Oct 29 (Reuters) - U.S. electric utility Entergy ( ETR )

beat analysts' estimates for third-quarter profit on Wednesday,

helped by higher retail sales and strong demand for power.

Shares of Entergy ( ETR ) have risen over 25% so far this year,

compared with the broader S&P utilities index's gain

of 13.6%.

Power consumption is set to hit record highs in 2025 and

2026, the U.S. Energy Information Administration said, driven by

surging electricity demand from AI and cryptocurrency data

centers as well as increased usage in homes and businesses for

heating and transport.

Extreme heat during peak summer months also prompted

consumers to increase their usage of air conditioners and

refrigerators, boosting profits for utilities such as Entergy.

New-Orleans-based Entergy ( ETR ), which provides electricity to

nearly 3 million customers across Arkansas, Louisiana,

Mississippi and Texas, said its weather-adjusted retail sales

increased 4.4%, buoyed by higher usage of residential and

industrial classes.

Entergy ( ETR ) won Texas approval in September to build two natural

gas plants to meet surging power demand. Its Louisiana unit

received the green light in August for infrastructure tied to

Meta's new data center in Richland Parish.

For the reported quarter, Entergy's ( ETR ) retail sales rose to

37,124 gigawatt hours, a near 4% growth from a year earlier.

Its industrial sales grew 7.3% from 15,150 GWh a year

earlier.

The company narrowed its full-year 2025 profit forecast to

between $3.85 and $3.95 per share from a prior view of $3.75 to

$3.95 per share. Analysts estimated a profit of $3.91 per share,

according to data compiled by LSEG.

Enterfy posted an adjusted profit of $1.53 per share for the

three months ended September 30, compared with analysts' average

estimate of $1.45, according to data compiled by LSEG.