NRG Energy, Inc. NRG posted first-quarter 2021 earnings from continuing operations of 84 cents per share, lagging the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.64 by 48.8%. However, the bottom line compared favorably with 49 cents per share reported in the year-ago quarter.RevenuesNRG Energy’s quarterly revenues came in at $8,091 million, up a whopping 300.7% year over year.NRG Energy, Inc. Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise NRG Energy, Inc. price-consensus-eps-surprise-chart | NRG Energy, Inc. QuoteHighlights of the ReleaseIn January, the company closed the Direct Energy acquisition, paying a total purchase price of $3.625 billion in cash, plus an initial purchase price adjustment of $77 million.For the quarter ended Mar 31, 2021, Winter Storm Uri's financial impact was a loss of $967 million. However, based on forecast expenses and estimated mitigants, the total cash impact from Winter Storm Uri is expected in the range of $500-$700 million.First-quarter adjusted EBITDA was $567 million, up 62.5% from $349 million in the year-ago quarter.The company’s total operating costs and expenses for first-quarter 2021 amounted to $8,164 million, up 358.4% from $1,781 million in first-quarter 2020.Interest expenses of $127 million increased 29.6% from the prior-year quarter’s $98 million.Financial HighlightsAs of Mar 31, 2021, the company had cash and cash equivalents worth $501 million compared with $3,905 million on Dec 31, 2020.As of Mar 31, 2021, its long-term debt amounted to $8,705 million compared with $8,691 million on Dec 31, 2020.The company’s cash (used in)/provided by continuing operations for first-quarter 2021 was ($917) million against $208 million generated in the comparable period of 2020.Capital expenditures for first-quarter 2021 were $63 million compared with $66 million in first-quarter 2020.GuidanceNRG Energy maintained 2021 adjusted EBITDA view in the range of $2,400-$2,600 million. It expects 2021 free cash flow before growth investments in the band of $1,440-$1,640 million.Zacks RankNRG Energy has a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell), at present.You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.Other ReleasesThe Southern Company SO reported first-quarter 2021 earnings per share of 98 cents, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 85 cents by 15.3%.WEC Energy Group WEC came up with first-quarter 2021 earnings per share of $1.61, which beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.47 by 9.5%.NextEra Energy, Inc. NEE reported first-quarter 2021 adjusted earnings of 67 cents per share, which beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 60 cents by 11.7%.Zacks Top 10 Stocks for 2021In addition to the stocks discussed above, would you like to know about our 10 best buy-and-hold tickers for the entirety of 2021?Last year’s 2020 Zacks Top 10 Stocks portfolio returned gains as high as +386.8%. Now a brand-new portfolio has been handpicked from over 4,000 companies covered by the Zacks Rank. Don’t miss your chance to get in on these long-term buys.Access Zacks Top 10 Stocks for 2021 today >>Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Southern Company The (SO): Free Stock Analysis Report WEC Energy Group, Inc. (WEC): Free Stock Analysis Report NextEra Energy, Inc. (NEE): Free Stock Analysis Report NRG Energy, Inc. (NRG): Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research