Latest news with #PPLCorporation
Globe and Mail
6 days ago
- Business
- Globe and Mail
Will PPL's Infrastructure Upgrades Boost Its Reliability & Earnings?
PPL Corporation PPL is benefiting from its focus on transmission and distribution through enhanced grid reliability, capacity for increased energy demand and opportunities for strategic investments. This initiative to improve infrastructure, particularly in Pennsylvania and Kentucky, is driving earnings growth and improving customer satisfaction. The transmission and distribution upgrades enable PPL to handle increased energy demand, especially from data centers and other industries, positioning it to capitalize on future growth opportunities. PPL is investing heavily in upgrading its transmission and distribution infrastructure, including smart grid technologies like advanced metering and automated switching. This leads to a more reliable and resilient energy grid, reducing the frequency and duration of power outages. From 2025 to 2028, PPL intends to invest $20 billion to upgrade infrastructure and improve service quality. The capital investment for 2025 and 2026 is expected to be $4.3 billion and $5.2 billion, respectively. Since 2012, investments in stronger infrastructure have led to a 93% decrease in outage frequency, 89% fewer lightning-related outages and 64% fewer equipment failures (all stats compare 2023 to 2012). PPL is the first U.S. utility to fully integrate Dynamic Line Rating ('DLR') technology into real-time and market operations. DLR enables real-time performance adjustments to deliver more power over existing lines, reducing congestion and deferring costly infrastructure upgrades. PPL is strategically leveraging its transmission and distribution infrastructure to capitalize on the opportunities presented by data center growth and the broader transition to a cleaner energy future, while also improving reliability and customer satisfaction. Utilities Strengthening Transmission & Distribution Some other utility companies that are also focused on improving their transmission and distribution systems have been discussed below. FirstEnergy FE: With planned investments of $28 billion between 2025 and 2029, the company will install advanced equipment and technologies that will strengthen and modernize its transmission and distribution infrastructure. NextEra Energy 's NEE subsidiary, Florida Power & Light, plans to invest nearly $21.7 billion in transmission and distribution projects from 2025 to 2029 to support customer growth and continue hardening the energy grid. This will allow the company to provide power to customers even during storms. PPL's Earnings Estimates The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2025 and 2026 EPS indicates an increase of 7.69% and 8.33%, respectively, year over year. Image Source: Zacks Investment Research PPL Stock Trading at a Premium PPL is trading at a premium relative to the industry, with a forward 12-month price-to-earnings of 19.32X compared with the industry average of 15.04X. PPL Stock Price Performance In the past three months, PPL's shares have risen 9.1% compared with the industry 's 3.1% growth. PPL's Zacks Rank PPL currently has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here. See our %%CTA_TEXT%% report – free today! 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days 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 NextEra Energy, Inc. (NEE): Free Stock Analysis Report FirstEnergy Corporation (FE): Free Stock Analysis Report This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research ( Zacks Investment Research
Yahoo
07-08-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
What Are Wall Street Analysts' Target Price for PPL Stock?
With a market cap of $26.7 billion, PPL Corporation (PPL) is a diversified utility holding company, serving approximately 3.5 million electricity and natural gas customers. Operating through its Kentucky Regulated, Pennsylvania Regulated, and Rhode Island Regulated segments, the company delivers energy across multiple states and generates power primarily in Kentucky. Shares of the Allentown, Pennsylvania-based company have underperformed the broader market over the past 52 weeks. PPL stock has returned 19.1% over this time frame, while the broader S&P 500 Index ($SPX) has rallied 22.1%. However, shares of the company are up 11.9% on a YTD basis, outperforming SPX's 7.9% gain. More News from Barchart Supermicro's Earnings Selloff Explained: Should You Buy SMCI Stock Now? Amazon's $36M Bet on Quantum Computing: What Investors Need to Know AMD Stock Slips After Q2 Earnings, But Here's Why It's a Buying Opportunity Tired of missing midday reversals? The FREE Barchart Brief newsletter keeps you in the know. Sign up now! Looking closer, the energy and utility holding company stock has slightly outpaced the Utilities Select Sector SPDR Fund's (XLU) 18.1% return over the past 52 weeks. Shares of PPL fell nearly 1% on Jul. 31 after the company reported Q2 2025 adjusted EPS of $0.32, missing the consensus estimate. Despite a 7.7% year-over-year increase in revenues to $2.03 billion and operating income rising 4.1% to $406 million, investors were likely concerned by higher operating expenses of $1.6 billion and rising interest expenses of $199 million. Segment-wise, Pennsylvania and Rhode Island both saw year-over-year EPS declines, with Rhode Island's adjusted EPS dropping 75% to just $0.01. For the fiscal year ending in December 2025, analysts expect PPL's EPS to grow 7.7% year-over-year to $1.82. The company's earnings surprise history is mixed. It beat the consensus estimates in two of the last four quarters while missing on two other occasions. Among the 14 analysts covering the stock, the consensus rating is a 'Moderate Buy.' That's based on nine 'Strong Buy' ratings, one 'Moderate Buy,' and four 'Holds.' On Aug. 4, BofA raised its price target on PPL to $33 while maintaining a 'Buy' rating. As of writing, the stock is trading below the mean price target of $38.64. The Street-high price target of $42 implies a potential upside of 16.1%. On the date of publication, Sohini Mondal did not have (either directly or indirectly) positions in any of the securities mentioned in this article. All information and data in this article is solely for informational purposes. This article was originally published on
Globe and Mail
02-07-2025
- Business
- Globe and Mail
Is PPL Positioned to Lead the Utility Sector in the Data Center Era?
PPL Corporation PPL is benefiting from increased data center demand, particularly in Pennsylvania and Kentucky, as these facilities require substantial electricity. Data center market is projected to see rapid expansion due to increasing artificial intelligence workloads. According to an Arizton Advisory & Intelligence report, the U.S. data center market size is expected to reach $308.83 billion by 2030. PPL is experiencing load growth, driven by data center demand. Nearly 11 gigawatts (GW) (up from 9 GW) of potential data center demand is in the advanced stages, implying a transmission capital investment of $700-$850 million. Active data center requests have increased to 50 GW for 2026-2034 in the Pennsylvania segment. Current data center projects within the PPL EU service territory are at various stages of the approval process, with the majority already having obtained PJM approval. The Kentucky segment announced the first 400 megawatt (MW) hyperscale data center campus in Louisville. Active data center requests have increased to nearly 6 GW for 2026-2034. PPL is undertaking substantial capital investments to upgrade its infrastructure and connect these data centers to the grid. It expects a regulated capital investment plan of $20 billion during 2025-2028. The capital investment for 2025 and 2026 is expected to be $4.3 billion and $5.2 billion, respectively. Through these initiatives, PPL is strategically positioning itself to capitalize on the anticipated boom in the data center market. By proactively investing in grid modernization, enhancing transmission and distribution infrastructure, and pursuing partnerships or service agreements with data center operators, PPL aims to meet this rising demand reliably and efficiently, ultimately securing new revenue streams and strengthening its long-term growth prospects. Data Center Boom: A Growing Opportunity for Utilities Other utilities that stand to benefit from the growing demand from data centers are as follows: NRG Energy NRG has entered into Letters of Intent with two leading data center developers, Menlo Equities and PowLan. Targeting 400 MW of retail supply in the initial phase, these arrangements have the potential to scale to 6.5 GW, with work expected to start in 2026. Dominion Energy D is experiencing commercial load growth, driven by the demand from data centers. The company has nearly 40 GW of data center capacity at various stages of development, including approximately 10 GW of capacity contracted under electric service agreements. PPL Stock Price Performance In the past year, PPL's shares have risen 23.4% compared with the industry 's 18.2% growth. Image Source: Zacks Investment Research PPL's Earnings Estimates The Zacks Consensus Estimate for PPL's 2025 and 2026 earnings per share indicates an increase of 7.69% and 7.97%, respectively. Image Source: Zacks Investment Research PPL Stock Trading at a Premium PPL is trading at a premium relative to the industry, with a forward 12-month price-to-earnings ratio of 17.96X compared with the industry average of 14.63X. PPL currently has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here. Zacks' Research Chief Names "Stock Most Likely to Double" Our team of experts has just released the 5 stocks with the greatest probability of gaining +100% or more in the coming months. Of those 5, Director of Research Sheraz Mian highlights the one stock set to climb highest. This top pick is a little-known satellite-based communications firm. Space is projected to become a trillion dollar industry, and this company's customer base is growing fast. Analysts have forecasted a major revenue breakout in 2025. Of course, all our elite picks aren't winners but this one could far surpass earlier Zacks' Stocks Set to Double like Hims & Hers Health, which shot up +209%. Free: See Our Top Stock And 4 Runners Up 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 NRG Energy, Inc. (NRG): Free Stock Analysis Report Dominion Energy Inc. (D): Free Stock Analysis Report
Yahoo
18-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Is PPL Stock Outperforming the Dow?
With a market cap of $24.7 billion, PPL Corporation (PPL) is a U.S.-based diversified utility holding company, serving approximately 3.5 million electricity and natural gas customers. The company operates through three segments: Kentucky Regulated; Pennsylvania Regulated; and Rhode Island Regulated, delivering electricity and gas across multiple states and generating power primarily in Kentucky. Companies valued at $10 billion or more are generally considered "large-cap" stocks, and PPL fits this criterion perfectly. Its principal subsidiaries include Louisville Gas and Electric Company, Kentucky Utilities Company, and PPL Electric Utilities Corporation. Trump Is Giving Tesla's Robotaxis a Leg Up Ahead of June 22. Should You Buy TSLA Stock Now? Dear Nvidia Stock Fans, Mark Your Calendars for July 16 The Trump Family Is Betting Big on Mobile Phones. Should Apple Stock Investors Be Worried? Our exclusive Barchart Brief newsletter is your FREE midday guide to what's moving stocks, sectors, and investor sentiment - delivered right when you need the info most. Subscribe today! Shares of the Allentown, Pennsylvania-based company have declined 8.9% from its 52-week high of $36.70. Over the past three months, its shares have decreased 4.8%, underperforming the broader Dow Jones Industrials Average's ($DOWI) marginal rise during the same period. Longer term, PPL stock is up 3.1% on a YTD basis, outperforming DOWI's marginal decline. Moreover, shares of PPL have returned 19.9% over the past 52 weeks, compared to DOWI's 8.9% increase over the same time frame. The stock has been in a bullish trend, consistently trading above its 200-day moving average since last year. However, it has fallen below its 50-day moving average since early May. Shares of PPL Corporation recovered marginally on Apr. 30 after the company reported better-than-expected Q1 2025 adjusted EPS of $0.60 and revenue of $2.5 billion, driven by favorable weather and higher transmission supply rates in Pennsylvania and Kentucky. Additionally, investor sentiment was boosted by news of nearly 11 GW of data-center projects in advanced planning stages in Pennsylvania and expected capital investments of $700 million to $850 million to support grid connections, signaling strong future demand despite a broader AI spending pullback. PPL stock has outperformed its rival, NextEra Energy, Inc. (NEE). LIN stock has returned marginal YTD and 2.5% over the past 52 weeks. Despite the stock's outperformance, analysts remain cautiously optimistic about its prospects. The stock has a consensus rating of 'Moderate Buy' from 15 analysts in coverage, and as of writing, PPL is trading below the mean price target of $38.33. On the date of publication, Sohini Mondal did not have (either directly or indirectly) positions in any of the securities mentioned in this article. All information and data in this article is solely for informational purposes. This article was originally published on Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
PPL (NYSE:PPL) Declares Quarterly Dividend Of US$0.27 Per Share
PPL Corporation (NYSE:PPL) has recently affirmed a quarterly dividend of $0.27 per share, reinforcing its commitment to returning value to shareholders. Over the last quarter, the stock moved up 3%, a growth that aligns moderately with the broader market's climb of 5% in the same period. The company's solid earnings performance, with Q1 2025 net income rising to $414 million, coupled with strong earnings guidance through 2028, likely provided a stable backdrop to PPL's share price movement. While these factors added weight to its stability, they slightly lagged behind the general market trend. We've discovered 2 weaknesses for PPL (1 can't be ignored!) that you should be aware of before investing here. Uncover the next big thing with financially sound penny stocks that balance risk and reward. Amid PPL Corporation's confirmed dividend and its recent share price uptick, the company's long-term performance provides a broader perspective. Over the past five years, PPL's total shareholder return, including dividends, surged 67.90%, indicating substantial compounded growth. Despite this robust climb, the company's revenue growth is projected at a modest 2.8% annually. This growth might not seem as rapid in comparison to the broader market's expectations, yet it underscores PPL's steady trajectory, backed by significant investments in its utility infrastructure. In the past year, PPL outperformed both the US market and Electric Utilities industry, with earnings growth reported at 30.2%, a significant achievement compared to their respective advances of 11.2% and 7.6%. The recent news about dividend stability and strategic initiatives like grid upgrades and data center projects may bolster this trend, although potential regulatory hurdles could influence future outcomes. The analysis consensus points towards a fair value price target of US$37.63 for PPL. Current trading slightly below this target positions PPL as closely aligned with analyst expectations, suggesting a ceiling on anticipated stock appreciation given the present market conditions. Revenue and earnings forecasts, influenced by envisioned efficiency improvements and legislative efforts, will be critical in reshaping PPL's future valuation and aligning it with these targets. While the recent 3% stock price increase aligns moderately with market trends, the overall gap to the US$37.63 price target reflects the confidence but also the challenges that may lie ahead. Gain insights into PPL's outlook and expected performance with our report on the company's earnings estimates. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. Companies discussed in this article include NYSE:PPL. This article was originally published by Simply Wall St. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team@ Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
