Analyst Ratings February 6, 2026

Mizuho Lifts WEC Energy Target to $121, Cites Microsoft Demand and Regulatory Milestones

Analyst keeps Outperform rating as the utility updates guidance and details a larger capital plan tied to cloud demand

By Leila Farooq WEC
Mizuho Lifts WEC Energy Target to $121, Cites Microsoft Demand and Regulatory Milestones
WEC

Mizuho raised its price target on WEC Energy Group to $121 from $117 and retained an Outperform rating, citing expanded corporate demand and a heavier capital program. The utility reported full-year 2025 EPS modestly above estimates, set a 2026 guidance range, and flagged multi-state regulatory events and a sizeable customer-driven capex increase. Quarterly results were mixed, with an EPS miss but stronger-than-expected revenue.

Key Points

  • Mizuho raised its WEC Energy price target to $121 from $117 and kept an Outperform rating; the stock trades near $112 with a 14.8% one-year return.
  • Microsoft plans to add 500 MW at the site, lifting forecasted demand to 2.6 GW through 2030 and increasing WEC's capital plan by about $1 billion; Mizuho expects equity needs to align with capex.
  • WEC reported 2025 EPS of $5.27 (vs. $5.25 estimate), issued 2026 guidance of $5.51-$5.61, sees near-term EPS CAGR of 6.5%-7% and long-term growth of 7%-8% from guidance midpoint.

Mizuho has increased its 12-month price target for WEC Energy Group to $121.00 from $117.00 while maintaining an Outperform rating on the stock. Shares are trading near $112 and have returned 14.8% over the past year. Technical indicators suggest the stock's relative strength index (RSI) may be in overbought territory.

On the fundamentals, WEC reported 2025 earnings per share of $5.27, narrowly surpassing the Street consensus of $5.25. Management has provided a 2026 EPS guidance range of $5.51 to $5.61. For the current year, the company is forecasting an EPS compound annual growth rate of 6.5% to 7%, and it outlined a long-term growth expectation of 7% to 8% measured from the midpoint of guidance. The shares are trading at a price-to-earnings ratio of 23.6 and the stock's PEG ratio is 0.75.

One material development affecting WEC's capital plan is an expansion of demand from a major customer. Microsoft is adding 500 megawatts to its site, bringing the company's forecast demand from that location to 2.6 gigawatts through 2030. That increased demand has been reflected in WEC's planning as approximately $1 billion of additional capital investment. Mizuho expects the company's equity needs to correspond to the updated capital expenditure forecast.

Regulatory activity also shapes the near-term outlook. WEC expects a decision on its Very Large Customer tariff in May and plans to file a Wisconsin General Rate Case in April. In Illinois, a proposed settlement would resolve about $2.3 billion of outstanding dockets, which include reconciliation matters tied to the Qualified Infrastructure Plant (QIP) mechanism.

For income-focused investors, WEC presents a record of shareholder distributions: the company has paid dividends for 56 consecutive years and has increased its dividend for 22 straight years, producing a current yield of 3.4%.

WEC's most recent quarter produced mixed results. Fourth-quarter EPS was $0.97, missing expectations of $1.38 by 29.71%. By contrast, quarterly revenue came in at $2.54 billion, beating forecasts by 12.89%, underscoring resilient sales performance during the period. These results, alongside the capital plan and regulatory timeline, have coincided with investor optimism reflected in pre-market trading activity.


What this means

  • Mizuho's price-target increase reflects anticipated growth driven by large corporate demand and the associated rise in capital spending.
  • Regulatory decisions in multiple jurisdictions and the outcome of rate cases and tariff reviews will be material to near-term earnings and cash flow.
  • Mixed quarterly metrics illustrate divergence between top-line strength and near-term EPS pressure.

Risks

  • Regulatory outcomes - Pending decisions such as the Very Large Customer tariff due in May, the Wisconsin general rate case filing in April, and Illinois dockets (about $2.3 billion) could materially affect revenues and allowed returns - impact concentrated in the regulated utilities sector.
  • Earnings volatility - The company reported a Q4 EPS miss ($0.97 vs $1.38 expected), creating near-term uncertainty around profitability despite revenue strength - this affects investor expectations across equity markets.
  • Capital and financing needs - The roughly $1 billion increase to the capital plan tied to large-customer demand may drive equity issuance or other financing actions if internal cash flow and regulatory mechanisms do not cover the added needs - implications for utility balance sheets and investor dilution.

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