Original source text
Second Quarter Diluted Earnings Per Share (EPS) were $1.13 in 2026 vs. $1.01 in 2025 Reaffirmed 2026 Earnings Guidance Range of $5.25 to $5.45 per Diluted Share , /PRNewswire/ -- Ameren Corporation (NYSE: AEE) today announced second quarter 2026 net income attributable to common shareholders of $314 million, or $1.13 per diluted share, compared to second quarter 2025 net income of $275 million, or $1.01 per diluted share.
Second quarter 2026 results reflected earnings on infrastructure investments to improve system reliability, resiliency and service quality at each business segment and from investments in innovative energy technology. These positive contributions were partially offset by higher operations and maintenance expenses, primarily driven by increased reliability-focused tree trimming and energy center maintenance. Finally, the earnings per diluted share comparison reflected higher weighted-average basic common shares outstanding in the second quarter of 2026.
"Our second quarter results demonstrate our commitment to delivering value for our customers through consistent execution of our strategy," said Martin J. Lyons, Jr., chairman, president and chief executive officer of Ameren Corporation. "We are investing in a diverse and resilient energy portfolio, strengthening the reliability of the grid and supporting economic growth throughout our region. By focusing on delivering reliable service in a cost-effective way, we are building the energy infrastructure needed to serve our customers today while preparing for the opportunities ahead."
Ameren recorded net income attributable to common shareholders for the six months ended June 30, 2026, of $671 million, or $2.41 per diluted share, compared to net income attributable to common shareholders for the six months ended June 30, 2025, of $564 million, or $2.08 per diluted share. The increase in year-over-year six month earnings reflected earnings on infrastructure investments to improve system reliability, resiliency and service quality for our electric and natural gas customers and from investments in innovative energy technology. These positive contributions were partially offset by higher operations and maintenance expenses, primarily driven by increased reliability-focused tree trimming and energy center maintenance, lower electric retail sales, primarily driven by milder temperatures, and higher interest expense. Finally, the earnings per diluted share comparison reflected higher weighted-average basic common shares outstanding in 2026.
Earnings Guidance
Today, Ameren reaffirmed its 2026 earnings guidance range of $5.25 to $5.45 per share. Earnings guidance for 2026 assumes normal temperatures for the last six months of the year and is subject to the effects of, among other things: regulatory, judicial and legislative actions; energy center and energy transmission and distribution operations; energy, economic, capital and credit market conditions; customer usage; severe storms; returns on market-based and other investments; unusual or otherwise unexpected gains or losses; and other risks and uncertainties outlined, or referred to, in the Forward-looking Statements section of this press release.
Ameren Missouri Segment Results
Ameren Missouri second quarter 2026 earnings were $157 million, compared to second quarter 2025 earnings of $150 million. The year-over-year increase reflected earnings on increased infrastructure investments, including infrastructure reflected in electric and natural gas service rates that became effective June 1, 2025, and September 1, 2025, respectively. These positive factors were partially offset by higher operations and maintenance expenses, primarily driven by increased reliability-focused tree trimming and energy center maintenance, and lower electric retail sales, primarily driven by milder temperatures.
Ameren Transmission Segment Results
Ameren Transmission second quarter 2026 earnings were $96 million, compared to second quarter 2025 earnings of $86 million. The year-over-year increase reflected earnings on increased infrastructure investments.
Ameren Illinois Electric Distribution Segment Results
Ameren Illinois Electric Distribution second quarter 2026 earnings were $70 million, compared to second quarter 2025 earnings of $64 million. The year-over-year increase reflected earnings on increased infrastructure investments.
Ameren Illinois Natural Gas Segment Results
Ameren Illinois Natural Gas second quarter 2026 earnings were $9 million, compared to second quarter 2025 earnings of $10 million.
Ameren Parent Results (includes items not reported in a business segment)
Ameren Parent second quarter 2026 loss was $18 million, compared to a second quarter 2025 loss of $35 million. The year-over-year improvement primarily reflected earnings from innovative energy technology investments.
Analyst Conference Call
Ameren will conduct a conference call for financial analysts at 9 a.m. Central Time on Friday, July 31, 2026, to discuss second quarter 2026 earnings, 2026 earnings guidance and other matters. Investors, the news media and the public may listen to a live broadcast of the call at AmerenInvestors.com by clicking on "Webcast" under "Latest Quarterly Results," where an accompanying slide presentation will also be available. The conference call and presentation will be archived in the "Investors" section of the website under "Quarterly Earnings."
About Ameren
St. Louis-based Ameren Corporation powers the quality of life for 2.5 million electric customers and more than 900,000 natural gas customers in a 64,000-square-mile area through its Ameren Missouri and Ameren Illinois rate-regulated utility subsidiaries. Ameren Illinois provides electric transmission and distribution service and natural gas distribution service. Ameren Missouri provides electric generation, transmission and distribution service, as well as natural gas distribution service. Ameren Transmission Company of Illinois develops, owns and operates rate-regulated regional electric transmission projects in the Midcontinent Independent System Operator, Inc. For more information, visit Ameren.com, or follow us at @AmerenCorp, Facebook.com/AmerenCorp, or LinkedIn.com/company/Ameren.
Forward-looking Statements
Statements in this release not based on historical facts are considered "forward-looking" and, accordingly, involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those discussed. Although such forward-looking statements have been made in good faith and are based on reasonable assumptions, there is no assurance that the expected results will be achieved. These statements include (without limitation) statements as to future expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, strategies, targets, estimates, objectives, events, conditions, and financial performance. In connection with the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, we are providing this cautionary statement to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated. The following factors, in addition to those discussed within Risk Factors in Ameren's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025, and elsewhere in this release and in our other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, could cause actual results to differ materially from management expectations suggested in such forward-looking statements:
regulatory, judicial, or legislative actions, and any changes in regulatory policies and ratemaking determinations that may change regulatory recovery mechanisms or our ability to recover costs and earn a return, such as those that may result from Ameren Missouri's electric service regulatory rate review filed with the MoPSC in June 2026, Ameren Illinois' 2025 electric distribution service revenue requirement reconciliation adjustment review filed with the ICC in April 2026, Ameren Illinois' January 2026 appeal of the November 2025 ICC order issued in the 2025 natural gas delivery service rate review, and Ameren Illinois' 2020 QIP reconciliation hearing; our ability to control costs and make substantial investments in our businesses, including our ability to recover costs and investments, and to earn our allowed return on equity (ROE), within frameworks established by our regulators, while maintaining affordability for our customers; the effect and duration of Ameren Illinois' election to utilize MYRPs for electric distribution service ratemaking effective for rates beginning in 2024, including the effect of the reconciliation cap on the electric distribution revenue requirement; the effect on Ameren Missouri of any customer rate caps or limitations on increasing the electric service revenue requirement pursuant to Ameren Missouri's election to use the plant-in-service accounting regulatory mechanism; Ameren Missouri's ability to construct and/or acquire wind, solar, and other renewable energy generation facilities and battery storage, as well as natural gas-fired and nuclear energy centers, extend the operating license for the Callaway Energy Center, reliably operate existing energy centers through their expected retirement dates, retire fossil fuel-fired energy centers, and implement new or existing customer energy-efficiency programs, including any such construction, acquisition, retirement, or implementation in connection with its Smart Energy Plan, preferred resource plan, or emissions reduction goals, and to recover its cost of investment, a related return, and, in the case of customer energy-efficiency programs, any lost electric revenues in a timely manner, each of which is affected by the ability to timely obtain all necessary regulatory and project approvals, including certificates of convenience and necessity (CCNs) from the MoPSC or any other required approvals, including permits to operate the facilities; our ability to realize and support forecasted energy demand and capacity from new and potential new customers, including demand growth dependent on the addition of new data centers and other large primary service customers within our service territories, such as the large load customers that signed electric service agreements with Ameren Missouri in 2026; the effects on energy prices and demand for our services resulting from customer growth patterns or usage, including demand from data centers, technological advances, including advances in customer energy efficiency, electric vehicles, electrification of various industries, energy storage, and private generation sources, which are becoming increasingly cost-competitive; Ameren Missouri's ability to earn, utilize, or transfer at a reasonable price federal production and investment tax credits related to renewable energy and energy storage projects and nuclear energy production; the cost of wind, solar, and other renewable generation and battery storage technologies; and our ability to obtain timely interconnection agreements with the MISO or other regional transmission organizations at an acceptable cost for each facility; the effect of changes in federal domestic energy policy to support investment in fossil fuel infrastructure and the effect of those changes on Ameren Missouri's ability to construct and/or acquire renewable energy generation facilities and battery storage; the outcome of the MISO long-range transmission planning process, including potential changes to planned projects, the ability to obtain competitively bid or assigned projects and related approvals, including CCNs from the MoPSC and ICC or any other required approvals, and changes in applicable legislative or regulatory frameworks; the inability of our counterparties to meet their obligations with respect to contracts, credit agreements, and financial instruments, including as they relate to the construction and acquisition of electric and natural gas utility infrastructure and the ability of counterparties to complete projects, which is dependent upon the availability of labor and necessary materials and equipment, including those obligations that are affected by supply chain disruptions; advancements in energy technologies, including carbon capture, utilization, and sequestration, hydrogen fuel for electric production and energy storage, next generation nuclear, and large-scale long-cycle battery storage, and the impact of federal and state energy and economic policies with respect to those technologies; the effects of changes in federal, state, or local laws and other domestic or international governmental actions, including monetary, fiscal, foreign trade, and energy policies, foreign trade tariffs, executive orders, geopolitical developments, or extended federal government shutdowns or defunding; the effects of changes in federal, state, or local tax laws or rates; additional regulations, interpretations, amendments, or technical corrections to, or in connection with the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) and the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (IRA), including the effects of the OBBBA as it relates to construction timelines of solar, wind, and battery storage projects along with the ability to obtain materials for these projects to be eligible for federal production and investment tax credits; and any challenges to the tax positions we have taken, as well as resulting effects on customer rates; the cost and availability of fuel, such as low-sulfur coal, natural gas, and enriched uranium used to produce electricity; the cost and availability of natural gas for distribution and the cost and availability of purchased power, including capacity, zero emission credits, renewable energy credits, and emission allowances; and the level and volatility of future market prices for such commodities and credits; disruptions in the delivery of fuel, failure of our fuel suppliers to provide adequate quantities or quality of fuel, or lack of adequate inventories of fuel, including nuclear fuel assemblies primarily from the one Nuclear Regulatory Commission-licensed supplier of assemblies for Ameren Missouri's Callaway Energy Center; the cost and availability of transmission capacity required for the energy generated by Ameren Missouri's energy centers or as required to satisfy Ameren Missouri's energy sales; the effectiveness of our risk management strategies and our use of financial and derivative instruments; the ability to obtain sufficient insurance at a reasonable cost, or, in the absence of insurance, the ability to timely recover uninsured losses from our customers; the impact of cyberattacks and data security risks on us, our suppliers, or other entities on the grid, including those arising from generative or agentic artificial intelligence, which could, among other things, result in the loss of operational control of energy centers and electric and natural gas transmission and distribution systems and/or the loss of data, such as customer, employee, financial, and operating system information; acts of sabotage, which have increased in frequency and severity within the utility industry, war, terrorism, or other intentionally disruptive acts; business, economic, geopolitical, and capital market conditions, including foreign trade tariffs or trade wars, evolving federal regulatory priorities, and the impact of such conditions on interest rates, inflation, commodity prices, and investments; the impact of inflation or a recession on our customers and suppliers and the related impact on our results of operations, financial position, and liquidity; disruptions of the capital and credit markets, deterioration in our credit metrics, or other events that may have an adverse effect on the cost or availability of capital, including short-term credit and liquidity, and our ability to access the capital and credit markets on reasonable terms when needed; the actions of credit rating agencies and the effects of such actions; the impact of weather conditions and other natural conditions on us and our customers, including the impact of system outages and the level of wind and solar resources; the construction, installation, performance, and cost recovery of generation, transmission, and distribution assets; the ability to maintain system reliability by Ameren Missouri, the MISO, and the electric utility industry, as well as Ameren Missouri's ability to meet existing or future generation capacity and power obligations; the effects of failures of electric generation, electric and natural gas transmission or distribution, or natural gas storage facilities systems and equipment, which could result in unanticipated liabilities or unplanned outages; the operation of Ameren Missouri's Callaway Energy Center, including planned and unplanned outages, as well as the ability to recover costs associated with such outages and the impact of such outages on off-system sales and purchased power, among other things; Ameren Missouri's ability to recover the remaining investment and decommissioning costs associated with the retirement of an energy center, as well as the ability to earn a return on that remaining investment and those decommissioning costs; the impact of current environmental laws or their interpretation and new, more stringent, or changing requirements and environmental policies, including those related to NSR provisions of the Clean Air Act, carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide, and other emissions and discharges, Illinois emission standards, cooling water intake structures, coal combustion residuals, energy efficiency, and wildlife protection, that could limit, terminate or otherwise modify the operation of certain of Ameren Missouri's energy centers, increase our operating costs or investment requirements, result in an impairment of our assets, cause us to sell our assets, reduce our customers' demand for electricity or natural gas, or otherwise have a negative financial effect; the impact of complying with renewable energy standards in Missouri and Illinois and with the zero emission standard in Illinois; the effectiveness of Ameren Missouri's customer energy-efficiency programs and the related revenues and performance incentives earned under its Missouri Energy Efficiency Investment Act programs; labor disputes, the impact of collective bargaining unit contract negotiations, workforce reductions, our ability to attract and retain professional and skilled-craft employees, changes in future wage and employee benefits costs, including those resulting from changes in discount rates, mortality tables, medical cost trend rates, returns on benefit plan assets, and other assumptions; the impact of negative opinions of us or our utility services that our customers, investors, legislators, regulators, creditors, rating agencies, or other stakeholders may have or develop, which could result from a variety of factors, including failures in system reliability, failure to implement our investment plans or disagreement with those plans, failure to protect sensitive customer information, increases in rates, new data centers entering our service territories, negative media coverage, or concerns about company policies or practices; the impact of adopting new accounting and reporting guidance; the effects of strategic initiatives, including mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures, divestitures, and reorganizations; legal and administrative proceedings; pandemics or other significant global health events, and their impacts on our results of operations, financial position, and liquidity; and the impacts of global conflicts and related sanctions imposed by the United States and other governments, including potential impacts on the cost and availability of fuel, natural gas, enriched uranium, and other commodities, materials, and services. New factors emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for us to predict all of such factors, nor can we assess the impact of each such factor on the business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained or implied in any forward-looking statement. Given these uncertainties, undue reliance should not be placed on these forward-looking statements. Except to the extent required by the federal securities laws, we undertake no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements to reflect new information or future events.
AMEREN CORPORATION (AEE)
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME
(Unaudited, in millions, except per share amounts)
Three Months Ended
June 30,
Six Months Ended
June 30,
2026
2025
2026
2025
Operating Revenues:
Electric
$ 1,887
$ 2,038
$ 3,548
$ 3,660
Natural gas
205
183
720
658
Total operating revenues
2,092
2,221
4,268
4,318
Operating Expenses:
Fuel and purchased power
507
794
940
1,296
Natural gas purchased for resale
39
39
210
208
Other operations and maintenance
521
460
1,012
945
Depreciation and amortization
420
386
818
753
Taxes other than income taxes
146
131
297
275
Total operating expenses
1,633
1,810
3,277
3,477
Operating Income
459
411
991
841
Other Income, Net
118
96
208
181
Interest Charges
209
187
413
362
Income Before Income Taxes
368
320
786
660
Income Taxes
52
43
112
93
Net Income
316
277
674
567
Less: Net Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests
2
2
3
3
Net Income Attributable to Ameren Common Shareholders
$ 314
$ 275
$ 671
$ 564
Earnings per Common Share - Basic
$ 1.14
$ 1.02
$ 2.43
$ 2.09
Earnings per Common Share – Diluted
$ 1.13
$ 1.01
$ 2.41
$ 2.08
Weighted-average Common Shares Outstanding – Basic
276.8
270.3
276.6
270.1
Weighted-average Common Shares Outstanding – Diluted
278.7
271.6
278.6
271.5
AMEREN CORPORATION (AEE)
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
(Unaudited, in millions)
June 30,
2026
December 31,
2025
ASSETS
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents
$ 12
$ 13
Accounts receivable - trade (less allowance for doubtful accounts)
600
665
Unbilled revenue
478
415
Miscellaneous accounts receivable
199
107
Inventories
800
774
Current regulatory assets
337
387
Other current assets
218
210
Total current assets
2,644
2,571
Property, Plant, and Equipment, Net
41,372
39,313
Investments and Other Assets:
Nuclear decommissioning trust fund
1,631
1,526
Goodwill
411
411
Regulatory assets
2,888
2,524
Pension and other postretirement benefits
973
977
Other assets
1,297
1,154
Total investments and other assets
7,200
6,592
TOTAL ASSETS
$ 51,216
$ 48,476
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Current Liabilities:
Current maturities of long-term debt
$ 1,524
$ 973
Short-term debt
1,220
643
Accounts and wages payable
998
1,254
Interest accrued
246
229
Customer deposits
248
238
Other current liabilities
742
570
Total current liabilities
4,978
3,907
Long-term Debt, Net
19,064
18,214
Deferred Credits and Other Liabilities:
Accumulated deferred income taxes and tax credits, net
5,381
5,181
Regulatory liabilities
6,437
6,255
Asset retirement obligations
873
849
Other deferred credits and liabilities
667
540
Total deferred credits and other liabilities
13,358
12,825
Shareholders' Equity:
Common stock
3
3
Other paid-in capital, principally premium on common stock
8,132
8,106
Retained earnings
5,549
5,292
Accumulated other comprehensive income
3
—
Total shareholders' equity
13,687
13,401
Noncontrolling Interests
129
129
Total equity
13,816
13,530
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
$ 51,216
$ 48,476
AMEREN CORPORATION (AEE)
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited, in millions)
Six Months Ended June 30,
2026
2025
Cash Flows From Operating Activities:
Net income
$ 674
$ 567
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization
841
793
Amortization of nuclear fuel
43
20
Amortization of debt issuance costs and premium/discounts
10
10
Deferred income taxes and tax credits, net
127
172
Allowance for equity funds used during construction
(69)
(39)
Stock-based compensation costs
16
14
Other
(13)
10
Changes in assets and liabilities
(438)
(254)
Net cash provided by operating activities
1,191
1,293
Cash Flows From Investing Activities:
Capital expenditures
(2,653)
(2,130)
Nuclear fuel expenditures
(23)
(19)
Purchases of securities – nuclear decommissioning trust fund
(168)
(244)
Sales and maturities of securities – nuclear decommissioning trust fund
158
223
Other
(20)
59
Net cash used in investing activities
(2,706)
(2,111)
Cash Flows From Financing Activities:
Dividends on common stock
(414)
(384)
Dividends paid to noncontrolling interest holders
(3)
(3)
Short-term debt, net
577
(2)
Maturities and extinguishment of long-term debt
(378)
(324)
Issuances of long-term debt
1,794
1,599
Issuances of common stock
22
25
Employee payroll taxes related to stock-based compensation
(14)
(13)
Debt issuance costs
(19)
(14)
Net cash provided by financing activities
1,565
884
Net change in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash
50
66
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at beginning of year(a)
420
328
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at end of period(b)
$ 470
$ 394
(a) Includes $13 million of cash and cash equivalents and $407 million of restricted cash as of December 31, 2025.
(b) Includes $12 million of cash and cash equivalents and $458 million of restricted cash as of June 30, 2026.
AMEREN CORPORATION (AEE)
OPERATING STATISTICS
Three Months Ended
Six Months Ended
June 30,
June 30,
2026
2025
2026
2025
Electric Sales - kilowatthours (in millions):
Ameren Missouri
Residential
2,816
2,812
6,412
6,676
Commercial
3,456
3,349
6,822
6,716
Industrial
1,074
1,037
2,028
1,996
Street lighting and public authority
12
13
28
30
Ameren Missouri retail load subtotal
7,358
7,211
15,290
15,418
Off-system
1,191
662
2,290
1,876
Ameren Missouri total
8,549
7,873
17,580
17,294
Ameren Illinois Electric Distribution
Residential
2,399
2,435
5,204
5,408
Commercial
2,741
2,758
5,451
5,578
Industrial
2,429
2,511
4,835
5,002
Street lighting and public authority
92
95
192
198
Ameren Illinois Electric Distribution total
7,661
7,799
15,682
16,186
Ameren Total
16,210
15,672
33,262
33,480
Electric Revenues (in millions):
Ameren Missouri
Residential
$ 426
$ 405
$ 825
$ 781
Commercial
381
344
683
617
Industrial
94
84
166
150
Other, including street lighting and public authority
45
11
81
9
Ameren Missouri retail load subtotal
$ 946
$ 844
$ 1,755
$ 1,557
Off-system sales and capacity
148
471
190
651
Ameren Missouri total
$ 1,094
$ 1,315
$ 1,945
$ 2,208
Ameren Illinois Electric Distribution
Residential
$ 350
$ 321
$ 699
$ 663
Commercial
198
181
393
361
Industrial
52
48
107
98
Other, including street lighting and public authority
29
23
73
23
Ameren Illinois Electric Distribution total
$ 629
$ 573
$ 1,272
$ 1,145
Ameren Transmission
Ameren Illinois Transmission(a)
$ 168
$ 152
$ 332
$ 306
ATXI
62
56
125
113
Eliminate affiliate revenues
(1)
—
(1)
(1)
Ameren Transmission total
$ 229
$ 208
$ 456
$ 418
Other and intersegment eliminations(a)
(65)
(58)
(125)
(111)
Ameren Total
$ 1,887
$ 2,038
$ 3,548
$ 3,660
(a)
Includes $45 million, $40 million, $89 million and $77 million, respectively, of electric operating revenues from transmission services provided to the Ameren Illinois Electric Distribution segment.
AMEREN CORPORATION (AEE)
OPERATING STATISTICS
Three Months Ended
Six Months Ended
June 30,
June 30,
2026
2025
2026
2025
Gas Sales - dekatherms (in millions):
Ameren Missouri
4
3
12
12
Ameren Illinois Natural Gas
29
30
91
95
Ameren Total
33
33
103
107
Gas Revenues (in millions):
Ameren Missouri
$ 30
$ 25
$ 109
$ 89
Ameren Illinois Natural Gas
176
158
612
569
Eliminate affiliate revenues
(1)
—
(1)
—
Ameren Total
$ 205
$ 183
$ 720
$ 658
June 30,
December 31,
2026
2025
Common Stock:
Shares outstanding (in millions)
276.8
276.4
Book value per share
$ 49.45
$ 48.48
SOURCE Ameren Corporation
