NRG Energy gains on $4 bln asset sale, strong Q3 profit

** Shares of energy producer NRG Energy NRG.N up 5.24% to $92.91 premarket

** Company agrees to sell six natural gas-fired power plants (4.9 GW) to LS Power for $4 bln in cash to fund share buybacks and cut debt

** Proceeds to support $3 bln in share repurchases through 2027, including an incremental $1 bln starting in Q4 2026

** Q3 adjusted profit jumps to $4.68/share from $2.78/share a year ago; quarterly adjusted EBITDA surges 67% to $2.01 bln

** Co initiates 2027 adjusted EBITDA forecast of $5.50 bln to $6.00 bln and raises annual dividend by 8% to $2.05/shr

** As of last close, stock down 44.6% YTD