PPL (NYSE:PPL) Posts Earnings Results, Beats Expectations By $0.01 EPS

PPL (NYSE:PPL) posted its quarterly earnings data on Friday. The utilities provider reported $0.54 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.53 by $0.01, FiscalAI reports. PPL had a return on equity of 9.33% and a net margin of 13.47%. The firm had revenue of $2.50 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.41 billion. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $0.48 earnings per share. The business’s revenue for the quarter was up 11.5% compared to the same quarter last year. PPL updated its FY 2026 guidance to 1.920-1.960 EPS.

Here are the key takeaways from PPL’s conference call:

• PPL raised its long-term annual EPS growth target to 7%–9% through at least 2030, with growth expected in the top half of the range starting in 2027. The $25 billion capital plan supports 10% rate-base growth, while additional Kentucky generation could lift EPS growth above 9% if customer demand and projects advance.
• Third-quarter earnings from ongoing operations rose to $0.54 per share from $0.48 a year earlier, and nine-month earnings were up more than 7%. PPL narrowed its 2026 forecast to $1.92–$1.96 per share and forecast 2027 earnings of $2.06–$2.14.
• Invitium and QTS agreed on key commercial terms for about 2 GW of generation for a Pennsylvania data center, with a cost-reimbursement agreement providing some development-risk protection. The proposal represents an estimated $5 billion–$7 billion of total investment, but remains subject to final agreements, approvals, and other conditions.
• PPL expects about $3 billion of equity needs through 2030, including funding for its expanded capital plan, and plans to use its at-the-market program as a primary source. The company is also targeting dividend growth at the low end of its 4%–6% range while funding investment and maintaining credit metrics.

PPL Stock Down 0.4%

Shares of PPL opened at $35.85 on Friday. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $34.20 and a 200-day moving average of $36.06. The stock has a market capitalization of $26.98 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 21.21, a PEG ratio of 3.53 and a beta of 0.55. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.32, a quick ratio of 0.73 and a current ratio of 0.91. PPL has a 52 week low of $31.56 and a 52 week high of $40.10.

PPL Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, October 1st. Shareholders of record on Thursday, September 10th were paid a $0.2850 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, September 10th. This represents a $1.14 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.2%. PPL’s payout ratio is 67.46%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several analysts have recently weighed in on PPL shares. Wells Fargo & Company raised their target price on PPL from $43.00 to $44.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research note on Monday, September 28th. Truist Financial started coverage on shares of PPL in a research report on Tuesday, October 27th. They issued a “buy” rating and a $41.00 price objective on the stock. Weiss Ratings lowered shares of PPL from a “buy (b)” rating to a “buy (b-)” rating in a research note on Monday, September 28th. Royal Bank Of Canada started coverage on PPL in a research note on Tuesday, September 15th. They issued a “sector perform” rating and a $35.00 price target on the stock. Finally, HSBC initiated coverage on PPL in a research note on Thursday, October 22nd. They set a “buy” rating and a $42.00 price target for the company. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eleven have issued a Buy rating and four have given a Hold rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $40.06.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other news, EVP Wendy Stark sold 5,406 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Thursday, October 15th. The shares were sold at an average price of $35.11, for a total transaction of $189,804.66. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president directly owned 99,220 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $3,483,614.20. This represents a 5.17% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. 0.34% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

PPL Company Profile

PPL Corporation is an energy company that owns regulated electric and natural gas utilities. Its businesses generate, transmit and distribute electricity and deliver natural gas to residential, commercial and industrial customers.

PPL serves customers in Pennsylvania, Kentucky and Rhode Island through subsidiaries including PPL Electric Utilities, Louisville Gas and Electric Company, Kentucky Utilities and Rhode Island Energy. Its utility operations maintain the infrastructure used to provide energy and support related customer services.

The company traces its roots to Pennsylvania Power & Light, which was established in 1920.