEC Energy Group's debt-to-equity ratio is below industry norms, indicating a sound financial structure with a ratio of 1.6.
Valuation Metrics:
<ul>
<li>
Price to Earnings (P/E) Ratio: The current P/E ratio of 18.89 is below industry norms, indicating potential undervaluation and presenting an investment opportunity.
</li>
<li>
Price to Sales (P/S) Ratio: A higher-than-average P/S ratio of 2.83 suggests overvaluation in the eyes of investors, considering sales performance.
</li>
<li>
EV/EBITDA Analysis (Enterprise Value to its Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation &amp; Amortization): The company's EV/EBITDA ratio 12.46 is above the industry average, suggesting that the market values the company more highly for each unit of EBITDA. This could be attributed to factors such as strong growth prospects or superior operational efficiency.
</li>
</ul>
Market Capitalization Analysis: The company's market capitalization surpasses industry averages, showcasing a dominant size relative to peers and suggesting a strong market position.
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<h3>Delving Into the Significance of Insider Transactions</h3>
Insider transactions are not the sole determinant of investment choices, but they are a factor worth considering.
From a legal standpoint, the term "insider" pertains to any officer, director, or beneficial owner holding more than ten percent of a company's equity securities as outlined in Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. This encompasses executives in the c-suite and significant hedge funds. These insiders are mandated to inform the public of their transactions through a Form 4 filing, to be submitted within two business days of the transaction.
A company insider's new purchase is a indicator of their positive anticipation for a rise in the stock.
While insider sells may not necessarily reflect a bearish view and can be motivated by various factors.
<h3>Transaction Codes To Focus On</h3>
When analyzing transactions, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/investing-tools">investors</a> tend to focus on those in the open market, detailed in Table I of the Form 4 filing. A P in Box 3 denotes a purchase,while S signifies a sale. Transaction code C signals the conversion of an option, and transaction code A denotes a grant, award, or other acquisition of securities from the company.
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/sec/insider-trades/search/index?company_cik=0000783325">Check Out The Full List Of WEC Energy Group's Insider Trades.</a>
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

At WEC Energy Group, Scott Lauber Chooses To Exercise Options, Resulting In $142K

Barclays analyst Eric Beaumont maintains WEC Energy Group (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WEC#NYSE">WEC</a>) with a Underweight and lowers the price target from $79 to $75.

Barclays Maintains Underweight on WEC Energy Group, Lowers Price Target to $75

Ratings for WEC Energy Group (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WEC#NYSE">WEC</a>) were provided by 10 analysts in the past three months, showcasing a mix of bullish and bearish perspectives.
The table below provides a concise overview of recent ratings by analysts, offering insights into the changing sentiments over the past 30 days and drawing comparisons with the preceding months for a holistic perspective.
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th></th>
<th style="text-align: right;">Bullish</th>
<th style="text-align: right;">Somewhat Bullish</th>
<th style="text-align: right;">Indifferent</th>
<th style="text-align: right;">Somewhat Bearish</th>
<th style="text-align: right;">Bearish</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Total Ratings</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">2</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">2</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">2</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">4</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Last 30D</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">1</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>1M Ago</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">1</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">2</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2M Ago</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">1</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">1</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">1</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>3M Ago</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">1</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">1</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">1</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
Providing deeper insights, analysts have established 12-month price targets, indicating an average target of $86.6, along with a high estimate of $95.00 and a low estimate of $78.00. A negative shift in sentiment is evident as analysts have decreased the average price target by 3.35%. 
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1707408045_0.png" alt="price target chart" />
<h2>Decoding Analyst Ratings: A Detailed Look</h2>
An in-depth analysis of recent analyst actions unveils how financial experts perceive WEC Energy Group. The following summary outlines key analysts, their recent evaluations, and adjustments to ratings and price targets.
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Analyst</th>
<th>Analyst Firm</th>
<th>Action Taken</th>
<th>Rating</th>
<th>Current Price Target</th>
<th>Prior Price Target</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Shelby Tucker</td>
<td>RBC Capital</td>
<td>Lowers</td>
<td>Sector Perform</td>
<td>$90.00</td>
<td>$95.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Neil Kalton</td>
<td>Wells Fargo</td>
<td>Lowers</td>
<td>Overweight</td>
<td>$91.00</td>
<td>$93.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Jeremy Tonet</td>
<td>JP Morgan</td>
<td>Lowers</td>
<td>Underweight</td>
<td>$84.00</td>
<td>$90.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Eric Beaumont</td>
<td>Barclays</td>
<td>Lowers</td>
<td>Underweight</td>
<td>$79.00</td>
<td>$82.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Julien Dumoulin-Smith</td>
<td>B of A Securities</td>
<td>Lowers</td>
<td>Underperform</td>
<td>$78.00</td>
<td>$84.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Sophie Karp</td>
<td>Keybanc</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Overweight</td>
<td>$95.00</td>
<td>$94.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Anthony Crowdell</td>
<td>Mizuho</td>
<td>Lowers</td>
<td>Buy</td>
<td>$86.00</td>
<td>$88.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Eric Beaumont</td>
<td>Barclays</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Underweight</td>
<td>$82.00</td>
<td>$81.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Jeremy Metz</td>
<td>JP Morgan</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Neutral</td>
<td>$93.00</td>
<td>$91.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Anthony Crowdell</td>
<td>Mizuho</td>
<td>Lowers</td>
<td>Buy</td>
<td>$88.00</td>
<td>$98.00</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<h3>Key Insights:</h3>
<ul>
<li>Action Taken: Analysts respond to changes in market conditions and company performance, frequently updating their recommendations. Whether they 'Maintain', 'Raise' or 'Lower' their stance, it reflects their reaction to recent developments related to WEC Energy Group. This information offers a snapshot of how analysts perceive the current state of the company.</li>
<li>Rating: Unveiling insights, analysts deliver qualitative insights into stock performance, from 'Outperform' to 'Underperform'. These ratings convey expectations for the relative performance of WEC Energy Group compared to the broader market.</li>
<li>Price Targets: Understanding forecasts, analysts offer estimates for WEC Energy Group's future value. Examining the current and prior targets provides insight into analysts' changing expectations.</li>
</ul>
Analyzing these analyst evaluations alongside relevant financial metrics can provide a comprehensive view of WEC Energy Group's market position. Stay informed and make data-driven decisions with the assistance of our Ratings Table.
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/WEC/analyst-ratings?utm_source=Benzinga Insights">Stay up to date on WEC Energy Group analyst ratings.</a>
<h2>Discovering WEC Energy Group: A Closer Look</h2>
WEC Energy Group's electric and gas utility businesses serve electric and gas customers in Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin service territories. The company also owns a 60% stake in American Transmission Co. WEC's asset mix is approximately 49% electric generation and distribution, 36% gas distribution, 10% electric transmission, and 5% unregulated renewable energy.
<h3>WEC Energy Group: Financial Performance Dissected</h3>
Market Capitalization: Positioned above industry average, the company's market capitalization underscores its superiority in size, indicative of a strong market presence.
Decline in Revenue: Over the 3 months period, WEC Energy Group faced challenges, resulting in a decline of approximately -2.28% in revenue growth as of 30 September, 2023. This signifies a reduction in the company's top-line earnings. When compared to others in the Utilities sector, the company excelled with a growth rate higher than the average among peers.
Net Margin: The company's net margin is a standout performer, exceeding industry averages. With an impressive net margin of 16.14%, the company showcases strong profitability and effective cost control.
Return on Equity (ROE): The company's ROE is a standout performer, exceeding industry averages. With an impressive ROE of 2.7%, the company showcases effective utilization of equity capital.
Return on Assets (ROA): WEC Energy Group's financial strength is reflected in its exceptional ROA, which exceeds industry averages. With a remarkable ROA of 0.73%, the company showcases efficient use of assets and strong financial health.
Debt Management: The company maintains a balanced debt approach with a debt-to-equity ratio below industry norms, standing at 1.55.
<h2>Analyst Ratings: What Are They?</h2>
Analyst ratings serve as essential indicators of stock performance, provided by experts in banking and financial systems. These specialists diligently analyze company financial statements, participate in conference calls, and engage with insiders to generate quarterly ratings for individual stocks.
Some analysts publish their predictions for metrics such as growth estimates, earnings, and revenue to provide additional guidance with their ratings. When using analyst ratings, it is important to keep in mind that stock and sector analysts are also human and are only offering their opinions to investors.
If you want to keep track of which analysts are outperforming others, you can view updated analyst ratings along withanalyst success scores in <a href="https://benzinga.grsm.io/register174">Benzinga Pro</a>.
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

What Analysts Are Saying About WEC Energy Group Stock

RBC Capital analyst Shelby Tucker maintains WEC Energy Group (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WEC#NYSE">WEC</a>) with a Sector Perform and lowers the price target from $95 to $90.

RBC Capital Maintains Sector Perform on WEC Energy Group, Lowers Price Target to $90

Wells Fargo analyst Neil Kalton maintains WEC Energy Group (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WEC#NYSE">WEC</a>) with a Overweight and lowers the price target from $93 to $91.

Wells Fargo Maintains Overweight on WEC Energy Group, Lowers Price Target to $91

Top Wall Street analysts changed their outlook on these top names. For a complete view of all analyst rating changes, including upgrades and downgrades, please see our <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/">analyst ratings page</a>.
<ul>
<li>JP Morgan cut the price target for WEC Energy Group, Inc. (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/wec#NYSE">WEC</a>) from $90 to $84. JP Morgan analyst Jeremy Tonet downgraded the stock from Neutral to Underweight. WEC Energy shares gained 1.3% to close at $81.78 on Thursday. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/WEC/analyst-ratings">See how other analysts view this stock.</a></li>
<li>Citigroup raised Macy&#39;s, Inc. (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/m#NYSE">M</a>) price target from $14 to $18. Citigroup analyst Paul Lejuez upgraded the stock from Sell to Neutral. Macy&#39;s shares rose 0.8% to close at $18.44 on Thursday. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/M/analyst-ratings">See how other analysts view this stock</a>.</li>
<li>Needham boosted the price target for Hologic, Inc. (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/holx#NASDAQ">HOLX</a>) from $83 to $90. Needham analyst Mike Matson maintained a Buy rating. Hologic shares fell 0.1% to close at $74.41 on Thursday. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/HOLX/analyst-ratings">See how other analysts view this stock</a>.</li>
<li>JP Morgan increased Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/amzn#NASDAQ">AMZN</a>) price target from $190 to $225. JP Morgan analyst Doug Anmuth maintained an Overweight rating. Amazon shares gained 2.6% to close at $159.28 on Thursday. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/AMZN/analyst-ratings">See how other analysts view this stock</a>.</li>
<li>Raymond James boosted the price target for Roper Technologies, Inc. (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/rop#NYSE">ROP</a>) from $572 to $620. Raymond James analyst Brian Gesuale maintained a Strong Buy rating. Roper Technologies shares rose 1.6% to close at $545.81 on Thursday. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/ROP/analyst-ratings">See how other analysts view this stock</a>.</li>
<li>Telsey Advisory Group increased the price target for Deckers Outdoor Corporation (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/deck#NYSE">DECK</a>) from $850 to $930. Telsey Advisory Group analyst Dana Telsey maintained an Outperform rating. Deckers Outdoor shares gained 2.5% to close at $772.85 on Thursday. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/DECK/analyst-ratings">See how other analysts view this stock</a>.</li>
<li>BMO Capital cut Gold Fields Limited (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/gfi#NYSE">GFI</a>) price target from $14 to $12. BMO Capital analyst Andrew Kaip downgraded the stock from Market Perform to Underperform. Gold Fields shares rose 6.8% to close at $15.81 on Thursday. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/GFI/analyst-ratings">See how other analysts view this stock</a>.</li>
<li>Deutsche Bank slashed New York Community Bancorp, Inc. (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/nycb#NYSE">NYCB</a>) price target from $15 to $7. Deutsche Bank analyst Bernard von-Gizycki downgraded the stock from Buy to Hold. New York Community Bancorp shares dipped 11.1% to close at $5.75 on Thursday. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/NYCB/analyst-ratings">See how other analysts view this stock</a>.</li>
<li>Needham raised Microchip Technology Incorporated (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/mchp#NASDAQ">MCHP</a>) price target from $85&nbsp;to&nbsp;$90. Needham analyst Quinn Bolton maintained a Buy rating. Microchip Technology shares rose 0.6% to close at $85.65 on Thursday. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/MCHP/analyst-ratings">See how other analysts view this stock</a>.</li>
<li>Stephens &amp; Co. boosted Lancaster Colony Corporation (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/lanc#NASDAQ">LANC</a>) price target from $205&nbsp;to&nbsp;$218. Stephens &amp; Co. analyst Jim Salera downgraded the stock from Overweight to Equal-Weight. Lancaster Colony shares jumped 11% to close at $204.04 on Thursday. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/WEC/analyst-ratings">See how other analysts view this stock</a>.</li>
</ul>
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JP Morgan analyst Jeremy Tonet downgrades WEC Energy Group (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WEC#NYSE">WEC</a>) from Neutral to Underweight and lowers the price target from $90 to $84.

Downgrades

JP Morgan Downgrades WEC Energy Group to Underweight, Lowers Price Target to $84

WEC Energy Group (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WEC#NYSE">WEC</a>) reported its Q4 earnings results on Thursday, February 1, 2024 at 07:00 AM.
Here's what investors need to know about the announcement.
<h3>Earnings</h3>
WEC Energy Group beat estimated earnings by 1.85%, reporting an EPS of $1.1 versus an estimate of $1.08.
Revenue was down $340.00 million from the same period last year.
<h3>Past Earnings Performance</h3>
Last quarter the company beat on EPS by $0.1 which was followed by a 1.44% increase in the share price the next day.
Here's a look at WEC Energy Group's past performance:

<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Quarter</th>
<th>Q3 2023</th>
<th>Q2 2023</th>
<th>Q1 2023</th>
<th>Q4 2022</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>EPS Estimate</td>
<td>0.9</td>
<td>0.85</td>
<td>1.59</td>
<td>0.74</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>EPS Actual</td>
<td>1</td>
<td>0.92</td>
<td>1.61</td>
<td>0.80</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Revenue Estimate</td>
<td>2.02B</td>
<td>2.17B</td>
<td>2.85B</td>
<td>1.92B</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Revenue Actual</td>
<td>1.96B</td>
<td>1.83B</td>
<td>2.89B</td>
<td>2.56B</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

New investors should note that it is sometimes not an earnings beat or miss that most affects the price of a stock, but the guidance (or forecast).
<h3>Guidance</h3>
WEC Energy Group management provided guidance for FY 2023, expecting earnings between $4.58 and $4.62 per share.
To track all earnings releases for WEC Energy Group <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/WEC/earnings">visit their earnings calendar here.</a> 
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

Recap: WEC Energy Group Q4 Earnings

WEC Energy GAAP EPS of $1.97 beats by $0.06, revenue of $2.68B misses by $260M

<a href="https://investorplace.com">InvestorPlace - Stock Market News, Stock Advice &amp; Trading Tips</a>
WEC Energy Group (NYSE:<a href="https://investorplace.com/stock-quotes/wec-stock-quote/">WEC</a>) just reported results for the first quarter of 2024.<ul><li>WEC Energy Group reported earnings per share of $1.97. This was above the analyst estimate for EPS of $1.92.</li><li>The company reported revenue of $2.68 billion.</li><li>This was 8.22% worse than the analyst estimate for revenue of $2.92 billion.</li></ul><div>InvestorPlace Earnings is a project that leverages data from <a href="https://www.tradesmith.com">TradeSmith</a> to automate coverage of quarterly earnings reports. InvestorPlace Earnings distills key takeaways including earnings per share and revenue, as well as how a company stacks up to analyst estimates. These articles are published without human intervention, allowing us to inform our readers of the latest figures as quickly as possible. To report any concerns or inaccuracies, please contact us at <a href="mailto:editor@investorplace.com">editor@investorplace.com</a>.</div><h3>More From InvestorPlace</h3>
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	The post <a href="https://investorplace.com/earning-results/2024/05/wec-stock-earnings-wec-energy-group-for-q1-of-2024/">WEC Stock Earnings: WEC Energy Group Beats EPS, Misses Revenue for Q1 2024</a> appeared first on <a href="https://investorplace.com">InvestorPlace</a>.

WEC Stock Earnings: WEC Energy Group Beats EPS, Misses Revenue for Q1 2024

WEC Energy Group, Inc. (WEC) Q1 2024 Earnings Call Transcript

There's a lot to be optimistic about in the Utilities sector as 2 analysts just weighed in on WEC Energy Group (WEC – Research Report) and Pnm Reso...

Analysts Offer Insights on Utilities Companies: WEC Energy Group (WEC) and Pnm Resources (PNM)

Wells Fargo analyst Neil Kalton maintained a Buy rating on WEC Energy Group (WEC – Research Report) yesterday and set a price target of $93.00. The...

Wells Fargo Sticks to Their Buy Rating for WEC Energy Group (WEC)

James Thalacker, an analyst from BMO Capital, reiterated the Hold rating on WEC Energy Group (WEC – Research Report). The associated price target i...

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Scotiabank analyst Andrew Weisel maintained a Buy rating on WEC Energy Group (WEC – Research Report) today and set a price target of $90.00. The co...