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Hawaiian Electric (HE)
NYSE:HE

Hawaiian Electric (HE) AI Stock Analysis

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HE

Hawaiian Electric

(NYSE:HE)

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Neutral 59 (OpenAI - 5.2)
Rating:59Neutral
Price Target:
$15.50
▼(-2.39% Downside)
The score is held back primarily by weak financial performance (declining revenue, negative net margin, high leverage, and weakening free cash flow). Technicals are a clear positive with strong momentum above major moving averages, while valuation is only moderate (P/E ~19.8 and no provided dividend yield). The earnings call adds modest support from improved liquidity and wildfire-safety progress, but ongoing cost pressure and regulatory uncertainty limit upside.
Positive Factors
Regulated rate-base business
Hawaiian Electric's revenue model is rate-regulated, allowing recovery of invested capital and an allowed return. This provides durable, predictable cash flow and supports long-term infrastructure investment planning despite operational volatility, stabilizing revenue over multi-year cycles.
Improved liquidity position
The $500M unsecured issuance and expanded credit facilities materially bolster liquidity and financial flexibility. This reduces near-term refinancing risk, supports settlement timing and elevated CapEx, and provides a buffer against cash-flow volatility while executing long-term grid investments.
Wildfire safety and operational upgrades
Investments in weather monitoring, AI cameras and specialist staff materially strengthen operational risk management. These structural upgrades lower wildfire ignition risk, improve situational awareness, reduce outage frequency and potential liability over years, improving long-term reliability and cost trajectory.
Negative Factors
High leverage
A 1.64 debt-to-equity ratio indicates elevated leverage for the utility, constraining financial flexibility. High debt amplifies interest expense sensitivity and limits capacity to absorb shocks or fund rising CapEx without higher borrowing, increasing long-term funding and regulatory risk.
Declining revenue and negative margins
Falling revenue and persistent negative net margins reflect structural profitability challenges and potential cost-recovery lags. Over months, weak margins impair internal cash generation, constrain reinvestment, and heighten reliance on financing or regulatory rate adjustments to restore sustainable returns.
Weak free cash flow vs rising CapEx
Shrinking free cash flow alongside a planned sharp increase in CapEx creates structural funding pressure. Sustained negative FCF trends make financing large grid investments and settlement obligations harder, likely increasing leverage or rate-setting dependence and elevating long-term execution risk.

Hawaiian Electric (HE) vs. SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY)

Hawaiian Electric Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company DescriptionHawaiian Electric Industries, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, engages in the electric utility, banking, and renewable/sustainable infrastructure investment businesses in the state of Hawaii. It operates in three segments: Electric Utility, Bank, and Other. The Electric Utility segment engages in the production, purchase, transmission, distribution, and sale of electricity in the islands of Oahu, Hawaii, Maui, Lanai, and Molokai. Its renewable energy sources and potential sources include wind, solar, photovoltaic, geothermal, wave, hydroelectric, municipal waste, and other biofuels. This segment serves suburban communities, resorts, the United States armed forces installations, and agricultural operations. The Bank segment operates a community bank that offers banking and other financial services to consumers and businesses, including savings and checking accounts; and loans comprising residential and commercial real estate, residential mortgage, construction and development, multifamily residential and commercial real estate, consumer, and commercial loans. This segment operates 42 branches, including 29 branches in Oahu, 6 branches in Maui, 4 branches in Hawaii, 2 branches in Kauai, and 1 branch in Molokai. The Other segment invests in non-regulated renewable energy and sustainable infrastructure in the State of Hawaii. Hawaiian Electric Industries Inc. was incorporated in 1891 and is headquartered in Honolulu, Hawaii.
How the Company Makes MoneyHawaiian Electric generates revenue primarily through the sale of electricity to residential, commercial, and industrial customers. The company's revenue model is based on regulated rates set by the Hawaii Public Utilities Commission, which allows HE to earn a return on its investments in infrastructure and energy generation. Key revenue streams include electricity sales, demand charges, and ancillary services related to grid management. Additionally, HE benefits from partnerships with renewable energy developers and government incentives aimed at promoting clean energy projects, which can enhance its revenue opportunities and align with state energy policies.

Hawaiian Electric Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date:Nov 07, 2025
(Q3-2025)
|
% Change Since: |
Next Earnings Date:Feb 27, 2026
Earnings Call Sentiment Neutral
The call presented a balanced outlook with significant progress in financial stability and wildfire safety measures, but also highlighted challenges such as decreased utility core net income and increased costs. The uncertainty in legislative and regulatory outcomes adds complexity to future planning.
Q3-2025 Updates
Positive Updates
Successful Debt Issuance and Improved Liquidity
HEI improved its liquidity and financial flexibility through a successful $500 million unsecured debt issuance at Hawaiian Electric and increased credit facility capacity by a combined $225 million.
Progress on Wildfire Safety Strategy
Significant advancements in wildfire safety measures, including the deployment of weather stations and AI-assisted high-definition video cameras, and hiring an in-house meteorologist.
Tort Litigation Settlement Advancements
Progress towards the final court approval of the Maui wildfire tort litigation settlement agreement, with a hearing expected on January 8, 2026.
Utility Operational Risk Profile Strengthened
Enhanced utility operational risk profile with improved measures since the 2023 Maui wildfires.
Negative Updates
Decreased Utility Core Net Income
Utility core net income for the quarter was $39.6 million, down from $43.7 million in the third quarter of 2024, due to lower tax benefits, higher legal and consulting costs, and increased wildfire mitigation program expenses.
Increased Legal and Consulting Costs
Higher legal and consulting costs were incurred, which were deferred in 2024, impacting the financial results negatively.
Uncertain Legislative and Regulatory Outcomes
Pending outcomes related to the rate rebasing process and wildfire fund report, with uncertain impacts on future financials and regulatory approvals.
Company Guidance
During the HEI Third Quarter 2025 Earnings Conference Call, several key metrics and strategic updates were discussed. HEI reported a net income of $30.7 million, or $0.18 per share, including $4.5 million in pretax Maui wildfire-related expenses. Excluding these non-core items, consolidated core net income was $32.8 million, or $0.19 per share. Utility core net income was $39.6 million, a decrease from $43.7 million in the third quarter of 2024, mainly due to lower tax benefits and higher legal and consulting costs. The company improved its liquidity and financial flexibility with a $500 million unsecured debt offering and increased credit facility capacity. CapEx is projected to increase significantly, with 2025 CapEx expected to be approximately $400 million, and 2026 CapEx projected at $550 million to $700 million. The call also highlighted progress on initiatives such as the wildfire safety strategy and the Maui wildfire tort litigation settlement, with expectations for the first settlement payment no sooner than early 2026.

Hawaiian Electric Financial Statement Overview

Summary
Weak profitability and growth: revenue declined (-5.07% TTM), margins are very low (gross margin 1.78%) and net margin is negative (-4.05%). Leverage is elevated (debt-to-equity 1.64) with negative ROE (-7.61%), while free cash flow is contracting (-12.90% TTM), indicating financial strain despite moderate cash generation versus net income.
Income Statement
45
Neutral
Hawaiian Electric's income statement shows declining revenue with a negative revenue growth rate of -5.07% TTM. The gross profit margin is low at 1.78%, and the net profit margin is negative at -4.05%, indicating challenges in profitability. EBIT and EBITDA margins are also low, reflecting operational inefficiencies.
Balance Sheet
50
Neutral
The balance sheet reveals a high debt-to-equity ratio of 1.64 TTM, suggesting significant leverage. Return on equity is negative at -7.61%, indicating poor returns for shareholders. The equity ratio is not provided, but the high leverage poses a risk to financial stability.
Cash Flow
55
Neutral
Cash flow analysis shows a decline in free cash flow growth by -12.90% TTM. The operating cash flow to net income ratio is 0.36, indicating moderate cash generation relative to net income. The free cash flow to net income ratio is 0.40, suggesting some cash flow challenges.
BreakdownTTMDec 2024Dec 2023Dec 2022Dec 2021Dec 2020
Income Statement
Total Revenue2.77B3.22B3.29B3.42B2.85B2.58B
Gross Profit230.56M-1.71B627.05M628.69M676.91M568.70M
EBITDA566.27M-1.39B561.31M553.65M670.62M599.06M
Net Income17.15M-1.42B199.24M241.14M246.17M197.82M
Balance Sheet
Total Assets8.81B8.93B17.24B16.65B16.07B15.24B
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments1.03B1.24B259.12M206.10M326.76M376.08M
Total Debt2.99B3.33B3.24B3.43B2.60B2.50B
Total Liabilities7.22B7.42B14.86B14.42B13.64B12.87B
Stockholders Equity1.60B1.51B2.38B2.24B2.43B2.37B
Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow80.18M136.25M108.74M-1.53M61.15M45.51M
Operating Cash Flow421.24M465.73M551.47M327.93M375.67M429.41M
Investing Cash Flow45.02M-317.63M-257.40M-324.08M-1.18B-1.41B
Financing Cash Flow-260.11M-72.03M195.57M-19.86M756.40M1.12B

Hawaiian Electric Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Positive
Last Price15.88
Price Trends
50DMA
13.06
Positive
100DMA
12.28
Positive
200DMA
11.61
Positive
Market Momentum
MACD
0.84
Negative
RSI
71.15
Negative
STOCH
64.71
Neutral
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For HE, the sentiment is Positive. The current price of 15.88 is above the 20-day moving average (MA) of 14.81, above the 50-day MA of 13.06, and above the 200-day MA of 11.61, indicating a bullish trend. The MACD of 0.84 indicates Negative momentum. The RSI at 71.15 is Negative, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 64.71 is Neutral, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Positive sentiment for HE.

Hawaiian Electric Risk Analysis

Hawaiian Electric disclosed 27 risk factors in its most recent earnings report. Hawaiian Electric reported the most risks in the "Finance & Corporate" category.
Finance & Corporate - Financial and accounting risks. Risks related to the execution of corporate activity and strategy
Latest Risks Added 0 New Risks

Hawaiian Electric Peers Comparison

Overall Rating
UnderperformOutperform
Sector (66)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
77
Outperform
$3.43B17.977.31%5.10%2.14%-6.51%
77
Outperform
$3.69B13.4216.10%2.54%-3.18%-8.62%
74
Outperform
$4.23B19.627.62%4.09%4.90%-4.42%
70
Outperform
$917.77M17.498.51%3.73%1.03%-0.78%
69
Neutral
$2.93B21.4810.80%2.36%8.26%12.47%
66
Neutral
$17.65B18.105.60%3.62%6.62%11.55%
59
Neutral
$2.84B21.707.14%-16.62%
* Utilities Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
HE
Hawaiian Electric
16.47
6.98
73.55%
AVA
Avista
42.13
7.10
20.27%
MGEE
MGE Energy
80.28
-8.36
-9.43%
NWE
Northwestern
68.89
17.39
33.76%
OTTR
Otter Tail
88.00
11.14
14.49%
UTL
Unitil
51.23
-2.06
-3.87%
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: Jan 23, 2026