PPL's Q1 Earnings Surpass Estimates, Revenues Increase Y/Y

PPL Corporation PPL reported first-quarter 2025 operating earnings per share (EPS) of 60 cents, which surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 53 cents by 13.2%. In the year-ago quarter, earnings were 54 cents per share. (See the Zacks Earnings Calendar to stay ahead of market-making news)

On a GAAP basis, PPL recorded EPS of 56 cents compared with 42 cents in the year-ago quarter.

PPL’s Revenues

Total revenues of $2.50 billion surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.39 billion by 4.8%. The top line also increased 8.7% from the year-ago figure of $2.30 billion.

Highlights of PPL’s Q1 Release

In the first quarter, the company sold 18,386 gigawatt hours of electricity to its customers in Pennsylvania and Kentucky, reflecting 6.6% year-over-year growth.

Total operating expenses were $1.83 billion, up 4% from the year-ago quarter’s $1.76 billion. This was due to an increase in fuel and energy purchases.

Operating income totaled $678 million, up 24.4% from the year-ago figure of $545 million.

Interest expenses amounted to $190 million, up 6.1% from $179 million in the corresponding period of 2024.

PPL’s Segmental Updates

Pennsylvania Regulated: Adjusted EPS was 25 cents, up 13.6% from the year-ago figure of 22 cents.

Kentucky Regulated: Adjusted EPS was 30 cents, up 20% from the year-ago figure of 25 cents.

Rhode Island Regulated: Adjusted EPS was 10 cents, down 9.1% from the year-ago figure of 11 cents. Lower distribution and transmission revenues and other factors affected earnings.

Corporate and Other: The segment incurred a loss of 5 cents per share compared with a loss of 4 cents in the year-ago quarter.

PPL’s Financial Position

As of March 31, 2025, PPL had cash and cash equivalents of $312 million compared with $306 million as of Dec. 31, 2024.

The long-term debt was $15.94 billion as of March 31, 2025, compared with $15.95 billion as of Dec. 31, 2024.

Net cash provided by operating activities in the first quarter was $513 million compared with $282 million in the year-ago quarter.

PPL’s Guidance

PPL reaffirmed its 2025 earnings projection in the range of $1.75-$1.87 per share. The Zacks Consensus Estimate is pegged at $1.82 per share, higher than the midpoint of the company’s guided range. The company reaffirmed its long-term annual earnings growth rate of 6-8% through 2028.

PPL continues to expect planned infrastructure investments of $20 billion for 2025-2028.

Management continues to expect O&M savings of least $150 million by 2025.

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.

Upcoming Releases

IDACORP IDA is scheduled to report first-quarter results on May 1, before market open. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings is pegged at $1.03 per share, which suggests a year-over-year increase of 8.4%.

IDA’s long-term (three to five years) earnings growth rate is 8.47%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2025 earnings is pinned at $5.81 per share, which implies a year-over-year improvement of 5.6%.

Pinnacle West Capital Corporation PNW is scheduled to report first-quarter results on May 1, before market open. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings is pegged at 5 cents per share.

PNW’s long-term earnings growth rate is 2.12%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2025 earnings is pinned at $4.51 per share, which implies a year-over-year decline of 13.9%.

Alliant Energy LNT is slated to report first-quarter results on May 8, after market close. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings is pegged at 57 cents per share.

LNT’s long-term earnings growth rate is 6.73%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for first-quarter sales is pinned at $1.13 billion, which implies a year-over-year improvement of 9.2%.

 

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This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

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