FE

PPL Corporation PPL benefits from improved operating income, which enhances profitability and strengthens its financial flexibility. This can help the company fund capital investments, meet debt obligations, sustain dividends and manage financing requirements more effectively.In the second quarter of 2026, operating income increased 17% year over year to $475 million from $406 million, supporting a 20% rise in earnings per share (EPS) and a 3.1% increase in ongoing earnings. The increase in operating income reflects improved profitability and coincided with growth in both reported and ongoing earnings. The company benefits from rising data-center demand and economic development, which support sustainable earnings growth. PPL’s Pennsylvania segment has 31.8 gigawatts (GW) of potential data-center demand, while Kentucky has 13.7 GW of potential load growth through 2032.PPL expects improved earnings growth from the Pennsylvania rate-case settlement, which took effect July 1 and provides an approved $275 million annual revenue increase, as well as from the Rhode Island rate case, with new rates expected to take effect soon. The company expects EPS to grow at an annual rate of 6-8% through 2029. The company is making significant infrastructure investments to improve service reliability and expand its rate base. It plans to invest about $5.1 billion in 2026, with $23 billion expected through 2029, supporting an average annual rate-base growth of 10.3%.Overall, PPL is well positioned for earnings growth, supported by data center demand, rate recovery and investment-driven revenue gains. Higher operating income can strengthen a utility’s financial capacity, providing greater flexibility to fund capital projects while supporting balance-sheet stability. Sustained earnings growth can help fund grid modernization, generation expansion and reliability upgrades to meet rising demand.FirstEnergy FE reported a 4.8% year-over-year increase in operating income in the second quarter of 2026, strengthening its financial capacity to execute the $36 billion Energize365 program and support long-term rate-base growth.Duke Energy DUK reported a 12% year-over-year increase in operating income in the second quarter of 2026, strengthening its ability to fund its $103 billion capital program and support grid modernization and generation expansion. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2026 and 2027 EPS indicates a year-over-year increase of 7.18% and 8.32%, respectively. Image Source: Zacks Investment Research PPL's debt-to-capital currently stands at 57.46%, lower than the electric power industry’s 61.32%. Image Source: Zacks Investment Research In the past month, the company’s shares have plunged 3.1% compared with the industry’s 4.6% decline. Image Source: Zacks Investment Research PPL currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here. Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report PPL Corporation (PPL) : Free Stock Analysis Report FirstEnergy Corporation (FE) : Free Stock Analysis Report Duke Energy Corporation (DUK) : Free Stock Analysis Report This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com). Zacks Investment Research

A month has gone by since the last earnings report for FirstEnergy (FE). Shares have lost about 4.9% in that time frame, underperforming the S&P 500. Will the recent negative trend continue leading up to its next earnings release, or is FirstEnergy due for a breakout? Well, first let's take a quick look at its most recent earnings report in order to get a better handle on the recent catalysts for FirstEnergy Corporation before we dive into how investors and analysts have reacted as of late. FirstEnergy Q2 Earnings Beat Estimates on Strong Transmission GrowthFirstEnergy reported second-quarter 2026 adjusted earnings of 50 cents per share, which beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 49 cents by 2.04%. In the year-ago quarter, the company reported earnings of 52 cents per share. FE’s reported GAAP earnings of 50 cents per share in the second quarter of 2026 compared with 46 cents in the year-ago quarter. Core earnings in the Distribution segment declined 6 cents in the second quarter of 2026 due to higher maintenance expenses, while the Stand-Alone Transmission segment benefited from an 11% increase in transmission rate base, boosting earnings by 4 cents. Operating revenues of $3.68 billion beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $3.56 billion by 3.43%. The top line increased 8.82% from $3.38 billion recorded in the year-ago quarter. Distribution: Revenues from this segment totaled $1.71 billion, up 2.3% from the prior-year quarter’s level. Electric revenues increased $44 million, while other revenues declined $5 million.Integrated: Revenues from this segment amounted to $1.43 billion, up 13.7% from the prior-year quarter. The increase was driven by a $130 million rise in revenues from contracts with customers and a $43 million increase in other revenues unrelated to contracts with customers.Stand-Alone Transmission: Revenues from this segment amounted to $544 million, up 19.30% from the prior-year quarter’s level, driven by rate base growth, the recovery of transmission operating costs and annual formula-rate true-ups. Total operating expenses were $3 billion, up 9.77% from the year-ago quarter's level of $2.73 billion. Purchased-power costs rose to $1.16 billion from $953 million, while other operating expenses increased to $1.17 billion from $995 million.Operating income nevertheless increased 4.8% to $677 million as revenue growth exceeded the rise in operating costs. Interest expense climbed to $337 million from $299 million due to new long-term debt and convertible note issuances, net of repayments. Total contracted and pipeline data center demand reached 24.8 gigawatts (GW), up about 30% from the first quarter. West Virginia demand increased 137% to 4.3 GW, supporting the company's evaluation of additional generation, transmission and distribution investments.FE expects another 1.5 GW of demand to be contracted shortly. Management is also advancing the proposed 1.2-GW Maidsville Energy Center and 70 megawatts of solar generation in West Virginia. FirstEnergy deployed $2.9 billion of capital through the first half of 2026, up 19% year over year. Total transmission rate base grew 14%, including increases of 22% in Integrated and 11% in Stand-Alone Transmission.As of June 30, 2026, cash and cash equivalents were $63 million compared with $57 million as of Dec. 31, 2025. As of June 30, 2026, long-term debt increased to $27.1 billion from $25.51 billion at year-end 2025. Short-term borrowings also climbed to $1.38 billion from $325 million.FE and its subsidiaries maintain investment-grade ratings across all three major credit rating agencies. FirstEnergy reaffirmed its 2026 core earnings guidance of $2.62 to $2.82 per share. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2026 is currently pegged at $2.73 per share.FirstEnergy remains on track to invest $6 billion in 2026 under its Energize365 program. The company also maintained its $36 billion capital plan for 2026-2030 and continues to expect core earnings growth near the top end of its 6-8% target range through 2030. In the past month, investors have witnessed a flat trend in estimates revision. At this time, FirstEnergy has a subpar Growth Score of D, however its Momentum Score is doing a bit better with a C. Charting a somewhat similar path, the stock has a grade of B on the value side, putting it in the second quintile for this investment strategy. Overall, the stock has an aggregate VGM Score of D. If you aren't focused on one strategy, this score is the one you should be interested in. FirstEnergy has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). We expect an in-line return from the stock in the next few months. FirstEnergy belongs to the Zacks Utility - Electric Power industry. Another stock from the same industry, PG&E (PCG), has gained 2.9% over the past month. More than a month has passed since the company reported results for the quarter ended June 2026. PG&E reported revenues of $5.9 billion in the last reported quarter, representing a year-over-year change of +0.1%. EPS of $0.40 for the same period compares with $0.31 a year ago. For the current quarter, PG&E is expected to post earnings of $0.46 per share, indicating a change of -8% from the year-ago quarter. The Zacks Consensus Estimate remained unchanged over the last 30 days. The overall direction and magnitude of estimate revisions translate into a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell) for PG&E. Also, the stock has a VGM Score of B. Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report FirstEnergy Corporation (FE) : Free Stock Analysis Report Pacific Gas & Electric Co. (PCG) : Free Stock Analysis Report This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com). Zacks Investment Research

PPL Corporation’s PPL expanding revenues are helping the company offset higher costs and strengthen its operating performance. This revenue growth can help strengthen margins and support PPL’s overall financial performance.In the second quarter of 2026, PPL’s operating revenues increased 4.2% year over year to $2.11 billion from $2.03 billion. The improvement was supported by stronger rate recovery and transmission revenues. Rate recovery provided a 5-cent benefit, while transmission revenues added 1 cent, helping offset operating costs, depreciation and interest expenses. PPL’s operating income increased 17% year over year to $475 million in the second quarter, up from $406 million. This indicates that revenue growth translated into higher operating income despite increased depreciation and other expenses. Revenue growth is also important for PPL’s long-term prospects as the company invests heavily in its regulated operations. The company plans nearly $5.1 billion of capital investments in 2026 and $23 billion through 2029, supporting average annual rate-base growth of 10.3%. PPL expects improved rate recovery and capital-tracking mechanisms to support stronger earnings growth in the second half of 2026. The company also projects 2026 ongoing earnings per share (EPS) of $1.90-$1.98 and annual EPS growth of 6-8% through 2029.Overall, rising revenues, combined with regulatory recovery and capital investment, provide PPL with a supportive foundation for sustainable earnings growth. Rising utility revenues can help absorb higher operating, maintenance and financing costs, supporting earnings stability. Stronger revenues also preserve financial flexibility for infrastructure upgrades and other essential capital investments.FirstEnergy FE: Revenues increased 8.8% to $3.68 billion from $3.38 billion, outpacing growth in operating costs and lifting operating income about 4.8% to $677 million.Evergy EVRG: In the second quarter of 2026, revenues increased 4.4% to $1.50 billion, while operating income rose 10.7% to $380.6 million, helping absorb higher operations and maintenance and depreciation. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2026 and 2027 EPS indicates a year-over-year increase of 7.18% and 8.32%, respectively. Image Source: Zacks Investment Research PPL's debt-to-capital ratio currently stands at 57.46%, lower than the electric power industry’s 61.32%. Image Source: Zacks Investment Research In the past month, the company’s shares have plunged 3.9% compared with the industry’s 7.1% decline. Image Source: Zacks Investment Research PPL currently has a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here. Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report PPL Corporation (PPL) : Free Stock Analysis Report FirstEnergy Corporation (FE) : Free Stock Analysis Report Evergy Inc. (EVRG) : Free Stock Analysis Report This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com). Zacks Investment Research

Dominion Energy, Inc. D reported second-quarter 2026 operating earnings of 79 cents per share, up 5.3% year over year. The figure surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 73 cents by 8.22%.GAAP earnings were 37 cents per share, down from 88 cents in the prior-year quarter. Net income attributable to Dominion Energy fell to $340 million from $760 million.The difference between GAAP and operating results reflected a 42-cent adjustment. Items included nuclear decommissioning trust gains, economic hedging impacts, regulated asset retirements, nonregulated asset impairments and merger-related costs. Operating revenues increased 17.6% to $4.48 billion and beat the consensus mark of $4.06 billion by 10.32%. Results benefited from stronger Dominion Energy Virginia earnings, supported by regulatory impacts, rider returns and customer usage. Weather-normal regulated electric sales rose 4.1% over the trailing 12 months. Dominion Energy Virginia contributed operating earnings of $670 million, up $121 million from the year-ago quarter. Its earnings contribution increased to 76 cents per share from 64 cents.The improvement included $105 million from the 2025 Biennial Review and $79 million from rider equity returns. Customer usage and other factors added $23 million. These gains were partly offset by higher electric capacity expense, storm restoration costs, planned outage costs and nuclear production tax credit impacts. Dominion Energy South Carolina generated operating earnings of $105 million, down $4 million year over year. Customer usage and rate-case impacts provided support, but depreciation, interest expense and other items weighed on the segment.Contracted Energy’s contribution declined $16 million to $31 million. A $28 million margin benefit and higher renewable energy tax credits were more than offset by increased depreciation, interest expense and other costs. Corporate and Other posted a $94 million loss, widening from $56 million, primarily due to higher net interest expense. Total operating expenses climbed to $4.15 billion from $2.71 billion. Electric fuel and other energy-related purchases rose to $1.32 billion, while other operations and maintenance expenses increased to $1.88 billion. Interest and related charges advanced to $555 million from $505 million. Data center contracted capacity in Virginia reached approximately 53.8 gigawatts(“GW”) in July 2026, up 5.3 GW, or 11%, from December 2025. The total included 12 GW under electric service agreements, 9.4 GW under construction authorizations and 32.4 GW in detailed engineering.Commercial demand remained the strongest sales category. Weather-normal commercial electric sales grew 8.5% over the trailing 12 months, contributing to the 4.1% increase across Dominion Energy Virginia and South Carolina.The regulated utilities served 4.1 million customers in the quarter. Virginia accounted for 2.8 million, while South Carolina served 1.3 million. Average customer growth was 0.9% in Virginia and 2% in South Carolina. The Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind (CVOW) project was nearly 81% complete as of July 31. All 176 monopiles and transition pieces had been installed, while 31 wind turbines were complete and the 32nd was in progress.Dominion Energy now targets installation of the final turbine by year-end 2027. The revised schedule incorporates additional weather, vessel maintenance, loadout and jacking-operation contingencies.The project’s capital budget increased to $11.65 billion, including $123 million of unused contingency. Project-to-date investment was approximately $9.8 billion at June 30, leaving about $1.9 billion of remaining costs. Dominion Energy expects to fund roughly $1 billion of that amount after Stonepeak’s contribution. Cash and cash equivalents as of June 30, 2026, were $296 million compared with $250 million as of Dec. 31, 2025.Balance sheet metrics continue to reflect the capital intensity of the business. Total long-term debt stood at $46.72 billion at June 30, 2026, while total assets were $121.89 billion. On the cash flow statement, net cash provided by operating activities was $2.45 billion for the first half of 2026, compared with $2.42 billion in the first half of 2025. Management reaffirmed 2026 operating earnings guidance of $3.45-$3.69 per share, with a midpoint of $3.57. The outlook includes approximately 7 cents per share of renewable natural gas tax-credit income. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2026 earnings per share is currently pegged at $3.57 per share.The company also maintained its long-term operating earnings growth target of 5-7% through 2030, with growth expected to trend toward the upper half of that range from 2028 through 2030. Dominion Energy reiterated its planned 2026 dividend of $2.67 per share and its approximately $65 billion capital investment program for 2026-2030. Currently, Dominion Energy has a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here. NextEra Energy NEE reported second-quarter 2026 results with adjusted earnings per share of $1.15, up 9.5% from $1.05 a year ago. The figure beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.09 by 5.5%.The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2026 and 2027 earnings per share indicates year-over-year growth of 8.36% and 8.73%, respectively.FirstEnergy FE reported second-quarter 2026 adjusted earnings of 50 cents per share, which beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 49 cents by 2.04%. In the year-ago quarter, the company reported earnings of 52 cents per share. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2026 and 2027 earnings per share implies year-over-year growth of 7.06% and 7.78%, respectively.Xcel Energy Inc. XEL reported second-quarter 2026 ongoing earnings of 93 cents per share, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 79 cents by 17.72%. Earnings increased 24% from 75 cents in the year-ago quarter, aided by greater recovery of electric infrastructure investments.The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2026 and 2027 earnings per share implies year-over-year growth of 8.16% and 9.52%, respectively. Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Dominion Energy Inc. (D) : Free Stock Analysis Report Xcel Energy Inc. (XEL) : Free Stock Analysis Report NextEra Energy, Inc. (NEE) : Free Stock Analysis Report FirstEnergy Corporation (FE) : Free Stock Analysis Report This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com). Zacks Investment Research

FirstEnergy Corp. reported second-quarter 2026 results showing higher revenue of US$3,678 million and net income of US$288 million, with earnings per share from continuing operations rising to US$0.50. The company coupled these results with reaffirmed earnings guidance and a US$6.00 billion capital plan geared toward meeting accelerating data-center electricity demand and grid investment needs. We’ll explore how reaffirmed earnings guidance and US$6.00 billion of planned 2026 capital spending may influence FirstEnergy’s investment narrative. AI is about to change healthcare. These 41 stocks are working on everything from early diagnostics to drug discovery. The best part - they are all under $10b in market cap - there's still time to get in early. To own FirstEnergy, you need to be comfortable with a regulated utility leaning into large capital spending to serve growing electricity demand from data centers and grid upgrades. The latest earnings and reaffirmed guidance support that thesis in the near term, while the biggest short term catalyst remains executing the US$6.00 billion 2026 capex plan without eroding balance sheet flexibility. The main risk is that sustained high investment needs could pressure free cash flow and increase funding needs over time. The most relevant recent development is FirstEnergy’s decision to maintain its US$6.00 billion capital spending plan for 2026 alongside higher second quarter revenue of US$3,678 million and net income of US$288 million. This links directly to the data center driven load growth story and the company’s broader US$36 billion five year investment plan, while also sharpening the focus on how ongoing grid and transmission projects might affect earnings quality, leverage and the timing of any future rate cases. Yet behind the reaffirmed earnings guidance and larger data center opportunity, investors should be aware of the growing risk that sustained heavy capex could eventually... Read the full narrative on FirstEnergy (it's free!) FirstEnergy's narrative projects $17.9 billion revenue and $2.0 billion earnings by 2029. Uncover how FirstEnergy's forecasts yield a $52.15 fair value, a 7% upside to its current price. Two fair value estimates from the Simply Wall St Community span roughly US$29.74 to US$52.15, showing how far apart individual views can be. When you weigh those against FirstEnergy’s reaffirmed US$6.00 billion 2026 capital plan and data center driven grid spending, it is worth exploring how different investors connect that investment load to future earnings resilience and risk. Explore 2 other fair value estimates on FirstEnergy - why the stock might be worth 39% less than the current price! Disagree with existing narratives? Extraordinary investment returns rarely come from following the herd, so go with your instincts. A great starting point for your FirstEnergy research is our analysis highlighting 1 key reward and 2 important warning signs that could impact your investment decision. Our free FirstEnergy research report provides a comprehensive fundamental analysis summarized in a single visual - the Snowflake - making it easy to evaluate FirstEnergy's overall financial health at a glance. Every day counts. These free picks are already gaining attention. See them before the crowd does: Invest in the nuclear renaissance through our list of 90 elite nuclear energy infrastructure plays powering the global AI revolution. Explore 25 top quantum computing companies leading the revolution in next-gen technology and shaping the future with breakthroughs in quantum algorithms, superconducting qubits, and cutting-edge research. The latest GPUs need a type of rare earth metal called Dysprosium and there are only 29 companies in the world exploring or producing it. Find the list for free. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. Companies discussed in this article include FE. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email [email protected]

Interested in FirstEnergy Corporation? Here are five stocks we like better. FirstEnergy reaffirmed its outlook, maintaining its 2026 Core EPS guidance of $2.62–$2.82 per share, $6 billion in planned capital spending and its five-year $36 billion investment plan. Data-center demand is accelerating: forecasted demand rose 30% to roughly 25 gigawatts, while contracted demand reached 6.4 gigawatts. The company expects further contracting and estimates related investment could extend beyond its current capital plan. FirstEnergy is pursuing additional growth through the proposed 1.2-gigawatt Moundsville Energy Center, multiple state rate cases and transmission expansion, with transmission expected to grow at a 16% compound annual rate through 2030. Powering Profits: Utility Stocks That Shine in Volatility FirstEnergy (NYSE:FE) reaffirmed its 2026 earnings and capital-spending outlook as the utility reported second-quarter results in line with its plan and highlighted growing electricity demand from data centers across its service territory. The company maintained its 2026 capital investment plan of $6 billion and its Core EPS guidance range of $2.62 to $2.82 per share. It also reaffirmed its five-year, $36 billion capital plan and said it expects Core EPS growth near the upper end of its 6% to 8% target through 2030. → Refiner Stocks Are Near Record Highs—Can Iran-Driven Margins Keep Them There? Are defensive sectors ready to outshine growth in 2024? “We have made significant progress in key strategic and regulatory priorities and are executing well against our 2026 plan,” Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer Brian Tierney said on the company’s second-quarter earnings call. FirstEnergy reported second-quarter GAAP earnings of $0.50 per share, up from $0.46 per share in the second quarter of 2025. Core earnings were $0.50 per share, compared with $0.52 per share a year earlier. For the first six months of 2026, Core earnings totaled $1.22 per share, compared with $1.19 per share in the prior-year period. → Innovative ETF Strategies That Are Paying Off This Summer Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Jon Taylor said results reflected returns from regulated, customer-focused formula-rate investment programs, partly offset by the planned timing of higher operating expenses. The company invested $2.9 billion in capital during the first half of 2026, representing a 19% increase from the comparable period in 2025. FirstEnergy’s trailing 12-month consolidated return on equity was 9.5%, which Taylor said was in line with the company’s targeted returns. → Why SK hynix Could Be the Best AI Chip Stock to Buy Now Weather-adjusted customer load rose about 2% during the quarter. Industrial load increased more than 4%, with growth led by metals, oil and gas, and chemicals. Taylor said the trends reflect stronger order activity and tailwinds from artificial intelligence and data-center infrastructure development. FirstEnergy said total forecasted data-center demand across its system increased 30% from the first quarter to roughly 25 gigawatts. The company contracted an additional 2.1 gigawatts during the second quarter, bringing contracted demand to 6.4 gigawatts. Tierney said the company expects another 1.5 gigawatts of demand to enter contracts in the coming weeks. Contracted and pipeline demand together represent about 70% of FirstEnergy’s July system peak load of 34.8 gigawatts, according to the company. In West Virginia, FirstEnergy has 4.3 gigawatts of contracted and pipeline data-center demand and expects that total to increase by year-end. Tierney said West Virginia offers a “one-stop-shop” advantage because the utility can provide both transmission arrangements and generation service, unlike in deregulated jurisdictions. Management said the most significant current data-center interest is in West Virginia, Pennsylvania and Maryland. The company cited its geographic position between the Northern Virginia data-center hub and the growing New Albany, Ohio, hub as another advantage. FirstEnergy estimated that each gigawatt of additional capacity could require roughly $250 million of investment. Taylor said approximately $400 million of investment related to the 2.2 gigawatts contracted since the first quarter is outside the existing $36 billion capital plan, with most of that spending expected in 2030 through 2032. The company is seeking approval for its proposed 1.2-gigawatt Moundsville Energy Center in West Virginia. Hearings on the certificate of public convenience and necessity application took place earlier in July, and FirstEnergy expects a decision this fall. Taylor said the company expects a large portion, if not all, of the facility’s output to support data-center load. It is also working on a fully bundled service agreement for a data-center customer that would be filed with the Public Service Commission of West Virginia. The company said the expected agreement would include customer protections and long-term benefit sharing for existing West Virginia customers. FirstEnergy is progressing contracts for engineering, procurement and construction work, original equipment manufacturer equipment, and a fuel lateral for Moundsville. Taylor said the company expects to be able to sign those contracts after receiving regulatory approval. Management is also evaluating a potential affiliated generation-company structure for future West Virginia projects. Tierney said such a structure could require Federal Energy Regulatory Commission approval for wholesale sales, along with approval from the West Virginia commission for an agreement between the generation company and a utility such as Mon Power. He said that approach could be faster than a traditional certificate process. The company has begun developing a request for proposals for major equipment and has started site selection for a potential next-generation plant. FirstEnergy plans to provide more detail on timing later this year. In West Virginia, FirstEnergy expects an order on new rates before the end of July. The outcome would produce a cumulative $76 million revenue increase, including a $38 million increase beginning Aug. 1 and a similar increase beginning June 1, 2027. In Ohio, the company’s application for a three-year rate plan has been accepted. The proposal includes $2.5 billion of capital investments focused on reliability and resiliency. A staff report is due Nov. 30, hearings are scheduled to begin March 1, 2027, and an order is anticipated in the second quarter of 2027. FirstEnergy also expects to file base-rate cases in Maryland and New Jersey during the third quarter. In New Jersey, Tierney said the company has engaged with the governor’s administration and Board of Public Utilities ahead of the filing, which is intended to recover investments made to improve reliability. The company’s transmission business is projected to grow at a 16% compound annual rate through 2030 under the current plan. FirstEnergy plans to participate in PJM’s 2026 open-window process, with project awards expected in the first quarter of 2027. Tierney noted that the company has secured about $5 billion of projects through prior competitive transmission solicitations. Management said it expects to update its five-year plan later this year or early next year, potentially incorporating a meaningful portion of the growth opportunities under development. FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE: FE) is a U.S.-based electric utility holding company headquartered in Akron, Ohio. The company's primary business is the delivery of electricity through its regulated transmission and distribution utilities, serving residential, commercial and industrial customers across parts of the Midwest and Mid‑Atlantic. FirstEnergy's service territory includes states such as Ohio, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland and West Virginia, and it operates primarily within the PJM regional transmission organization. FirstEnergy's core activities center on owning and operating electric distribution networks and transmission systems, maintaining and upgrading grid infrastructure, managing storm response and restoration, and offering customer programs that include energy efficiency and reliability services. This instant news alert was generated by narrative science technology and financial data from MarketBeat in order to provide readers with the fastest reporting and unbiased coverage. Please send any questions or comments about this story to [email protected]. The article "FirstEnergy Q2 Earnings Call Highlights" was originally published by MarketBeat. View MarketBeat's top stocks for July 2026.

Xcel Energy Inc. XEL reported second-quarter 2026 ongoing earnings of 93 cents per share, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 79 cents by 17.72%. Earnings increased 24% from 75 cents in the year-ago quarter, aided by greater recovery of electric infrastructure investments.Earnings benefited from lower electric fuel and purchased-power costs, which contributed 30 cents per share to the year-over-year change. Higher allowance for funds used during construction, or AFUDC, added 8 cents, while lower depreciation and amortization contributed another 8 cents.These gains were partly offset by a 12-cent drag from higher interest charges, a 6-cent impact from common-equity financing and a 4-cent reduction from lower natural gas revenues. Revenues of $3.12 billion missed the consensus estimate of $3.61 billion by 13.48% and declined 5.1% year over year. Weather-adjusted retail electric sales rose 1.5%, while electric and natural gas customer counts each increased 0.7%.Electric revenues declined 4.8% year over year to $2.74 billion. The decrease reflected lower fuel-cost recovery, production tax credits passed back to customers, weaker wholesale generation revenues and regulatory rate outcomes. These factors were partly offset by higher non-fuel rider revenues, sales and demand, and wholesale transmission revenues.Natural gas revenues fell 7.8% to $365 million, primarily because of lower gas-cost recovery and reduced sales volumes. Other revenues increased to $14 million from $13 million. Electric and natural gas cost fluctuations are generally offset through regulatory recovery mechanisms and have limited impact on earnings. Xcel Energy Inc. price-consensus-eps-surprise-chart | Xcel Energy Inc. Quote Total operating expenses declined 11% year over year to $2.41 billion. Electric fuel and purchased-power expenses fell $240 million to $678 million, while the cost of natural gas sold and transported decreased $41 million to $93 million.Operating and maintenance expenses increased $16 million to $691 million, partly due to higher generation costs. Operating income advanced 22.4% year over year to $706 million.Interest charges and financing costs increased 23.6% to $398 million, primarily due to higher debt levels. Xcel Energy reaffirmed its 2026 ongoing earnings guidance of $4.04-$4.16 per share. The outlook assumes weather-adjusted retail electric sales growth of approximately 3% and weather-adjusted firm natural gas sales growth of around 1%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2026 is currently pegged at $4.11 per share.Management expects capital-rider revenues to increase $480-$490 million, while operating and maintenance expenses are projected to rise about 3%. The company anticipates interest expense, net of debt AFUDC, to increase $240-$250 million, partly offset by a $150-$160 million increase in equity AFUDC. XEL outlined more than $70 billion of potential capital investment during 2026-2030, comprising a $60 billion base plan and over $10 billion of additional opportunities. The program includes roughly 11,400 megawatts (“MW”) of renewable generation, 3,400 MW of natural gas generation and 2,200 MW of energy storage.The company has about 2 gigawatts (“GW”) of data-center capacity contracted or under construction and expects contracted capacity to reach roughly 4 GW by the end of 2027. Its broader pipeline exceeds 20 GW, providing potential support for future generation and transmission investment. Xcel Energy currently has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here. NextEra Energy NEE reported second-quarter 2026 results with adjusted earnings per share of $1.15, up 9.5% from $1.05 a year ago. The figure beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.09 by 5.5%.The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2026 and 2027 earnings per share indicates year-over-year growth of 8.36% and 8.73%, respectively.FirstEnergy FE reported second-quarter 2026 adjusted earnings of 50 cents per share, which beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 49 cents by 2.04%. In the year-ago quarter, the company reported earnings of 52 cents per share. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2026 and 2027 earnings per share implies year-over-year growth of 7.06% and 7.78%, respectively.WEC Energy Group WEC reported second-quarter 2026 earnings of 91 cents per share, which surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 80 cents by 13.75%. The bottom line also increased 19.74% from the year-ago quarter’s 76 cents.The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2026 and 2027 earnings per share indicates year-over-year growth of 6.07% and 7.44%, respectively. Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Xcel Energy Inc. (XEL) : Free Stock Analysis Report NextEra Energy, Inc. (NEE) : Free Stock Analysis Report FirstEnergy Corporation (FE) : Free Stock Analysis Report WEC Energy Group, Inc. (WEC) : Free Stock Analysis Report This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com). Zacks Investment Research

Never miss an important update on your stock portfolio and cut through the noise. Over 7 million investors trust Simply Wall St to stay informed where it matters for FREE. FirstEnergy (FE) just released its second quarter 2026 results, giving you fresh numbers to assess the stock. The update also came alongside reaffirmed earnings guidance and ongoing capital spending plans. See our latest analysis for FirstEnergy. FirstEnergy's latest earnings and reaffirmed capital plan sit against a share price of $49.13, with a year to date share price return of 8.55% and a 1 year total shareholder return of 22.34%. This points to steady momentum over both shorter and longer periods. If FirstEnergy's grid investment story has your attention, it can also be useful to see what other power infrastructure opportunities look like by reviewing the 34 power grid technology and infrastructure stocks FirstEnergy is now trading near recent highs after its latest earnings and guidance update, which puts the timing question front and center. Is it more appealing to buy at this level or wait for a pullback based on valuation? Compared with the current FirstEnergy share price of $49.13, the most followed narrative points to a fair value closer to the low $50s, built on a detailed view of future earnings power and grid investment. Read the complete narrative. Want to see how a multi decade grid buildout, rising allowed returns and steady margin expansion are threaded together in this story? The core of this narrative is a detailed path for revenue, earnings and valuation multiples that needs all the moving parts to line up. Curious which assumptions really carry the weight in getting from today’s earnings to that higher fair value. Result: Fair Value of $52.15 (UNDERVALUED) Have a read of the narrative in full and understand what's behind the forecasts. However, you still need to watch for regulatory setbacks around issues like Ohio House Bill 6, as well as the ongoing cash demands of FirstEnergy's capital intensive grid upgrades. Find out about the key risks to this FirstEnergy narrative. The analyst narrative sees FirstEnergy trading around 5.8% below a fair value of $52.15, based on future earnings and multiples. Our DCF model tells a very different story. It suggests a value of $29.86, which would make the current $49.13 share price look expensive. Which lens do you trust more for a long term decision? Look into how the SWS DCF model arrives at its fair value. Simply Wall St performs a discounted cash flow (DCF) on every stock in the world every day (check out FirstEnergy for example). We show the entire calculation in full. You can track the result in your watchlist or portfolio and be alerted when this changes, or use our stock screener to discover 49 high quality undervalued stocks. If you save a screener we even alert you when new companies match - so you never miss a potential opportunity. If this mix of opportunity and concern around FirstEnergy feels finely balanced, it makes sense to move quickly and stress test the numbers yourself. To weigh up the potential upside against the headline issues and form your own conclusion, start by reviewing the 1 key reward and 2 important warning signs. If FirstEnergy has sharpened your focus on opportunities, do not stop here. Use the Simply Wall Street Screener to quickly surface other potential fits for your portfolio. Target income resilience by reviewing companies in the 9 dividend fortresses that may align with your dividend goals. Spot potential bargains early by checking the screener containing 21 high quality undiscovered gems before the wider market catches on. Dial back risk while staying invested by using the 85 resilient stocks with low risk scores to source stocks with steadier profiles. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. Companies discussed in this article include FE. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email [email protected]

FirstEnergy FE reported second-quarter 2026 adjusted earnings of 50 cents per share, which beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 49 cents by 2.04%. In the year-ago quarter, the company reported earnings of 52 cents per share. FE’s reported GAAP earnings of 50 cents per share in the second quarter of 2026 compared with 46 cents in the year-ago quarter. Core earnings in the Distribution segment declined 6 cents in the second quarter of 2026 due to higher maintenance expenses, while the Stand-Alone Transmission segment benefited from an 11% increase in transmission rate base, boosting earnings by 4 cents. Operating revenues of $3.68 billion beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $3.56 billion by 3.43%. The top line increased 8.82% from $3.38 billion recorded in the year-ago quarter. FirstEnergy Corporation price-consensus-eps-surprise-chart | FirstEnergy Corporation Quote Distribution: Revenues from this segment totaled $1.71 billion, up 2.3% from the prior-year quarter’s level. Electric revenues increased $44 million, while other revenues declined $5 million.Integrated: Revenues from this segment amounted to $1.43 billion, up 13.7% from the prior-year quarter. The increase was driven by a $130 million rise in revenues from contracts with customers and a $43 million increase in other revenues unrelated to contracts with customers.Stand-Alone Transmission: Revenues from this segment amounted to $544 million, up 19.30% from the prior-year quarter’s level, driven by rate base growth, the recovery of transmission operating costs and annual formula-rate true-ups. Total operating expenses were $3 billion, up 9.77% from the year-ago quarter's level of $2.73 billion. Purchased-power costs rose to $1.16 billion from $953 million, while other operating expenses increased to $1.17 billion from $995 million.Operating income nevertheless increased 4.8% to $677 million as revenue growth exceeded the rise in operating costs. Interest expense climbed to $337 million from $299 million due to new long-term debt and convertible note issuances, net of repayments. Total contracted and pipeline data center demand reached 24.8 gigawatts (GW), up about 30% from the first quarter. West Virginia demand increased 137% to 4.3 GW, supporting the company's evaluation of additional generation, transmission and distribution investments.FE expects another 1.5 GW of demand to be contracted shortly. Management is also advancing the proposed 1.2-GW Maidsville Energy Center and 70 megawatts of solar generation in West Virginia. FirstEnergy deployed $2.9 billion of capital through the first half of 2026, up 19% year over year. Total transmission rate base grew 14%, including increases of 22% in Integrated and 11% in Stand-Alone Transmission.Cash and cash equivalents as of June 30, 2026, were $63 million compared with $57 million as of Dec. 31, 2025. Long-term debt increased to $27.1 billion as of June 30, 2026, from $25.51 billion at year-end 2025. Short-term borrowings also climbed to $1.38 billion from $325 million.FE and its subsidiaries maintain investment-grade ratings across all three major credit rating agencies. FirstEnergy reaffirmed its 2026 core earnings guidance of $2.62 to $2.82 per share. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2026 is currently pegged at $2.73 per share.FirstEnergy remains on track to invest $6 billion in 2026 under its Energize365 program. The company also maintained its $36 billion capital plan for 2026-2030 and continues to expect core earnings growth near the top end of its 6-8% target range through 2030. FirstEnergy currently has a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell). You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here. Duke Energy DUK is scheduled to report second-quarter results on Aug. 4, before the market opens. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings is pegged at $1.29 per share, which suggests a year-over-year increase of 3.20%.DUK’s long-term (three to five years) earnings growth rate is 6.76%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2026 earnings is pinned at $6.72 per share, which implies a year-over-year improvement of 6.50%.Consolidated Edison ED is slated to report second-quarter results on Aug. 6, after market close. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings is pegged at 74 cents per share, which implies a year-over-year increase of 10.45%.ED’s long-term earnings growth rate is 6.32%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2026 earnings is pinned at $6.09 per share, which implies a year-over-year improvement of 6.84%.PPL Corporation PPL is scheduled to report second-quarter results on Aug. 7, before the market opens. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings is pegged at 35 cents per share, which implies a year-over-year growth of 9.38%.PPL’s long-term earnings growth rate is 7.52%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2026 earnings is pinned at $1.94 per share, which implies a year-over-year improvement of 7.18%. Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report FirstEnergy Corporation (FE) : Free Stock Analysis Report PPL Corporation (PPL) : Free Stock Analysis Report Duke Energy Corporation (DUK) : Free Stock Analysis Report Consolidated Edison Inc (ED) : Free Stock Analysis Report This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com). Zacks Investment Research

This article first appeared on GuruFocus. Release Date: July 29, 2026 For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript. FirstEnergy Corp (NYSE:FE) reaffirmed its 2026 $6 billion capital investment plan and core earnings guidance range of $2.62 to $2.82 per share. The company reported a 19% increase in capital deployment through the first half of 2026 compared to 2025. FirstEnergy Corp (NYSE:FE) is experiencing significant demand from data centers, with contracted demand increasing to 6.4 gigawatts. The company is making progress on regulatory strategies, including a three-year rate plan in Ohio and a base rate case in New Jersey. FirstEnergy Corp (NYSE:FE) is well-positioned for growth with a 16% compound annual growth rate in its transmission business through 2030. Core earnings for Q2 2026 were $0.50 per share, slightly down from $0.52 in the same quarter of 2025. Operating expenses were planned to be slightly higher compared to the same period last year, impacting financial performance. There is regulatory uncertainty in New Jersey, with potential changes to cost of capital and performance-based rate making. The company faces opposition from coal interests in West Virginia regarding the Maysville Energy Center project. FirstEnergy Corp (NYSE:FE) may need to adjust its capital deployment plans if regulatory environments and investment opportunities evolve unfavorably. Warning! GuruFocus has detected 9 Warning Signs with FE. Is FE fairly valued? Test your thesis with our free DCF calculator. Q: Can you discuss the open capacity on the transmission system in West Virginia and the potential for incremental investment opportunities there? A: Brian Tierney, CEO: In the near term, we have some capacity for early queue entrants to add 100-200 megawatts, with the opportunity to build out the remaining capacity. We estimate about $250 million of investment for each gigawatt of capacity added. Q: Regarding the New Jersey rate case filing, do you anticipate any challenges from the BPU, especially with the state's focus on capital spending scrutiny? A: Brian Tierney, CEO: We don't anticipate issues in New Jersey. The commission and administration have been collaborative. The focus is on reliability, and our investments have improved it significantly. We are filing to recover those investments. Q: Can you elaborate on the regulatory process for serving West Virginia demand, especially if using a Genco structure? A: Brian Tierney, CEO: Creating a Genco would require FERC approval for wholesale sales, and the contract with Mon Power would need West Virginia PSC approval. This process would be faster than the traditional CPCN process. Q: What are the primary objectives for New Jersey's regulatory environment, and how are you engaging with the state? A: Brian Tierney, CEO: The report is a menu of options, and we have the opportunity to comment. We've engaged with the administration and commission to ensure no surprises. Our focus has been on improving reliability, which has been successful. Q: Can you discuss the urgency and drivers behind the increase in contracted data center demand? A: Brian Tierney, CEO: There's urgency from both data center developers and utilities to contract quickly to enter the PJM planning process. This helps address potential bottlenecks and ensures timely load integration. For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript.

Reports second quarter 2026 GAAP and Core Earnings (non-GAAP) of $0.50 per share Year-to-date GAAP earnings of $1.20 per share and Core Earnings of $1.22 per share Reaffirms 2026 Core Earnings guidance range of $2.62 to $2.82 per share Reaffirms Core Earnings compound annual growth near the top end of 6% to 8% from 2026 to 2030 Data center demand (contracted and pipeline) increased 30% since first quarter, with contracted demand at 6.4 GW; West Virginia demand up 137% to 4.3 GW AKRON, Ohio, July 28, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE: FE) today reported second quarter 2026 GAAP earnings of $288 million, or $0.50 per basic and diluted share, on revenue of $3.7 billion. This compares to second quarter of 2025 GAAP earnings of $268 million, or $0.46 per basic and diluted share, on revenue of $3.4 billion. GAAP results include the impact of special items listed below. Core Earnings (non-GAAP) for the second quarter of 2026 were $0.50 per share, in line with plan and compared to $0.52 per share in the second quarter of 2025. Results reflect continued implementation of FirstEnergy's regulated investment strategy, cost management and improved operations across the company's service territory. "We delivered another quarter of solid financial performance, demonstrating the strength of our strategy and our disciplined execution," said Brian X. Tierney, FirstEnergy Board Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer. "Our results reinforce confidence in our ability to achieve our 2026 commitments and continue creating long-term value through targeted investments and constructive regulatory momentum." The company's performance during the quarter was supported by FirstEnergy employees, who safely responded to significant heat and storms across portions of the organization's footprint, restoring power as quickly as possible and supporting impacted customers and communities throughout the recovery efforts. FirstEnergy remains on track to achieve earnings growth near the top end of its targeted growth rate through 2030, driven by a robust capital investment plan, increasing customer demand and continued focus on operational and financial execution. Outlook FirstEnergy reaffirmed its 2026 Core Earnings guidance range of $2.62 to $2.82 per share, which is supported by the company's capital investment plan of $6 billion in 2026. The company deployed $2.9 billion in capital investments through the first half of 2026. FirstEnergy's five-year, $36 billion Energize365 capital investment program will modernize the grid, renewing distribution infrastructure and strengthening transmission reliability while supporting long-term earnings growth. The plan represents an increase of nearly 30% compared with the company's previous five-year investment program. Based on this plan, the company is reaffirming its long-term Core Earnings compound annual growth near the top end of 6% to 8% from 2026 to 2030. FirstEnergy continues to see expanding opportunities across its service territory driven by increasing customer demand, economic development and the need for new electric infrastructure. The company believes these trends have the potential to meaningfully increase its long-term investment and earnings growth profile. These opportunities include accelerating demand from data center customers across the company's footprint and growing demand in West Virginia, where FirstEnergy is advancing the proposed Maidsville Energy Center while evaluating additional generation, transmission and distribution investments to support future growth. Together, these opportunities position the company to create long-term value for customers, communities and shareholders. "Increasing customer demand continues to create significant incremental opportunities across our service territory," said Tierney. "I am pleased with the substantial growth in contracted data center demand since the first quarter and am excited about what we are seeing in West Virginia. As we thoughtfully serve this scaling demand, we're supporting economic development, strengthening our trajectory and creating sustainable value for customers, communities and investors." Second Quarter Results Core Earnings in the second quarter of 2026 are in line with the plan and reflect continued execution of FirstEnergy's regulated investment strategy and disciplined financial management, resulting in a consolidated return on equity of 9.5% on a trailing 12-month basis. In the Distribution segment, second quarter 2026 Core Earnings decreased $0.06 per share compared to the second quarter of 2025, primarily due to higher maintenance expenses, in line with our plan. In the Integrated segment, Core Earnings were flat compared to the second quarter of 2025. Transmission rate base growth of 22% drove higher transmission earnings which was offset by planned maintenance expenses. In the Stand-Alone Transmission segment, second quarter 2026 Core Earnings increased $0.04 per share, reflecting capital investments that drove an 11% increase in transmission rate base compared with the second quarter of 2025. First Half Results For the first half of 2026, FirstEnergy reported GAAP earnings of $693 million, or $1.20 per basic and diluted share, on revenue of $7.9 billion. This compares to GAAP earnings of $628 million, or $1.09 per basic and diluted share, on revenue of $7.1 billion in the first half of 2025. GAAP results for both periods reflect the impact of special items listed below. Core Earnings (non-GAAP) for the first half of 2026 were $1.22 per share, compared to $1.19 per share in the first half of 2025. Core Earnings growth reflected the continued success of the company's regulated investment strategy, partially offset by planned operating expenses. Non-GAAP Financial Measures We refer to certain financial measures, including Core Earnings (non-GAAP) per share ("Core EPS"), as "non-GAAP financial measures," which are not calculated in accordance with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles ("GAAP") and exclude the impact of "special items" from earnings attributable to FirstEnergy Corp., as reflected in the table above. Core EPS is calculated based on the weighted average number of common shares outstanding in the respective period. Management uses non-GAAP financial measures, including Core EPS, to evaluate the company's and its segments' performance and manage its operations and frequently references such non-GAAP financial measures in its decision-making, using them to facilitate historical and ongoing performance comparisons. Management believes that Core EPS provides consistent and comparable measures of performance of its businesses on an ongoing basis. Management also believes that this measure is useful to shareholders and other interested parties to understand performance trends and evaluate the company against its peer group by presenting period-over-period operating results without the effect of certain special items that may not be consistent or comparable across periods or across the company's peer group. Core EPS and any other non-GAAP financial measures are intended to complement, and are not considered as alternatives to, the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures, which for Core EPS is EPS attributable to FirstEnergy Corp. (GAAP), as reconciled in the above table. Also, such non-GAAP financial measures may not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by other entities. Special items represent charges incurred or benefits realized that management believes are not indicative of or may obscure trends useful in evaluating the company's ongoing core activities and results of operations or otherwise warrant separate classification. More detail on special items for the period can be found in the Company's Strategic and Financial Highlights, available at the company's Investor Information website – www.firstenergycorp.com/ir. Forward-Looking Non-GAAP Measures A quantitative reconciliation of forward-looking non-GAAP measures, including 2026 Core EPS and Core EPS Compound Annual Growth Rate ("CAGR") projections, to the most directly comparable GAAP measures is not provided because comparable GAAP measures for such measures are not available without unreasonable efforts due to the inherent difficulty in forecasting and quantifying measures that would be necessary for such reconciliation. Specifically, management cannot, without unreasonable effort, predict the impact of these special items in the context of Core EPS guidance and Core EPS CAGR projections because these items, which could be significant, are difficult to predict and may be highly variable. In addition, the company believes such a reconciliation would imply a degree of precision and certainty that could be confusing to investors. Forward-looking statements, including these special items, are based upon current expectations and are subject to factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those suggested here, including those factors set forth under "Forward-Looking Statements," below. Investor Materials and Teleconference FirstEnergy's Strategic and Financial Highlights presentation is posted on the company's Investor Information website – www.firstenergycorp.com/ir. It can be accessed through the Second Quarter 2026 Financial Results link. Important information may be disseminated initially or exclusively via the company's Investor Information website; investors should consult the site to access this information. The company invites investors, customers and other interested parties to listen to a live webcast of its teleconference for financial analysts and view presentation slides at 9:00 a.m. EDT tomorrow, July 29, 2026. FirstEnergy management will present an overview of the company's financial results followed by a question-and-answer session. The teleconference and presentation can be accessed on the Investor Information website by selecting the Second Quarter 2026 Earnings Webcast link. The webcast and presentation will be archived on the website. FirstEnergy is dedicated to integrity, safety, reliability and operational excellence. Its electric distribution companies form one of the nation's largest investor-owned electric systems, serving more than 6 million customers in Ohio, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, West Virginia, Maryland and New York. FirstEnergy's transmission subsidiaries operate more than 24,000 miles of transmission lines that connect the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions. Follow FirstEnergy online at www.firstenergycorp.com and on X @FirstEnergyCorp. Forward Looking Statements: This news release includes forward-looking statements based on information currently available to management unless the context requires otherwise, references to "we," "us," "our" and "FirstEnergy" refers to FirstEnergy Corp. and its subsidiaries. Such statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties and readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. These statements include declarations regarding management's intents, beliefs and current expectations. These statements typically contain, but are not limited to, the terms "anticipate," "potential," "expect," "forecast," "target," "will," "intend," "believe," "project," "estimate," "plan" and similar words. Forward-looking statements involve estimates, assumptions, known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, which may include the following: the potential liabilities, increased costs and unanticipated developments resulting from government investigations and agreements, including those associated with compliance with or failure to comply with the Deferred Prosecution Agreement entered into July 21, 2021 and settlements with the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Ohio and the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"); the risks and uncertainties associated with litigation, including the securities class action lawsuit, regulatory proceedings, arbitration, mediation and similar proceedings; changes in national and regional economic conditions affecting us and/or our customers and the vendors with which we do business, including geopolitical conflicts, recession, volatile interest rates, inflationary pressures, supply chain disruptions, higher fuel costs, and workforce impacts; variations in weather, such as mild seasonal weather variations and severe weather conditions (including events caused, or exacerbated, by climate change, such as wildfires, hurricanes, flooding, droughts, high wind events and extreme heat events) and other natural disasters, which may result in increased storm restoration expenses or material liability and negatively affect future operating results; the potential liabilities and increased costs arising from regulatory actions or outcomes in response to severe weather conditions and other natural disasters; legislative and regulatory developments, and executive orders, including, but not limited to, matters related to rates, generation resource adequacy, co-location of generation and large loads, and compliance and enforcement activity; the ability to access the public securities and other capital and credit markets in accordance with our financial plans, the cost of such capital and overall condition of the capital and credit markets, including the loss of FirstEnergy Corp.'s status as a well-known seasoned issuer; the risks associated with physical attacks, such as acts of war, terrorism, sabotage or other acts of violence, and cyber-attacks and other disruptions to our, or our vendors', information technology systems, which may compromise our operations, and data security breaches of sensitive data, intellectual property and proprietary or personally identifiable information; the ability to accomplish or realize anticipated benefits through establishing a culture of continuous improvement and our other strategic and financial goals, including, but not limited to, executing Energize365, our transmission and distribution investment plan, executing on our rate filing strategy, controlling costs, improving credit metrics, maintaining investment grade ratings, strengthening our balance sheet and growing earnings; changing market conditions affecting the measurement of certain liabilities and the value of assets held in our pension trusts may negatively impact our forecasted growth rate, results of operations and may also cause it to make contributions to its pension sooner or in amounts that are larger than currently anticipated; changes in assumptions regarding factors such as economic conditions within our territories, the reliability of our transmission and distribution system, our generation resource planning in West Virginia, or the availability of capital or other resources supporting identified transmission and distribution investment opportunities; human capital management challenges, including among other things, attracting and retaining appropriately trained and qualified employees and labor disruptions by our unionized workforce; changes to environmental laws and regulations, including, but not limited to, federal and state rules related to climate change, coal combustion residuals, and potential changes to such laws and regulations; changes in customers' demand for power, including, but not limited to, economic conditions, development of data centers, the impact of climate change and emerging technology, particularly with respect to electrification, energy storage, co-location of generation and large loads, and distributed sources of generation; future actions taken by credit rating agencies that could negatively affect either our access to or terms of financing or our financial condition and liquidity; the potential of non-compliance with debt covenants in our credit facilities; the ability to comply with applicable reliability standards and energy efficiency and peak demand reduction mandates; changes to significant accounting policies; any changes in tax laws or regulations, including, but not limited to, the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act of 2025, as signed into law on July 4, 2025, or adverse tax audit results or rulings and potential changes to such laws and regulations; the ability to meet our publicly-disclosed goals relating to climate-related matters, opportunities, improvements, and efficiencies, including FirstEnergy's greenhouse gas reduction goals; and the risks and other factors discussed from time to time in FirstEnergy Corp.'s SEC filings. Dividends declared from time to time on FirstEnergy Corp.'s common stock during any period may in the aggregate vary from prior periods due to circumstances considered by the FirstEnergy Corp. Board at the time of the actual declarations. A security rating is not a recommendation to buy or hold securities and is subject to revision or withdrawal at any time by the assigning rating agency. Each rating should be evaluated independently of any other rating. These forward-looking statements are also qualified by, and should be read together with, the risk factors included in FirstEnergy Corp.'s Form 10-K, Form 10-Q and in other filings with the SEC. The foregoing review of factors also should not be construed as exhaustive. New factors emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for management to predict all such factors, nor assess the impact of any such factor on FirstEnergy Corp.'s business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements. FirstEnergy Corp. expressly disclaims any obligation to update or revise, except as required by law, any forward-looking statements contained herein or in the information incorporated by reference as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/firstenergy-reports-strong-second-quarter-2026-results-reaffirms-earnings-guidance-and-long-term-growth-strategy-302837001.html