Xcel Energy's $280M Volume Ranks 377th as Legal Storms and Earnings Volatility Test Investor Confidence

On August 20, 2025, Xcel Energy (XEL) reported a trading volume of $280 million, ranking 377th among stocks on the day. The utility company’s shares closed down 0.07%, reflecting mixed investor sentiment amid ongoing regulatory scrutiny and recent earnings performance.

Xcel Energy faces a Texas attorney general investigation into its potential liability for the 2024 Smokehouse Creek and Windy Deuce wildfires, which could pose legal and reputational risks. Meanwhile, the company’s second-quarter 2025 earnings exceeded expectations, driven by rate hikes and increased power demand, though sales figures fell short. Analysts noted that while earnings outperformed, additional factors should be considered when evaluating the stock’s long-term prospects.

Strategic developments include Xcel Energy’s selection of GridUnity to modernize transmission infrastructure in the WECC region, signaling a commitment to grid reliability and innovation. The company also announced plans to release its quarterly earnings report, with investors closely watching for further insights into operational and financial performance.

The strategy of buying the top 500 stocks by daily trading volume and holding them for one day from 2022 to now delivered moderate returns. The 1-day return was 0.98%, with a total return of 31.52% over 365 days. This indicates the strategy captured some short-term momentum but was subject to market fluctuations. It performed best in June 2023, with returns of 7.02%, and worst in September 2022, with a return of -4.20%. Overall, the strategy showed volatility but a general upward trend, making it suitable for traders looking for short-term opportunities.