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Avista Corp (AVA)
NYSE:AVA
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Avista (AVA) AI Stock Analysis

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AVA

Avista

(NYSE:AVA)

Rating:72Outperform
Price Target:
$41.00
â–²(9.30% Upside)
Avista's overall stock score reflects strong financial performance and a solid earnings call, balanced by bearish technical signals. The company's valuation offers stability with a reasonable P/E ratio and high dividend yield. Recent corporate events further bolster confidence in its strategic direction.
Positive Factors
Future Earnings Potential
Following the constructive WA rate case outcomes, FY25/FY26/FY27 EPS estimates are adjusted ~5% higher to growth of 4%-6% off a ‘25 base.
Operational Developments
Year-over-year earnings increase at Avista Utilities due to rate relief and customer growth, showing some positive operational developments.
Negative Factors
Earnings Volatility
There is a potential for increased earnings volatility due to power costs and the energy recovery mechanism, which could impact financial stability.
Regulatory Challenges
AVAs less constructive regulatory environments, power supply cost volatility, weaker balance sheet, and O&M management, will remain challenges to execution.

Avista (AVA) vs. SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY)

Avista Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company DescriptionAvista Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, operates as an electric and natural gas utility company. It operates in two segments, Avista Utilities and AEL&P. The Avista Utilities segment provides electric distribution and transmission, and natural gas distribution services in parts of eastern Washington and northern Idaho; and natural gas distribution services in parts of northeastern and southwestern Oregon, as well as generates electricity in Washington, Idaho, Oregon, and Montana. This segment also engages in the wholesale purchase and sale of electricity and natural gas. The AEL&P segment offers electric services to 17,400 customers in the city and borough of Juneau, Alaska. The company generates electricity through hydroelectric, thermal, and wind facilities. As of February 23, 2022, it provided electric service to 406,000 customers and natural gas to 372,000 customers. In addition, the company engages in venture fund investments, real estate investments, and other investments. Avista Corporation was incorporated in 1889 and is headquartered in Spokane, Washington.
How the Company Makes MoneyAvista makes money through the generation, transmission, and distribution of electricity and natural gas to its residential, commercial, and industrial customers. The company's revenue model includes regulated utility operations where they charge customers based on the consumption of electricity and natural gas. Rates are typically approved by state regulatory commissions, ensuring a stable revenue stream. Additionally, Avista may earn revenue from energy management services and partnership agreements related to renewable energy projects, as well as investments in technology and infrastructure aimed at improving energy efficiency and reliability.

Avista Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date:Aug 06, 2025
(Q2-2025)
|
% Change Since: -1.93%|
Next Earnings Date:Oct 29, 2025
Earnings Call Sentiment Neutral
The earnings call presents a mixed outlook. While Avista Corporation affirmed its earnings guidance and reported positive regulatory outcomes and a strong liquidity position, the decline in second quarter earnings and valuation losses in clean technology investments weighed on the results.
Q2-2025 Updates
Positive Updates
Affirmed Consolidated Earnings Guidance
Avista Corporation affirmed their consolidated earnings guidance for 2025, with a range of $2.52 to $2.72 per diluted share.
Year-to-Date Earnings Increase
Avista Utilities reported a year-to-date increase in earnings, with $1.25 per diluted share, reflecting a nearly 7% increase over 2024's year-to-date results.
Settlement Approvals in Oregon and Idaho
Avista achieved all-party, all-issue settlement approvals in Oregon, and reached a settlement in Idaho, building on constructive regulatory outcomes.
Robust RFP Response
Avista received over 80 bids for their all-source request for proposals, seeking 100 to 425 megawatts of generation, indicating strong interest and potential future capacity expansion.
Strong Liquidity and Credit Rating
As of June 30, Avista had $106 million in available liquidity, and S&P removed the negative watch from the company's credit rating.
Negative Updates
Decline in Second Quarter Earnings
Consolidated earnings for the second quarter of 2025 were $0.17 per diluted share, a decline from $0.29 in the second quarter of 2024.
Valuation Losses in Clean Technology Investments
Valuation losses of $0.12 per diluted share were reported in the second quarter, primarily due to investments in clean technology-focused funds impacted by shifts in public policy and sentiment.
Continued Impact of Clean Energy Market Conditions
Market conditions in the clean energy sector negatively impacted consolidated earnings, with uncertainties surrounding public policy and tariffs.
Company Guidance
During the Avista Corporation Q2 2025 earnings call, the company reaffirmed its consolidated earnings guidance for 2025, projecting a range of $2.52 to $2.72 per diluted share. Avista Utilities demonstrated robust performance with year-to-date results of $1.25 per diluted share, marking a nearly 7% increase over the same period in 2024. However, consolidated earnings for Q2 2025 were impacted by valuation losses of $0.12 per diluted share, primarily due to investments in clean technology-focused venture funds. Despite these challenges, Avista Utilities expects to contribute toward the upper end of its guidance range, projecting earnings between $2.43 and $2.61 per diluted share. The company also highlighted significant progress in regulatory settlements across Oregon and Idaho, and announced an ongoing request for proposals, seeking 100 to 425 megawatts of generation to meet future energy demands. Additionally, Avista reported capital expenditures of $236 million in the first half of 2025, with expectations to reach $525 million by year-end, and projected capital expenditures of nearly $3 billion from 2025 through 2029.

Avista Financial Statement Overview

Summary
Avista demonstrates solid financial performance with consistent revenue growth and stable profitability metrics. The balance sheet shows improved leverage ratios, and cash flows have significantly improved, reflecting better financial management. However, challenges in maintaining high gross profit margins and generating substantial free cash flow relative to net income suggest areas for operational and financial optimization.
Income Statement
75
Positive
Avista has shown consistent revenue growth, with a notable revenue increase of 11.5% from 2023 to the TTM ending in March 2025. The gross profit margin for TTM is robust at 33.3%, although there's a decrease from 2024's 58.9%, indicating potential cost pressures or pricing challenges. The net profit margin for TTM is 9.6%, slightly better than 2024's 9.3%, suggesting stable profitability. EBIT and EBITDA margins show strong operational efficiency, with TTM EBIT margin at 17.0% and EBITDA margin at 32.0%.
Balance Sheet
68
Positive
The debt-to-equity ratio for TTM is 1.15, reflecting moderate leverage but a decrease from 2024's 1.20, indicating improved financial stability. The return on equity for TTM stands at 7.1%, consistent with the previous year's 6.9%, showcasing steady shareholder returns. The equity ratio for TTM is 33.2%, slightly higher than 2024's 31.5%, reflecting a stable capital structure.
Cash Flow
70
Positive
The free cash flow growth rate for TTM is substantial at 956.2%, indicating improved cash management and investment efficiency from 2024. The operating cash flow to net income ratio is 2.81 for TTM, indicating strong cash generation relative to earnings. The free cash flow to net income ratio for TTM is 0.06, which, while positive, suggests that free cash flow generation is still limited relative to net income.
BreakdownTTMDec 2024Dec 2023Dec 2022Dec 2021Dec 2020
Income Statement
Total Revenue1.95B1.94B1.75B1.71B1.44B1.32B
Gross Profit647.91M1.14B1.05B974.35M941.81M923.38M
EBITDA623.33M602.00M542.63M446.42M459.02M450.49M
Net Income187.50M180.00M171.18M155.18M147.33M129.49M
Balance Sheet
Total Assets7.97B7.94B7.70B7.42B6.85B6.40B
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments17.00M30.00M35.00M13.43M22.17M14.20M
Total Debt3.05B3.12B3.03B2.92B2.60B2.39B
Total Liabilities5.32B5.35B5.22B5.08B4.70B4.37B
Stockholders Equity2.65B2.59B2.49B2.33B2.15B2.03B
Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow10.56M1.00M-51.56M-327.79M-172.60M-73.30M
Operating Cash Flow527.85M534.00M447.08M124.21M267.34M331.00M
Investing Cash Flow-523.90M-539.00M-510.39M-460.24M-444.92M-410.74M
Financing Cash Flow776.00K0.0084.89M327.29M185.55M84.04M

Avista Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Negative
Last Price37.51
Price Trends
50DMA
37.63
Negative
100DMA
38.75
Negative
200DMA
37.68
Negative
Market Momentum
MACD
-0.05
Negative
RSI
49.03
Neutral
STOCH
76.01
Neutral
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For AVA, the sentiment is Negative. The current price of 37.51 is above the 20-day moving average (MA) of 37.44, below the 50-day MA of 37.63, and below the 200-day MA of 37.68, indicating a neutral trend. The MACD of -0.05 indicates Negative momentum. The RSI at 49.03 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 76.01 is Neutral, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Negative sentiment for AVA.

Avista Risk Analysis

Avista disclosed 21 risk factors in its most recent earnings report. Avista reported the most risks in the "Macro & Political" category.
Finance & Corporate - Financial and accounting risks. Risks related to the execution of corporate activity and strategy
Latest Risks Added 0 New Risks

Avista Peers Comparison

Overall Rating
UnderperformOutperform
Sector (67)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
77
Outperform
$3.44B12.0817.13%2.49%-3.69%-8.25%
74
Outperform
$3.42B15.157.93%4.68%3.78%7.48%
72
Outperform
$4.49B15.538.13%4.30%5.41%-1.89%
72
Outperform
$3.04B16.826.91%5.15%2.41%-9.85%
69
Neutral
$3.09B23.5110.75%2.13%8.47%12.76%
67
Neutral
$17.91B18.758.12%3.40%7.32%12.41%
62
Neutral
$3.82B20.776.46%4.40%-0.44%-17.46%
* Utilities Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
AVA
Avista
37.51
1.14
3.13%
ALE
Allete
65.75
4.35
7.08%
BKH
Black Hills
61.61
6.34
11.47%
MGEE
MGE Energy
84.61
-0.92
-1.08%
NWE
Northwestern
56.04
5.38
10.62%
OTTR
Otter Tail
82.10
-5.06
-5.81%

Avista Corporate Events

Private Placements and Financing
Avista Issues $120 Million in Mortgage Bonds
Neutral
Jul 25, 2025

On July 23, 2025, Avista Corporation issued $120 million of 6.18% first mortgage bonds due in 2055 in a private placement with institutional investors. The proceeds will be used to repay borrowings for utility facility construction, and the bonds are secured by a lien on substantially all of Avista’s property.

The most recent analyst rating on (AVA) stock is a Hold with a $38.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Avista stock, see the AVA Stock Forecast page.

Legal ProceedingsRegulatory Filings and Compliance
Avista Files Settlement with Idaho Utilities Commission
Neutral
Jun 11, 2025

On June 9, 2025, Avista Corporation and other parties filed a settlement agreement with the Idaho Public Utilities Commission regarding electric and natural gas rate cases. If approved, the agreement will adjust rates over two years, with increases in electric and natural gas revenues in 2025 and a slight decrease in natural gas revenues in 2026. This settlement reflects a compromise from Avista’s original requests, influenced by factors such as a lower return on equity and changes in property tax laws.

The most recent analyst rating on (AVA) stock is a Hold with a $38.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Avista stock, see the AVA Stock Forecast page.

Executive/Board ChangesShareholder MeetingsBusiness Operations and Strategy
Avista Shareholders Approve Key Proposals at Annual Meeting
Positive
May 13, 2025

On May 8, 2025, Avista Corporation held its Annual Meeting of Shareholders, where all four proposals presented were approved. The proposals included the election of eleven directors, the ratification of Deloitte & Touche LLP as the independent accounting firm, an amendment to the Long Term Incentive Plan, and an advisory vote on executive compensation. The approval of these proposals signifies continued confidence in the company’s leadership and strategic direction, potentially impacting its operational and financial strategies positively.

The most recent analyst rating on (AVA) stock is a Hold with a $38.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Avista stock, see the AVA Stock Forecast page.

Glossary
BuyA stock rated as a "Buy" is expected to perform better than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock is likely to deliver higher returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
HoldA stock rated as a "Hold" is expected to perform in line with the overall market or a specific benchmark. This rating indicates that the stock is neither particularly compelling nor unfavorable for investment. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
SellA stock rated as a "Sell" is expected to perform worse than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock may deliver lower returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.

Disclaimer

This AI Analyst Stock Report is automatically generated by our AI systems using advanced algorithms and publicly available financial, technical, and market data. While the information provided aims to be accurate and insightful, it is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Any content created by an AI (Artificial Intelligence) system may contain inaccuracies and/or contain errors. Investing in stocks carries inherent risks, and past performance is not indicative of future results. This report does not account for your personal financial circumstances, objectives, or risk tolerance. Always conduct your own research or consult with a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions. The analysis and recommendations provided are based on historical and current data and may not fully reflect future market conditions or unexpected developments. Neither the creators of this report nor its affiliated entities guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information presented. Use this report at your own discretion and risk.Date of analysis: Jul 24, 2025