Alliant Energy Corporation LNT reported first-quarter 2021 operating earnings of 68 cents, which beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate by a penny. However, earnings were 5.6% lower than the year-ago figure.Total RevenuesFirst-quarter revenues came in at $901 million, declining 1.6% year over year. The year-over-year decline was primarily due to lower contribution from its Electric operations.Alliant Energy Corporation Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise Alliant Energy Corporation price-consensus-eps-surprise-chart | Alliant Energy Corporation QuoteOperational HighlightsFor the first quarter, the company’s retail electric and gas utility customers grew 0.7% and 0.6% year over year, respectively. However, the increase in electric and gas utility customers did not result in a year-over-year rise in electric and gas sales volume. Electric volumes dropped due to a decline in bulk power sales volume, while gas volumes for the reported quarter decreased due to fall in transportation sales volume.Total operating expenses were $703 million for the reported quarter, decreasing 3.4% from $728 million in the year-ago period. The reduction in expenses was due to lower electric fuel and purchased power expenses.Operating income was $198 million, up 5.3% from $188 million in the year-ago quarter.Interest expenses were $69 million, on par with the prior-year quarter.Financial UpdateCash and cash equivalents were $14 million as of Mar 31, 2021, down from $54 million on Dec 31, 2020.Long-term debt (excluding current portion) was $6,471 million as of Mar 31, 2021, lower than $6,769 million on Dec 31, 2020.For first-quarter 2021, cash flow from operating activities was $145 million compared with $160 million in the year-ago period.GuidanceAlliant Energy reiterated its 2021 earnings guidance in the range of $2.50-$2.64 per share. The guidance assumes normal temperature in its service territories, and takes into account the ability of Interstate Power and Light Company as well as Winconsin Power and Light to earn authorized rates of return.Zacks RankCurrently, Alliant carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.Other ReleasesALLETE, Inc. ALE reported first-quarter 2021 adjusted earnings of 99 cents per share, which missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.11 by 10.8%.The 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%.+1,500% Growth: One of 2021’s Most Exciting Investment OpportunitiesIn addition to the stocks you read about above, would you like to see Zacks’ top picks to capitalize on the Internet of Things (IoT)? It is one of the fastest-growing technologies in history, with an estimated 77 billion devices to be connected by 2025. That works out to 127 new devices per second.Zacks has released a special report to help you capitalize on the Internet of Things’s exponential growth. It reveals 4 under-the-radar stocks that could be some of the most profitable holdings in your portfolio in 2021 and beyond.Click here to download this report FREE >>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 Alliant Energy Corporation (LNT): Free Stock Analysis Report Allete, Inc. (ALE): Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research