Feb 12 (Reuters) - Exelon ( EXC ) forecast annual profit

above Wall Street estimates on Wednesday, as the U.S. utility

expects to benefit from higher rates for electricity and natural

gas.

U.S. utilities have been seeking to raise customer power

bills to fund infrastructure upgrades, as the country's

electrical grids face extreme weather events and growing demand

from industry electrification and data center expansions.

Exelon ( EXC ) said it plans to invest $38 billion in capital

expenditures over the next four years, 10% higher than its

previous plan.

"With growth in our four-year capital plan driven by

investment needs across our regions, we continue to expect 5-7%

annualized earning growth through 2028," said CFO Jeanne Jones.

Exelon ( EXC ) said several of its rate cases had been approved by

regulators and came into effect earlier this year. Regulated

utilities use rate case proceedings to determine the amount that

customers need to pay for electricity and natural gas services.

As a result, the Chicago-based company said it expects 2025

adjusted operating earnings to be in the range of $2.64 per

share to $2.74 per share, compared with analysts' average

estimate of 2.63 per share, according to data compiled by LSEG.

Exelon ( EXC ) posted adjusted operating earnings of 64 cents per

share for the fourth quarter ended December 31, above analysts'

estimate of 59 cents per share.

The company's shares were up over 1% in trading before the

bell.