Xcel Energy (XEL) secures $1.5B 364-day loan, immediately borrows $750M

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

Xcel Energy Inc. entered into a new $1.5 billion 364-day unsecured delayed draw term loan facility with a syndicate of lenders, with U.S. Bank National Association as administrative agent. On the same date, Xcel Energy borrowed $750 million under this facility to support general corporate operations and other general corporate purposes.

The loan matures on January 30, 2027 and bears interest at either a Term SOFR-based rate plus an 85 basis point margin or an alternate base rate. The agreement includes one key financial covenant requiring Xcel Energy’s consolidated funded debt to total capitalization ratio to be no more than 70 percent, along with standard restrictions on mergers, asset sales, and liens. The facility can be accelerated upon various events of default, including cross-defaults and certain large monetary judgments.

Insights

Utility credit and capital structure analyst

Xcel adds short-term liquidity with a $1.5 billion term loan while accepting modest leverage covenants.

Xcel Energy has arranged a $1.5 billion unsecured 364-day delayed draw term loan and immediately drew $750 million for general corporate purposes. The interest structure, using Term SOFR plus an 85 basis point margin or an alternate base rate, aligns with typical short-term institutional funding for investment-grade utilities.

The single financial covenant caps consolidated funded debt to total capitalization at 70%, which provides flexibility but still imposes a defined leverage ceiling. Standard covenants on mergers, asset sales and liens, plus cross-default and large-judgment triggers above $75 million, create familiar protections for lenders without appearing unusually restrictive.

Because the facility is unsecured and short-dated to January 30, 2027, it mainly affects near-term liquidity and funding mix rather than long-term capital structure. Subsequent company disclosures may clarify how this borrowing interacts with other debt maturities and planned capital spending.

XCEL ENERGY INC false 0000072903 0000072903 2026-01-30 2026-01-30 0000072903 us-gaap:CommonStockMember 2026-01-30 2026-01-30 0000072903 us-gaap:JuniorNotesMember 2026-01-30 2026-01-30

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): January 30, 2026

Xcel Energy Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Minnesota		001-3034		41-0448030
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)		(Commission File Number)		(IRS Employer Identification No.)

414 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis, Minnesota		55401
(Address of principal executive offices)		(Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code (612) 330-5500

N/A

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):

☐ Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

☐ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

☐ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

☐ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class		Trading Symbol(s)		Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, $2.50 par value per share		XEL		Nasdaq Stock Market LLC
6.25% Junior Subordinated Notes due 2085		XELLL		Nasdaq Stock Market LLC

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (17 CFR §230.405) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (17 CFR §240.12b-2).

Emerging growth company ☐

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

Item 1.01 Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement

Item 2.03 Creation of a Direct Financial Obligation or an Obligation under an Off-Balance Sheet Arrangement of a Registrant

On January 30, 2026, Xcel Energy Inc. (Xcel Energy) entered into a $1.5 billion 364-Day Delayed Draw Term Loan Agreement (the Term Loan Facility) with U.S. Bank National Association, as administrative agent, and the several lenders party thereto, and Xcel Energy borrowed $750 million under the Term Loan Facility to finance general corporate operations.

The Term Loan Facility is unsecured and has a term of 364-days, ending on January 30, 2027.

Loans under the Term Loan Facility shall bear interest at a rate equal to either (i) the Term SOFR rate, plus a margin equal to 85.0 basis points or (ii) an alternate base rate. Borrowings under the Term Loan Facility are subject to certain conditions precedent, including the accuracy of certain representations and warranties and the absence of any default or event of default. Borrowings under the Term Loan Facility will be used for general corporate purposes.

The Term Loan Facility has one financial covenant requiring that Xcel Energy’s consolidated funded debt to total capitalization ratio be less than or equal to 70 percent. The Term Loan Facility also contains standard covenants in respect of, among other things, mergers and consolidations, asset sales, and incurrence of liens. The Term Loan Facility is subject to acceleration upon the existence of an event of default, including, among other things, cross-default to indebtedness in excess of $75 million in the aggregate, change of control, nonpayment of uninsured monetary judgments of $75 million or more, and the occurrence of certain Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 and bankruptcy events.

The foregoing summary of the Term Loan Facility does not purport to be complete and is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by, the full text of the Term Loan Facility, a copy of which is attached as Exhibit 10.01 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and incorporated herein by reference.

Certain of the banks and financial institutions that are parties to the Term Loan Facility and their respective affiliates have in the past provided, are currently providing and in the future may continue to provide, investment banking, commercial banking and other financial services to Xcel Energy in the ordinary course of business for which they have received and will receive customary compensation. In the ordinary course of business, such banks and financial institutions and their respective affiliates may participate in loans and actively trade the debt securities of each of Xcel Energy, or the equity securities of Xcel Energy, for their own account or for the accounts of customers and, accordingly, such banks and financial institutions and their respective affiliates may at any time hold long or short positions in such securities.

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits

(d) Exhibits.

Exhibit		Description
10.01		364-Day Delayed Draw Term Loan Agreement dated as of January 30, 2026 among Xcel Energy Inc., as Borrower, the several lenders from time to time parties thereto, and U.S. Bank National Association, as Administrative Agent.
104		Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document).

SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

XCEL ENERGY INC.
(a Minnesota corporation)
By:		/s/ Todd A. Wehner
Name:		Todd A. Wehner
Title:		Vice President, Treasurer

Date: February 2, 2026

FAQ

What new financing did Xcel Energy (XEL) obtain in this 8-K?

Xcel Energy entered a new unsecured 364-day delayed draw term loan facility for up to $1.5 billion. This agreement provides short-term institutional funding capacity with standard lender protections and flexibility for general corporate purposes.

How much did Xcel Energy (XEL) immediately borrow under the new term loan?

On signing, Xcel Energy borrowed $750 million under the $1.5 billion 364-day term loan. The company plans to use these proceeds for general corporate operations and broader corporate purposes as outlined in the agreement.

What are the interest terms on Xcel Energy’s new $1.5 billion loan?

Loans under the facility bear interest at either the Term SOFR rate plus an 85 basis point margin or an alternate base rate. This structure ties Xcel Energy’s borrowing cost to prevailing short-term benchmark rates with a defined spread.

When does Xcel Energy’s new 364-day term loan mature?

The unsecured 364-day delayed draw term loan facility for up to $1.5 billion has a stated term ending on January 30, 2027. This short-dated maturity anchors the facility as a near-term liquidity and funding tool.

What key financial covenant applies to Xcel Energy’s new term loan facility?

The facility includes one principal financial covenant: Xcel Energy’s consolidated funded debt to total capitalization ratio must be less than or equal to 70 percent. This covenant sets an upper boundary on leverage under the agreement.

What events of default could accelerate Xcel Energy’s new loan?

Events of default include cross-default to other indebtedness exceeding $75 million, change of control, nonpayment of uninsured monetary judgments of $75 million or more, and specified ERISA and bankruptcy-related events, among other standard triggers.