NRG

NRG Energy stock declined 1.55% to $97.84, underperforming the broader market's gains. The power company is projected to report a 26.55% EPS increase for the upcoming quarter, though quarterly revenue is expected to decline 3.93% year-over-year. NRG holds a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) rating with a Forward P/E of 11.54, trading at a discount to its industry average of 17.08.

NRG Energy closed down 5.91%, significantly underperforming the S&P 500's 1.11% decline on October 14, 2026. Despite a projected 26.55% EPS increase for the upcoming quarter, the company faces a 3.93% revenue decline year-over-year. NRG holds a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) with a Forward P/E of 12.45, trading at a discount to its industry average of 17.35.

The article highlights two utility stocks positioned to beat earnings expectations using the Zacks Earnings ESP (Expected Surprise Prediction) metric. Southern Co. (SO) has a +1.90% ESP with earnings expected on November 5, 2026, while NRG Energy (NRG) shows a stronger +20.98% ESP for the same date. Both stocks carry a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) rating and are identified as having positive surprise potential based on recent analyst revisions.