BofA Securities has initiated coverage on Northwestern Corp. (NASDAQ: NASDAQ:NWE), a regulated electric and natural gas utility, with a Buy rating and a price target of $65.00.
The firm highlighted several factors that could contribute to the company's growth, including opportunities in owned generation from the anticipated 2025 Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) and Request for Proposals (RFP) processes, potential commercial and industrial customer expansion, and Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) transmission opportunities.
NorthWestern Energy Group, according to BofA Securities, distinguishes itself from small to mid-cap (SMID-cap) peers due to growth prospects that are expected to come without significant equity dilution or heightened regulatory risk.
The firm has projected earnings per share (EPS) for the fiscal years 2024, 2025, and 2026 at $3.62, $3.71, and $3.91 respectively. These figures are compared to the consensus estimates of $3.50, $3.68, and $3.87 for the same periods.
The price objective represents a 19% upside to the current stock price, and when including dividends, a total return of 24%. The valuation is based on the estimated 2026 earnings, applying a 15.8x price-to-earnings (P/E) multiple, which is consistent with the average for regulated electric utilities.
In other recent news, NorthWestern Energy has been making significant strides in its business operations. The company reported a promising growth trajectory in its recent earnings call for the quarter ended June 30, 2024, with a diluted EPS of $0.52 and a non-GAAP diluted EPS of $0.53. NorthWestern Energy also confirmed its 2024 diluted EPS guidance of $3.42 to $3.62.
In addition, the company has made key strategic acquisitions, such as Energy West Montana and a significant interest in Colstrip Units 3 and 4. NorthWestern Energy has also announced the upcoming resignation of board member Anthony Clark, who will join the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners as Executive Director–Elect.
The company declared a dividend of $0.65 per share and has committed to a 5% dividend yield and 4% to 6% EPS growth. Furthermore, NorthWestern Energy has invested over $1 billion in Montana's infrastructure with plans to invest an additional $1 billion by the end of 2024.
InvestingPro Insights
BofA Securities' optimistic stance on NorthWestern Corp . (NASDAQ:NWE) is further supported by the company's impressive track record of dividend reliability. InvestingPro data indicates that NorthWestern Corp. has raised its dividend for 19 consecutive years, showcasing a commitment to shareholder returns. Additionally, the company's current dividend yield stands at a robust 4.76%, which is particularly attractive to income-focused investors.
While NorthWestern Corp. operates with a significant debt burden, which could be a point of concern for some investors, the company's stock has been characterized by low price volatility, suggesting a degree of stability in its share price movements. Moreover, the company's P/E ratio is currently 15.88, which is in line with BofA Securities' valuation based on the estimated 2026 earnings. With analysts revising their earnings upwards for the upcoming period, the company's financial outlook appears positive.
For readers interested in deeper analysis and additional insights, there are more InvestingPro Tips available at https://www.investing.com/pro/NWE. These tips delve into the company's financial health and market position, offering a comprehensive understanding of NorthWestern Corp.'s investment potential.
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