EXC

Exelon (EXC) is positioned as a compelling earnings-beat candidate for Q3 2026 with a +3.73% Earnings ESP and Zacks Rank #3, suggesting it will likely beat consensus EPS estimates of $0.81. Meanwhile, IdaCorp (IDA) presents a more uncertain outlook with a -0.53% Earnings ESP despite a Zacks Rank #3, making it difficult to predict whether it will beat its $2.51 EPS estimate.

Exelon (EXC), a Chicago-based utility company, is highlighted as a strong dividend play for income investors. The stock offers a 3.94% dividend yield, above the industry average of 3.18%, with an annualized dividend of $1.68 up 5% year-over-year.

Earnings are expected to grow 3.25% in 2026, and the company maintains a sustainable 60% payout ratio. EXC currently holds a Zacks Rank of #3 (Hold).

Zacks analysts published research on 16 major stocks on October 14, 2026. Mastercard received a Neutral rating despite strong performance, citing competitive pricing pressure and premium valuation concerns.

AstraZeneca faces patent erosion challenges but benefits from strong pipeline drugs and expects $80 billion in revenues by 2030. SanDisk received an Outperform rating, driven by AI inference demand and strong datacenter exposure. Other notable stocks analyzed include Exelon, General Mills, and Halozyme, with mixed outlooks across various sectors.

Exelon Corporation (EXC) and Eversource Energy (ES) are compared as both utilities invest heavily in grid infrastructure to meet rising electricity demand from data centers and industrial reshoring. Exelon is identified as the preferred pick due to stronger earnings growth projections (6.39% long-term), a larger capital investment plan ($41.7 billion through 2029), better debt position, and superior recent price performance. Eversource offers a higher dividend yield (4.83% vs. 4.05%) but faces headwinds with lower earnings growth and higher debt-to-capital ratio.

Constellation Energy, spun off from Exelon in February 2022, has grown from $50.04 to $255 per share. The independent power producer benefits from AI and cloud computing demand, operates the largest U.S. nuclear fleet (22 GW of 55 GW total capacity), and serves 80% of Fortune 100 companies. With expected 31% EPS CAGR from 2025-2028 and a reasonable valuation at 20x next year's earnings, analysts view it as a strong long-term hold for investors betting on rising global electricity demand.

NextEra Energy (NEE) reported Q3 adjusted EPS of $1.24, beating consensus estimates by 3.3%, driven by strong performance from Florida Power & Light and NextEra Energy Resources. The company added 3.7 GW to its renewables backlog and maintained its 2026 EPS guidance of $3.92-$4.02.

However, total revenues missed expectations. NEE continues advancing its pending merger with Dominion Energy, expected to close in H2 2027.

PPL Corporation plans $23 billion in capital spending through 2029 targeting 6-8% annual earnings growth, supported by strong data center demand in Pennsylvania (31.8 GW) and Kentucky (13.7 GW pipeline). The company targets $175M in O&M savings by 2026 and 6-8% annual dividend growth through 2028. Despite trading at a premium valuation (P/E 15.83X vs industry 13.63X), PPL's lower debt-to-capital ratio (57.46%), rising earnings estimates, and consistent shareholder returns make it an attractive entry point following recent 9.2% share price decline.