PG&E Earnings Preview: Analyts Expect Higher Earnings, Revenue

PG&E PCG releases its next round of earnings this Thursday, August 4, 2011. Get the latest predictions in Benzinga's essential guide to the company's second quarter earnings report.

Earnings and Revenue:

Wall Street expects an EPS of $1.03/share and revenues of $3.63 billion. Investors will be keen to see how this quarter's numbers stack up against the year-ago quarter's positive EPS of 91 cents/share on revenues of $3.23 billion. We'll know on Thursday whether PG&E has managed the estimated 13.2% increase in EPS and 12.4% rise in revenues on a year-over-year basis.

Here's how the company's reported EPS has stacked up against analyst estimates in the past:

Stock Performance:

At last check, shares of PG&E were trading at $41.43. Since January 1st, shares of PG&E have declined 11.5%. For a full 12 months, the return has declined by 8.2%. Given that these returns are generally negative, long-term shareholders are probably a little upset going into this earnings release.

• Long-term shareholders are already wary of 12-month losses prior to the announcement

Average Stock Rating:

The average rating by analysts for PG&E is a Moderate Buy. This rating has strengthened slightly over the past ninety days.

Competitors:

Wondering how some of the other utilities companies are doing? Here are a few of PG&E's peers in that sector.

• Avista AVA: Hold with a $0.73 recent quarter EPS
• Black Hills BKH: Hold with a $0.59 recent quarter EPS
• CH Energy Group CHG: Moderate Sell with a $0.38 recent quarter EPS
• CMS Energy CMS: Moderate Buy with a $0.26 recent quarter EPS

PG&E is in the utility-electric power industry, which has experienced price/earnings growth of 22.1%.

Finally, a description of the company's main areas of operation: PG&E distributes electricity and natural gas, generates electricity, and procures natural gas through Pacific Gas and Electric Company.

Take Action:

There is your peek into PG&E's upcoming earnings numbers, including some competitors to watch around the time of the announcement. Check back in with us after the announcement for a full recap of the announcement. In the meantime, here are some links to explore today.

• To see up-to-date news on PG&E, click here
• To see other trading ideas, click here
• To see other company earnings recaps, click here