Entergy’s third-quarter profit rises to $940 million as it narrows 2026 guidance
Key Facts
Entergy reported earnings of $940 million, or $1.98 per share, for the third quarter on November 2, 2026, compared with $694 million and $1.53 per share in the same period last year. The figures include reported and adjusted earnings, according to the company’s statement. At the same time, Entergy narrowed its 2026 adjusted earnings-per-share guidance range to $4.35–$4.45. The utility business drove the quarterly increase, while losses at the parent and other businesses widened. Chief Executive Drew Marsh said the company made "very strong progress this quarter" across customer, operational, regulatory and financial performance.
Entergy’s share of utility earnings rose to $1.079 billion, or $2.28 per share, from $810 million and $1.79 per share a year earlier. The company attributed the increase to higher retail sales volumes, including the effect of weather, and the net effect of regulatory actions, returns on construction work in progress and higher other income. These factors were partly offset by higher interest, operations and maintenance, and depreciation expenses. Entergy estimated the after-tax effect of weather at $116 million, or $0.24 per share, in the third quarter of 2026. The estimated effect in the year-earlier quarter was $28 million, or $0.06 per share.
The parent and other businesses segment, by contrast, posted a loss of $139 million, or 29 cents per share, compared with a loss of $117 million and 26 cents per share a year earlier. Entergy said higher interest expense was the main driver of the change in the segment. For the first nine months of 2026, adjusted earnings were $1.821 billion, or $3.89 per share, versus $1.522 billion and $3.40 per share in the same period of 2025. The board approved a quarterly cash dividend of 68 cents per share, up 6%. The narrower annual guidance range comes as adjusted earnings grew in the first nine months, despite a wider loss at the parent and other businesses.
In Arkansas, Entergy Arkansas said the new phase of its services agreement at Google’s West Memphis campus will save customers at least $500 million, starting in 2028 and over 20 years. The savings are in addition to $1.6 billion from the first phase, while planned investment in the new phase is about $600 million and will be covered by Google. Planned resources include the 1,000-megawatt-hour Driver Solar battery, expected to enter service in 2028, and the 400-megawatt-hour Jones Mill battery, also expected to enter service that year. The agreement also includes the purchase of 440 megawatts of solar power on an alternating-current basis. The new phase is still awaiting approval from the Arkansas Public Service Commission.
The West Memphis agreement expansion comes as Entergy seeks to expand its resources amid data-center demand; in March, the company announced about $5 billion in total savings for 2.3 million customers in Arkansas, Louisiana and Mississippi, based on data-center customer agreements. In Texas, the Orange County Advanced Power Station entered service on October 14, 2026, with capacity of 1,215 megawatts. Entergy Texas said the plant can generate enough electricity to power more than 230,000 homes. The plant adds new generation capacity to projects the company has announced in its operating states. Its updated capital plan also includes planned spending of $10.92 billion in 2027, $9.66 billion in 2028 and $8.29 billion in 2029.
On electricity transmission, the U.S. Department of Energy selected Entergy to receive $13.7 million in federal funding to improve electricity delivery in Arkansas, Louisiana and Mississippi. The project covers technologies and upgrades on 1,125 miles of existing transmission lines. Regulatory approvals and recovery of project costs remain factors tied to the execution of the company’s plans. Entergy said that contracted or expected load growth failing to materialize, or not continuing, could affect its results.
Entergy’s earnings call was scheduled for November 2, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. Central Time, with a telephone replay available through November 9. The company’s statement included a warning that contracted or expected load growth might not materialize or continue. This comes as the company links several projects and agreements to serving data centers and electricity demand. The Arkansas agreement expansion is awaiting a decision from the state Public Service Commission, while the company has announced generation and transmission projects in Texas, Louisiana and neighboring states. These developments remain part of the context for the adjusted earnings guidance that Entergy narrowed for 2026.