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MINNEAPOLIS--([ BUSINESS WIRE ])--The Xcel Energy Inc. (NYSE: XEL) board of directors today raised the quarterly dividend on the companyas common stock from 26 cents per share to 27 cents per share, which is equivalent to an annual rate of $1.08 per share. The board declared the second quarter common stock dividend payable July 20, 2012, to shareholders of record on June 21, 2012.

"The dividend continues to be a key aspect of our total return to our investors. Our objective is to grow the dividend 2-4 percent annually and this year we are pleased to announce that we have increased the dividend 3.8 percent"

aThe dividend continues to be a key aspect of our total return to our investors. Our objective is to grow the dividend 2-4 percent annually and this year we are pleased to announce that we have increased the dividend 3.8 percent,a said Ben Fowke, chairman, president and CEO.

Xcel Energy is a major U.S. electricity and natural gas company, with operations in 8 Western and Midwestern states. Xcel Energy provides a comprehensive portfolio of energy-related products and services to 3.4 million electricity customers and 1.9 million natural gas customers through its regulated operating companies. Company headquarters are located in Minneapolis. More information is available at [ www.xcelenergy.com ].

This information is not given in connection with any sale or offer for sale or offer to buy any securities.

This report made by Xcel Energy Inc. contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934. The matters discussed herein, including our 2011 full year earnings per share guidance and assumptions, and our capital expenditures forecast, are forward-looking statements that are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Such forward looking statements are intended to be identified in this document by the words aanticipate,a abelieve,a aestimate,a aexpect,a aintend,a amay,a aobjective,a aoutlook,a aplan,a aproject,a apossible,a apotential,a ashoulda and similar expressions. Actual results may vary materially. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and we do not undertake any obligation to update them to reflect changes that occur after that date. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include, but are not limited to: general economic conditions, including inflation rates, monetary fluctuations and their impact on capital expenditures and the ability of Xcel Energy and its subsidiaries to obtain financing on favorable terms; business conditions in the energy industry, including the risk of a slow down in the U.S. economy or delay in growth recovery; trade, fiscal, taxation and environmental policies in areas where Xcel Energy has a financial interest; customer business conditions; competitive factors, including the extent and timing of the entry of additional competition in the markets served by Xcel Energy and its subsidiaries; unusual weather; effects of geopolitical events, including war and acts of terrorism; state, federal and foreign legislative and regulatory initiatives that affect cost and investment recovery, have an impact on rates or have an impact on asset operation or ownership; or imposed environmental compliance conditions; structures that affect the speed and degree to which competition enters the electric and natural gas markets; costs and other effects of legal and administrative proceedings, settlements, investigations and claims; actions by regulatory bodies impacting our nuclear operations, including those affecting costs, operations or the approval of requests pending before the NRC; financial or regulatory accounting policies imposed by regulatory bodies; availability of cost of capital; employee work force factors; and the other risk factors listed from time to time by Xcel Energy in reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), including Risk Factors in Item 1A and Exhibit 99.01 of Xcel Energyas Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended Dec. 31, 2011 and Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2012.