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

PPL (NYSE:PPL) released its quarterly earnings data on Friday. The utilities provider reported $0.54 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.53 by $0.01, FiscalAI reports. The firm had revenue of $2.50 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.41 billion. PPL had a net margin of 13.47% and a return on equity of 9.33%. PPL’s quarterly revenue was up 11.5% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business earned $0.48 earnings per share. 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 Performance

PPL stock traded down $0.15 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $35.85. 18,188,731 shares of the company’s stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 8,463,203. The company has a quick ratio of 0.73, a current ratio of 0.91 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.32. PPL has a one year low of $31.56 and a one year high of $40.10. The firm has a 50 day moving average price of $34.20 and a 200 day moving average price of $36.06. The company has a market cap of $26.98 billion, a PE ratio of 21.21, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.49 and a beta of 0.55.

PPL Announces Dividend

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

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several equities research analysts have weighed in on PPL shares. BTIG Research reaffirmed a “buy” rating and issued a $41.00 target price on shares of PPL in a research report on Tuesday, October 20th. Bank of America reaffirmed a “buy” rating on shares of PPL in a report on Thursday, October 22nd. Weiss Ratings downgraded shares of PPL from a “buy (b)” rating to a “buy (b-)” rating in a research report on Monday, September 28th. BMO Capital Markets cut their price objective on shares of PPL from $40.00 to $38.00 and set an “outperform” rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, August 10th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group reduced their target price on shares of PPL from $48.00 to $44.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, August 25th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eleven have given a Buy rating and four have issued a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $40.06.

Insider Activity

In other news, EVP Wendy Stark sold 5,406 shares of the stock in a transaction on Thursday, October 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $35.11, for a total value of $189,804.66. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president 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 transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Insiders own 0.34% of the company’s stock.

About PPL

PPL Corporation (NYSE:PPL) is an energy and utility holding company headquartered in Allentown, Pennsylvania. Through its regulated utility subsidiaries, the company delivers electricity and natural gas, operates electric distribution and transmission systems, and provides related energy services to residential, commercial, and industrial customers.

PPL’s principal businesses include PPL Electric Utilities in Pennsylvania, Louisville Gas and Electric Company and Kentucky Utilities in Kentucky, and Rhode Island Energy in Rhode Island.