With a market cap of\u00a0$28.9 billion, PPL Corporation (PPL)\u00a0<\/strong>provides electricity and natural gas to about 3.6 million customers across several states. The company operates through three regulated segments: Kentucky, Pennsylvania, and Rhode Island.<\/p>\n Companies valued at $10 billion or more are generally considered “large-cap” stocks, and PPL fits this criterion perfectly. It generates and distributes electricity from sources such as coal, natural gas, hydro, and solar power while also supplying natural gas in selected regions.<\/p>\n Shares of the Allentown, Pennsylvania-based company have fallen 1.5% from its\u00a052-week high of $39.08. Over the past three months, its shares\u00a0have increased 13.3%, outperforming the broader\u00a0S&P 500 Index\u2019s ($SPX) 2.9% drop during the same period.<\/p>\n PPL stock is up nearly 10% on a YTD basis, outpacing SPX’s 3.1% decline. However, shares of\u00a0PPL\u00a0have returned 12.8% over the past 52 weeks, lagging behind\u00a0the 20.1% return of the SPX over the same time frame.<\/p>\n Yet, the stock has been trading above its 50-day and 200-day moving averages since early January.<\/p>\n PPL Corporation reported\u00a0strong 2025 results on Feb. 20, with reported earnings of $1.18 billion ($1.59 per share) compared with $888 million ($1.20 per share) in 2024. The company also issued a 2026 EPS forecast of $1.90 – $1.98 (midpoint $1.94), implying about 7.2% growth from 2025, and extended its 6% – 8% annual EPS growth target through at least 2029. Additionally, PPL announced a $23 billion infrastructure investment plan for 2026 – 2029. However,\u00a0the stock fell 1.3% on that day.<\/p>\n In comparison, PPL stock has lagged behind its rival, NextEra Energy, Inc. (NEE). NEE stock has\u00a0soared 15.6% YTD and 27.6% over the past 52 weeks.<\/p>\n Due to the stock\u2019s outperformance relative to the S&P 500 on a YTD basis, analysts remain strongly optimistic about its prospects. PPL stock has a consensus rating of \u201cStrong Buy\u201d from 16 analysts in coverage, and\u00a0the mean price target of $41 suggests a premium of 6.5% to current levels.<\/p>\n On the date of publication, Sohini Mondal did not have (either directly or indirectly) positions in any of the securities mentioned in this article. All information and data in this article is solely for informational purposes. This article was originally\u00a0published on Barchart.com <\/i><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>
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