News about Entergy

Entergy reported third-quarter adjusted EPS of $1.98, driven by customer growth, hotter weather, industrial sales and record peak demand, and raised the low end of its 2026 adjusted EPS guidance by $0.10. An amended agreement with Google for the West Memphis data-center campus is expected to add at least $500 million in Arkansas customer bill savings, and data-center and industrial load opportunities could total up to 17 gigawatts. Planned 2027–2030 capital spending rose by about $1.5 billion for battery storage, transmission and other growth investments. Chair and CEO Drew Marsh said the results reflected financial, regulatory and operational progress.

Entergy reported third quarter 2026 earnings of $940 million, or $1.98 per share, up from $694 million, or $1.53 per share, a year earlier, on both as-reported and adjusted bases. The Utility business earned $1,079 million ($2.28 per share), driven mainly by higher retail sales volume, including weather effects, and regulatory actions, while Parent & Other posted a $(139 million) loss, or (29 cents) per share, due mainly to higher interest expense. Entergy narrowed its 2026 adjusted EPS guidance to $4.35 to $4.45 and declared a quarterly dividend of 68 cents per share, a six percent increase. Highlights included the Orange County Advanced Power Station delivering power to Entergy Texas customers and LPSC approval of a $1.2 billion Babel to Webre transmission project.

Entergy has raised its quarterly dividend by 6.3% to $0.68 per share, or $2.72 annually, for a forward yield of about 2.47% at a recent price of $110.14. The new payout equals 61% to 64% of 2026 adjusted EPS guidance of $4.25 to $4.45. Industrial sales volume rose 14.9% in the first quarter and 10% in the second, mainly driven by data center contracts, including a 20-year agreement with a Meta Platforms subsidiary in Louisiana. However, in 2025 Entergy spent $7.68 billion on capital projects against $5.15 billion of operating cash flow, so it relies on outside financing, and higher interest costs and share dilution are named as key risks. The article argues the raise looks sustainable given the payout below two-thirds of guided earnings, but readers can compare it with upcoming third-quarter results.

Entergy's shares trade around US$107.5 after a total return of 150.1% over the past three years, and the article questions whether its dividend stream can justify that valuation. A Dividend Discount Model assumes dividends grow 3.7% a year, with a payout ratio of about 61% and a reported return on equity of just over 11%. The model's estimated intrinsic value falls substantially below the current price, suggesting the market is attaching a rich valuation to the income stream. The article also notes a planned US$600 million Arkansas grid expansion backed by a 20-year Google contract, and cites a 28.6x P/E as a separate lens on the share price.