CMS Energy Corporation CMS reported third-quarter 2017 adjusted earnings per share of 62 cents, considering restructuring cost as one-time item. The figure surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 55 cents by 12.7%. Quarterly earnings however dropped 11.4% from the year-ago figure of 70 cents.Excluding the one-time item, CMS Energy reported earnings of 61 cents per share, which dropped 9% year over year.Operational PerformanceIn the quarter under review, CMS Energy’s operating revenues came in at $1,527 million, which missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1,530 million by a mere 0.2%. Moreover, on a year-over-year basis, revenues dropped 3.8% from $1,587 million.CMS Energy Corporation Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise CMS Energy Corporation Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise | CMS Energy Corporation QuoteThe company’s operating expenses dropped 1.3% to $1,197 million during the quarter.Operating income during the third quarter was $330 million, down 1.2% from $375 million a year ago.CMS Energy’s interest charges were $111 million, compared with $110 million in the year-ago period.Financial ConditionCMS Energy had cash and cash equivalents of $142 million as of Sep 30, 2017, down from $235 million as of Dec 31, 2016.As of Sep 30, 2017, total debt, capital leases and financing obligations was $10,016 million, up from $9,706 million as of Dec 31, 2016.At the end of the third quarter, cash from operating activities was $1,119 million compared with $1,241 million in the year-ago period.GuidanceCMS Energy raise the lower end of its 2017 adjusted earnings per share guidance in to the range of $2.15-$2.18, from the earlier guidance band of $2.14-$2.18. However, adjusted earnings are still expected to grow year over year in the range of 6-8% in 2017.CMS Energy in 2018 adjusted expects earnings per share to be around $2.29-$2.33, reflecting annual growth of 6-8%.Zacks Rank & Key PickJackson, MI-based CMS Energy currently carries a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell).A better-ranked stock in the same space is DTE Energy DTE, which carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.DTE Energy surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate in the trailing four quarters with an average positive earnings surprise of 3.81%. It has a long-term earnings growth rate of 6%.Recent Peer ReleaseEntergy Corporation ETR reported third-quarter 2017 operational earnings of $2.35 per share beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.24 by 4.9%. However, the reported number improved 1.7% from the year-ago figure.An Upcoming Peer ReleaseEdison International EIX is scheduled to report third-quarter 2017 results on Oct 30. The company carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) and has surpassed our consensus estimate in the trailing four quarters with an average positive surprise of 6.44%.Looking for Stocks with Skyrocketing Upside?Zacks has just released a Special Report on the booming investment opportunities of legal marijuana. Ignited by new referendums and legislation, this industry is expected to blast from an already robust $6.7 billion to $20.2 billion in 2021. Early investors stand to make a killing, but you have to be ready to act and know just where to look. See the pot trades we're targeting>> 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 CMS Energy Corporation (CMS): Free Stock Analysis Report Entergy Corporation (ETR): Free Stock Analysis Report Edison International (EIX): Free Stock Analysis Report DTE Energy Company (DTE): Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research