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Gerdau Moves to Lift Hydropower Stake With R$150 Million DFESA Deal

Story Highlights
  • Gerdau agreed on April 16, 2026 to buy CELESC’s 23.03% DFESA stake for R$150 million, pending customary approvals.
  • Upon closing, Gerdau’s DFESA stake will rise to 76.97%, boosting its firm clean energy supply and supporting decarbonization goals.
  • Looking for the best stocks to buy? Follow the recommendations of top-performing analysts.
Gerdau Moves to Lift Hydropower Stake With R$150 Million DFESA Deal

Meet Samuel – Your Personal Investing Prophet

Gerdau SA ( (GGB) ) just unveiled an update.

On April 16, 2026, Gerdau announced it has submitted and had accepted a binding proposal to acquire the entire 23.03% equity stake in Dona Francisca Energética S.A. held by utility Centrais Elétricas de Santa Catarina, valuing DFESA at an enterprise value of R$150 million. The cash-funded deal, subject to preemptive rights of other shareholders and Brazilian antitrust and customary approvals, would raise Gerdau’s ownership in DFESA from 53.94% to 76.97%, lifting its allocation of firm energy from about 35.6 average MW to roughly 50 average MW and further bolstering its cost competitiveness and clean energy self-sufficiency.

DFESA controls 85% of the consortium operating the 125 MW Dona Francisca Hydroelectric Power Plant on the Jacuí River, which delivers 72.5 average MW of firm energy, of which around 66 average MW are allocated to DFESA. By deepening its position in this asset, Gerdau aims to advance its decarbonization commitments and mitigate energy price volatility, reinforcing its strategic shift toward greater self-production of renewable power to support its core steel operations and potentially improve long-term margins for shareholders and other stakeholders.

The most recent analyst rating on (GGB) stock is a Buy with a $5.50 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Gerdau SA stock, see the GGB Stock Forecast page.

Spark’s Take on GGB Stock

According to Spark, TipRanks’ AI Analyst, GGB is a Neutral.

The score is driven primarily by mixed financial performance: improved top-line and a solid balance sheet are outweighed by sharply weaker margins and weaker cash conversion. The latest earnings call adds modest support via lower 2026 CapEx, conservative leverage and buybacks, while technical indicators and valuation are broadly neutral rather than strong positives.

To see Spark’s full report on GGB stock, click here.

More about Gerdau SA

Gerdau S.A. is a Brazilian-based steel producer listed on B3 and the NYSE that has been diversifying into energy to support its industrial operations. Through its stake in Dona Francisca Energética S.A. (DFESA), the company participates in clean power generation via the Dona Francisca Hydroelectric Power Plant in Rio Grande do Sul, strengthening its access to self-produced renewable energy and supporting its decarbonization agenda.

Average Trading Volume: 21,690,184

Technical Sentiment Signal: Buy

Current Market Cap: $8.08B

Learn more about GGB stock on TipRanks’ Stock Analysis page.

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