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Nrg Energy (NRG)
NYSE:NRG

NRG Energy (NRG) AI Stock Analysis

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NRG Energy

(NYSE:NRG)

71Outperform
NRG Energy scores well due to strong financial performance and a positive earnings call, indicating robust growth prospects. However, high leverage and technical indicators suggesting overbought conditions moderate the overall score. The valuation is fair, providing some support but also limiting upside potential.
Positive Factors
Acquisition Benefits
The acquisition of 13GW power plants and 6GW C&I demand response from LS Power transforms NRG Energy into a more balanced generation company, addressing concerns about being short on power.
Earnings Growth
The acquisition is expected to increase the 5-year adjusted EPS CAGR to at least 14% from at least 10% previously.
Financial Performance
NRG trades at an attractive valuation with a ~12% free cash flow yield, which is cheaper compared to its peers.
Negative Factors
Cash Flow Concerns
The free cash flow yield from the acquisition is below where NRG shares currently trade, which could be seen unfavorably by investors.
Leverage Risks
The acquisition will be financed entirely with new debt, increasing the company's leverage and leaving less room for further debt-heavy acquisitions.
Valuation Concerns
The valuation of the acquisition is on the higher end, making it an expensive deal compared to market expectations for similar assets.

NRG Energy (NRG) vs. S&P 500 (SPY)

NRG Energy Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company DescriptionNRG Energy, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, operates as an integrated power company in the United States. It operates through Texas, East, and West. The company is involved in the producing, selling, and delivering electricity and related products and services to approximately 6 million residential, commercial, industrial, and wholesale customers. It generates electricity using natural gas, coal, oil, solar, nuclear, and battery storage. The company also provides system power, distributed generation, renewable products, backup generation, storage and distributed solar, demand response, and energy efficiency, and advisory services, as well as carbon management and specialty services; and on-site energy solutions. In addition, it trades in electric power, natural gas, and related commodities; environmental products; weather products; and financial products, including forwards, futures, options, and swaps. Further, the company procures fuels; provides transportation services; and directly sells energy, services, and products and services to retail customers under the NRG, Reliant, Direct Energy, Green Mountain Energy, Stream, and XOOM Energy. As of December 31, 2021, it owns and leases power generation portfolio with approximately 18,000 megawatts of capacity at 25 plants. NRG Energy, Inc. was founded in 1989 and is headquartered in Houston, Texas.
How the Company Makes MoneyNRG Energy makes money primarily through the sale of electricity and energy-related services. The company's revenue streams are diversified across power generation and retail electricity sales. In power generation, NRG operates a fleet of power plants and sells electricity on the wholesale market. In its retail business, NRG sells electricity directly to consumers and businesses, offering plans that may include fixed-rate pricing and green energy options. Additionally, NRG generates revenue through energy-related services, which can include energy management solutions, backup power services, and renewable energy products. Strategic partnerships and acquisitions also play a role in NRG's earnings, allowing the company to expand its customer base and service offerings.

NRG Energy Financial Statement Overview

Summary
NRG Energy demonstrates strong revenue growth and profitability with robust margins in the TTM period. The high leverage poses a potential risk, but the company effectively converts income to cash, as seen in its strong cash flow metrics. Overall, the financial health appears solid, albeit with some leverage-induced risk.
Income Statement
78
Positive
The TTM (Trailing-Twelve-Months) gross profit margin is robust at 21.37%, supported by a strong net profit margin of 4.66%. Revenue growth is evident with a 4.10% increase over the previous annual period. EBIT and EBITDA margins are solid, at 9.17% and 12.70%, respectively, indicating efficient operational performance. However, fluctuations in net income in previous years suggest some volatility.
Balance Sheet
65
Positive
The balance sheet reflects a high debt-to-equity ratio of 3.96, signaling significant leverage, which raises risk concerns. Return on equity is strong at 49.10%, indicating effective use of equity. The equity ratio is relatively low at 11.11%, suggesting limited funding from equity.
Cash Flow
72
Positive
Free cash flow has grown by 24.61% in the TTM, indicating strong cash generation. The operating cash flow to net income ratio is favorable at 2.12, showing efficient cash conversion. The free cash flow to net income ratio of 1.66 further underscores the company’s ability to convert income into cash flow.
Breakdown
TTMDec 2024Dec 2023Dec 2022Dec 2021Dec 2020
Income StatementTotal Revenue
29.29B28.13B28.82B31.54B26.99B9.09B
Gross Profit
6.26B6.03B2.30B4.10B6.51B2.55B
EBIT
2.69B2.42B384.00M2.02B3.34B1.10B
EBITDA
3.72B3.50B1.80B2.98B4.32B1.77B
Net Income Common Stockholders
1.36B1.13B-202.00M1.22B2.19B510.00M
Balance SheetCash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments
278.00M966.00M541.00M430.00M250.00M3.90B
Total Assets
25.40B24.02B26.04B29.15B23.18B14.90B
Total Debt
10.88B10.99B10.97B8.30B8.29B9.04B
Net Debt
10.60B10.03B10.43B7.87B8.04B5.13B
Total Liabilities
22.10B21.54B23.13B25.32B19.58B13.22B
Stockholders Equity
3.30B2.48B2.91B3.83B3.60B1.68B
Cash FlowFree Cash Flow
2.26B1.82B-843.00M-13.00M224.00M1.61B
Operating Cash Flow
2.89B2.31B-221.00M360.00M493.00M1.84B
Investing Cash Flow
-66.00M-24.00M-910.00M-332.00M-3.04B-494.00M
Financing Cash Flow
-1.93B-1.75B-400.00M1.04B-272.00M2.20B

NRG Energy Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Positive
Last Price159.20
Price Trends
50DMA
105.56
Positive
100DMA
103.58
Positive
200DMA
95.34
Positive
Market Momentum
MACD
14.53
Negative
RSI
84.19
Negative
STOCH
93.64
Negative
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For NRG, the sentiment is Positive. The current price of 159.2 is above the 20-day moving average (MA) of 121.73, above the 50-day MA of 105.56, and above the 200-day MA of 95.34, indicating a bullish trend. The MACD of 14.53 indicates Negative momentum. The RSI at 84.19 is Negative, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 93.64 is Negative, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Positive sentiment for NRG.

NRG Energy Risk Analysis

NRG Energy disclosed 42 risk factors in its most recent earnings report. NRG Energy reported the most risks in the “Production” category.
Finance & Corporate - Financial and accounting risks. Risks related to the execution of corporate activity and strategy
Latest Risks Added 0 New Risks

NRG Energy Peers Comparison

Overall Rating
UnderperformOutperform
Sector (63)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
VSVST
75
Outperform
$53.15B24.5746.29%0.56%49.22%313.49%
POPOR
72
Outperform
$4.68B14.948.33%4.68%11.83%9.53%
PPPPL
72
Outperform
$25.77B26.037.00%3.00%5.62%30.02%
NRNRG
71
Outperform
$31.13B25.0744.91%1.04%2.57%-10.19%
69
Neutral
$4.90B23.528.37%3.01%10.10%149.78%
64
Neutral
$15.40B17.638.95%3.91%5.53%23.00%
63
Neutral
$8.53B10.184.66%4.38%3.77%-12.97%
* Utilities Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
NRG
NRG Energy
159.20
78.87
98.18%
TXNM
TXNM Energy
52.88
15.64
42.00%
POR
Portland GE
42.69
-0.25
-0.58%
PPL
PPL
34.86
6.21
21.68%
VST
Vistra Energy
156.62
65.87
72.58%
EVRG
Evergy
66.93
13.55
25.38%

NRG Energy Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date:May 12, 2025
(Q1-2025)
|
% Change Since: 33.41%|
Next Earnings Date:Aug 07, 2025
Earnings Call Sentiment Positive
The earnings call was generally positive, with record-breaking financial performance, a significant acquisition to enhance future growth potential, and substantial shareholder returns. However, the increase in debt and focus on deleveraging indicate some financial challenges ahead.
Q1-2025 Updates
Positive Updates
Record-Breaking Adjusted EBITDA
NRG Energy delivered the strongest first quarter adjusted EBITDA in company history, surpassing last year's record by 30%.
Significant Acquisition Announcement
NRG announced the acquisition of a portfolio of assets from LS Power, including 13 gigawatts of natural gas generation and a 6 gigawatt commercial and industrial Virtual Power Plant platform.
Increased Financial Growth Outlook
NRG raised its five-year adjusted EPS compound annual growth rate to 14%, a 40% increase to the base plan.
Strong First Quarter Financial Performance
Adjusted EPS for the first quarter was $2.68, an 84% increase compared to the first quarter of last year.
Capital Return to Shareholders
NRG completed $445 million in share repurchases through April, with $855 million remaining to be completed through the end of 2025.
Expansion of Generation Capacity
The acquisition more than doubles the size of NRG's generation fleet, creating a pro forma portfolio of 25 gigawatts of owned capacity.
Negative Updates
Significant Debt Increase
The acquisition includes $3.2 billion of existing debt and will be funded with $6.4 billion of new secured and unsecured debt financings.
Deleveraging Period
NRG plans to aggressively repay $3.7 billion of debt over 24 months to 36 months post-closing, indicating a period of financial focus on debt reduction.
Company Guidance
In the first quarter of 2025, NRG Energy delivered record-breaking financial results, achieving a 30% increase in adjusted EBITDA compared to the previous year. The company's adjusted EPS for the quarter was $2.68, marking an 84% improvement from the first quarter of 2024. These exceptional results were supported by strong asset performance, expanded consumer margins, favorable weather, and natural gas optimization. NRG reaffirmed its 2025 financial guidance, highlighting that it is already tracking at the upper end of its full-year guidance ranges. The company also announced the acquisition of a significant portfolio from LS Power, comprising 13 gigawatts of natural gas generation and a 6 gigawatt C&I Virtual Power Plant platform, which is expected to enhance NRG's generation base and earnings potential. This acquisition is projected to increase NRG's five-year adjusted EPS CAGR to 14%, representing a 40% increase over their previous base plan and does not factor in potential upsides such as rising power prices or large load contracts.

NRG Energy Corporate Events

M&A TransactionsBusiness Operations and Strategy
NRG Energy Announces Major Acquisition Agreement
Positive
May 16, 2025

On May 12, 2025, NRG Energy, Inc. announced a Purchase and Sale Agreement to acquire all equity interests in several companies from affiliates of LS Power Equity Advisors, LLC. The transaction, valued at approximately $12 billion, includes a mix of stock, cash, and debt assumption. The closing is targeted for the first quarter of 2026, subject to regulatory approvals and customary conditions. This acquisition is expected to enhance NRG’s market position and operational capacity, although it is not anticipated to trigger any change of control provisions under the assumed debt.

The most recent analyst rating on (NRG) stock is a Buy with a $110.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on NRG Energy stock, see the NRG Stock Forecast page.

Spark’s Take on NRG Stock

According to Spark, TipRanks’ AI Analyst, NRG is a Neutral.

NRG Energy demonstrates strong growth potential through strategic acquisitions and robust earnings performance, contributing to a positive outlook. However, significant financial leverage and valuation concerns temper the overall score, suggesting a cautious approach in the near term.

To see Spark’s full report on NRG stock, click here.

M&A TransactionsBusiness Operations and Strategy
NRG Energy Acquires LS Power Assets for $12 Billion
Positive
May 12, 2025

On May 12, 2025, NRG Energy announced a definitive agreement to acquire a portfolio of natural gas generation facilities and a commercial and industrial virtual power plant platform from LS Power for approximately $12 billion. This acquisition will double NRG’s generation capacity, enhance its ability to serve growing energy demand, and is expected to be immediately accretive to its adjusted earnings per share. The transaction strengthens NRG’s market position in the Northeast and Texas, enhances its credit profile, and supports significant capital returns to shareholders.

The most recent analyst rating on (NRG) stock is a Buy with a $110.0000 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on NRG Energy stock, see the NRG Stock Forecast page.

Spark’s Take on NRG Stock

According to Spark, TipRanks’ AI Analyst, NRG is a Neutral.

NRG Energy’s overall score reflects a stable but cautious outlook due to financial challenges such as high leverage and fluctuating revenue. Strong earnings call performance and strategic growth initiatives bolster future prospects, but valuation and technical indicators suggest moderate growth potential.

To see Spark’s full report on NRG stock, click here.

Executive/Board Changes
NRG Energy Announces EVP Rasesh Patel’s Retirement
Neutral
Apr 7, 2025

On April 7, 2025, NRG Energy announced the retirement of Rasesh Patel, Executive Vice President of NRG Consumer, effective May 19, 2025. Patel, who played a crucial role in integrating Vivint and home energy platforms and pioneering a residential virtual power plant offering, will remain in an advisory role to assist with the transition. The company is in the process of finding a successor, expected to be appointed by the end of the second quarter. Patel’s leadership has significantly contributed to NRG’s positioning as a leader in the energy and smart home landscape, and his departure marks a significant transition for the company.

Spark’s Take on NRG Stock

According to Spark, TipRanks’ AI Analyst, (NRG) is a Neutral.

NRG Energy’s overall score reflects a strong earnings call with robust future guidance and strategic initiatives that enhance growth prospects. However, financial performance is moderated by high leverage and revenue sustainability concerns. The technical indicators show a neutral trend, while the valuation is reasonable with a fair P/E ratio and moderate dividend yield.

To see Spark’s full report on (NRG) stock, click here.

Glossary
OutperformA stock rated as "Outperform" is expected to perform better than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests that the stock is likely to deliver higher returns compared to the average returns of other stocks in the same sector or market index. Investors might consider this stock a good buying opportunity.
NeutralA stock rated as "Neutral" is expected to perform in line with the overall market or a specific benchmark. This rating indicates that the stock is neither particularly attractive nor unattractive for investment. Investors may consider holding onto the stock, as it is not expected to either significantly outperform or underperform the market.
UnderperformA stock rated as "Underperform" is expected to perform worse than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests that the stock may deliver lower returns compared to the average returns of other stocks in the same sector or market index. Investors might consider selling the stock or avoiding it as an investment.

Disclaimer

This AI Analyst Stock Report is automatically generated by our AI systems using advanced algorithms and publicly available financial, technical, and market data. While the information provided aims to be accurate and insightful, it is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Any content created by an AI (Artificial Intelligence) system may contain inaccuracies and/or contain errors. Investing in stocks carries inherent risks, and past performance is not indicative of future results. This report does not account for your personal financial circumstances, objectives, or risk tolerance. Always conduct your own research or consult with a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions. The analysis and recommendations provided are based on historical and current data and may not fully reflect future market conditions or unexpected developments. Neither the creators of this report nor its affiliated entities guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information presented. Use this report at your own discretion and risk.