Electric Utilities

(NRG) SunPower Books Earnings in First Quarter – Sales Beat

SunPower Corporation’s (SPWR) first quarter 2013 adjusted earnings per share (including stock-based compensation) were 15 cents per share compared to a loss of 23 cents per share incurred in the year-ago quarter. The results...

3May2013 | | Comments Off | Continued

(PNW) Pinnacle West Capital Starts Solar Operation in Yuma

Pinnacle West Capital Corp’s (PNW) primary subsidiary Arizona Public Service & Co announced the conclusion of the first phase of the Foothills Solar Power Plant in Yuma County, Ariz., bringing online 17 megawatt (“MW’)....

3May2013 | | Comments Off | Continued

(AEP) American Electric Power Company Earnings Meet Estimates

American Electric Power Company Inc. (AEP) posted adjusted first quarter 2013 operating earnings of 80 cents per share, which came in line with the Zacks Consensus Estimate as well as the year-ago profit. The company witnessed...

29Apr2013 | | Comments Off | Continued

(FE) FirstEnergy Corporation Unit to Upgrade Assets

FirstEnergy Corporation (FE) is progressing with its modernization work and joining the drive is the company’s business wing Pennsylvania Electric Company (Penelec). Penelec announced its plan to invest roughly $105 million to develop...

27Apr2013 | | Comments Off | Continued

(DUK) Duke Energy Buys Twin Solar Farms

Duke Energy Renewables, a unit of Duke Energy Corporation (DUK), has completed the acquisition of two commercial solar power projects, namely, Highlander Solar 1 and 2 for an undisclosed amount. The company has purchased the projects...

18Apr2013 | | Comments Off | Continued

(PPL) PPL Corporation Attains 52 Week High

On Apr 11, 2013, the shares of PPL Corporation (PPL) climbed to its 52-week high of $31.95 driven by its strong liquidity position, diversified asset portfolio and steady inorganic growth strategy. The company had reported solid fourth-quarter...

18Apr2013 | | Comments Off | Continued

(XEL) Xcel Energy to Remain Neutral

We reiterate our Neutral recommendation on Xcel Energy Inc. (XEL). The Minneapolis-based electricity and natural gas company at present carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). Why the Reiteration? We believe the...

18Apr2013 | | Comments Off | Continued

(EIX) Edison International Retained at Outperform

On Mar 14, we retained our Outperform recommendation on Edison International (EIX) following its fourth-quarter results, where reported numbers comfortably beat the Zacks Consensus Estimates. This diversified utility presently carries...

24Mar2013 | | Comments Off | Continued

(EIX) Edison International to Miss Again?

Edison International (EIX) is slated to release its fourth quarter 2012 financial results after the market bell on Feb 26, 2013. In the last reported quarter, the electric generation and distribution company posted a negative surprise...

4Mar2013 | | Comments Off | Continued

(AEP) American Electric Power Company Show Strong Fourth Quarter

Before the bell, American Electric Power Company Inc. (AEP) reported its fourth quarter and full year 2012 results. In the reported quarter, the company clocked operating earnings of 50 cents per share, beating  the Zacks Consensus...

26Feb2013 | | Comments Off | Continued

(DUK) Duke Energy Files Rate Hike to Recoup Costs

Duke Energy Carolinas, a subsidiary of Duke Energy Corporation (DUK), has requested the North Carolina Utilities Commission (“NCUC”) to make a 9.7% rate increase. If approved, the rate increase would generate $446 million more...

19Feb2013 | | Comments Off | Continued

(NRG) NRG Energy’s Alpine Plant Comes Online

NRG Energy Inc.’s (NRG) renewable division NRG Solar announced the commencement of operation at its 66 megawatt (“MW”) Alpine Generating station in Los Angeles County, California. The (AC) photovoltaic facility will generate...

18Feb2013 | | Comments Off | Continued

(AES) AES to Sell Two Ukraine Businesses

The AES Corporation (AES) has entered into an agreement with VS Energy International to sell two of its power distribution businesses in Ukraine. Subject to local regulatory approval, the transaction is expected to close by mid 2013. The...

18Feb2013 | | Comments Off | Continued

(DUK) Duke Energy Shedding Coal Plants

Duke Energy Corporation (DUK) announced that its Buck and Riverbend steam stations, coal-fired power plants in the Charlotte area, will retire two years earlier than scheduled. Earlier, both stations had been slated for retirement...

15Feb2013 | | Comments Off | Continued

(TE) Teco Energy Likely to Beat

We expect diversified utility company Teco Energy Inc. (TE) to beat expectations when it reports fourth-quarter 2012 results on Feb 5, 2013. Why a Likely Positive Surprise? Our proven model shows that...

11Feb2013 | | Comments Off | Continued

(SO) Georgia Power Files a 20-year Plan

Georgia Power Co. – the largest subsidiary of electric utility firm Southern Company (SO) – has filed a 20-year resource plan with the Georgia Public Service Commission (PSC), asking for a planned reduction in its power generating...

11Feb2013 | | Comments Off | Continued

(D) Earnings Preview: Dominion Resources

Dominion Resources Inc. (D) is slated to release its fourth quarter 2012 financial results before the market bell on Jan 31, 2013. In the last quarter, the power generation, distribution and transmission company posted a negative surprise...

10Feb2013 | | Comments Off | Continued

(CNL) Alternative Energy Stock Outlook – February 2013 – Zacks Analyst Interviews

Historically, the growth outlook of alternative energy companies has been directly related to the state of the economy and inversely related to the prices of petroleum products. While that relationship remains in place, other macroeconomic uncertainties are weighing on the sector’s fortunes. According...

9Feb2013 | | Comments Off | Continued

(DUK) Duke Energy Draws Neutral Rating by Analyst

On January 3, we reiterated our Neutral recommendation on Duke Energy Corporation (DUK) based on its stable electricity and gas operations which generate a relatively steady and growing earnings stream. The company holds a Zacks #3...

15Jan2013 | | Comments Off | Continued

(EIX) Edison International – Bull of the Day

We upgrade our long-term recommendation on Edison International (EIX) from Neutral to Outperform, owing to the inherent business strength of its regulated utility Southern California Edison. Although the company reported a third quarter earnings...

9Jan2013 | | Comments Off | Continued

(FE) FirstEnergy Analyst Maintains Shares at Neutral

We reaffirm our Neutral recommendation on Ohio utility major FirstEnergy Corporation (FE). The company posted mixed outcomes in the third quarter 2012 with the top-line falling short of the Zacks Consensus Estimate while the bottom-line...

1Jan2013 | | Comments Off | Continued

(CPN) Calpine Closes Natural Gas Asset Sale

Wholesale utility play, Calpine Corporation (CPN) closed its Broad River Energy Center divestiture for an amount of $427 million plus adjustments (roughly $504 per kilowatt) to Broad River Power LLC, an associate of Energy Capital...

1Jan2013 | | Comments Off | Continued

(OGE) OGE Energy Boosts Dividend Again

OGE Energy Corporation (OGE), a distributor of natural gas and electricity, primarily in the South Central United States, has increased its quarterly dividend by 6.37%, bringing the annualized dividend...

4Dec2012 | | Comments Off | Continued

(DUK) Duke Energy Third Quarter 2012 Earnings Preview

Duke Energy Corporation (DUK) is expected to release its third quarter 2012 results before the opening bell on November 8, 2012. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the third quarter of 2012 is $1.45 per share (year-over-year decrease...

20Nov2012 | | Comments Off | Continued

(ETR) Entergy Provides Third Quarter and FY12 Outlook

Integrated energy company, Entergy Corporation (ETR) provided third-quarter 2012 preliminary operational earnings expectation of approximately $1.94 per share and as-reported earnings expectation of approximately $1.88 per share. Results...

3Nov2012 | | Comments Off | Continued

(PNW) Pinnacle West Capital – Bull of the Day

We have upgraded our recommendation on Pinnacle West Capital Corporation (PNW) to Outperform from Neutral owing to the company’s strong financial position, improvement in credit rating along with steady inorganic growth strategy....

16Oct2012 | | Comments Off | Continued

(TE) TECO Energy Incorporated – Bear of the Day

We have downgraded our recommendation on TECO Energy, Inc. (TE) to Underperform from Neutral, primarily due to stringent federal regulations related to underground mining operations and waste management, over-reliance on weather patterns,...

10Oct2012 | | Comments Off | Continued

(ETR) Entergy-ITC Holdings Transaction on Track

Entergy Corporation (ETR) is moving ahead with its divestment plan for its electric transmission business for gross cash of $1.775 billion. The divested business would be merged with the operations of ITC Holdings Corporation...

9Oct2012 | | Comments Off | Continued

(ETR) Entergy Progresses on Divestment

Entergy Corporation (ETR) is moving ahead with its divestment plan for its electric transmission business for gross cash of $1.775 billion. The divested business would be merged with the operations of ITC Holdings Corporation...

13Sep2012 | | Comments Off | Continued

(AES) The AES Corporation – Bear of the Day

The AES Corporation (AES) has been downgraded from Neutral to Underperform. The change in rating comes as the utility faces high exposure to foreign currency and increased political risks. Wholesale markets...

24Aug2012 | | Comments Off | Continued