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ETR vs XEL
Which Stock Would AI Choose? Entergy (ETR) vs. Xcel Energy (XEL) Stock Comparison
Key Takeaways
- ETR has delivered stronger recent relative performance, with a year-to-date gain of roughly 12% versus a much flatter advance for XEL.
- Both utilities are riding a data center and industrial electrification boom, but Entergy's Gulf South footprint carries concentrated hurricane exposure, while Xcel faces wildfire and regional regulatory risk.
- ETR trades at a premium valuation (about 27 times earnings) reflecting its higher growth targets, while XEL trades near 20 times earnings at a relative discount.
- XEL holds a stronger "Strong Buy" consensus rating from analysts, while ETR carries a "Buy" consensus.
- Both companies guide for high-single-digit or better earnings growth, driven by multi-year capital plans exceeding tens of billions of dollars.
Introduction
Entergy Corporation (ETR) and Xcel Energy (XEL) are two of the largest regulated electric utilities in the United States, yet they sit at very different stages of the same secular theme: surging electricity demand from data centers, industrial reshoring, and electrification. This stock comparison is relevant for income-oriented investors, utility-sector specialists, and traders evaluating relative performance and market positioning between a Gulf South growth story and a renewable-heavy Midwest and Western operator. While both companies generate stable, regulated returns, their recent price behavior, valuation levels, and risk profiles diverge meaningfully, making them a useful pair for understanding how the broader utilities complex is being repriced.
ETR Overview and Recent Performance
Entergy Corporation is a regulated electric utility serving roughly 3 million customers across Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas. The company has emerged as one of the market's favored beneficiaries of industrial load growth, with management citing approximately 7 to 12 gigawatts of hyperscale data center potential and signed agreements with major technology customers such as AWS and Meta. Recent earnings have reinforced this narrative, with second-quarter adjusted earnings topping estimates while retail electricity sales rose about 4% and industrial volume climbed roughly 10% year over year.
In recent weeks, ETR has traded around the low-$100s, retaining a double-digit year-to-date advance even after a modest pullback from earlier highs. Sentiment has been supported by the company's reaffirmed 2026 guidance and longer-term targets implying more than 8% annual adjusted earnings growth through 2030. However, the stock's richer valuation and its exposure to Gulf Coast storms, including recent winter-storm restoration costs, represent the principal counterweights to an otherwise constructive outlook.
XEL Overview and Recent Performance
Xcel Energy is a regulated utility serving about 3.9 million electric and 2.2 million natural gas customers across eight Western and Midwestern states. The company is widely regarded as a leader in the energy transition, operating in one of the most renewable-rich regions in the country while pursuing one of the industry's largest capital programs, now exceeding $70 billion over five years. Its high-probability data center pipeline exceeds 20 gigawatts, supported by agreements such as a Google data center project in Minnesota.
XEL has traded near the mid-$70s in recent weeks, a more subdued relative performance compared with ETR. The company beat adjusted profit estimates in recent quarters and reaffirmed 2026 earnings guidance of $4.04 to $4.16 per share, with long-term growth guidance of 6% to 8% or more. Sentiment has been shaped by regulatory progress, wildfire-related litigation settlements, and higher financing costs, which have tempered near-term enthusiasm despite a broadly positive analyst consensus.
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Head-to-Head Comparison
The clearest contrast between the two is geography and risk. ETR is concentrated in the Gulf South, where industrial and data center demand is exceptionally strong but where hurricanes and winter storms create episodic cost and reliability pressure. XEL is diversified across eight states with leading renewables exposure, yet it faces wildfire liability risk and a more fragmented regulatory landscape.
On growth, ETR targets faster near-term earnings expansion (above 8% annually through 2030) versus XEL's 6% to 8% base, though Xcel's data center pipeline and capital plan are considerably larger in absolute terms. Valuation flips the script: ETR trades at a premium multiple that leaves less room for error, while XEL trades closer to peer averages at a relative discount. Market sentiment reflects these nuances, with XEL enjoying a slightly stronger "Strong Buy" consensus and ETR showing stronger recent price momentum.
Tickeron AI Verdict
Based on observable factors such as trend consistency, stability, catalysts, and relative positioning, Tickeron's AI would likely lean toward ETR in the current environment, reflecting its stronger momentum, higher guided earnings growth, and clearer near-term data center and industrial catalysts. At the same time, XEL's more attractive valuation, larger capital pipeline, and stronger analyst consensus suggest it may present a more compelling risk-adjusted setup for longer-horizon investors. The probabilistic nature of these signals means the relative ranking could shift quickly as regulatory outcomes, weather events, and financing costs evolve.
Disclaimer
The information on this webpage is provided for general informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as investment advice, a recommendation to purchase or sell any security, or an offer or solicitation related to investments. It does not consider your personal financial situation, goals, or risk profile, and all investing carries inherent risks, including the possibility of losing your entire investment. For more details, please review our full disclaimer.
To compare these two companies we present long-term analysis, their fundamental ratings and make comparative short-term technical analysis which are presented below. The conclusion is ETR is a Hold and XEL is a StrongBuy.
ETR in +1.35% Uptrend, rising for three consecutive days on November 09, 2026
Moving higher for three straight days is viewed as a bullish sign. Keep an eye on this stock for future growth. Considering data from situations where ETR advanced for three days, in 201 of 341 cases, the price rose further within the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are 59%.
Technical Analysis (Indicators)
Bullish Trend Analysis
The Momentum Indicator moved above the 0 level on October 06, 2026. You may want to consider a long position or call options on ETR as a result. In 50 of 86 past instances where the momentum indicator moved above 0, the stock continued to climb. The odds of a continued upward trend are 58%.
ETR moved above its 50-day moving average on October 20, 2026 date and that indicates a change from a downward trend to an upward trend.
The 10-day moving average for ETR crossed bullishly above the 50-day moving average on October 21, 2026. This indicates that the trend has shifted higher and could be considered a buy signal. In 8 of 15 past instances when the 10-day crossed above the 50-day, the stock continued to move higher over the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are 53%.
The Aroon Indicator entered an Uptrend today. In 143 of 270 cases where ETR Aroon's Indicator entered an Uptrend, the price rose further within the following month. The odds of a continued Uptrend are 53%.
Bearish Trend Analysis
The 10-day RSI Indicator for ETR moved out of overbought territory on November 05, 2026. This could be a bearish sign for the stock. Traders may want to consider selling the stock or buying put options. Tickeron's A.I.dvisor looked at 43 similar instances where the indicator moved out of overbought territory. In 16 of the 43 cases, the stock moved lower in the following days. This puts the odds of a move lower at 37%.
The Stochastic Oscillator entered the overbought zone. Expect a price pull-back in the foreseeable future.
Following a 3-day decline, the stock is projected to fall further. Considering past instances where ETR declined for three days, the price rose further in 50 of 62 cases within the following month. The odds of a continued downward trend are 42%.
ETR broke above its upper Bollinger Band on October 22, 2026. This could be a sign that the stock is set to drop as the stock moves back below the upper band and toward the middle band. You may want to consider selling the stock or exploring put options.
Fundamental Analysis (Ratings)
The Tickeron Profit vs. Risk Rating rating for this company is 3 (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating low risk on high returns. The average Profit vs. Risk Rating rating for the industry is 50, placing this stock better than average.
The Tickeron PE Growth Rating for this company is 24 (best 1 - 100 worst), pointing to outstanding earnings growth. The PE Growth rating is based on a comparative analysis of stock PE ratio increase over the last 12 months compared against S&P 500 index constituents.
The Tickeron Price Growth Rating for this company is 34 (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating steady price growth. ETR’s price grows at a higher rate over the last 12 months as compared to S&P 500 index constituents.
The Tickeron Seasonality Score of 50 (best 1 - 100 worst) indicates that the company is fair valued in the industry. The Tickeron Seasonality score describes the variance of predictable price changes around the same period every calendar year. These changes can be tied to a specific month, quarter, holiday or vacation period, as well as a meteorological or growing season.
The Tickeron SMR rating for this company is 68 (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating slightly better than average sales and a considerably profitable business model. SMR (Sales, Margin, Return on Equity) rating is based on comparative analysis of weighted Sales, Income Margin and Return on Equity values compared against S&P 500 index constituents. The weighted SMR value is a proprietary formula developed by Tickeron and represents an overall profitability measure for a stock.
The Tickeron Valuation Rating of 75 (best 1 - 100 worst) indicates that the company is slightly overvalued in the industry. This rating compares market capitalization estimated by our proprietary formula with the current market capitalization. This rating is based on the following metrics, as compared to industry averages: P/B Ratio (2.897) is normal, around the industry mean (2.019). P/E Ratio (27.846) is within average values for comparable stocks, (14.939). Projected Growth (PEG Ratio) (1.507) is also within normal values, averaging (1.785). Dividend Yield (0.023) settles around the average of (0.054) among similar stocks. P/S Ratio (3.495) is also within normal values, averaging (187.392).
XEL in upward trend: 10-day moving average moved above 50-day moving average on October 20, 2026
The 10-day moving average for XEL crossed bullishly above the 50-day moving average on October 20, 2026. This indicates that the trend has shifted higher and could be considered a buy signal. In 8 of 15 past instances when the 10-day crossed above the 50-day, the stock continued to move higher over the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are 53%.
Technical Analysis (Indicators)
Bullish Trend Analysis
The Momentum Indicator moved above the 0 level on October 06, 2026. You may want to consider a long position or call options on XEL as a result. In 47 of 92 past instances where the momentum indicator moved above 0, the stock continued to climb. The odds of a continued upward trend are 51%.
XEL moved above its 50-day moving average on October 13, 2026 date and that indicates a change from a downward trend to an upward trend.
Following a +3.42% 3-day Advance, the price is estimated to grow further. Considering data from situations where XEL advanced for three days, in 172 of 332 cases, the price rose further within the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are 52%.
The Aroon Indicator entered an Uptrend today. In 110 of 251 cases where XEL Aroon's Indicator entered an Uptrend, the price rose further within the following month. The odds of a continued Uptrend are 44%.
Bearish Trend Analysis
The 10-day RSI Indicator for XEL moved out of overbought territory on November 02, 2026. This could be a bearish sign for the stock. Traders may want to consider selling the stock or buying put options. Tickeron's A.I.dvisor looked at 29 similar instances where the indicator moved out of overbought territory. In 16 of the 29 cases, the stock moved lower in the following days. This puts the odds of a move lower at 55%.
The Stochastic Oscillator may be shifting from an upward trend to a downward trend. In 28 of 67 cases where XEL's Stochastic Oscillator exited the overbought zone, the price fell further within the following month. The odds of a continued downward trend are 42%.
Following a 3-day decline, the stock is projected to fall further. Considering past instances where XEL declined for three days, the price rose further in 50 of 62 cases within the following month. The odds of a continued downward trend are 47%.
XEL broke above its upper Bollinger Band on October 22, 2026. This could be a sign that the stock is set to drop as the stock moves back below the upper band and toward the middle band. You may want to consider selling the stock or exploring put options.
Fundamental Analysis (Ratings)
The Tickeron Price Growth Rating for this company is 36 (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating steady price growth. XEL’s price grows at a higher rate over the last 12 months as compared to S&P 500 index constituents.
The Tickeron Profit vs. Risk Rating rating for this company is 40 (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating well-balanced risk and returns. The average Profit vs. Risk Rating rating for the industry is 50, placing this stock slightly better than average.
The Tickeron Valuation Rating of 52 (best 1 - 100 worst) indicates that the company is fair valued in the industry. This rating compares market capitalization estimated by our proprietary formula with the current market capitalization. This rating is based on the following metrics, as compared to industry averages: P/B Ratio (2.069) is normal, around the industry mean (2.019). P/E Ratio (21.708) is within average values for comparable stocks, (14.939). Projected Growth (PEG Ratio) (1.744) is also within normal values, averaging (1.785). Dividend Yield (0.030) settles around the average of (0.054) among similar stocks. P/S Ratio (3.042) is also within normal values, averaging (187.392).
The Tickeron PE Growth Rating for this company is 61 (best 1 - 100 worst), pointing to average earnings growth. The PE Growth rating is based on a comparative analysis of stock PE ratio increase over the last 12 months compared against S&P 500 index constituents.
The Tickeron SMR rating for this company is 70 (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating weak sales and an unprofitable business model. SMR (Sales, Margin, Return on Equity) rating is based on comparative analysis of weighted Sales, Income Margin and Return on Equity values compared against S&P 500 index constituents. The weighted SMR value is a proprietary formula developed by Tickeron and represents an overall profitability measure for a stock.
ETR | XEL | ||
|---|---|---|---|
OUTLOOK RATING 1..100 | 30 | 86 | |
VALUATION overvalued / fair valued / undervalued 1..100 | 75 Overvalued | 52 Fair valued | |
PROFIT vs RISK RATING 1..100 | 3 | 40 | |
SMR RATING 1..100 | 68 | 70 | |
PRICE GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 34 | 36 | |
P/E GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 24 | 61 | |
SEASONALITY SCORE 1..100 | 50 | 37 |
Tickeron ratings are formulated such that a rating of 1 designates the most successful stocks in a given industry, while a rating of 100 points to the least successful stocks for that industry.
XEL's Valuation (52) in the Electric Utilities industry is in the same range as ETR (75). This means that XEL’s stock grew similarly to ETR’s over the last 12 months.
ETR's Profit vs Risk Rating (3) in the Electric Utilities industry is somewhat better than the same rating for XEL (40). This means that ETR’s stock grew somewhat faster than XEL’s over the last 12 months.
ETR's SMR Rating (68) in the Electric Utilities industry is in the same range as XEL (70). This means that ETR’s stock grew similarly to XEL’s over the last 12 months.
ETR's Price Growth Rating (34) in the Electric Utilities industry is in the same range as XEL (36). This means that ETR’s stock grew similarly to XEL’s over the last 12 months.
ETR's P/E Growth Rating (24) in the Electric Utilities industry is somewhat better than the same rating for XEL (61). This means that ETR’s stock grew somewhat faster than XEL’s over the last 12 months.
| ETR | XEL | |
|---|---|---|
| RSI ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 37% | 2 days ago 55% |
| Stochastic ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 45% | 2 days ago 42% |
| Momentum ODDS (%) | 7 days ago 58% | 7 days ago 51% |
| MACD ODDS (%) | N/A | N/A |
| TrendWeek ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 58% | 2 days ago 53% |
| TrendMonth ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 54% | 2 days ago 48% |
| Advances ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 59% | 13 days ago 52% |
| Declines ODDS (%) | 9 days ago 42% | 6 days ago 47% |
| BollingerBands ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 39% | 2 days ago 44% |
| Aroon ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 53% | 2 days ago 44% |
Long-Term Analysis
It is best to consider a long-term outlook for a ticker by using Fundamental Analysis (FA) ratings. The rating of 1 to 100, where 1 is best and 100 is worst, is divided into thirds. The first third (a green rating of 1-33) indicates that the ticker is undervalued; the second third (a grey number between 34 and 66) means that the ticker is valued fairly; and the last third (red number of 67 to 100) reflects that the ticker is overvalued. We use an FA Score to show how many ratings show the ticker to be undervalued (green) or overvalued (red).
ETR’s FA Score shows that 2 FA rating(s) are green while XEL’s FA Score has 0 green FA rating(s).
- ETR’s FA Score: 2 green, 3 red.
- XEL’s FA Score: 0 green, 5 red.
Short-Term Analysis
It is best to consider a short-term outlook for a ticker by using Technical Analysis (TA) indicators. We use Odds of Success as the percentage of outcomes which confirm successful trade signals in the past.
If the Odds of Success (the likelihood of the continuation of a trend) for each indicator are greater than 50%, then the generated signal is confirmed. A green percentage from 90% to 51% indicates that the ticker is in a bullish trend. A red percentage from 90% - 51% indicates that the ticker is in a bearish trend. All grey percentages are below 50% and are considered not to confirm the trend signal.
ETR’s TA Score shows that 5 TA indicator(s) are bullish while XEL’s TA Score has 5 bullish TA indicator(s).
- ETR’s TA Score: 5 bullish, 4 bearish.
- XEL’s TA Score: 5 bullish, 4 bearish.
Price Growth
ETR (@Electric Utilities) experienced а +2.56% price change this week, while XEL (@Electric Utilities) price change was +1.73% for the same time period.
The average weekly price growth across all stocks in the @Electric Utilities industry was +1.22%. For the same industry, the average monthly price growth was +2.50%, and the average quarterly price growth was -3.41%.
Reported Earning Dates
ETR is expected to report earnings on Feb 24, 2027.
XEL is expected to report earnings on Jan 28, 2027.
Industries' Descriptions
@Electric Utilities (+1.22% weekly)Electric utilities companies generate, transmit and distribute electricity to businesses/offices and residences. Companies may be owned by the government or investors or public shareholders, or a combination thereof. The industry also includes firms that buy and sell electricity. Companies in this industry typically require significant investments in infrastructure. Many firms in this industry pay substantial and regular dividends to shareholders. However, changes in interest rates (and their impact on debt burdens), natural disasters and changing commodity prices could be factors affecting energy utilities’ profit margins. NextEra Energy, Inc., Duke Energy Corporation, Dominion Energy Inc. and Southern Company are among U.S. electric utilities companies with the largest market capitalizations.
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ETR and
Correlation & Price change
A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, ETR has been closely correlated with AEP. These tickers have moved in lockstep 77% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is a high statistical probability that if ETR jumps, then AEP could also see price increases.
XEL and
Correlation & Price change
A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, XEL has been closely correlated with LNT. These tickers have moved in lockstep 82% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is a high statistical probability that if XEL jumps, then LNT could also see price increases.