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Unitil Corp (UTL)
NYSE:UTL
US Market

Unitil (UTL) AI Stock Analysis

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Unitil

(NYSE:UTL)

63Neutral
Unitil's overall stock score reflects strong future growth potential through strategic acquisitions and reasonable valuation. However, financial performance concerns, including declining profitability and increased operating expenses, weigh on the score. Technical indicators suggest caution due to bearish momentum.

Unitil (UTL) vs. S&P 500 (SPY)

Unitil Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company DescriptionUnitil Corporation, a public utility holding company, engages in the distribution of electricity and natural gas. It operates through three segments: Utility Electric Operations, Utility Gas Operations, and Non-Regulated. The company distributes electricity in the southeastern seacoast and state capital regions of New Hampshire, and the greater Fitchburg area of north central Massachusetts; and distributes natural gas in southeastern New Hampshire and portions of southern and central Maine, including the city of Portland and the Lewiston-Auburn area, as well as the greater Fitchburg area of north central Massachusetts. It also operates 86 miles of interstate underground natural gas transmission pipeline that provides interstate natural gas pipeline access and transportation services primarily in Maine and New Hampshire. In addition, the company provides energy brokering and advisory services to commercial and industrial customers; and real estate management services. It serves approximately 107,700 electric customers and 86,600 natural gas customers. Unitil Corporation was incorporated in 1984 and is headquartered in Hampton, New Hampshire.
How the Company Makes MoneyUnitil makes money primarily through the sale and distribution of electricity and natural gas to its customers in New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and Maine. The company's revenue model is based on regulated utility operations, where rates are approved by state regulatory commissions, ensuring a stable and predictable income stream. Key revenue streams include residential, commercial, and industrial energy sales. The company also earns through infrastructure investments, which are often incentivized by regulatory frameworks that allow for adjustments in rates. Additionally, Unitil may engage in partnerships for energy efficiency programs and renewable energy projects, further contributing to its revenue.

Unitil Financial Statement Overview

Summary
Unitil's financial performance shows strong operational cash flows and a stable balance sheet, but recent income challenges, including zero net income and negative EBITDA, indicate potential risks. Continued investment is evident, but profitability needs improvement.
Income Statement
60
Neutral
The income statement shows a declining revenue trend, with a notable dip in 2023. Gross profit margin was approximately 32.83% in 2023, indicating strong cost control. However, net income dropped to zero in 2024, raising concerns about profitability. Previously, EBIT and EBITDA margins were around 15.63% and 28.85% in 2023 respectively, showing efficient operations, but the recent zero EBIT and negative EBITDA indicate financial struggles.
Balance Sheet
55
Neutral
The balance sheet reveals a moderate debt-to-equity ratio of 1.39 in 2023, suggesting some financial leverage but manageable levels. The equity ratio was 29.29%, indicating a stable asset base. However, the absence of data for 2024 limits a comprehensive assessment of recent financial health.
Cash Flow
65
Positive
Cash flow analysis shows a positive operating cash flow trend, with $125.9M in 2024. However, free cash flow remains negative due to high capital expenditures, suggesting heavy investment or expansion. The operating cash flow to net income ratio was robust in prior years, but net income concerns in 2024 need attention.
Breakdown
Dec 2024Dec 2023Dec 2022Dec 2021Dec 2020
Income StatementTotal Revenue
494.80M557.10M563.20M473.30M418.60M
Gross Profit
196.60M183.00M169.00M161.80M149.80M
EBIT
90.60M87.10M80.50M77.80M71.40M
EBITDA
174.90M160.70M143.50M134.30M123.30M
Net Income Common Stockholders
47.10M45.20M41.40M36.10M32.20M
Balance SheetCash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments
6.30M6.50M9.00M6.50M6.00M
Total Assets
1.79B1.67B1.59B1.54B1.48B
Total Debt
755.80M681.60M611.80M570.10M586.30M
Net Debt
749.50M675.10M602.80M563.60M580.30M
Total Liabilities
1.28B1.18B1.12B1.09B1.09B
Stockholders Equity
512.50M489.30M467.60M448.50M389.20M
Cash FlowFree Cash Flow
-44.00M-34.00M-24.40M-7.20M-46.90M
Operating Cash Flow
125.90M107.00M97.70M107.80M75.70M
Investing Cash Flow
-169.90M-141.00M-122.10M-115.00M-122.60M
Financing Cash Flow
43.80M31.50M26.90M7.70M47.70M

Unitil Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Negative
Last Price55.16
Price Trends
50DMA
56.43
Negative
100DMA
55.15
Positive
200DMA
56.32
Negative
Market Momentum
MACD
-0.73
Positive
RSI
44.80
Neutral
STOCH
40.92
Neutral
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For UTL, the sentiment is Negative. The current price of 55.16 is below the 20-day moving average (MA) of 56.65, below the 50-day MA of 56.43, and below the 200-day MA of 56.32, indicating a bearish trend. The MACD of -0.73 indicates Positive momentum. The RSI at 44.80 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 40.92 is Neutral, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Negative sentiment for UTL.

Unitil Risk Analysis

Unitil disclosed 17 risk factors in its most recent earnings report. Unitil 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

Unitil Peers Comparison

Overall Rating
UnderperformOutperform
Sector (63)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
75
Outperform
$3.42B26.2210.62%1.90%6.03%6.15%
73
Outperform
$3.34B11.3818.38%2.41%-2.68%-3.73%
NWNWE
68
Neutral
$3.47B14.597.94%4.65%4.31%19.33%
AVAVA
67
Neutral
$3.15B16.597.25%4.89%3.14%-2.66%
63
Neutral
$8.57B10.134.66%4.38%3.79%-12.91%
UTUTL
63
Neutral
$894.78M18.789.07%3.13%-5.57%-2.26%
HEHE
49
Neutral
$1.84B-67.93%-7.58%-819.97%
* Utilities Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
UTL
Unitil
55.16
2.71
5.17%
AVA
Avista
39.21
3.22
8.95%
HE
Hawaiian Electric
10.82
-0.30
-2.70%
MGEE
MGE Energy
92.10
11.45
14.20%
NWE
Northwestern
56.31
6.03
11.99%
OTTR
Otter Tail
79.05
-10.79
-12.01%

Unitil Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date:May 06, 2025
(Q1-2025)
|
% Change Since: -6.92%|
Next Earnings Date:Aug 05, 2025
Earnings Call Sentiment Positive
The earnings call highlighted strong financial performance with significant growth in adjusted net income and strategic acquisitions, although there were notable increases in operating and interest expenses.
Q1-2025 Updates
Positive Updates
Adjusted Net Income Increase
Unitil announced an adjusted net income of $28.4 million and adjusted earnings per share of $1.74 for Q1 2025, representing an increase of $1.2 million or $0.05 per share compared to Q1 2024.
Acquisition Expansions
Completed the acquisition of Bangor Natural Gas and announced agreements to acquire Maine Natural Gas and three water utilities, supporting long-term rate base and earnings growth.
Gas Adjusted Gross Margin Growth
Gas adjusted gross margin was $70.9 million for Q1 2025, an increase of $9.9 million or approximately 16.2% compared to Q1 2024, driven by higher distribution rates and customer growth.
Electric Customer Growth
Added approximately 970 electric customers compared to Q1 2024, contributing to a 1.5% increase in Electric adjusted gross margin.
Negative Updates
Increased Operating Expenses
Operation and maintenance expenses increased by $4.4 million, reflecting higher utility operating costs, labor costs, and professional fees.
Higher Interest Expense
Interest expense increased by $1.8 million, primarily due to higher levels of long-term debt and higher interest on regulatory liabilities.
Rate Case Filing
Filed a distribution rate case with the New Hampshire Public Utilities Commission with a proposed revenue requirement increase of $18.5 million, which may affect future rates.
Company Guidance
During the first quarter of 2025, Unitil Corporation reported an adjusted net income of $28.4 million and adjusted earnings per share of $1.74, marking an increase of $1.2 million or $0.05 per share from the first quarter of 2024. The company is reaffirming its long-term guidance for earnings growth, dividend growth, and rate base growth. Unitil anticipates that recent acquisitions will support earnings growth towards the upper end of the 5% to 7% range over the next five years. The acquisitions, including Bangor Natural Gas and Maine Natural Gas, are expected to add approximately 15,000 customers and contribute to a customer growth rate of 4% to 5%. Additionally, the acquisition of three water utilities is projected to accelerate rate base growth to about 10% annually through 2029. The company continues to maintain strong credit metrics and liquidity, with a focus on effectively financing both core operations and acquisitions.

Unitil Corporate Events

M&A TransactionsBusiness Operations and Strategy
Unitil Announces Acquisition of Aquarion Water Companies
Positive
May 12, 2025

On May 6, 2025, Unitil Corporation announced a definitive agreement to acquire Aquarion Water Company of Massachusetts, Aquarion Water Company of New Hampshire, and Abenaki Water Co. from the Aquarion Water Authority for $100 million, including assumed debt. This acquisition, expected to close in late 2025, will expand Unitil’s operations into water utilities, serving around 23,000 customers across Massachusetts and New Hampshire. The transaction is anticipated to be earnings accretive, supporting Unitil’s long-term growth strategy. The acquisition is subject to regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions.

The most recent analyst rating on (UTL) stock is a Hold with a $52.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Unitil stock, see the UTL Stock Forecast page.

Spark’s Take on UTL Stock

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

Unitil demonstrates strong strategic growth through acquisitions and stable operational cash flows. However, the declining profitability and increased operational costs present notable risks. Valuation appears fair, and recent corporate events signal positive long-term growth potential.

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

Shareholder MeetingsBusiness Operations and StrategyFinancial Disclosures
Unitil’s Annual Shareholders Meeting Highlights Growth
Positive
Apr 30, 2025

On April 30, 2025, Unitil Corporation will hold its Annual Meeting of Shareholders in Hampton, New Hampshire, where the CEO will present to shareholders. The company has demonstrated strong financial and operational performance, with record net income and top-ranked customer satisfaction. Unitil’s strategic focus on infrastructure investments and regulatory support positions it for sustainable growth and a compelling investor value proposition.

Spark’s Take on UTL Stock

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

Unitil Corporation shows strong operational cash flows and strategic growth through acquisitions. However, financial performance concerns, such as declining profitability and increased operational costs, partially offset these strengths. The stock’s fair valuation and positive technical trends support a moderately positive outlook.

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

M&A TransactionsBusiness Operations and Strategy
Unitil Announces Acquisition of Maine Natural Gas
Positive
Apr 4, 2025

On March 31, 2025, Unitil Corporation announced a definitive agreement to acquire Maine Natural Gas Company from Avangrid Enterprises, Inc. for $86 million, with the transaction expected to close by the end of 2025. Maine Natural Gas, serving about 6,300 customers in Maine, will become a wholly owned subsidiary of Unitil, pending regulatory approval. This acquisition aligns with Unitil’s strategy to expand its service area in Maine, enhancing its market position by covering over 40% of Maine’s population and is expected to be earnings accretive, supporting long-term growth.

Glossary
OutperformA stock rated as "Outperform" is expected to perform better than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests that the stock is likely to deliver higher returns compared to the average returns of other stocks in the same sector or market index. Investors might consider this stock a good buying opportunity.
NeutralA stock rated as "Neutral" is expected to perform in line with the overall market or a specific benchmark. This rating indicates that the stock is neither particularly attractive nor unattractive for investment. Investors may consider holding onto the stock, as it is not expected to either significantly outperform or underperform the market.
UnderperformA stock rated as "Underperform" is expected to perform worse than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests that the stock may deliver lower returns compared to the average returns of other stocks in the same sector or market index. Investors might consider selling the stock or avoiding it as an investment.

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.