NRG Energy, Inc. NRG will release third-quarter 2015 financial results before the market opens on Nov 4, 2015. In the previous quarter, this electric utility reported a negative earnings surprise of 200.00%. Let’s see how things are turning out for the upcoming quarter.
Factors at Play
NRG Energy’s rising operating costs and expenses are a major concern. In the first half of 2015, total operating costs and expenses rose 1% year over year to around $6.9 billion, with depreciation and selling, general and administrative expenses being primarily responsible. Inability of the company to reduce its cost burden will adversely impact results.
However, the company’s strategic asset drop-down program to NRG Yield is expected to result in proceeds worth $600 million over the second half of 2015. Additionally, warmer-than-expected temperature in the third quarter is another tailwind.
Earnings Whispers
Our proven model does not conclusively show that NRG Energy is likely to beat earnings this quarter. That is because a stock needs to have both a positive Earnings ESP and a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold) for this to happen. That is not the case here as you will see below.
Zacks ESP: The ESP for the stock is currently 0.00%. This is because both the Most Accurate estimate and the Zacks Consensus Estimate are pegged at 79 cents.
Zacks Rank: NRG Energy carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). Though a favorable Zacks Rank increases the predictive power of the ESP, a 0.00% ESP makes a surprise prediction uncertain this season.
We note that Sell-rated stocks (#4 and #5) should never be considered going into an earnings announcement, especially when the company is seeing negative estimate revisions.
Stocks to Consider
Here are some stocks you may want to consider as our model shows that these have the right combination of elements to post an earnings beat this season:
Alliant Energy Corporation LNT has an Earnings ESP of +3.17% and a Zacks Rank #3. It will report its quarterly result on Nov 5, 2015 after market closes.
WEC Energy Group, Inc. WEC has an Earnings ESP of +3.39% and a Zacks Rank #3. The company is scheduled to report its quarterly result before the market opens on Nov 4, 2015.
Duke Energy Corporation DUK has an Earnings ESP of +0.66% and a Zacks Rank #3. The company is scheduled to report its quarterly result before the market opens on Nov 5, 2015.
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