Jefferies raises WEC Energy price target to $108, maintains Hold

Published 17/04/2025, 11:16
Jefferies raises WEC Energy price target to $108, maintains Hold

On Thursday, Jefferies analyst Julien Dumoulin-Smith adjusted the price target on WEC Energy Group (NYSE: NYSE:WEC) shares, increasing it to $108 from the previous target of $103. The firm sustained its Hold rating on the stock. Currently trading at $107.36, WEC shares are approaching their 52-week high of $111, with analyst targets ranging from $95.50 to $115. According to InvestingPro analysis, the stock is currently trading above its Fair Value.

WEC Energy Group, a prominent utility company with a market capitalization of $34.26 billion, is currently in the spotlight for its potential growth prospects. Jefferies’ analyst pointed to several upcoming developments that investors should watch, including updates on data center and VLC Tariff, the impact of tariffs and the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), as well as regulatory initiatives. A particular focus is on the ATC transmission updates expected with the first-quarter 2025 earnings. InvestingPro data reveals the company has maintained dividend payments for 55 consecutive years, with 21 years of consecutive increases, demonstrating strong financial stability.

Although there has been no modification to the company’s guidance, the analyst anticipates qualitative commentary that could suggest upside growth leading into the Fall update. WEC Energy is acknowledged for its status as a liquid large-cap defensive utility, which may appeal to investors who are looking for stable opportunities amidst broader market volatility.

Despite the positive outlook and an expected above-guidance earnings per share (EPS), the analyst noted that WEC Energy’s stock is trading at an 11% premium based on 2027 projections. This valuation suggests that significant re-rating potential may be limited, even with the anticipated growth.

In other recent news, WEC Energy Group reported its fourth-quarter 2024 earnings, revealing a notable shortfall in both earnings per share (EPS) and revenue compared to analyst forecasts. The company posted an EPS of $1.10, falling short of the anticipated $1.47, and generated revenue of $2.28 billion, missing the expected $2.56 billion. Despite this earnings miss, WEC Energy maintains a positive outlook for 2025, projecting EPS between $5.17 and $5.27 and targeting a long-term compound annual growth rate of 6.5% to 7%.

Jefferies analyst Julien Dumoulin-Smith has increased the price target for WEC Energy to $103, maintaining a Hold rating on the stock. This adjustment follows the company’s recent earnings call and highlights the potential long-term EPS growth, driven by data center projects and a manageable regulatory risk. JPMorgan analyst Jeremy Tonet also upgraded WEC Energy’s stock rating from Underweight to Neutral, raising the price target to $108. This reflects a favorable view of the company’s stable regulatory environment in Wisconsin and its growth plans, despite challenges in Illinois.

This article was generated with the support of AI and reviewed by an editor. For more information see our T&C.

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