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Alliant Energy Corp.: Q3 FY2025 earnings call

What management said about Q3 FY2025, from the documents filed with the SEC on 7 November 2025: press release. Guidance figures: 3 raised, 2 new. The quarter’s numbers.

Key takeaways

  • Nine-month ongoing EPS rose 12.4%: Nine-month ongoing EPS was $2.62 against $2.33, and GAAP EPS was $2.59 against $2.10. Third-quarter GAAP EPS was $1.09 against $1.15, and ongoing EPS was $1.12 against $1.15. Source
  • Base rate increases drove revenue requirements: Management named authorized base rate increases as the primary driver, with revenue requirements rising on solar and energy storage investment. Source
  • Utilities subtotal down on IPL: Utilities and Corporate Services earned $1.13 per share in the third quarter, against $1.20. The nine-month subtotal was $2.75, against $2.38 ongoing in 2024. Source
  • State tax charge excluded from ongoing EPS: The $8 million, or $0.03 per share, charge remeasured deferred tax assets for higher estimated state apportionment, reflecting commercial and industrial revenue including data center agreements. Source
  • Data center revenue built into 2026 guidance: The 2026 EPS guidance assumes revenue from new data center demand, one of its listed assumptions. Source
  • Long-term debt issuance rose: Proceeds from long-term debt issuance were $2,174 million for nine months, against $1,613 million. Source

“We delivered another solid quarter of operating performance and remain on track to achieve our full-year earnings and dividend targets,”

Lisa Barton, Alliant Energy President and CEO

Guidance

AreaPeriodFigureAgainst last quarter
2025 ongoing EPS Sourcefull year 2025$3.17 - $3.23
2026 ongoing EPS Sourcefull year 2026$3.36 - $3.46New
2026 annual common stock dividend target Source2026$2.14 per shareRaised from $2.03 per share
Capital expenditures, four-year forecast Source2026-2029$13.4 billionRaised
Capital expenditures by year, in millions Source2025-2029$2,470 (2025), $3,045 (2026), $3,665 (2027), $3,795 (2028), $2,905 (2029)
Contracted data center demand Sourceas of the release date3 GWRaised
Peak energy demand growth Sourceby 203050%
Consolidated effective tax rate Source2025(21%)
Consolidated effective tax rate Source2026(30%)New

What changed from last quarter

  • Guidance kept: 2025 ongoing EPS range narrowed. Midpoint kept at $3.20, with the range moving from $3.15 to $3.25 to $3.17 to $3.23. Source
  • New guidance: 2026 ongoing EPS guidance issued for the first time, at $3.36 to $3.46 per share. Source
  • Guidance raised: 2026 annual common stock dividend target raised from $2.03 to $2.14 per share. Source
  • Guidance raised: Four-year capital expenditure forecast increased by 17%, to $13.4 billion. Source
  • New: Electric service agreement executed for 900 megawatts for the QTS Madison site, added to contracted data center demand. Source

Earnings and growth drivers

  • Nine-month ongoing EPS rose 12.4%: Nine-month ongoing EPS was $2.62 against $2.33, and GAAP EPS was $2.59 against $2.10. Third-quarter GAAP EPS was $1.09 against $1.15, and ongoing EPS was $1.12 against $1.15. Source
  • Base rate increases drove revenue requirements: Management named authorized base rate increases as the primary driver, with revenue requirements rising on solar and energy storage investment. Source
  • Costs and financing partly offset gains: Higher generation costs from planned maintenance, new energy resources and development spending offset part of the gain, along with depreciation, financing and income tax timing. Source
  • Nine-month GAAP net income rose: Net income attributable to common shareowners was $281 million in the third quarter, against $295 million, and $668 million for nine months, against $540 million. Source

Segments: utilities, ATC and parent

  • IPL earnings lower in quarter: IPL earned $0.64 per share in the third quarter, against $0.74, with GAAP and ongoing figures equal. Nine-month IPL EPS was $1.45 against $1.29 ongoing in 2024. Source
  • WPL earnings higher: WPL earned $0.48 per share in the third quarter, against $0.44. Nine-month WPL EPS was $1.25 against $1.05. Source
  • Utilities subtotal down on IPL: Utilities and Corporate Services earned $1.13 per share in the third quarter, against $1.20. The nine-month subtotal was $2.75, against $2.38 ongoing in 2024. Source
  • ATC Holdings flat in quarter: ATC Holdings contributed $0.04 per share in both periods. Nine-month ATC Holdings EPS was $0.12 against $0.11. Source
  • Non-utility loss narrowed on ongoing basis: Non-utility and Parent was a $0.08 per share loss on a GAAP basis. Excluding the $0.03 state tax charge, the ongoing loss was $0.05, against $0.09 in 2024. Source

“With four data center agreements now secured, and an active pipeline of additional load growth opportunities, we are well-positioned to accelerate our growth rate and foster meaningful economic development in the communities we serve.”

Lisa Barton, Alliant Energy President and CEO

Sales, customers and weather

  • Retail electric sales rose: Retail electric sales were 6,974 thousand MWh in the third quarter, against 6,697. Residential sales were 2,154 against 2,071, and industrial co-generation 217 against 168. Source
  • Wholesale fell, bulk sales rose: Wholesale sales were 713 thousand MWh against 782, while bulk power and other sales were 1,497 against 1,363. Source
  • Electric customer count kept growing: Electric customers reached 1,006,524 at September 30, against 999,893 a year earlier. Residential customers were 857,408. Source
  • Temperatures lifted quarterly operating income: Temperatures added an estimated $10 million to third-quarter operating income, against a $1 million decrease in 2024. Cedar Rapids had 690 cooling degree days, against a normal 558. Source

Costs, depreciation and tax

  • Revenue and operating income higher: Third-quarter revenue was $1,210 million against $1,081 million. Operating expenses were $861 million against $768 million, and operating income $349 million against $313 million. Source
  • Fuel and purchased power costs rose: Electric production fuel and purchased power cost $239 million against $192 million in the third quarter. Energy efficiency costs were $17 million against $11 million. Source
  • Other O&M and depreciation rose: Other operation and maintenance was $172 million against $148 million. Depreciation and amortization was $211 million against $195 million. Source
  • Interest expense rose: Interest expense was $128 million in the third quarter, against $114 million, and $372 million for nine months, against $329 million. Source
  • Income tax benefit smaller: The income tax benefit was $18 million in the third quarter, against $62 million. The nine-month benefit was $109 million, against $104 million. Source

“As we strategically increase our capital expenditure plan to meet growing demand for energy, we’re leveraging our momentum to sustain a balanced strategy that prioritizes customer-focused investments and long-term affordability.”

Lisa Barton, Alliant Energy President and CEO

Non-GAAP items and tax charge

  • State tax charge excluded from ongoing EPS: The $8 million, or $0.03 per share, charge remeasured deferred tax assets for higher estimated state apportionment, reflecting commercial and industrial revenue including data center agreements. Source
  • 2024 Lansing and steam charges excluded: Nine-month 2024 results excluded an after-tax $44 million Lansing valuation charge and a $15 million steam asset retirement charge, together $0.23 per share. Source

Data center and load growth

  • Data center revenue built into 2026 guidance: The 2026 EPS guidance assumes revenue from new data center demand, one of its listed assumptions. Source
  • Further load growth in pipeline: Management describes further load growth opportunities in its pipeline beyond the agreements now signed. Source

Cash flow, debt and balance sheet

  • Operating cash flow broadly flat: Net cash from operating activities was $900 million for nine months, against $913 million. Receivables sold to a third party reduced it by $400 million. Source
  • Utility construction spending rose: Utility business construction and acquisition expenditures were $1,487 million for nine months, against $1,280 million. Source
  • Long-term debt issuance rose: Proceeds from long-term debt issuance were $2,174 million for nine months, against $1,613 million. Source
  • Cash balance rose: Cash and cash equivalents were $503 million at September 30, against $81 million at December 31, 2024. Short-term investments were $250 million. Source
  • Dividend rate and payments higher: Quarterly dividend rate was $0.5075 against $0.48. Nine-month common stock dividends paid were $391 million, against $369 million. Source
  • Book value per share rose: Book value per share was $28.43 at September 30, against $27.16 a year earlier, with 257,054 thousand common shares outstanding. Source

Coming up, as management said on 7 November 2025

  • First 2026 dividend declaration expected January: The Board is expected to declare the first 2026 quarterly dividend in January 2026. Source

Figures management reported

FigureReported
Rate casesIPL base rate increases of $185 million (electric) and $10 million (gas), authorized September 2024
Rate base growth$0.13 per share in Q2 2025 from higher revenue requirements on increasing rate base
Capital plan Source$13.4 billion four-year capital expenditure forecast, up 17%
EPS growth target Source2026 ongoing EPS guidance midpoint 6.6% above 2025
Customer growth Source1,006,524 electric customers at September 30, 2025, against 999,893
Load growth Source3 GW contracted data center demand; 50% increase in peak load demand by 2030

Risks management discussed

  • Operational: The 2026 EPS guidance assumes the capital expenditure plan is executed, including achievement of targeted in-service dates. Source
  • Regulatory: The 2026 EPS guidance assumes IPL and WPL earn their authorized rates of return. Source
  • Demand: The 2026 EPS guidance assumes revenue from new data center demand arrives as expected. Source
  • Financial: The 2026 EPS guidance assumes cost controls and financing plans are executed, with a tax rate of (30%). Source
  • External: The 2026 EPS guidance assumes a stable economy and its resulting effect on utility sales. Source

Earlier plans management reported on

  • On track: Management says the company remains on track for its full-year earnings and dividend targets. Source
  • Not stated: Management says the income tax timing variances affecting the quarter will reverse by the end of the year. Source
  • Not stated: Management cites a 10-year track record of compound annual earnings growth of 6% alongside the 2026 guidance. Source

Other quarters

Summarised with AI from the documents the company filed with the SEC. Every point is checked against the filing before it is shown: management’s own words word for word, figures against the line or table row they come from. A point that fails the check is left out. Source opens the filing at that line.