Overall change in electric prices would be effective July 1, 2025 SPOKANE, Wash., March 31, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Avista (NYSE: AVA) has made a filing with the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission (Commission or WUTC) that, if approved, will result in an increase of $15.3 million, or 2.1 percent, in electric rates in Washington, effective July 1, 2025. Avista is presently recovering approximately $19.0 million in ERM-related expenses in customer rates, which will end July 1, 2025. Therefore ...

Core Viewpoint - Avista has reached a settlement agreement regarding its natural gas general rate case, which, if approved, will result in a base revenue increase of $4.2 million, significantly lower than the original request of $7.8 million, with new rates taking effect on September 1, 2025 [1][2]. Revenue Impact - The settlement proposes a rate of return of 7.219% with a common equity ratio of 50% and a 9.5% return on equity [2]. - The overall increase for customers will be 2.0%, with specific impacts varying by customer rate schedule [2][5]. Customer Bill Changes - A residential natural gas customer using an average of 48 therms per month would see an increase of $1.36 per month, raising their bill from $69.55 to $70.91 [4]. - The billing changes by rate schedule include: - Single-Family Residential: 2.0% - Multi-Family Residential: -0.7% - General Service: 2.5% - Large General Service: 1.2% - Interruptible Service: 0.7% - Seasonal Service: 0.8% - Transportation Service: 1.6% [5]. Customer Base - Avista serves approximately 107,000 customers in Oregon [6]. Company Overview - Avista Corp. is involved in the production, transmission, and distribution of energy, serving 422,000 electric customers and 383,000 natural gas customers across a service territory of 30,000 square miles [9].

Economic Overview - U.S. consumer confidence declined to 92.9 in March, down 7.2 points from the previous month, missing the consensus estimate of 93.5 [4] - The Expectations Index fell 9.6 points to 65.2, marking its lowest level in 12 years, with readings below 80 indicating potential recession [4] - Concerns over President Trump's tariffs and inflation are contributing to the decline in consumer confidence and investor sentiment [6][7] Utility Stocks Investment - Utility stocks are recommended as defensive investments in the current economic climate, with Avista Corporation (AVA), CMS Energy Corporation (CMS), NiSource Inc. (NI), and CenterPoint Energy, Inc. (CNP) identified as strong picks [2] - These stocks have a Zacks Rank of 1 (Strong Buy) or 2 (Buy) and are categorized as low-beta stocks, which are less volatile [3] Company-Specific Insights Avista Corporation - Avista Corporation has an expected earnings growth rate of 14% for the current year, with a Zacks Consensus Estimate improvement of 3.6% over the past 60 days [9] - The company has a beta of 0.46 and a current dividend yield of 4.94% [9] CMS Energy Corporation - CMS Energy Corporation has an expected earnings growth rate of 7.8% for the current year, with a Zacks Consensus Estimate improvement of 0.3% over the last 60 days [12] - The company has a beta of 0.35 and a current dividend yield of 2.97% [12] NiSource Inc. - NiSource Inc. has an expected earnings growth rate of 9.1% for the current year, with a Zacks Consensus Estimate improvement of 2.7% over the past 60 days [14] - The company has a beta of 0.50 and a current dividend yield of 2.81% [14] CenterPoint Energy, Inc. - CenterPoint Energy has an expected earnings growth rate of 8% for the current year, with a Zacks Consensus Estimate improvement of 0.6% over the last 60 days [16] - The company has a beta of 0.91 and a current dividend yield of 2.46% [16]

Core Viewpoint - Momentum investing focuses on following a stock's recent price trends, aiming to buy high and sell higher, with the expectation that established trends will continue [1][2]. Company Overview: Avista (AVA) - Avista currently holds a Momentum Style Score of B and a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy), indicating strong potential for performance [3][4]. - The stock has shown a price increase of 0.63% over the past week, while the Zacks Utility - Electric Power industry has increased by 2.25% during the same period [6]. - Over the last quarter, Avista shares have risen by 8.68%, and by 17.91% over the past year, significantly outperforming the S&P 500, which has moved -4.21% and 9.79% respectively [7]. Price and Volume Analysis - The average 20-day trading volume for Avista is 1,113,067 shares, which serves as a bullish indicator when combined with rising stock prices [8]. - The monthly price change for Avista is 4.64%, compared to the industry's 0.94%, indicating strong relative performance [6]. Earnings Outlook - In the past two months, two earnings estimates for Avista have been revised upwards, increasing the consensus estimate from $2.52 to $2.61 for the full year [10]. - For the next fiscal year, one estimate has moved upwards with no downward revisions, suggesting a positive earnings outlook [10]. Conclusion - Given the positive momentum indicators and earnings outlook, Avista is positioned as a solid momentum pick, meriting attention from investors seeking near-term opportunities [11][12].

Investors interested in Utility - Electric Power stocks are likely familiar with Avista (AVA) and OGE Energy (OGE) . But which of these two stocks presents investors with the better value opportunity right now? Let's take a closer look.The best way to find great value stocks is to pair a strong Zacks Rank with an impressive grade in the Value category of our Style Scores system. The Zacks Rank favors stocks with strong earnings estimate revision trends, and our Style Scores highlight companies with specific ...

For those looking to find strong Utilities stocks, it is prudent to search for companies in the group that are outperforming their peers. Has Avista (AVA) been one of those stocks this year? Let's take a closer look at the stock's year-to-date performance to find out.Avista is a member of the Utilities sector. This group includes 104 individual stocks and currently holds a Zacks Sector Rank of #5. The Zacks Sector Rank considers 16 different groups, measuring the average Zacks Rank of the individual stocks ...

Avista’s (AVA) strategic capital expenditures help it improve its transmission and distribution and generation capacity. This should enhance its overall performance. Regulatory approvals for new electric rates help the company boost its top line. Given its growth opportunities, Avista makes for a solid investment option in the utility sector.Let’s focus on the factors that make this Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) company a strong investment pick at the moment.AVA’s Growth Projections & Surprise HistoryThe Zacks Consen ...

Q4 2024 Earnings February 26, 2025 Call Participants Heather Rosentrater President and Chief Executive Officer Kevin Christie Senior VP, Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer, and Regulatory Affairs Officer 2 Forward-Looking Statements This presentation contains forward-looking statements, including statements regarding our current expectations for future financial performance and cash flows, capital expenditures, financing plans, our current plans or objectives for future operations and other factors, which m ...

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Consolidated earnings for Q4 2024 were $0.84 per diluted share, down from $1.08 in Q4 2023 [6] - Full year consolidated earnings were $2.29 per diluted share, slightly up from $2.24 in the previous year [6] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Utility earnings improved nearly 5% from 2023, despite higher costs [7] - Avista Utilities delivered earnings near the midpoint of the original guidance range for the segment [19] - AEL&P's results were on target, contributing positively to overall performance [20] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The Washington Commission increased the return on equity to 9.8% [8] - The company recognized a pre-tax expense of $8 million under the energy recovery mechanism due to poor hydro and power supply costs [20] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company invested a record $510 million in Avista Utilities to enhance customer service [11] - The North Plains Connector project aims to improve regional reliability and resource adequacy [11] - The company plans to issue an all-source RFP for up to 375 megawatts of generation targeted for 2029 [12] - A focus on wildfire risk mitigation was highlighted, with legislative efforts underway [13][14] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed optimism about the regulatory outcomes and the potential for growth in 2025 [10][34] - The company initiated earnings guidance for 2025 in the range of $2.52 to $2.72 per diluted share [16] - Expected annual increases in O&M expenses are projected to be closer to 4% going forward [30] Other Important Information - The board increased the dividend for shareholders by just over 3% to $1.96 per share [17] - Capital expenditures for 2025 are projected at $525 million, with a long-term expectation of nearly $3 billion from 2025 to 2029 [25] Q&A Session Summary Question: Guidance for 2025 and growth rate expectations - Management established guidance at a midpoint of $2.62, with a focus on achieving the midpoint of the growth rate [39][40] Question: Idaho rate case details - The procedural schedule is being established, with a potential technical hearing in late July [43] Question: Long-term growth rate consistency - Management expects to generally remain within the 4% to 6% growth range, barring inflation or significant investment opportunities [48] Question: Contribution from non-utility businesses - Management indicated that contributions from non-utility businesses are expected to be near zero moving forward [56] Question: Inclusion of energy recovery mechanism in guidance - The company is including a $0.12 negative impact from the energy recovery mechanism in its guidance for 2025 [59]

Financial Performance - Avista Corp. reported a total net income of $67 million for Q4 2024, down from $84 million in Q4 2023, and a total net income of $180 million for the full year 2024, compared to $171 million in 2023 [1][2] - Earnings per diluted share for Q4 2024 were $0.84, a decrease from $1.08 in Q4 2023, while the full year earnings per diluted share were $2.29, up from $2.24 in 2023 [1][2] Segment Performance - Avista Utilities generated a net income of $68 million in Q4 2024, down from $83 million in Q4 2023, and $179 million for the full year 2024, compared to $167 million in 2023 [1][2] - AEL&P maintained a consistent net income of $3 million for both Q4 2024 and Q4 2023, but saw a decrease in full year income from $9 million in 2023 to $8 million in 2024 [1][2] Revenue and Costs - The electric utility margin increased by $9 million in Q4 2024 and $56 million year-to-date, attributed to general rate cases and customer growth [2][4] - Other operating expenses rose by $8 million in Q4 2024 and $21 million year-to-date, primarily due to increased thermal generation costs and legal expenses [2][4] Tax and Interest - The effective tax rate for 2024 was 1.5%, a significant improvement from -24.4% in 2023, mainly due to a decrease in tax customer credits [5][4] - Interest expenses increased by $1 million in Q4 2024 and $5 million year-to-date, driven by higher borrowings and interest rates compared to 2023 [4][7] Capital Expenditures - Avista Utilities' capital expenditures for 2024 were $510 million, with expectations of $525 million in 2025 and nearly $3 billion over the next five years [9][10] - AEL&P's capital expenditures were $23 million in 2024, projected to decrease to $12 million in 2025 [10] Future Guidance - The company initiated its 2025 earnings guidance with a range of $2.52 to $2.72 per diluted share, with Avista Utilities expected to contribute between $2.43 and $2.61 per share [12][13] - Long-term earnings growth is anticipated in the range of 4-6% from the 2025 base year [13]