Markets

Insider Trading

Hedge Funds

Retirement

Opinion

5 Best Utility Stocks that Beat Earnings Estimates

In this article, we will list the 5 Best Utility Stocks that Beat Earnings Estimates. Please visit 10 Best Utility Stocks that Beat Earnings Estimates if you would like to see the extended list and the methodology behind it.

5. IDACORP, Inc. (NYSE:IDA)

On May 5, 2026, Barclays raised the firm’s price target on IDACORP, Inc. (NYSE:IDA) to $167 from $159 while maintaining an Overweight rating on the shares. The firm said Idacorp offers some of the strongest and most accelerating growth prospects within the utility group.

Mizuho also raised its price target on IDACORP, Inc. (NYSE:IDA) to $157 from $148 previously and maintained an Outperform rating on the shares.

On April 30, 2026, IDACORP, Inc. (NYSE:IDA) reported Q1 EPS of $1.21, ahead of the $1.10 consensus estimate. CEO Lisa Grow said first-quarter performance benefited from customer growth and rate adjustments, though those gains were partially offset by higher operating and maintenance expenses as well as fewer tax credits recognized under the company’s Idaho regulatory mechanism. Grow added that 2026 is expected to be a significant execution year for the company, highlighted by the planned addition of 250 MW of battery storage capacity and continued advancement of major transmission and generation projects. She also said the company remains focused on maintaining reliability and affordability for customers while supporting shareholder value creation.

IDACORP, Inc. (NYSE:IDA) maintained its 2026 EPS outlook of $6.25-$6.45, compared to consensus estimates of $6.38. The company also maintained its 2026 capital expenditure forecast of $1.3B-$1.5B.

IDACORP, Inc. (NYSE:IDA), through its subsidiaries, engages in the generation, transmission, distribution, purchase, and sale of electric energy in the United States.

4. New Jersey Resources Corporation (NYSE:NJR)

On May 4, 2026, New Jersey Resources Corporation (NYSE:NJR) reported fiscal Q2 adjusted EPS of $2.20, ahead of the $1.90 consensus estimate, while revenue totaled $939.4M compared to analyst estimates of $849.95M. President and CEO Steve Westhoven said the company delivered a strong operating performance throughout the winter season, with New Jersey Natural Gas’ hedging strategy helping mitigate costs for customers. Westhoven also said continued outperformance from the Energy Services segment allowed the company to raise its FY26 earnings outlook for the second time this year.

New Jersey Resources Corporation (NYSE:NJR) raised its FY26 EPS guidance to $3.48-$3.63 from its prior outlook of $3.28-$3.43, compared to consensus estimates of $3.37.

Before the earnings release, Mizuho analyst Gabriel Moreen raised the firm’s price target on New Jersey Resources Corporation (NYSE:NJR) to $61 from $54 previously while maintaining an Outperform rating on the shares. The firm raised its 2026 earnings estimates toward the high end of the company’s guidance range and said Energy Services likely benefited from elevated natural gas price volatility during the quarter.

New Jersey Resources Corporation (NYSE:NJR) operates as an energy services holding company focused primarily on natural gas distribution.

3. Evergy, Inc. (NASDAQ:EVRG)

On May 7, 2026, Evergy, Inc. (NASDAQ:EVRG) reported Q1 adjusted EPS of 69c, ahead of the 61c consensus estimate. Chairman and CEO David Campbell said the company continued advancing its large customer strategy during the quarter and announced the signing of an electric service agreement for a major customer project within its Kansas Central service territory. Beginning in 2027, the customer is expected to take service under Evergy’s large load power service tariff, which management said is designed to ensure new large customers contribute their fair share toward existing and future system costs while supporting affordability for existing customers and broader economic growth.

Evergy, Inc. (NASDAQ:EVRG) maintained its FY26 adjusted EPS outlook of $4.14-$4.34, compared to consensus estimates of $4.24. Campbell added that first-quarter financial performance remained solid despite mild weather conditions and said the company continues to expect long-term adjusted EPS growth of 6% to 8% or more through 2030 based on the midpoint of 2026 guidance. He also said annual EPS growth is expected to exceed 8% beginning in 2028 through 2030.

Last month, BTIG initiated coverage of Evergy, Inc. (NASDAQ:EVRG) with a Buy rating and a $99 price target. The firm said the company has taken steps toward a stronger long-term growth profile after several years of more muted expansion. BTIG added that Evergy’s 6%-8% earnings growth outlook appears reasonable and could prove conservative if additional large-load opportunities materialize.

Evergy, Inc. (NASDAQ:EVRG), through its subsidiaries, generates, transmits, distributes, and sells electricity across the United States.

2. Fluence Energy, Inc. (NASDAQ:FLNC)

On May 8, 2026, Goldman Sachs raised the firm’s price target on Fluence Energy, Inc. (NASDAQ:FLNC) to $22 from $20 while maintaining a Buy rating on the shares. The firm said Q2 results were mixed, though management reaffirmed its FY26 guidance and continued to highlight strong demand trends, particularly tied to data center opportunities. Goldman added that Fluence signed two master supply agreements with hyperscalers during the quarter, supporting a majority of its 12 GW data center pipeline.

On May 6, 2026, Fluence Energy, Inc. (NASDAQ:FLNC) reported Q2 revenue of $464.89M. President and CEO Julian Nebreda said the company has started to see benefits from pipeline growth, with order activity accelerating in recent months and backlog reaching another record level. Nebreda also said Fluence achieved substantial completion on its first Smartstack delivery and confirmed continued access to its domestic content offering in the U.S. Nebreda added that the company’s customer expansion strategy is gaining traction, noting that Fluence signed master supply agreements with two hyperscale customers and expects to convert its first related order in the near term.

Fluence Energy, Inc. (NASDAQ:FLNC) maintained its FY26 adjusted EBITDA outlook of $40M-$60M. Chief Financial Officer Ahmed Pasha said improved adjusted EBITDA performance relative to the first half of fiscal 2025 reflects progress on profitable growth initiatives and supports the company’s reaffirmed guidance. Pasha also said Fluence’s liquidity position provides flexibility to support ongoing growth plans.

Fluence Energy, Inc. (NASDAQ:FLNC), through its subsidiaries, provides energy storage systems and optimization software for renewable energy and storage applications globally.

1. WEC Energy Group, Inc. (NYSE:WEC)

On May 6, 2026, Mizuho raised the firm’s price target on WEC Energy Group, Inc. (NYSE:WEC) to $124 from $121 while maintaining an Outperform rating on the shares.

On May 5, 2026, WEC Energy Group, Inc. (NYSE:WEC) reported Q1 EPS of $2.45, ahead of the $2.30 consensus estimate, while revenue totaled $3.43B compared to expectations of $3.42B. President and CEO Scott Lauber said the company’s continued execution of its capital investment plan and focus on operating efficiencies contributed to solid first-quarter performance. He added that WEC Energy remains focused on delivering reliable and safe energy service while investing to support economic growth across its service territories.

WEC Energy Group, Inc. (NYSE:WEC) maintained its FY26 EPS outlook of $5.51-$5.61, compared to consensus estimates of $5.60.

Before the earnings release, Wells Fargo raised its price target on WEC Energy Group, Inc. (NYSE:WEC) to $127 from $117 while maintaining an Overweight rating. The firm said it revised its Q1 estimates following discussions with management teams across its regulated utility coverage universe.

WEC Energy Group, Inc. (NYSE:WEC), through its subsidiaries, provides regulated natural gas and electricity services as well as renewable and nonregulated renewable energy solutions in the United States.

While we acknowledge the potential of WEC to grow, our conviction lies in the belief that some AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns and have limited downside risk. If you are looking for an AI stock that is more promising than WEC and that has 100x upside potential, check out our report about the cheapest AI stock.

READ NEXT: 10 AI Stocks with Potential to Rise 1000 Percent and 10 Best AI Pick-and-Shovel Stocks to Buy

Disclosure: None. Insider Monkey focuses on uncovering the best investment ideas of hedge funds and insiders. Please subscribe to our free daily e-newsletter to get the latest investment ideas from hedge funds’ investor letters by entering your email address below.

The $250 Trillion AI Hype is Real. A few years from now, you’ll probably wish you’d bought this stock.

Dr. Inan Dogan

Dr. Ian Dogan

Co-Founder and Research Director at Insider Monkey

When Jeff Bezos said that one breakthrough technology would shape Amazon’s destiny, even Wall Street’s biggest analysts were caught off guard.

Fast forward a year and Amazon’s new CEO Andy Jassy described generative AI as a “once-in-a-lifetime” technology that is already being used across Amazon to reinvent customer experiences.

At the 8th Future Investment Initiative conference, Elon Musk predicted that by 2040 there would be at least 10 billion humanoid robots, with each priced between $20,000 and $25,000.

Do the math. According to Musk, this technology could be worth $250 trillion by 2040.

Put another way, that’s roughly equal to:

  • 175 Teslas
  • 107 Amazons
  • 140 Metas
  • 84 Googles
  • 65 Microsofts
  • And 55 Nvidias

And here’s the wild part — this $250 trillion wave isn’t tied to one company, but to an entire ecosystem of AI innovators set to reshape the global economy.

It’s a leap so massive, it could reshape how businesses, governments, and consumers operate worldwide.

Even if that $250 trillion figure sounds ambitious, major firms like PwC and McKinsey still see AI unlocking multi-trillion-dollar potential.

How could anything be worth that much?

The answer lies in a breakthrough so powerful it’s redefining how humanity works, learns, and creates.

And this breakthrough has already set off a frenzy among hedge funds and Wall Street’s top investors.

What most investors don’t realize is that one under-owned company holds the key to this $250 trillion revolution.

In fact, Verge argues this company’s supercheap AI technology should concern rivals.

Before I reveal the details, let’s talk about how some of the richest people on the planet are positioning themselves.

  • Bill Gates sees artificial intelligence as the “biggest technological advance in my lifetime,” more transformative than the internet or personal computer, capable of improving healthcare, education, and addressing climate change.
  • Larry Ellison — through Oracle, is spending billions on Nvidia chips and partnering with Cohere to embed generative AI across Oracle’s cloud and apps.
  • Warren Buffett — not known for tech hype — says this breakthrough could have a ‘hugely beneficial social impact.

When billionaires from Silicon Valley to Wall Street line up behind the same idea — you know it’s worth paying attention to.

Even as we admire what Tesla, Nvidia, Alphabet, and Microsoft have built, we believe an even greater opportunity lies elsewhere…

But the real story isn’t Nvidia — it’s a much smaller company quietly improving the critical technology that makes this entire revolution possible.

And judging by what I’m hearing from both Silicon Valley insiders and Wall Street veterans…

This prediction might not be bold at all:

A few years from now, you’ll wish you’d owned this stock.

The best part? You can discover everything about this company and its groundbreaking technology right now.

I’ve compiled everything you need to know about this groundbreaking company in a detailed, members-only report.

Trust me — you’ll want to read this report before putting another dollar into any tech stock.

For a ridiculously low price of just $9.99 a month, you can unlock a year’s worth of in-depth investment research and exclusive insights – that’s less than a single fast food meal!

Here’s what to do next:

1. Subscribe to our Premium Readership Newsletter for just $9.99 a month. (33% Off – was $14.99).

2. Enjoy a year of ad-free browsing, exclusive access to our in-depth report on the revolutionary AI company, and the upcoming issues of our Premium Readership Newsletter over the next 12 months.

3. Sit back, relax, and know that you’re backed by our ironclad 30-day money-back guarantee.

Don’t miss out on this incredible opportunity! Subscribe now and take control of your AI investment future!

<b>Cancel anytime.</b> Turn off auto-renewal via our website with just a click.

 

Buy This $3 Stock Now Before the 400% Surge Begins

Dr. Inan Dogan

Dr. Ian Dogan

Co-Founder and Research Director at Insider Monkey

My name is Inan Dogan. I’m the co-founder and Research Director of Insider Monkey. I have an important message for you today.

Since March 2017, my stock picks have returned 16.5% annually. Today, I’ve found an opportunity even bigger than my British American Tobacco call.

Two years ago, Wall Street wrote off British American Tobacco (BTI) as a “melting ice cube.” The stock had crashed 40% from its peak, and consensus said the business was dying.

We looked under the cover and realized they were wrong.

We alerted our subscribers, and BTI returned 90% in just 16 months.

Now if you had invested just $10,000 in BTI in June 2024, you’d be sitting on $19,000 in October 2025.

Today, we have identified a nearly identical pattern in a digital-first giant trading at $3.

While the market panics over a surface-level revenue decline, our PhD-led research shows management has actually surgically cut $100 million in waste to focus on high-margin growth.

This pattern is a hallmark of our 16.5% annual return track record. The current opportunity offers a 400% upside potential—dwarfing even our 90% BTI return.

Get the ticker for our new “Underdog” pick and the full BTI case study for just 99 cents.

This exclusive offer is for NEW newsletter subscribers ONLY! Join our Premium Readership Newsletter for only $0.99 and become part of a savvy investor community.!

This offer vanishes in 7 days, so don’t miss your chance to lock in market beating returnsSign up NOW! The monthly newsletter comes with a 30-day, no-risk money-back guarantee. This offer is available to the first 1000 new investors who respond.

Regular price $9.99/mo. Cancel anytime.

Space is Limited! Only 1000 spots are available for this exclusive offer. Don’t let this chance slip away – subscribe to our Premium Readership Newsletter today and unlock the potential for a life-changing investment.

Here’s what to do next:

1. Head over to our website and subscribe to our Premium Readership Newsletter for just $0.99.

2. Enjoy a month of ad-free browsing, exclusive access to our in-depth report on the Trump tariff and nuclear energy company as well as the revolutionary AI-robotics company, and the upcoming issues of our Premium Readership Newsletter.

3. Sit back, relax, and know that you’re backed by our ironclad 30-day money-back guarantee.

Don’t miss out on this incredible opportunity! Subscribe now and take control of your AI investment future!

Regular price $9.99/mo. Cancel anytime.