AMEREN CORP (AEE) Q3 2025 Earnings Summary
Executive Summary
- Q3 2025 adjusted diluted EPS was $2.17, up 16% year over year (GAAP EPS $2.35 includes a $0.18 tax benefit) driven by new Ameren Missouri electric rates, warmer July weather, and infrastructure investments; partially offset by higher O&M and interest expense .
- Management raised 2025 adjusted EPS guidance to $4.90–$5.10 and GAAP EPS to $5.08–$5.28; established 2026 diluted EPS guidance at $5.25–$5.45, underpinned by expected rate base growth and sales momentum .
- Q3 beat Street: adjusted EPS $2.17 vs SPGI consensus ~$2.11*; revenue beat as well (SPGI actual ~$2.60B* vs consensus ~$2.52B*) while company-reported operating revenues were $2.699B [GetEstimates]* .
- Strategic catalysts: expanded data center construction agreements to ~3 GW (non-refundable $38M collected), progress on Missouri large-load tariff, and visible financing plan (ATM forwards and bonds); near-term regulatory decisions in Illinois on gas rates and MYRP reconciliation .
What Went Well and What Went Wrong
What Went Well
- “Third quarter adjusted earnings reflected increased infrastructure investments, new Ameren Missouri electric service rates… and higher Ameren Missouri retail sales, primarily driven by warmer July weather” .
- Data center pipeline strengthened: “executed construction agreements… expanded to 3 GW… developers… have now made non-refundable payments totaling $38 million” .
- Leadership and financing clarity: updated multi-year growth plan near upper end of 6–8% EPS CAGR and equity needs for 2025–2026 fulfilled through forward sale agreements .
What Went Wrong
- Higher O&M (energy center and tree trimming) and interest expense pressured earnings in Missouri and at Parent; Q3 EPS drivers include $(0.06) O&M and $(0.04) interest headwinds at Ameren Missouri .
- Ameren Illinois Natural Gas posted a loss of $13M in Q3 (vs. $10M loss last year), with pending ICC decision not yet final; ALJ recommendation below Ameren’s request .
- Weighted-average shares higher, reducing EPS by roughly $(0.03) on Q3 drivers and expected further dilution upon settlement of ATM forwards (~5.8M shares by YE25) .
Financial Results
Consolidated performance vs prior periods
Q3 2025 vs SPGI consensus
Values marked with * retrieved from S&P Global. Note: Ameren reported Q3 total operating revenues of $2,699M; SPGI “Revenue” basis differs from reported “Operating Revenues” .
Segment earnings (Q3 2025 vs Q3 2024)
KPIs (volumes and revenue mix)
Guidance Changes
Earnings Call Themes & Trends
Management Commentary
- “We’re investing… to harden [the grid] and make it more reliable, resilient, and safer… adding new energy generation resources… and optimizing our operations to keep customer rates affordable” — Marty Lyons (CEO) .
- “Q3 adjusted earnings were $2.17 per share… the $0.18 per share tax benefit was excluded from adjusted earnings” — Marty Lyons (CEO) .
- “We expect 2026 diluted EPS to be $5.25–$5.45… and consistent earnings growth near the upper end of our 6–8% EPS CAGR in 2027–2029” — Marty Lyons (CEO) .
- “The Midcontinent ISO LRTP opportunities remain significant… we will bid where we have a clear advantage” — Marty Lyons (CEO) .
- “ALJ recommends $91M… in Ameren Illinois gas rate review (ROE 9.93%; 50% equity)… MYRP reconciliation decision in mid-December” — Michael Moehn (CFO) .
Q&A Highlights
- Data center expansion and generation adequacy: Management believes current plans can serve ≥2 GW by 2032; ESAs will solidify ramp rates; next IRP in fall 2026 for potential updates .
- EPS growth range: Team targets upper half of 6–8% longer-term, with upside pending tariff and ESA execution; 2025 and 2026 imply ~8% growth off base .
- Balance sheet and equity: Operating comfortably above Moody’s downgrade threshold; equity needs for 2025–2026 prepaid; exploring future ATM capacity .
- Illinois omnibus energy bill: Neutral stance; highlights IRP at ICC, storage procurement, and materially higher energy efficiency spend with potential incentives .
- Capital pipeline: 10-year investment pipeline increased by ~$5B, driven by generation, grid modernization, and technology systems; timing details to come in February .
Estimates Context
- Q3 2025 adjusted EPS: $2.17 vs SPGI consensus $2.106 (12 estimates); beat by ~$3%* [GetEstimates]*.
- Q3 2025 revenue: SPGI “Revenue” actual ~$$2.60B vs consensus ~$2.52B (5 estimates); beat by ~$3%; Company-reported total operating revenues were $2.699B, reflecting classification differences [GetEstimates] .
- Implication: Street likely revises FY25/FY26 upward within raised ranges; EPS drivers (MO rates, sales growth, and transmission rate base) support trajectory while O&M/interest partially offset .
Values marked with * retrieved from S&P Global.
Key Takeaways for Investors
- Q3 delivered a clean beat on adjusted EPS and revenue, with core drivers (MO rates, volume/weather) and recurring investment-led growth offsetting controllable O&M and higher interest costs .
- Guidance reset higher for FY25 and introduced FY26 at ~$5.35 midpoint; management messaging consistent with upper-half EPS CAGR target (6–8%) through 2029 .
- Data center momentum is visibly accelerating (3 GW construction agreements; $38M collected) with ESAs pending and Missouri tariff decision expected by Feb 2026—key multi-year demand catalyst .
- Financing is proactive (forwards, ATM, bonds), and balance sheet headroom preserved; expect continued ~$600M/year equity over plan to sustain capex, with ratings stable .
- Regulatory cadence: IL gas ALJ recommendation points to constructive, if moderated, outcomes; MYRP reconciliation and Missouri tariff decision are upcoming catalysts that can firm load and investment path .
- Near-term watch items: Q4 O&M and lower MEEIA incentive temper seasonality; dilution from ATM settlement (~5.8M shares) should be modeled .
- Medium-term thesis: Transmission rate base growth, MO PRP execution (gas + storage + solar), and data center-led sales uplift support durable earnings and dividend growth in line with EPS CAGR .