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Burford Brothers Inc. increased its stake in Consolidated Edison Inc (NYSE:ED – Free Report) by 487.3% during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 18,605 shares of the utilities provider’s stock after acquiring an additional 15,437 shares during the period. Burford Brothers Inc.’s holdings in Consolidated Edison were worth $2,058,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of ED. QRG Capital Management Inc. increased its holdings in Consolidated Edison by 16.9% in the first quarter. QRG Capital Management Inc. now owns 204,989 shares of the utilities provider’s stock valued at $23,201,000 after buying an additional 29,635 shares during the last quarter. North Dakota State Investment Board purchased a new stake in Consolidated Edison during the 4th quarter worth about $1,228,000. Los Angeles Capital Management LLC boosted its position in shares of Consolidated Edison by 9.0% during the 4th quarter. Los Angeles Capital Management LLC now owns 253,230 shares of the utilities provider’s stock worth $24,865,000 after acquiring an additional 20,972 shares in the last quarter. M3 Wealth Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Consolidated Edison during the 4th quarter worth about $1,380,000. Finally, Arbejdsmarkedets Tillaegspension purchased a new position in shares of Consolidated Edison in the 4th quarter valued at about $24,109,000. 66.29% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth ED has been the topic of several recent analyst reports. Argus set a $112.00 price target on shares of Consolidated Edison in a research note on Tuesday, June 23rd. Weiss Ratings restated a “buy (b)” rating on shares of Consolidated Edison in a report on Tuesday, July 21st. The Goldman Sachs Group reaffirmed a “sell” rating and issued a $105.00 target price on shares of Consolidated Edison in a research report on Thursday, May 14th. Mizuho set a $114.00 price target on shares of Consolidated Edison in a research note on Monday, July 27th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company upped their price objective on shares of Consolidated Edison from $106.00 to $108.00 and gave the company an “equal weight” rating in a research note on Friday, August 7th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, six have issued a Hold rating and six have issued a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Consolidated Edison presently has a consensus rating of “Reduce” and an average target price of $108.93.

Read Our Latest Report on Consolidated Edison ED stock opened at $108.68 on Friday. The company has a market cap of $40.19 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 17.85, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.73 and a beta of 0.27. The company has a fifty day moving average price of $109.87 and a 200 day moving average price of $109.82. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.04, a current ratio of 1.27 and a quick ratio of 1.17. Consolidated Edison Inc has a 12 month low of $94.96 and a 12 month high of $116.23.

Consolidated Edison (NYSE:ED – Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, August 6th. The utilities provider reported $0.83 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.76 by $0.07. The firm had revenue of $4.07 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $3.60 billion. Consolidated Edison had a return on equity of 8.44% and a net margin of 12.53%.During the same quarter last year, the company posted $0.67 earnings per share. Consolidated Edison has set its FY 2026 guidance at 6.000-6.200 EPS. Sell-side analysts expect that Consolidated Edison Inc will post 6.1 earnings per share for the current year.

Consolidated Edison Announces Dividend The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, September 15th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, August 19th will be paid a dividend of $0.8875 per share. This represents a $3.55 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.3%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, August 19th. Consolidated Edison’s dividend payout ratio is 58.29%.

About Consolidated Edison (Free Report)

Consolidated Edison, Inc, commonly known as Con Edison, is an investor-owned energy company that primarily delivers electricity, natural gas and steam to customers in the New York metropolitan area. Its regulated utility operations include the distribution and transmission of electric power, the distribution of natural gas, and the operation of one of the largest district steam systems in the United States, serving commercial, institutional and residential customers in New York City and nearby counties.

The company operates through regulated utility subsidiaries that serve urban and suburban service territories, together with non-utility businesses that develop, own and manage energy infrastructure and clean energy projects.

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Archer Investment Corp bought a new position in shares of Consolidated Edison Inc (NYSE:ED – Free Report) in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm bought 5,526 shares of the utilities provider’s stock, valued at approximately $611,000.

Other large investors also recently modified their holdings of the company. Basepoint Wealth LLC bought a new position in Consolidated Edison during the 4th quarter valued at $26,000. JPL Wealth Management LLC purchased a new stake in Consolidated Edison during the third quarter valued at about $26,000. Sachetta LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Consolidated Edison by 72.9% in the first quarter. Sachetta LLC now owns 242 shares of the utilities provider’s stock worth $27,000 after acquiring an additional 102 shares during the period. Aberdeen Wealth Management LLC bought a new position in shares of Consolidated Edison in the second quarter worth $27,000. Finally, Keating Financial Advisory Services Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Consolidated Edison in the second quarter valued at $30,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 66.29% of the company’s stock.

Consolidated Edison Stock Up 0.7% Shares of ED opened at $107.40 on Friday. The stock has a market capitalization of $39.72 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 17.64, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.71 and a beta of 0.27. Consolidated Edison Inc has a 1 year low of $94.96 and a 1 year high of $116.23. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.04, a current ratio of 1.27 and a quick ratio of 1.17. The business’s 50 day simple moving average is $109.99 and its 200-day simple moving average is $109.88.

Consolidated Edison (NYSE:ED – Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Thursday, August 6th. The utilities provider reported $0.83 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.76 by $0.07. Consolidated Edison had a return on equity of 8.44% and a net margin of 12.53%.The business had revenue of $4.07 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $3.60 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $0.67 earnings per share. Consolidated Edison has set its FY 2026 guidance at 6.000-6.200 EPS. As a group, equities analysts expect that Consolidated Edison Inc will post 6.09 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Consolidated Edison Dividend Announcement The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, September 15th. Investors of record on Wednesday, August 19th will be issued a $0.8875 dividend. This represents a $3.55 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.3%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, August 19th. Consolidated Edison’s dividend payout ratio is 58.29%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets A number of research firms have weighed in on ED. KeyCorp lowered their price target on Consolidated Edison from $97.00 to $94.00 and set an “underweight” rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, July 23rd. Evercore reiterated a “positive” rating and set a $112.00 price target on shares of Consolidated Edison in a report on Monday, August 17th. Barclays reduced their price target on shares of Consolidated Edison from $112.00 to $106.00 and set an “underweight” rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, August 7th. Mizuho set a $114.00 target price on shares of Consolidated Edison in a research note on Monday, July 27th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company lifted their target price on shares of Consolidated Edison from $106.00 to $108.00 and gave the company an “equal weight” rating in a report on Friday, August 7th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, six have given a Hold rating and six have assigned a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of “Reduce” and an average target price of $108.93.

Read Our Latest Stock Analysis on ED

(Free Report)

Consolidated Edison, Inc, commonly known as Con Edison, is an investor-owned energy company that primarily delivers electricity, natural gas and steam to customers in the New York metropolitan area. Its regulated utility operations include the distribution and transmission of electric power, the distribution of natural gas, and the operation of one of the largest district steam systems in the United States, serving commercial, institutional and residential customers in New York City and nearby counties.

The company operates through regulated utility subsidiaries that serve urban and suburban service territories, together with non-utility businesses that develop, own and manage energy infrastructure and clean energy projects.

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Four Dividend Kings - Becton, Dickinson and Company (BDX), Consolidated Edison (ED), Emerson Electric (EMR), and Parker-Hannifin (PH) - reported earnings last week.

Key Takeaways ED beat Q2 earnings and revenue estimates as higher electric and gas rate bases boosted results.Consolidated Edison posted 13.2% revenue growth and 55.5% higher operating income year over year.ED reaffirmed 2026 adjusted EPS guidance of $6.00-$6.20 and expects nearly $38B in capital investments. Consolidated Edison, Inc. (ED - Free Report) reported second-quarter 2026 adjusted earnings of 83 cents per share, which beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 74 cents by 12.2%. The bottom line improved 23.9% from 67 cents in the prior-year quarter. Higher electric and gas rate bases at CECONY supported the improvement.

ED’s Q2 Revenue DiscussionRevenues of $4.07 billion increased 13.2% year over year and beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $3.75 billion by 8.7%. Con Edison’s total average rate base was $47.34 billion as of June 30, 2026.

CECONY generated operating revenues of $3.81 billion, up 13.9% from $3.34 billion in the second quarter of 2025. Net income for common stock jumped 33.3% to $296 million from $222 million.

O&R revenues increased 3.5% to $263 million from $254 million, while net income remained unchanged at $8 million. Con Edison Transmission reported net income of $7 million compared with $10 million a year earlier.

ED’s Segmental DetailsElectric revenues totaled $3.14 billion, up 13.0% from $2.78 billion in the year-ago period. Gas revenues increased 14.1% to $811 million from $711 million.

Steam revenues rose 11.3% year over year to $118 million. The Non-utility segment generated revenues of $1 million, which remained unchanged from the prior-year quarter’s level. Overall, growth across ED’s electric, gas and steam businesses supported the year-over-year increase in consolidated revenues, while non-utility revenues remained stable.

ED: Highlights of the ReleaseTotal operating expenses increased 8.5% year over year to $3.52 billion, trailing the pace of revenue growth. Purchased power costs rose 29.0% to $837 million, while fuel expenses more than doubled to $56 million. Taxes other than income taxes increased 9.3% to $977 million.

Other operations and maintenance expenses declined 1.1% to $913 million, and gas purchased for resale fell 8.8% to $156 million. Depreciation and amortization expenses were nearly flat at $578 million. Consequently, operating income surged 55.5% to $552 million from $355 million.

ED’s FinancialsCash and temporary cash investments totaled $1.47 billion as of June 30, 2026, compared with $1.63 billion at the end of 2025. Long-term debt increased to $26.84 billion from $25.55 billion over the same period.

Cash flow from operating activities was $1.97 billion during the first six months of 2026, down 30.0% year over year.

ED’s 2026 GuidanceConsolidated Edison has reaffirmed its 2026 guidance. It expects adjusted earnings to be in the range of $6.00-$6.20 per share. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2026 earnings is pegged at $6.09 per share, which is lower than the midpoint of the company’s guided range.

The company expects capital investments of nearly $38 billion during the 2026-2030 period.

ED’s Zacks RankConsolidated Edison currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

Recent Utility ReleasesDuke Energy Corporation's (DUK - Free Report) second-quarter 2026 earnings of $1.43 per share surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.29 by 10.9%. The bottom line increased 14.4% from $1.25 in the year-ago quarter.

DUK’s total operating revenues were $7.59 billion, which missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $7.72 billion by 1.6%. The top line increased 1% from $7.51 billion in the year-ago period.

Ameren Corporation (AEE - Free Report) reported second-quarter 2026 earnings of $1.13 per share, which beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.08 by 4.6%. Earnings increased 11.9% from $1.01 in the year-ago quarter.

AEE’s quarterly revenues of $2.09 billion declined 5.8% year over year and missed the consensus estimate of $2.39 billion by 13%.

CenterPoint Energy, Inc. (CNP - Free Report) reported second-quarter 2026 adjusted earnings of 40 cents per share, which surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 37 cents by 8.1%. The bottom line increased 37.9% from the year-ago quarter’s figure of 29 cents.

CNP generated revenues of $2.15 billion, which beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 1.8%. The top line was 10.7% higher than the year-ago quarter’s reported figure of $1.94 billion.

Consolidated Edison (ED - Free Report) reported $4.07 billion in revenue for the quarter ended June 2026, representing a year-over-year increase of 13.2%. EPS of $0.83 for the same period compares to $0.67 a year ago.

The reported revenue compares to the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $3.74 billion, representing a surprise of +8.66%. The company delivered an EPS surprise of +12.16%, with the consensus EPS estimate being $0.74.

While investors scrutinize revenue and earnings changes year-over-year and how they compare with Wall Street expectations to determine their next move, some key metrics always offer a more accurate picture of a company's financial health.

As these metrics influence top- and bottom-line performance, comparing them to the year-ago numbers and what analysts estimated helps investors project a stock's price performance more accurately.

Here is how Con Ed performed in the just reported quarter in terms of the metrics most widely monitored and projected by Wall Street analysts:

Operating revenues- O&R: $263 million versus $262.07 million estimated by two analysts on average. Compared to the year-ago quarter, this number represents a +3.5% change.Operating revenues- CECONY: $3.81 billion versus the two-analyst average estimate of $3.53 billion. The reported number represents a year-over-year change of +13.9%.Operating Income- O&R: $16 million versus the two-analyst average estimate of $18.9 million.Operating Income- CECONY: $539 million versus the two-analyst average estimate of $432.62 million.View all Key Company Metrics for Con Ed here>>>

Shares of Con Ed have returned -3.4% over the past month versus the Zacks S&P 500 composite's +3.3% change. The stock currently has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold), indicating that it could perform in line with the broader market in the near term.

, /PRNewswire/ -- Consolidated Edison, Inc. (Con Edison) (NYSE: ED) today reported 2026 second quarter net income for common stock of $308 million or $0.83 a share compared with $246 million or $0.68 a share in the 2025 second quarter. Adjusted earnings (non-GAAP) were $308 million or $0.83 a share in the 2026 period compared with $240 million or $0.67 a share in the 2025 period. Adjusted earnings and adjusted earnings per share in the 2026 period exclude transaction costs associated with the strategic alternatives review of Con Edison's equity interests in Mountain Valley Pipeline, LLC (MVP) and Honeoye Storage Corporation (Honeoye). Adjusted earnings and adjusted earnings per share in the 2026 and 2025 periods exclude the effects of hypothetical liquidation at book value (HLBV) accounting for tax equity investments. Adjusted earnings and adjusted earnings per share in the 2025 period exclude accretion of the basis difference of Con Edison's equity interest in MVP, adjustments to the gain and other impacts related to the sale of all of the stock of its former subsidiary, Con Edison Clean Energy Businesses, Inc. (the Clean Energy Businesses) in 2023.

For the first six months of 2026, net income for common stock was $1,232 million or $3.37 a share compared with $1,038 million or $2.93 a share in the first six months of 2025. Adjusted earnings were $1,098 million or $3.00 a share in the 2026 period compared with $1,032 million or $2.91 a share in the 2025 period. Adjusted earnings and adjusted earnings per share in the 2026 period exclude transaction costs associated with the strategic alternatives review of Con Edison's equity interests in MVP and Honeoye, the gain on the sale of Con Edison's equity interest in MVP and the effects of HLBV accounting for tax equity investments. Adjusted earnings and adjusted earnings per share in the 2026 and 2025 periods exclude accretion of the basis difference of Con Edison's equity interest in MVP. Adjusted earnings and adjusted earnings per share in the 2025 period exclude adjustments to the gain and other impacts related to the sale of all of the stock of the Clean Energy Businesses in 2023.

"Con Edison continues to deliver nation-leading electric service reliability, reflecting the strength of our business model, disciplined infrastructure investments, and the dedication and expertise of our workforce," said Tim Cawley, Chairman and CEO of Con Edison. "We are investing to further strengthen reliability and system resilience, including preparing our network for periods of extreme heat, and redoubling our efforts to keep our service affordable for all customers while continuing to support New York's clean energy transition. Our targeted investments benefit our customers, support economic growth, and provide a foundation for stable, long-term returns for investors."

"Our second-quarter results reflect the strength and resilience of our business and reinforce confidence in our long-term strategy," said Kirk Andrews, Senior Vice President and CFO of Con Edison. "Year-to-date results continue to be in line with expectations. Our vibrant market and the growing momentum for the electrification of buildings and transportation support our confidence that we will provide solid shareholder value for years to come. We expect to have 28 new substations in service by 2035, along with tens of billions of dollars in other capital investments we plan to make to meet our customers' need for energy."

For the year of 2026, Con Edison reaffirmed its adjusted earnings per share (non-GAAP) to be in the range of $6.00 to $6.20 per share. Adjusted earnings per share excludes the gain on the sale of Con Edison's equity interest in MVP ($(0.37) a share after-tax), accretion of the basis difference of Con Edison's equity interest in MVP ($(0.01) a share after-tax), transaction costs associated with the strategic alternatives review of Con Edison's equity interests in MVP and Honeoye and the effects of HLBV accounting for tax equity investments, the amounts of which will not be determinable until year-end. Accordingly, the company is unable to provide equivalent measures determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (GAAP).

See Attachment A to this press release for a reconciliation of Con Edison's reported earnings per share to adjusted earnings per share and reported net income for common stock to adjusted earnings for the three and six months ended June 30, 2026 and 2025. See Attachments B and C for the estimated effect of major factors resulting in variations in earnings per share and net income for common stock for the three and six months ended June 30, 2026 compared to the respective 2025 periods.

The company's 2026 Second Quarter Form 10-Q is being filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. A second quarter 2026 earnings release presentation will be available at www.conedison.com. (Select "For Investors" and then select "Press Releases.")

This press release contains forward-looking statements that are intended to qualify for the safe-harbor provisions of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Forward-looking statements are statements of future expectations and not facts. Words such as "forecasts," "expects," "estimates," "anticipates," "intends," "believes," "plans," "will," "target," "guidance," "potential," "goal," "consider" and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements reflect information available and assumptions at the time the statements are made, and accordingly speak only as of that time.

Actual results or developments might differ materially from those included in the forward-looking statements because of various factors such as those identified in reports Con Edison has filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including that Con Edison's subsidiaries are extensively regulated and may be subject to substantial penalties; its utility subsidiaries' rate plans may not provide a reasonable return; it may be adversely affected by changes to the utility subsidiaries' rate plans; the failure of, or damage to, its subsidiaries' facilities could adversely affect it; a cyber attack could adversely affect it; artificial intelligence is an emerging area of technology that has the potential to impact various aspects of its and its subsidiaries' business operations and customer interactions; the failure of processes and systems, the failure to retain and attract employees and contractors, and their negative performance could adversely affect it; it is exposed to risks from the environmental consequences of its subsidiaries' operations, including increased costs related to climate change; its ability to pay dividends or interest depends on dividends from its subsidiaries; changes to tax laws could adversely affect it; it requires access to capital markets to satisfy funding requirements; a disruption in the wholesale energy markets, increased commodity costs or failure by an energy supplier or customer could adversely affect it; it faces risks related to health epidemics and other outbreaks; its strategies may not be effective to address changes in the external business environment; it faces risks related to supply chain disruptions, inflation and the imposition of tariffs (or subsequent changes to tariffs once announced or implemented); and it also faces other risks that are beyond its control. This list of factors is not all-inclusive because it is not possible to predict all factors that could cause actual results or developments to differ from the forward-looking statements. Con Edison assumes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

This press release also contains financial measures, adjusted earnings and adjusted earnings per share, that are not determined in accordance with GAAP. These non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered as an alternative to net income for common stock or net income per share, respectively, each of which is an indicator of financial performance determined in accordance with GAAP. Adjusted earnings and adjusted earnings per share exclude from net income for common stock and net income per share, respectively, certain items that Con Edison does not consider indicative of its ongoing financial performance such as the gain on the sale of Con Edison's equity interest in MVP, accretion of the basis difference of Con Edison's equity interest in MVP, transaction costs associated with the strategic alternatives review of Con Edison's equity interests in MVP and Honeoye and the effects of HLBV accounting for tax equity investments. Management uses these non-GAAP financial measures to facilitate the analysis of Con Edison's financial performance as compared to its internal budgets and previous financial results and to communicate to investors and others Con Edison's expectations regarding its future earnings and dividends on its common stock. Management believes that these non-GAAP financial measures are also useful and meaningful to investors to facilitate their analysis of Con Edison's financial performance.

Consolidated Edison, Inc. is a holding company that provides a wide range of energy-related products and services to its customers through the following subsidiaries: Consolidated Edison Company of New York, Inc. (CECONY), a regulated utility providing electric service in New York City and New York's Westchester County, gas service in Manhattan, the Bronx, parts of Queens and parts of Westchester, and steam service in Manhattan; Orange and Rockland Utilities, Inc. (O&R), a regulated utility serving customers in a 1,300-square-mile area in southeastern New York State and northern New Jersey; and Con Edison Transmission, Inc., a regulated company primarily under the oversight of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, that develops and invests in electric transmission projects and owns interests in electric assets.

Attachment A

For the Three Months Ended

For the Six Months Ended

June 30,

June 30,

Earnings

per Share

Net Income for
Common Stock

(Millions of
Dollars)

Earnings

per Share

Net Income for
Common Stock

(Millions of
Dollars)

2026

2025

2026

2025

2026

2025

2026

2025

Reported earnings per share (basic) and net income for common stock (GAAP basis)

$0.83

$0.68

$308

$246

$3.37

$2.93

$1,232

$1,038

Loss and other impacts related to the sale of the Clean Energy Businesses in 2025 (pre-tax)

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

Income taxes

—

—

—

(1)

—

—

—

(1)

Loss and other impacts related to the sale of the Clean Energy Businesses in 2025 (net of tax)

—

—

—

(1)

—

—

—

(1)

Accretion of the basis difference of Con Edison's equity interest in MVP (pre-tax)

—

(0.01)

—

(3)

(0.01)

(0.02)

(3)

(6)

Income taxes (a)

—

—

—

1

—

—

1

1

Accretion of the basis difference of Con Edison's equity interest in MVP (net of tax)

—

(0.01)

—

(2)

(0.01)

(0.02)

(2)

(5)

Transaction costs associated with the strategic alternatives review of Con Edison's equity interests in MVP and Honeoye (pre-tax)

—

—

1

—

0.01

—

4

—

Income taxes (b)

—

—

—

—

—

—

(1)

—

Transaction costs associated with the strategic alternatives review of Con Edison's equity interests in MVP and Honeoye (net of tax)

—

—

1

—

0.01

—

3

—

Gain on the sale of Con Edison's equity interest in MVP (pre-tax)

—

—

—

—

(0.52)

—

(189)

—

Income taxes (c)

—

—

—

—

0.15

—

55

—

Gain on the sale of Con Edison's equity interest in MVP (net of tax)

—

—

—

—

(0.37)

—

(134)

—

HLBV effects (pre-tax)

—

—

(1)

(4)

—

—

(1)

—

Income taxes (d)

—

—

—

1

—

—

—

—

HLBV effects (net of tax)

—

—

(1)

(3)

—

—

(1)

—

Adjusted earnings per share and adjusted earnings (non-GAAP basis)

$0.83

$0.67

$308

$240

$3.00

$2.91

$1,098

$1,032

(a) 

The amount of income taxes was calculated using a combined federal and state income tax rate of 25% for the six months ended June 30, 2026 and 21% for the three and six months ended June 30, 2025.

(b) 

The amount of income taxes was calculated using a combined federal and state income tax rate of 26% for the three and six months ended June 30, 2026.

(c) 

The amount of income taxes was calculated using a combined federal and state income tax rate of 29% for the six months ended June 30, 2026.

(d) 

The amount of income taxes was calculated using a combined federal and state income tax rate of 26% for the three and six months ended June 30, 2026 and 23% for the three months ended June 30, 2025.

Attachment B

Variation for the Three Months Ended June 30, 2026 vs. 2025

Net Income for
Common Stock
(Net of Tax) 
(Millions of
Dollars)

Earnings

per Share

CECONY (a)

Higher electric rate base and timing of billing of rate increase

$25

$0.07

Higher gas rate base and timing of billing of rate increase

23

0.06

Lower other interest expense

9

0.03

Lower electric operations and maintenance expense

9

0.02

Higher income from allowance for funds used during construction

4

0.01

Dilutive effect of issuance of common shares

—

(0.02)

Other

4

0.01

Total CECONY

74

0.18

O&R (a)

Electric base rate increase

3

0.01

Gas base rate increase

2

—

Higher interest expense on long-term debt

(3)

(0.01)

Other

(2)

—

Total O&R

—

—

Con Edison Transmission

Accretion of the basis difference of Con Edison's equity interest in MVP

(2)

(0.01)

Transaction costs associated with the strategic alternatives review of Con Edison's equity interests in MVP and Honeoye

(1)

—

Total Con Edison Transmission

(3)

(0.01)

Other, including parent company expenses (b)

Higher other interest expense

(2)

(0.01)

HLBV effects

(2)

—

Loss and other impacts related to the sale of the Clean Energy Businesses in 2025

(1)

—

Higher income tax expense

(1)

—

Other

(3)

(0.01)

Total Other, including parent company expenses

(9)

(0.02)

Total Reported (GAAP basis)

$62

$0.15

Accretion of the basis difference of Con Edison's equity interest in MVP

2

0.01

HLBV effects

2

—

Loss and other impacts related to the sale of the Clean Energy Businesses in 2025

1

—

Transaction costs associated with the strategic alternatives review of Con Edison's equity interests in MVP and Honeoye

1

—

Total Adjusted (Non-GAAP basis)

$68

$0.16

(a)

Under the revenue decoupling mechanisms in the Utilities' New York electric and gas rate plans, revenues are generally not affected by changes in delivery volumes from levels assumed when rates were approved. The Utilities' gas and CECONY's steam sales are subject to a weather normalization clause, as a result of which, delivery revenues reflect normal weather conditions during the heating season. In general, the Utilities recover on a current basis the fuel, gas purchased for resale and purchased power costs they incur in supplying energy to their full-service customers. Accordingly, such costs do not generally affect Con Edison's results of operations.

(b) 

Other includes the parent company, Con Edison's tax equity investments and consolidation adjustments.

Attachment C

Variation for the Six Months Ended June 30, 2026 vs. 2025

Net Income for
Common Stock
(Net of Tax)
  (Millions of
Dollars)

Earnings

per Share

CECONY (a)

Higher electric rate base

33

0.09

Higher gas rate base

26

0.07

Higher income from allowance for funds used during construction

6

0.02

Dilutive effect of issuance of common shares

—

(0.09)

Other

(3)

(0.01)

Total CECONY

62

0.08

O&R (a)

Electric base rate increase

8

0.02

Gas base rate increase

4

0.01

Higher interest expense on long-term debt

(6)

(0.02)

Total O&R

6

0.01

Con Edison Transmission

Gain on the sale of Con Edison's equity interest in MVP

134

0.37

Transaction costs associated with the strategic alternatives review of Con Edison's equity interests in MVP and Honeoye

(3)

(0.01)

Accretion of the basis difference of Con Edison's equity interest in MVP

(3)

(0.01)

Other

2

0.01

Total Con Edison Transmission

130

0.36

Other, including parent company expenses (b)

Higher income tax expense

(3)

(0.01)

Higher other interest expense

(2)

(0.01)

Loss and other impacts related to the sale of the Clean Energy Businesses in 2025

(1)

—

HLBV effects

1

—

Other

1

0.01

Total Other, including parent company expenses

(4)

(0.01)

Total Reported (GAAP basis)

$194

$0.44

Gain on the sale of Con Edison's equity interest in MVP

(134)

(0.37)

HLBV effects

(1)

—

Accretion of the basis difference of Con Edison's equity interest in MVP

3

0.01

Transaction costs associated with the strategic alternatives review of Con Edison's equity interests in MVP and Honeoye

3

0.01

Loss and other impacts related to the sale of the Clean Energy Businesses in 2025

1

—

Total Adjusted (Non-GAAP basis)

$66

$0.09

(a)

Under the revenue decoupling mechanisms in the Utilities' New York electric and gas rate plans, revenues are generally not affected by changes in delivery volumes from levels assumed when rates were approved. The Utilities' gas and CECONY's steam sales are subject to a weather normalization clause, as a result of which, delivery revenues reflect normal weather conditions during the heating season. In general, the Utilities recover on a current basis the fuel, gas purchased for resale and purchased power costs they incur in supplying energy to their full-service customers. Accordingly, such costs do not generally affect Con Edison's results of operations.

(b) 

Other includes the parent company, Con Edison's tax equity investments, consolidation adjustments and Broken Bow II, the deferred project that was classified as held for sale at December 31, 2024, the sale and transfer of which was completed in January 2025.

SOURCE Consolidated Edison, Inc.

Consolidated Edison offers long-term stability and predictable returns, supported by its regulated monopoly in New York City utilities. ED targets mid-8% rate base growth and has secured a 9.4% allowed ROE through 2029, underpinning visible earnings growth. With a 3.2% dividend yield and prudent payout ratio, ED is positioned for 10%+ annual total returns over the long haul.

Consolidated Edison (ED - Free Report) is expected to deliver a year-over-year increase in earnings on higher revenues when it reports results for the quarter ended June 2026. This widely-known consensus outlook gives a good sense of the company's earnings picture, but how the actual results compare to these estimates is a powerful factor that could impact its near-term stock price.

The earnings report, which is expected to be released on August 6, might help the stock move higher if these key numbers are better than expectations. On the other hand, if they miss, the stock may move lower.

While management's discussion of business conditions on the earnings call will mostly determine the sustainability of the immediate price change and future earnings expectations, it's worth having a handicapping insight into the odds of a positive EPS surprise.

Zacks Consensus EstimateThis utility is expected to post quarterly earnings of $0.74 per share in its upcoming report, which represents a year-over-year change of +10.5%.

Revenues are expected to be $3.74 billion, up 4.2% from the year-ago quarter.

Estimate Revisions TrendThe consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has been revised 6.84% higher over the last 30 days to the current level. This is essentially a reflection of how the covering analysts have collectively reassessed their initial estimates over this period.

Investors should keep in mind that the direction of estimate revisions by each of the covering analysts may not always get reflected in the aggregate change.

Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise

Earnings WhisperEstimate revisions ahead of a company's earnings release offer clues to the business conditions for the period whose results are coming out. Our proprietary surprise prediction model -- the Zacks Earnings ESP (Expected Surprise Prediction) -- has this insight at its core.

The Zacks Earnings ESP compares the Most Accurate Estimate to the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the quarter; the Most Accurate Estimate is a more recent version of the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate. The idea here is that analysts revising their estimates right before an earnings release have the latest information, which could potentially be more accurate than what they and others contributing to the consensus had predicted earlier.

Thus, a positive or negative Earnings ESP reading theoretically indicates the likely deviation of the actual earnings from the consensus estimate. However, the model's predictive power is significant for positive ESP readings only.

A positive Earnings ESP is a strong predictor of an earnings beat, particularly when combined with a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold). Our research shows that stocks with this combination produce a positive surprise nearly 70% of the time, and a solid Zacks Rank actually increases the predictive power of Earnings ESP.

Please note that a negative Earnings ESP reading is not indicative of an earnings miss. Our research shows that it is difficult to predict an earnings beat with any degree of confidence for stocks with negative Earnings ESP readings and/or Zacks Rank of 4 (Sell) or 5 (Strong Sell).

How Have the Numbers Shaped Up for Con Ed?For Con Ed, the Most Accurate Estimate is lower than the Zacks Consensus Estimate, suggesting that analysts have recently become bearish on the company's earnings prospects. This has resulted in an Earnings ESP of -1.08%.

On the other hand, the stock currently carries a Zacks Rank of #3.

So, this combination makes it difficult to conclusively predict that Con Ed will beat the consensus EPS estimate.

Does Earnings Surprise History Hold Any Clue?While calculating estimates for a company's future earnings, analysts often consider to what extent it has been able to match past consensus estimates. So, it's worth taking a look at the surprise history for gauging its influence on the upcoming number.

For the last reported quarter, it was expected that Con Ed would post earnings of $2.32 per share when it actually produced earnings of $2.17, delivering a surprise of -6.47%.

Over the last four quarters, the company has beaten consensus EPS estimates three times.

Bottom LineAn earnings beat or miss may not be the sole basis for a stock moving higher or lower. Many stocks end up losing ground despite an earnings beat due to other factors that disappoint investors. Similarly, unforeseen catalysts help a number of stocks gain despite an earnings miss.

That said, betting on stocks that are expected to beat earnings expectations does increase the odds of success. This is why it's worth checking a company's Earnings ESP and Zacks Rank ahead of its quarterly release. Make sure to utilize our Earnings ESP Filter to uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they've reported.

Con Ed doesn't appear a compelling earnings-beat candidate. However, investors should pay attention to other factors too for betting on this stock or staying away from it ahead of its earnings release.

Expected Results of an Industry PlayerAmong the stocks in the Zacks Utility - Electric Power industry, MGE (MGEE - Free Report) , is soon expected to post earnings of $0.77 per share for the quarter ended June 2026. This estimate indicates a year-over-year change of +6.9%. This quarter's revenue is expected to be $166.37 million, up 4.3% from the year-ago quarter.

The consensus EPS estimate for MGE has been revised 8.7% higher over the last 30 days to the current level. However, an equal Most Accurate Estimate has resulted in an Earnings ESP of 0.00%.

When combined with a Zacks Rank of #2 (Buy), this Earnings ESP makes it difficult to conclusively predict that MGE will beat the consensus EPS estimate. Over the last four quarters, the company surpassed consensus EPS estimates two times.

Stay on top of upcoming earnings announcements with the Zacks Earnings Calendar.

Resources Investor Relations Journalists Agencies Client Login Send a Release News Products Contact , /PRNewswire/ -- Consolidated Edison, Inc. (Con Edison) (NYSE: ED) declared a quarterly dividend of 88.75 cents a share on its common stock, payable September 15, 2026 to stockholders of record as of August 19, 2026.

Consolidated Edison, Inc. is a holding company that provides a wide range of energy-related products and services to its customers through the following subsidiaries: Consolidated Edison Company of New York, Inc. (CECONY), a regulated utility providing electric service in New York City and New York's Westchester County, gas service in Manhattan, the Bronx, parts of Queens and parts of Westchester, and steam service in Manhattan; Orange and Rockland Utilities, Inc. (O&R), a regulated utility serving customers in a 1,300-square-mile area in southeastern New York State and northern New Jersey; and Con Edison Transmission, Inc., a regulated company primarily under the oversight of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, that develops and invests in electric transmission projects and owns interests in both electric and gas assets.

SOURCE Consolidated Edison, Inc.

Also from this source

Key Takeaways ED and D are regulated utilities benefiting from rising demand, infrastructure upgrades and renewables. D has a higher ROE and dividend yield, while both yield top the S&P 500's 1.38% yield. D plans nearly $65B in 2026-2030 investments, while ED plans nearly $38B over the same period. Companies operating in the Zacks Utility - Electric Power industry generate, transmit and distribute electricity to millions of customers across the United States. Their regulated business model provides stable earnings through cost recovery and predictable returns, while growing electricity demand supports long-term earnings growth. At the same time, utilities are increasing electricity generation from cleaner energy sources to meet rising demand for clean electricity and reduce emissions.

Electricity demand in the United States is increasing due to higher residential consumption, the reshoring of manufacturing and the rapid expansion of AI-based data centers. To meet this growing demand, utilities are investing in renewable energy projects, modernizing the electric grid and expanding transmission and distribution infrastructure to improve reliability and support future growth.

Amid the growing importance of electricity generation, transmission and distribution companies, let us compare Consolidated Edison (ED - Free Report) and Dominion Energy (D - Free Report) . Both companies are regulated utilities benefiting from rising electricity demand, supported by investments in infrastructure, grid modernization and renewable energy, with carbon neutrality targets for 2050.

Consolidated Edison is benefiting from increasing electricity demand driven by the electrification of transportation and buildings, supporting steady earnings growth. The company is making strategic capital investments in infrastructure development, grid modernization and renewable energy expansion, strengthening its energy transition strategy while supporting long-term earnings and regulated growth.

Dominion Energy is benefiting from rising demand for clean electricity driven by expanding data centers and customer growth, supporting sustained revenues and earnings growth. The company's disciplined capital investment strategy supports grid modernization, infrastructure upgrades and renewable energy expansion, driving operational efficiency and long-term financial growth.

Consolidated Edison and Dominion Energy are two prominent regulated utilities. A comparison of their fundamentals reveals which company is better positioned for long-term investment.

D & ED’s Earnings ProjectionsThe Zacks Consensus Estimate for ED’s earnings per share (EPS) is pegged at $6.09 for 2026 and $6.42 for 2027, suggesting year-over-year growth of 6.84% and 5.37%, respectively.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

On the other side, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for D’s EPS is pegged at $3.59 for 2026 and $3.81 for 2027, suggesting year-over-year growth of 4.97% and 6.10%, respectively.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

Return on EquityReturn on Equity (ROE) evaluates a company's ability to generate profits from shareholders' equity. A strong ROE indicates efficient capital management and greater value creation for shareholders.

Dominion’s current ROE is 9.63%, outperforming Consolidated Edison, which reports a lower ROE 8.34%. D utilizes shareholder capital more efficiently and generates higher profits, though both companies’ returns remain below the industry average of 11.21%.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

ED & D’s Dividend YieldUtility companies often pay regular dividends to return a portion of their earnings to shareholders. A consistent dividend record signals stable cash generation and disciplined capital management, attracting income-oriented and long-term investors.

Currently, D's dividend yield is 3.83%, slightly higher than ED's 3.11%, offering investors stronger income potential. The dividend yields of both companies are higher than the S&P 500’s yield of 1.38%.

Capital Investment Plans Utilities require substantial capital to build and maintain infrastructure while ensuring reliable service. Ongoing spending on renewable energy, energy storage, grid modernization and equipment upgrades supports long-term growth.

Dominion Energy aims to invest nearly $65 billion during the 2026-2030 period to support infrastructure development, accelerate clean energy deployment and drive sustained rate-base and long-term growth. Consolidated Edison plans to invest $6.6 billion in 2026 and nearly $38 billion during 2026-2030 to modernize and expand its electric, gas and steam infrastructure, enhancing service reliability and supporting long-term rate base growth.

Price PerformanceDominion shares have gained 21.3% in the past six months compared with Consolidated Edison’s growth of 13.0%.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

Summing UpConsolidated Edison and Dominion Energy are benefiting from rising electricity demand, expanding customer bases, significant infrastructure investments and renewable energy expansion to serve millions of customers across the United States.

Dominion Energy’s superior return on equity, larger capital investment plan, higher dividend yield and stronger stock performance make it a more attractive choice in the utility sector.

Based on the above discussion, Dominion Energy currently has an edge over Consolidated Edison, though both presently carry a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) each. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

© Bet_Noire / Getty Images

Few stocks earn their place in a retiree’s portfolio the way Consolidated Edison (NYSE:ED | ED Price Prediction) has. The New York utility delivers electricity, gas, and steam to roughly 3.7 million electric customers across the country’s busiest commercial district and just notched its 52nd consecutive year of dividend increases. Is that streak built to last another decade?

Dividend Snapshot Metric Value Annual Dividend $3.55 per share Dividend Yield 3.17% Consecutive Years of Increases 52 years Most Recent Increase 4.4% (January 2026) Dividend King Status Yes Payout Ratios Leave Room, but Free Cash Flow Is the Catch Con Ed paid $1.166 billion in dividends in 2025 against $4.8 billion in operating cash flow, an OCF payout ratio of just 24.3%. On an earnings basis, the $5.93 trailing EPS easily covers the $3.55 payout, and management’s 2026 adjusted EPS guidance of $6.00 to $6.20 drops the forward earnings payout ratio near 58%.

Metric Value Assessment Earnings Payout Ratio (TTM) ~60% Healthy Forward Earnings Payout Ratio ~58% Healthy OCF Coverage 4.1x Strong The catch: capex hit $4.764 billion in 2025, leaving free cash flow flat and historically negative. Like every regulated utility, Con Ed funds growth with fresh debt and equity, which is why the FCF payout ratio is not a clean signal here.

Leverage Is Elevated and Moody’s Is Watching Metric Value Assessment Total Liabilities / Equity $50.4B / $24.2B Aggressive (utility norm) EV/EBITDA 10.47x Manageable Cash on Hand (Q1 2026) $147M Thin Credit Outlook Moody’s Negative Watch item Con Ed is funding its $6.6 billion 2026 capex plan with up to $1.1B in common equity and $3.2B in long-term debt. That dilution is the price retirees pay for grid investment.

The Streak: 52 Years and Counting Year Annual Dividend 2026 $3.55 2025 $3.40 2024 $3.32 2023 $3.24 2022 $3.16 The 5-year CAGR sits near 3%, barely ahead of the recent CPI run rate. The 2026 hike of 4.4% is the largest in years.

Management Sounds Confident on the Investment Cycle CEO Tim Cawley framed the setup on the Q1 2026 call: “Our first-quarter results reflect the strength and durability of our regulated businesses, with reaffirmed adjusted earnings per share guidance driven by continued operational excellence and industry-leading reliability.” Reaffirmed guidance after a Q1 EPS miss signals confidence. The dividend isn’t in question.

The Verdict: Safe With Caveats Dividend Safety Rating: Safe. A 58% forward payout ratio, an 8.8% rate base CAGR through 2030, and 52 years of raises make a cut unlikely. Con Ed works for income if you want New York regulated cash flows and a yield that beats most bond ladders after tax. The risk to monitor: if rates stay near 4.49% on the 10-year and Moody’s downgrades, equity dilution would accelerate. For a retiree’s core income sleeve, this dividend earns its keep.

Project Reduces Pollution, Advances Health for Vulnerable Children; Future Grid Upgrades To Benefit South Bronx Community Where Childhood Asthma Rates Are Twice U.S. Average

, /PRNewswire/ -- Con Edison is energizing the largest fleet of electric school buses in New York State, reducing emissions and improving air quality in the South Bronx, where childhood asthma rates are more than twice the national average.

Con Edison customer, GVC, a family-owned school bus company serving children with special needs in the Bronx for more than 30 years, has installed 23 dual–port chargers to power 45 new electric school buses to replace fossil fuel-powered buses. It is the largest fleet of electric school buses in the state.

"The children we transport are especially vulnerable to air and noise pollution," said Michael Townsend, Compliance Officer, GVC. "Transitioning our fleet to electric is making a difference in people's lives. The children we transport, and all those who live and work in the area, are enjoying cleaner air and quieter streets. I look forward to seeing more fleets along Zerega Avenue electrify as Con Edison's grid upgrades progress." 

"Con Edison is proud to invest in energy solutions that anticipate customers' needs, reduce emissions, protect public health, and support New York's clean energy transition," said Vicki Kuo, Senior Vice President, Customer Energy Solutions, Con Edison. "By engaging with GVC from the earliest stages of the electrification journey, upgrading the grid and offering incentives, we're supporting a cleaner, healthier future for the Bronx and beyond."

GVC's depot is located along a two-mile corridor where 20 percent of the city's school buses (roughly 2,000) and 3,000 medium- and heavy-duty vehicles (MHD) are dispatched.

Con Edison, with approval from the New York State Public Service Commission, is prioritizing critical electrification upgrades to Zerega Avenue and Hunts Point to reduce the tailpipe pollution. The upgrades will enable faster and more widespread electrification of school buses and other medium- and heavy-duty vehicles.

"The Bronx is the borough that keeps New York moving and today, we can proudly say that the Bronx is also helping define how New York moves into the future," said Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson. "GVC has spent decades serving Bronx families and communities and Con Edison has been a critical partner in helping New York build the infrastructure needed to power the future. Together, they have demonstrated that ambitious goals become reality when expertise, commitment, and partnership align."

Electric buses don't have tailpipes. That means no trail of carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides, or fine particulate matter, which is specks of soot that lodge in the lung. The first beneficiaries of GVC's new buses are the students.

Upgrading to electric buses will prevent the emission of 1 million pounds of carbon each school year. That's the equivalent of the greenhouse gas emissions produced by burning 3,800 barrels of oil.

"By investing in vehicle electrification in the Bronx, we're taking a stand for our families' health and our community's future," said State Senator Nathalia Fernandez. "Every child deserves to breathe clean air, free of the pollution that has plagued our neighborhoods. These investments don't just protect our lungs; they open doors to good-paying jobs in the clean energy sector, creating opportunities right here at home. Together, we're creating healthier streets, stronger economies, and a more resilient Bronx for generations to come."

"This project will benefit communities that have historically borne a disproportionate burden of transportation pollution," said Alexis Hidalgo, Policy Advisor, Mayor's Office of Climate and Environmental Justice. "By advancing New York State's largest school bus electrification project in the South Bronx, we are reducing emissions, improving air quality, and creating quieter, healthier streets. This investment advances the City's climate goals while delivering tangible environmental justice benefits for New Yorkers."

"Transitioning to electric vehicles is one of the most effective steps we can take to improve air quality and invest in public health," said Dr. Michelle Glick, NYC Health + Hospitals/Lincoln Asthma Champion & Assistant Professor of Clinical Pediatrics, Cornell. "The Bronx has the highest rate of children with asthma and asthma ER visits in NYC, in part due to the air pollution from highways, waste transfer sites, and industrial facilities.

"By replacing gas or diesel vehicles with clean, electric alternatives, we can significantly reduce harmful pollutants, create healthier neighborhoods, and give children a better chance to breathe easier every day," added Glick.

Con Edison's $450,000 incentive from its MHD Make-Ready Pilot program helped offset GVC's costs for the installation of equipment to support 23 dual-port chargers at GVC's lot off Zerega Avenue. To support the new charging infrastructure, Con Edison also upgraded the site's electric service and provided a transformer.

The project also received support through the New York School Bus Incentive Program (NYSBIP), administered by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) and funded by the Clean Water, Clean Air, and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act. NYSBIP helped fund 20 of GVC's electric buses and the 23 dual-port chargers.

"NYSERDA's support of new electric school buses and chargers in the South Bronx is an investment that lowers New York City school's upfront fleet transition costs," said NYSERDA Director of Clean Transportation Adam Ruder. "These zero-emission buses, operated by GVC, will help reduce air pollution and improve the health of New Yorkers in the community, especially students who will benefit from a safe, comfortable ride to school."

"Our children are at their best in the classroom, at play and in social settings when they are healthy, joyful and loved," said Dr. Meisha Porter, Visiting Fellow at the Center for Educational Innovation and former Chancellor of NYC Schools. "GVC's vision has resulted in emissions-free, safe, pleasant transportation to school for these students, lifting our optimism that they will achieve at a high level to the benefit of all of us."

"Too many children are forced to breathe dirty diesel exhaust on their rides to and from school, which can trigger respiratory illnesses and have lifelong impacts on learning outcomes," said Julie Tighe, President, New York League of Conservation Voters. "These 45 new electric school buses will help improve air quality for Bronx families, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and provide students with a cleaner, quieter ride so they arrive at school healthy and ready to learn."

GVC's electric buses will carry about 800 children to their classes, averaging 18 Early Intervention to Pre-Kindergarten students per ride. Over the course of a school week, the fleet serves an estimated 4,100 student trips, reflecting the organization's continued investment in sustainable transportation infrastructure and support for local families and school communities.

"Driving an electric school bus has completely changed the experience for both drivers and students," said Christian Martinez, electric school bus driver, GVC. "The buses are quieter, cleaner, and much more comfortable, which makes a real difference for the children we transport, especially students with autism who can be sensitive to noise and fumes. Since switching to an electric bus, I've seen kids happier, calmer, and more excited to ride to school. As both a driver and a parent of a child with autism, that means everything to me."

This initiative reflects Con Edison's commitment to supporting New York's clean energy transition and the well-being of the communities it serves. By coupling strategic infrastructure planning with public-health priorities, the company is helping accelerate New York City's transition to a cleaner, more equitable energy system.

The announcement follows the completed interconnection of a transmission line delivering clean hydropower from Canada to the Con Edison grid in New York City with the capacity to supply up to 20 percent of the city's electricity demand.

Con Edison is a subsidiary of Consolidated Edison, Inc. [NYSE: ED], one of the nation's largest investor-owned energy companies. The utility delivers electricity, natural gas and steam, and serves 3.7 million customers in New York City and Westchester County, NY. For financial, operations and customer service information, visit conEd.com.

SOURCE Con Edison of New York

Key Takeaways AWR, ED, KO and NYT are highlighted as low-beta defensive stocks amid steady interest rates.Inflation pressures and potential policy shifts keep focus on defensive consumer staples names.All four stocks saw earnings estimate revisions move higher over the past 60 days. The Federal Reserve decided to keep interest rates unchanged at its June policy meeting on Wednesday. While the move was widely expected, officials indicated the possibility of a rate cut later this year as they continue to struggle with rising inflation over the past three months.

High interest rates may continue to put pressure on economic growth and prolong market volatility.

Against this backdrop, investors may consider defensive stocks from the consumer staples sector, such as American States Water Company (AWR - Free Report) , Consolidated Edison, Inc (ED - Free Report) , The Coca-Cola Company (KO - Free Report) and The New York Times Company (NYT - Free Report) .

These stocks have seen positive earnings estimate revisions in the past 60 days, carry a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) at present, and are set for solid returns. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

Fed Hints at Possible Policy Shift

The Federal Reserve kept its benchmark interest rate unchanged in the 3.5–3.75% range at the end of the Federal Open Market Committee meeting last week. The central bank’s decision was widely anticipated by markets as it continues to tame sky-high inflation. This meeting also marked Kevin Warsh’s first as Federal Reserve Chair.

The Fed’s communication saw a notable change, as officials removed earlier wording that had hinted at the likelihood of additional rate cuts. At the same time, policymakers suggested that future rate increases could still be on the table if needed.

So far this year, the central bank has kept rates steady after cutting them by 75 basis points at the end of 2025. Inflation remains a key concern. Although price growth eased significantly in 2025, the Iran conflict that began in late February pushed oil prices to record levels, contributing to renewed inflationary pressure.

The Consumer Price Index rose 0.5% in May, following a 0.6% increase in April. With the Fed’s 2% inflation target proving difficult to achieve, additional tightening could further strain consumers, many of whom are already reducing spending.

A rate hike at the end of the year hints at additional pressure on consumers and the various sectors, as it could slow demand for both goods and services.

4 Low-Beta Defensive Stocks With Growth PotentialAmerican States Water CompanyAmerican States Water Company, along with its subsidiaries, provides fresh water, wastewater services and electricity to its customers in the United States. AWR principally works through its two major subsidiaries — Golden State Water Company and American States Utility Services.

American States Water Company has an expected earnings growth rate of 10.1% for the current year. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for current-year earnings has improved 3.3% over the last 60 days. Currently, AWR has a Zacks Rank #2. American States Water Company has a beta of 0.60 and a current dividend yield of 2.61%.

Consolidated EdisonConsolidated Edison, Inc. is a diversified utility holding company with subsidiaries engaged in both regulated and unregulated businesses. ED’s regulated businesses operate through its subsidiaries — Consolidated Edison Company of New York, Orange and Rockland Utilities, Con Edison Clean Energy Businesses, Inc. and Con Edison Transmission, Inc.

Consolidated Edison has an expected earnings growth rate of 6.8% for the current year. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for current-year earnings has improved 0.3% over the last 60 days. Consolidated Edison has a beta of 0.27 and a current dividend yield of 3.34%.

The Coca-Cola CompanyThe Coca-Cola Company’s strong brand equity, marketing, research and innovation help it to garner a market share of more than 40% in the non-alcoholic beverage industry. KO is putting its best foot forward to evolve its business model to become a total beverage company with something for everyone to drink. The Coca-Cola Company has coped with the industry-wide flattening of soda sales over the years by going on a buying spree and making investments in healthier alternatives like coffee, sparkling water and sports drinks.

The Coca-Cola Company has an expected earnings growth rate of 8.7% for the current year. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for current-year earnings has improved 0.9% over the past 60 days. KO has a beta of 0.35 and a current dividend yield of 2.67%.

The New York Times CompanyThe New York Times Company is a leading global media organization focused on delivering high-quality journalism and information. Founded in 1851 and incorporated in 1896, NYT has evolved from a traditional newspaper publisher into a diversified digital-first media company with a strong global subscriber base and a growing portfolio of lifestyle and entertainment products. 

The New York Times Companyhas an expected earnings growth rate of 19.1% for the current year. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for current-year earnings has improved 5% over the last 60 days. NYT has a beta of 0.95 and a current dividend yield of 1.26%.

Consolidated Edison remains a buy, offering a 3.3% yield, a 52-year dividend growth streak, and modest undervaluation versus intrinsic value. ED reaffirmed 2026 adjusted EPS guidance of $6.00–$6.20, with sell-side upgrades and projected steady earnings growth above 7% for FY 2026. Valuation supports upside: applying an 18.75x P/E to $6.25 normalized EPS yields a $117 target, above current levels, with a PEG ratio below the historical mean.

All investors love getting big returns from their portfolio, whether it's through stocks, bonds, ETFs, or other types of securities. But for income investors, generating consistent cash flow from each of your liquid investments is your primary focus.

Cash flow can come from bond interest, interest from other types of investments, and, of course, dividends. A dividend is the distribution of a company's earnings paid out to shareholders; it's often viewed by its dividend yield, a metric that measures a dividend as a percent of the current stock price. Many academic studies show that dividends account for significant portions of long-term returns, with dividend contributions exceeding one-third of total returns in many cases.

Consolidated Edison (ED - Free Report) is headquartered in New York, and is in the Utilities sector. The stock has seen a price change of 9.81% since the start of the year. Currently paying a dividend of $0.89 per share, the company has a dividend yield of 3.26%. In comparison, the Utility - Electric Power industry's yield is 2.74%, while the S&P 500's yield is 1.39%.

Looking at dividend growth, the company's current annualized dividend of $3.55 is up 4.4% from last year. Over the last 5 years, Consolidated Edison has increased its dividend 5 times on a year-over-year basis for an average annual increase of 2.28%. Looking ahead, future dividend growth will be dependent on earnings growth and payout ratio, which is the proportion of a company's annual earnings per share that it pays out as a dividend. Con Ed's current payout ratio is 60%, meaning it paid out 60% of its trailing 12-month EPS as dividend.

Earnings growth looks solid for ED for this fiscal year. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2026 is $6.07 per share, which represents a year-over-year growth rate of 6.49%.

Investors like dividends for a variety of different reasons, from tax advantages and decreasing overall portfolio risk to considerably improving stock investing profits. It's important to keep in mind that not all companies provide a quarterly payout.

Big, established firms that have more secure profits are often seen as the best dividend options, but it's fairly uncommon to see high-growth businesses or tech start-ups offer their stockholders a dividend. Income investors have to be mindful of the fact that high-yielding stocks tend to struggle during periods of rising interest rates. That said, they can take comfort from the fact that ED is not only an attractive dividend play, but is also a compelling investment opportunity with a Zacks Rank of #2 (Buy).

Wall Street analysts forecast that Consolidated Edison (ED - Free Report) will report quarterly earnings of $2.32 per share in its upcoming release, pointing to a year-over-year increase of 3.1%. It is anticipated that revenues will amount to $4.95 billion, exhibiting an increase of 3.1% compared to the year-ago quarter.

Over the last 30 days, there has been an upward revision of 3.4% in the consensus EPS estimate for the quarter, leading to its current level. This signifies the covering analysts' collective reconsideration of their initial forecasts over the course of this timeframe.

Before a company reveals its earnings, it is vital to take into account any changes in earnings projections. These revisions play a pivotal role in predicting the possible reactions of investors toward the stock. Multiple empirical studies have consistently shown a strong association between trends in earnings estimates and the short-term price movements of a stock.

While it's common for investors to rely on consensus earnings and revenue estimates for assessing how the business may have performed during the quarter, exploring analysts' forecasts for key metrics can yield valuable insights.

That said, let's delve into the average estimates of some Con Ed metrics that Wall Street analysts commonly model and monitor.

Analysts' assessment points toward 'Operating revenues- O&R' reaching $368.83 million. The estimate points to a change of +3.6% from the year-ago quarter.

The collective assessment of analysts points to an estimated 'Operating revenues- CECONY' of $4.57 billion. The estimate suggests a change of +2.8% year over year.

Analysts expect 'Operating Income- O&R' to come in at $67.50 million. Compared to the current estimate, the company reported $62.00 million in the same quarter of the previous year.

Analysts forecast 'Operating Income- CECONY' to reach $1.10 billion. Compared to the present estimate, the company reported $1.07 billion in the same quarter last year.

View all Key Company Metrics for Con Ed here>>>

Con Ed shares have witnessed a change of -4.4% in the past month, in contrast to the Zacks S&P 500 composite's +9.5% move. With a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold), ED is expected closely follow the overall market performance in the near term. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) stocks here >>>> .

Electrical transmission towers, poles and lines are shown in the early morning of a hot summer day in Commerce, California, U.S, August 7, 2025. REUTERS/Mike Blake Purchase Licensing Rights, opens new tab

May 7 (Reuters) - Consolidated Edison (ED.N), opens new tab reported a rise in first-quarter profit on Thursday, helped by robust demand for its electricity, ​gas and steam services amid freezing temperatures ‌across the U.S.

Electricity demand in the nation is rising at an unprecedented pace, with the U.S. Energy Information Administration forecasting power consumption ​will reach fresh record highs this year.

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Meanwhile, an Arctic ​Blast and a winter storm spread a ⁠paralyzing mix of heavy snow, sleet and freezing ​rain across most of the eastern U.S., raising demand for electricity ​and natural gas, which is used as heating fuel.

Consolidated Edison's service territories are spread across New York, New Jersey ​and Westchester County.

"Electrification of heating and transportation is ​accelerating at an unprecedented pace," CEO Tim Cawley said, adding ‌that ⁠the company was investing proactively to meet this growth while managing costs and supporting affordability.

The company expects to make capital investments of about $6.59 billion in ​2026 and $6.76 ​billion in ⁠2027.

Consolidated Edison's total operating revenue rose to $5.09 billion during the first quarter, up from $4.79 ​billion a year earlier, driven primarily ​by ⁠higher gas and steam revenues.

Electric revenues also rose 4.7% to $3.04 billion during the quarter.

The New York-based utility's ⁠net ​income climbed to $924 million for ​the three months ended March 31, from $791 million a year earlier.

Reporting ​by Vallari Srivastava in Bengaluru; Editing by Sahal Muhammed

Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles., opens new tab

For the quarter ended March 2026, Consolidated Edison (ED - Free Report) reported revenue of $5.1 billion, up 6.2% over the same period last year. EPS came in at $2.17, compared to $2.25 in the year-ago quarter.

The reported revenue compares to the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $4.95 billion, representing a surprise of +2.98%. The company delivered an EPS surprise of -6.63%, with the consensus EPS estimate being $2.32.

While investors scrutinize revenue and earnings changes year-over-year and how they compare with Wall Street expectations to determine their next move, some key metrics always offer a more accurate picture of a company's financial health.

As these metrics influence top- and bottom-line performance, comparing them to the year-ago numbers and what analysts estimated helps investors project a stock's price performance more accurately.

Here is how Con Ed performed in the just reported quarter in terms of the metrics most widely monitored and projected by Wall Street analysts:

Operating revenues- O&R: $441 million versus the two-analyst average estimate of $368.83 million. The reported number represents a year-over-year change of +23.9%.Operating revenues- CECONY: $4.65 billion versus $4.57 billion estimated by two analysts on average. Compared to the year-ago quarter, this number represents a +4.8% change.Operating Income- O&R: $76 million versus $67.5 million estimated by two analysts on average.Operating Income- CECONY: $1.11 billion versus $1.1 billion estimated by two analysts on average.View all Key Company Metrics for Con Ed here>>>

Shares of Con Ed have returned -5.9% over the past month versus the Zacks S&P 500 composite's +11.4% change. The stock currently has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold), indicating that it could perform in line with the broader market in the near term.

, /PRNewswire/ -- Consolidated Edison, Inc. ("Con Edison") (NYSE: ED) today announced a $2 billion ATM equity offering program pursuant to which it may sell its common shares ($.10 par value).  Con Edison has entered into an Equity Distribution Agreement (the "Equity Distribution Agreement") with Barclays Capital Inc., BNY Mellon Capital Markets, LLC, BofA Securities, CIBC Capital Markets, Jefferies LLC, J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, KeyBanc Capital Markets Inc., Mizuho Securities USA LLC, Scotia Capital (USA) Inc., TD Securities (USA) LLC and Wells Fargo Securities, LLC each in its capacity as agent for Con Edison (each, a "Sales Agent" and collectively, the "Sales Agents") and Barclays Bank PLC, The Bank of New York Mellon, Bank of America, N.A., Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, Jefferies LLC, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., KeyBanc Capital Markets Inc., Mizuho Markets Americas LLC, The Bank of Nova Scotia, The Toronto-Dominion Bank and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association or their respective affiliates, each in its capacity as forward purchaser (each, a "Forward Purchaser" and collectively, the "Forward Purchasers").

Pursuant to the terms of the Equity Distribution Agreement, sales of Con Edison's common shares, if any, will be made in negotiated transactions, including block trades, or transactions that are deemed to be "at-the-market" offerings, by means of ordinary brokers' transactions at market prices prevailing at the time of sale, including sales made directly on the New York Stock Exchange LLC, sales made to or through a market maker and sales made through other securities exchanges or electronic communications networks or by any other method permitted by applicable law as otherwise agreed between the applicable Sales Agent and Con Edison.

In addition to the offering and sale of its common shares through the Sales Agents, Con Edison may enter into one or more separate forward sale agreements with the Forward Purchasers. In connection with each forward sale agreement, the relevant Forward Purchaser will, and at Con Edison's request, attempt to borrow from third parties and, through its relevant agent, sell a number of shares of common shares equal to the number of shares that underlie the related forward sale agreement (each of Barclays Capital Inc., BNY Mellon Capital Markets, LLC, BofA Securities, CIBC Capital Markets, Jefferies LLC, J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, KeyBanc Capital Markets Inc., Mizuho Securities USA LLC, Scotia Capital (USA) Inc., TD Securities (USA) LLC and Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, in its capacity as agent for the related Forward Purchaser, a "Forward Seller" and collectively, the "Forward Sellers").

Con Edison currently intends to use any proceeds that it receives upon the issuance and sale of its common shares by it to or through the Sales Agents to invest in its subsidiaries for funding of their capital requirements and for its other general corporate purposes.  Con Edison will not initially receive any proceeds from the sale of borrowed shares of its common shares by the Forward Sellers, as agents for Forward Purchasers, in connection with any forward sale agreement as a hedge of such forward sale agreement.  Con Edison currently intends to use any cash proceeds that it receives upon physical settlement of any forward sale agreement, if physical settlement applies, or upon cash settlement of such forward sale agreement, if Con Edison elects cash settlement, to invest in its subsidiaries for funding of their capital requirements and for its other general corporate purposes.

The offering is being made pursuant to Con Edison's effective shelf registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"). The prospectus supplement and the base prospectus relating to the offering will be available on the SEC's website at http://www.sec.gov. Copies of the prospectus supplement and the base prospectus relating to the offering may be obtained from any Sales Agent participating in the offering: Barclays Capital Inc, c/o Broadridge Financial Solutions, 1155 Long Island Avenue, Edgewood, New York 11717, Email: [email protected], Phone: (888) 603-5847; BNY Mellon Capital Markets, LLC, 240 Greenwich Street, New York, New York 10286, Third Floor Equity Capital Markets, Fax No.: (212) 815-6403 with a copy to Attention: ATM Group, [email protected]; BofA Securities, NC1-022-02-25, 201 North Tryon Street, Charlotte, North Carolina 28255-0001, Attention: Prospectus Department, Email: [email protected]; CIBC Capital Markets, 300 Madison Avenue, 8th Floor, New York, New York 10017, Phone: (416) 956-6378, Email: [email protected]; Jefferies LLC, 520 Madison Avenue, New York, New York 10022, Attention: Equity Syndicate Prospectus Department, Phone: (877) 821-7388, Email: [email protected]; J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, c/o Broadridge Financial Solutions, 1155 Long Island Avenue, Edgewood, New York 11717, Email: [email protected] and [email protected]; KeyBanc Capital Markets Inc., 127 Public Square, 7th Floor, Cleveland, Ohio 44114, Attention: Equity Syndicate, Phone (800) 859-1783; Mizuho Securities USA LLC, 1271 Avenue of the Americas, 3rd Floor, New York, New York 10020, Attention: Equity Capital Markets, Email: [email protected]; Scotia Capital (USA) Inc., 250 Vesey Street, 24th Floor, New York, New York 10281, Attention: US ECM, Email: [email protected]; TD Securities (USA) LLC, c/o Broadridge Financial Solutions, 1155 Long Island Avenue, Edgewood, New York 11717, Email: [email protected]; Wells Fargo Securities, 90 South 7th Street, 5th Floor, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55402, Phone: (800) 645-3751 (option #5), Email: [email protected].

This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy these securities, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any jurisdiction in which the offer, solicitation or sale of these securities would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. The offering of these securities will be made only by means of the prospectus and related prospectus supplement meeting the requirements of Section 10 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act").

This press release contains forward-looking statements that are intended to qualify for the safe-harbor provisions of Section 27A of the Securities Act, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Forward-looking statements are statements of future expectations and not facts. Words such as "forecasts," "expects," "estimates," "anticipates," "intends," "believes," "plans," "will," "target," "guidance," "potential," "goal," "consider" and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements reflect information available and assumptions at the time the statements are made, and accordingly speak only as of that time. Actual results or developments might differ materially from those included in the forward-looking statements because of various factors such as those identified in reports Con Edison has filed with the SEC, including, but not limited to: its subsidiaries are extensively regulated and may be subject to substantial penalties; its utility subsidiaries' rate plans may not provide a reasonable return; it may be adversely affected by changes to the utility subsidiaries' rate plans; the failure of, or damage to, its subsidiaries' facilities could adversely affect it; a cyber attack could adversely affect it; artificial intelligence is an emerging area of technology that has the potential to impact various aspects of its and its subsidiaries' business operations and customer interactions; the failure of processes and systems, the failure to retain and attract employees and contractors, and their negative performance could adversely affect it; it is exposed to risks from the environmental consequences of its subsidiaries' operations, including increased costs related to climate change; its ability to pay dividends or interest depends on dividends from its subsidiaries; changes to tax laws could adversely affect it; it requires access to capital markets to satisfy funding requirements; a disruption in the wholesale energy markets, increased commodity costs or failure by an energy supplier or customer could adversely affect it; it faces risks related to health epidemics and other outbreaks; its strategies may not be effective to address changes in the external business environment; it faces risks related to supply chain disruptions, inflation and the imposition of tariffs (or subsequent changes to tariffs once announced or implemented); and it also faces other risks that are beyond its control.  This list of factors is not all-inclusive because it is not possible to predict all factors that could cause actual results or developments to differ from the forward-looking statements. Con Edison assumes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

Consolidated Edison, Inc. is one of the nation's largest investor-owned energy-delivery companies. The company provides a wide range of energy-related products and services to its customers through the following subsidiaries: Consolidated Edison Company of New York, Inc., a regulated utility providing electric, gas and steam service in New York City and Westchester County, New York; Orange and Rockland Utilities, Inc., a regulated utility serving customers in a 1,300 square-mile area in southeastern New York State and northern New Jersey; and Con Edison Transmission, Inc., which through its subsidiaries, develops and invests in electric transmission projects and owns interests in both electric and gas assets.

SOURCE Consolidated Edison, Inc.

NEW YORK, May 14, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Consolidated Edison, Inc. ( "Con Edison ") (NYSE: ED) executives will meet with investors at various conferences in May and June 2026. A copy of Con Edison's investor presentation for these meetings can be found on the  Presentations & Webcasts page of Con Edison's website.

In the dividend world, Dividend Kings are the model example of reliability. Those are the companies that, through thick and thin, have increased their dividend payouts for 50 or more consecutive years.

The energy sector is known for volatility, but there are still companies that can offer the same level of consistency in their payouts. We'll look at three of those energy companies today; one is in fact a Dividend King that has increased its payout consecutively for over 52 years, while the two other companies are on the path to earning that title. Those companies are Consolidated Edison (ED +0.84%), Enbridge (ENB +0.07%), and Enterprise Products Partners (EPD 0.08%).

Image source: Getty Images.

The utility Dividend King Consolidated Edison is a regulated utility operator with a strong anchor in New York that allows it to generate consistent cash flow. Its first of three main business segments, Con Edison of New York, provides gas services to over 1 million customers and electric services to over 3 million customers in New York City and Westchester County. Its Orange & Rockland business serves over 400,000 customers with its electric and gas services, and its Con Edison Transmission business invests in electrical and natural gas transmission projects.

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Consolidated entered the Dividend King club not too long ago, with 52 years of consecutive payout increases. Currently, that payout yields 3.3%, and the company can maintain it thanks to strong income generation.

In 2025, it generated over $2 billion in net income, up from $1.8 billion in 2024. It's off to a strong start this year, reporting net income of $924 million in its 2026 first-quarter earnings report. With regulated utilities, an investing consideration is that companies can't typically rely on price increases for revenue growth, as those increases require approval.

Enbridge uses an "all of the above" strategy As data centers power artificial intelligence (AI) workloads, it puts strain on traditional grids. According to Motley Fool research, to meet those demands, investors should consider how multiple energy sources can be used:

Investors should focus more on total energy demand than on renewables versus fossil fuels in the energy mix. Over the long term, solar, wind, battery energy storage, and nuclear will likely make up a higher proportion of the electricity mix than natural gas and coal. However, natural gas consumption could still be far higher 5 to 10 years from now than today, given AI's outsize energy demands.

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That fits right into Enbridge's approach, which says it believes in an "all-of-the-above energy supply approach that's built for reality." As examples of its range of energy offerings, Meta Platforms signed an agreement to purchase all the renewable energy output from Enbridge's solar project in Texas. It also operates a massive natural gas pipeline, which moves roughly 20% of all the gas consumed in the U.S.

It's building its way up to becoming a Dividend King, with 31 years of consecutive dividend increases, and that dividend currently yields 4.8%. Strong earnings continually support that payout. For 2025 in Canadian dollars, generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) earnings were CA$7 billion ($5 billion).

The big business of energy transportation and storage Enterprise is a midstream service provider, acting as an intermediary that processes, transports, and stores between extraction and final delivery. It operates over 50,000 miles of pipeline, with over 21,000 miles dedicated to natural gas. The rest is for natural gas liquids, crude oil, refined products, and petrochemicals. That puts Enterprise in a strong position, as the global natural gas market is expected to continue growing from roughly $895 billion in 2025 to more than $1 trillion by 2033, according to Grand View Research.

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Enterprise's dividend yield is high at 5.5%, which is within a range that can often worry investors about sustainability, especially in the energy sector. Even with those concerns typical of other companies, Enterprise continues to produce steady net income, enabling dividend increases for 27 consecutive years. In 2024, it reported $5.9 billion in net income and $5.8 billion in 2025.

Key Takeaways DUK offers 6.3% expected earnings growth, with estimates up 0.1% in the past 60 days.ED combines diversified utility operations with 6.8% expected earnings growth.PCG targets 10% earnings growth, with consensus estimates up 0.6% over 90 days. Consumer price index accelerated further in May, as a surge in oil prices created pressure on the economy, raising concerns of an economic slowdown. Tensions in the Middle East have been contributing to the pain for consumers, with the Federal Reserve struggling to bring down inflation.

Given this scenario, we recommend buying three defensive stocks from the utility sector, namely Duke Energy Corporation (DUK - Free Report) , Consolidated Edison, Inc.(ED - Free Report) and PG&E Corporation (PCG - Free Report) .

These stocks have seen positive earnings estimate revisions in the past 60 days, carry a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) at present, and are set for solid returns. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

Inflation Jump FurtherThe Consumer Price Index, an important gauge for measuring the prices of goods and services across the economy, jumped 0.5% sequentially in May after rising 0.6% in April, and 4.2% from the year-ago levels, the Commerce Department reported on Thursday. The annual jump was the largest since April 2023.

Although both the monthly and annual rises came in line with economists’ expectations, inflation has been rising at a steep pace over the past three months. CPI rose 3.3% year over year in March and 3.8% in April.

Core CPI, which strips out the volatile food and energy, rose 0.2% sequentially in May and 2.9% from the year-ago levels. The monthly gain was below the consensus estimate of a rise of 0.3%, while the annual figures came in line with expectations.

Inflation rose past the 4% mark for the first time in three years as oil prices surged amid the ongoing Middle East crisis. Hours after the CIP report was released, President Donald Trump suggested that a peace deal had been reached with Iran and that the war would stop.

However, concerns remain as an official announcement is yet to be made. Oil prices have surged nearly 40% since the beginning of the war, which has pushed inflation to a three-year high.

The Federal Reserve, which monitors the CPI to track its 2% target, halted rate cuts last year. Investors were earlier hoping that the central bank could resume its rate cuts in the second half of the year.

However, several Federal Reserve officials now believe that a rate hike would be necessary if inflation continues to stay above 2%. A rate hike means higher borrowing costs, which would further weigh on investors.

3 Low-Beta Utility Stocks with Growth PotentialDuke Energy CorporationDuke Energy Corporation is a diversified energy company with a broad portfolio of domestic and international, natural gas and electric and regulated and unregulated businesses that supply, deliver and process energy in North America and selected international markets. DUK primarily operates through three business segments — Electric Utilities and Infrastructure, Gas Utilities and Infrastructure, and Commercial Renewables.

Duke Energy Corporation has an expected earnings growth rate of 6.3% for the current year. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for current-year earnings has improved 0.1% over the last 60 days. Duke Energy has a beta of 0.39 and a current dividend yield of 3.41%.

Consolidated EdisonConsolidated Edison, Inc. is a diversified utility holding company with subsidiaries engaged in both regulated and unregulated businesses. ED’s regulated businesses operate through its subsidiaries — Consolidated Edison Company of New York, Orange and Rockland Utilities, Con Edison Clean Energy Businesses, Inc. and Con Edison Transmission, Inc.

Consolidated Edison has an expected earnings growth rate of 6.8% for the current year. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for current-year earnings has improved 0.3% over the last 60 days. Consolidated Edison has a beta of 0.27 and a current dividend yield of 3.30%.

PG&E CorporationPG&E Corporation is the parent holding company of California’s largest regulated electric and gas utility, Pacific Gas and Electric Company. PCG generates revenues mainly through the sale and delivery of electricity and natural gas to customers.

PG&E Corporation has an expected earnings growth rate of 10% for the current year. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for current-year earnings has improved 0.6% over the last 90 days. PG&E Corporation has a beta of 0.27 and a current dividend yield of 1.20%.