Zeev's Turnips Patch-No Politics (ZEEV)

[hamvestor]

Thanks Max. Xcel definitely has its problems, but the picture may have improved slightly during the past week.

This CBS Marketwatch piece from Tuesday may help explain why XEL has had a bit of a run despite the NRG problems:

"Xcel...rose by $1.53, or 23.5 percent, to close at $8.05. Merrill Lynch and Williams Capital upped their ratings to "neutral" and "hold," respectively, from "sell," citing the company's elimination of a cross-default provision in its credit facilities. The provision could have accelerated Xcel's debt schedules should its subsidiary NRG Energy (NRG: news, chart, profile) default.

"Xcel now has better flexibility to protect its own shareholders and creditors from the uncertain outcomes for NRG," [said] Merrill analyst Steven Fleishman."

Guess we'll see what happens on Moday.