Company Update

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) March 3, 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) (612) 330-5500 (Registrant’s telephone number, including area code) 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:   ☐ 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 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter). 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 8.01. Other Events. On March 3, 2026, Xcel Energy Inc., a Minnesota corporation (“Xcel Energy”), issued $800,000,000 in aggregate principal amount of 5.75% Fixed-to-Fixed Reset Rate Junior Subordinated Notes, Series due 2056 (the “notes”), pursuant to an Underwriting Agreement, dated February 26, 2026, by and among Xcel Energy and Barclays Capital Inc., Citigroup Global Markets Inc., Mizuho Securities USA LLC, MUFG Securities Americas Inc. and Truist Securities, Inc., as representatives of the underwriters named therein. The notes are being issued pursuant to the registration statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-278797). A prospectus supplement relating to the offering and sale of the notes was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 26, 2026. The notes will be governed by Xcel Energy’s Junior Subordinated Indenture, dated as of October 1, 2025, between Xcel Energy and U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association, as trustee, and Supplemental Indenture No. 2, dated as of March 3, 2026. This Current Report on Form 8-K is being filed to report as exhibits certain documents in connection with that offering and sale for incorporation by reference into the registration statement.   Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits. (d) Exhibits   Exhibit    Description 4.01    Supplemental Indenture No. 2, dated as of March 3, 2026, by and between Xcel Energy Inc. and U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association, as trustee, creating $800,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 5.75% Fixed-to-Fixed Reset Rate Junior Subordinated Notes, Series due 2056. 5.01    Opinion of Jones Day. 8.01    Tax Opinion of Jones Day. 104    Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document). SIGNATURES 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: March 3, 2026