Massive Winter Storm Knocks Out Power to 511K Homes in Northeastern U.S.
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Feb 23 2026
0mins
Source: seekingalpha
- Power Outage Impact: A massive winter storm has left approximately 511,000 homes and businesses without power, with Eversource Energy reporting 206,909 outages, highlighting the company's vulnerability during extreme weather, which may affect customer satisfaction and future revenues.
- Utilities Affected: FirstEnergy and National Grid also faced significant outages, with 80,060 and 64,340 customers affected respectively, indicating challenges these utility companies face in disaster response, potentially raising investor concerns about their operational capabilities.
- State-Specific Outages: Massachusetts reported the highest outages at 255,864, followed by New Jersey with 134,809 and Delaware with 76,360, underscoring the vulnerability of regional infrastructure during extreme weather, which may prompt calls for grid upgrades.
- Natural Gas Futures Movement: Despite bullish weather forecasts supporting natural gas prices, futures trading showed limited gains, with Nymex gas for March delivery up 1.1% to $3.081/MMBtu, reflecting market caution regarding future supply-demand dynamics.
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Analyst Views on ES
Wall Street analysts forecast ES stock price to fall
12 Analyst Rating
3 Buy
6 Hold
3 Sell
Hold
Current: 76.210
Low
60.00
Averages
71.91
High
80.00
Current: 76.210
Low
60.00
Averages
71.91
High
80.00
About ES
Eversource Energy is a utility holding company, which is engaged in the energy delivery business through its utility subsidiaries. Its segments include Electric Distribution, Electric Transmission, Natural Gas Distribution and Water Distribution. The Electric Distribution segment is engaged in the distribution of electricity to retail customers in Connecticut, Massachusetts and New Hampshire, respectively, and the solar power facilities of NSTAR Electric Company. The Electric Transmission segment owns and maintains transmission facilities that are part of an interstate power transmission grid over which electricity is transmitted throughout New England. The Natural Gas Distribution distributes natural gas to his customers in central and eastern Massachusetts. The Water Distribution segment provides water services to over 248,000 residential, commercial, industrial, municipal and fire protection and other customers, in 73 towns and cities in Connecticut, Massachusetts and New Hampshire.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
Massive Winter Storm Knocks Out Power to 511K Homes in Northeastern U.S.
- Power Outage Impact: A massive winter storm has left approximately 511,000 homes and businesses without power, with Eversource Energy reporting 206,909 outages, highlighting the company's vulnerability during extreme weather, which may affect customer satisfaction and future revenues.
- Utilities Affected: FirstEnergy and National Grid also faced significant outages, with 80,060 and 64,340 customers affected respectively, indicating challenges these utility companies face in disaster response, potentially raising investor concerns about their operational capabilities.
- State-Specific Outages: Massachusetts reported the highest outages at 255,864, followed by New Jersey with 134,809 and Delaware with 76,360, underscoring the vulnerability of regional infrastructure during extreme weather, which may prompt calls for grid upgrades.
- Natural Gas Futures Movement: Despite bullish weather forecasts supporting natural gas prices, futures trading showed limited gains, with Nymex gas for March delivery up 1.1% to $3.081/MMBtu, reflecting market caution regarding future supply-demand dynamics.
See More
UBS Increases Eversource Energy's Target Price to $80, Up from $75
- Price Increase Announcement: Ubs has raised its price target for EverSource Energy from $75 to $80.
- Market Implications: This adjustment reflects a positive outlook on EverSource Energy's performance in the energy sector.
See More
Latest Ratings and Outlook from Wall Street
- Nvidia Rating Reaffirmed: Citi reiterates Nvidia as a buy, anticipating the stock will outperform in the second half of 2026 as demand visibility extends into 2027, recommending investors add to their positions given attractive valuations.
- Toast Upgraded to Outperform: Bernstein upgrades Toast from market perform to outperform, noting that despite a 26% year-to-date decline, the restaurant tech company is positioned as an AI winner, suggesting a positive outlook.
- Carvana Maintains Overweight Rating: JPMorgan reiterates Carvana as overweight, asserting that fears surrounding AI are overblown, with the company's vertically integrated infrastructure providing a unique competitive moat to leverage AI effectively.
- Melco Upgraded to Buy: UBS upgrades Melco from neutral to buy, highlighting that despite a 27% year-to-date decline, enhancements at its City of Dreams in Macau are expected to offset margin pressures and branding fee increases in 2026.
See More
Eversource Energy Reports Strong 2025 Financial Performance
- Non-GAAP EPS Achievement: Eversource Energy reported a non-GAAP earnings per share of $4.76 for 2025, aligning with its guidance range, indicating stability and growth potential in its financial performance.
- Capital Investment Success: The company successfully deployed over $4 billion in capital investments in 2025, advancing grid modernization and supporting decarbonization goals, thereby enhancing its competitive edge in the renewable energy sector.
- Smart Meter Installations: Eversource installed over 100,000 smart meters in Massachusetts as part of a broader initiative to upgrade 1.5 million meters, which will improve customer service quality and optimize operational efficiency.
- Financial Condition Improvement: The company improved its FFO-to-debt ratio by over 400 basis points in the past year, strengthening its balance sheet and enhancing its future financing capabilities to support ongoing growth.
See More
Eversource Energy Reports Strong Q4 2025 Earnings and Strategic Plans
- Non-GAAP EPS: Eversource Energy reported a non-GAAP earnings per share of $4.76 for 2025, up from $4.57 in 2024, reflecting strong operational performance and capital investments, which is expected to bolster investor confidence.
- Capital Investment Plan: The company announced a new $26.5 billion five-year capital investment plan, increasing by $2.3 billion, primarily targeting electric and natural gas distribution, aimed at enhancing infrastructure to support future growth.
- Future Outlook: Eversource projects 2026 earnings per share in the range of $4.80 to $4.95, facing challenges from the timing of regulatory outcomes and the potential impact of the Aquarion Water Company sale, but management remains optimistic about earnings growth in 2027 and 2028.
- Financial Flexibility: Management emphasized ongoing proactive engagement with regulators to ensure funding flexibility and necessary measures regarding the sale of Aquarion Water Company and storm cost recovery to address future uncertainties.
See More
Eversource Energy Q4 Earnings Exceed Expectations
- Strong Earnings Performance: Eversource Energy reported a Q4 2025 non-GAAP EPS of $1.12, beating expectations by $0.02, indicating a sustained enhancement in the company's profitability.
- Significant Year-over-Year Growth: The earnings of $421.3 million in Q4 2025 represent a substantial increase from $72.5 million in Q4 2024, showcasing the company's robust recovery and growth potential in the market.
- Increase in Non-GAAP Earnings: The non-GAAP earnings for Q4 2025 reached $421.3 million, up 13.5% from $370.8 million in Q4 2024, reflecting the company's success in cost control and operational efficiency.
- Optimistic Market Outlook: Despite facing risks, analysts generally believe that Eversource Energy has significant long-term return potential, particularly as investments in renewable energy are expected to drive future growth.
See More
Massive Winter Storm Knocks Out Power to 511K Homes in Northeastern U.S.
- Power Outage Impact: A massive winter storm has left approximately 511,000 homes and businesses without power, with Eversource Energy reporting 206,909 outages, highlighting the company's vulnerability during extreme weather, which may affect customer satisfaction and future revenues.
- Utilities Affected: FirstEnergy and National Grid also faced significant outages, with 80,060 and 64,340 customers affected respectively, indicating challenges these utility companies face in disaster response, potentially raising investor concerns about their operational capabilities.
- State-Specific Outages: Massachusetts reported the highest outages at 255,864, followed by New Jersey with 134,809 and Delaware with 76,360, underscoring the vulnerability of regional infrastructure during extreme weather, which may prompt calls for grid upgrades.
- Natural Gas Futures Movement: Despite bullish weather forecasts supporting natural gas prices, futures trading showed limited gains, with Nymex gas for March delivery up 1.1% to $3.081/MMBtu, reflecting market caution regarding future supply-demand dynamics.
See More
UBS Increases Eversource Energy's Target Price to $80, Up from $75
- Price Increase Announcement: Ubs has raised its price target for EverSource Energy from $75 to $80.
- Market Implications: This adjustment reflects a positive outlook on EverSource Energy's performance in the energy sector.
See More
Latest Ratings and Outlook from Wall Street
- Nvidia Rating Reaffirmed: Citi reiterates Nvidia as a buy, anticipating the stock will outperform in the second half of 2026 as demand visibility extends into 2027, recommending investors add to their positions given attractive valuations.
- Toast Upgraded to Outperform: Bernstein upgrades Toast from market perform to outperform, noting that despite a 26% year-to-date decline, the restaurant tech company is positioned as an AI winner, suggesting a positive outlook.
- Carvana Maintains Overweight Rating: JPMorgan reiterates Carvana as overweight, asserting that fears surrounding AI are overblown, with the company's vertically integrated infrastructure providing a unique competitive moat to leverage AI effectively.
- Melco Upgraded to Buy: UBS upgrades Melco from neutral to buy, highlighting that despite a 27% year-to-date decline, enhancements at its City of Dreams in Macau are expected to offset margin pressures and branding fee increases in 2026.
See More
Eversource Energy Reports Strong 2025 Financial Performance
- Non-GAAP EPS Achievement: Eversource Energy reported a non-GAAP earnings per share of $4.76 for 2025, aligning with its guidance range, indicating stability and growth potential in its financial performance.
- Capital Investment Success: The company successfully deployed over $4 billion in capital investments in 2025, advancing grid modernization and supporting decarbonization goals, thereby enhancing its competitive edge in the renewable energy sector.
- Smart Meter Installations: Eversource installed over 100,000 smart meters in Massachusetts as part of a broader initiative to upgrade 1.5 million meters, which will improve customer service quality and optimize operational efficiency.
- Financial Condition Improvement: The company improved its FFO-to-debt ratio by over 400 basis points in the past year, strengthening its balance sheet and enhancing its future financing capabilities to support ongoing growth.
See More
Eversource Energy Reports Strong Q4 2025 Earnings and Strategic Plans
- Non-GAAP EPS: Eversource Energy reported a non-GAAP earnings per share of $4.76 for 2025, up from $4.57 in 2024, reflecting strong operational performance and capital investments, which is expected to bolster investor confidence.
- Capital Investment Plan: The company announced a new $26.5 billion five-year capital investment plan, increasing by $2.3 billion, primarily targeting electric and natural gas distribution, aimed at enhancing infrastructure to support future growth.
- Future Outlook: Eversource projects 2026 earnings per share in the range of $4.80 to $4.95, facing challenges from the timing of regulatory outcomes and the potential impact of the Aquarion Water Company sale, but management remains optimistic about earnings growth in 2027 and 2028.
- Financial Flexibility: Management emphasized ongoing proactive engagement with regulators to ensure funding flexibility and necessary measures regarding the sale of Aquarion Water Company and storm cost recovery to address future uncertainties.
See More
Eversource Energy Q4 Earnings Exceed Expectations
- Strong Earnings Performance: Eversource Energy reported a Q4 2025 non-GAAP EPS of $1.12, beating expectations by $0.02, indicating a sustained enhancement in the company's profitability.
- Significant Year-over-Year Growth: The earnings of $421.3 million in Q4 2025 represent a substantial increase from $72.5 million in Q4 2024, showcasing the company's robust recovery and growth potential in the market.
- Increase in Non-GAAP Earnings: The non-GAAP earnings for Q4 2025 reached $421.3 million, up 13.5% from $370.8 million in Q4 2024, reflecting the company's success in cost control and operational efficiency.
- Optimistic Market Outlook: Despite facing risks, analysts generally believe that Eversource Energy has significant long-term return potential, particularly as investments in renewable energy are expected to drive future growth.
See More
