Energy solutions selected will add needed capacity to Avista’s portfolioSPOKANE, Wash., Jan. 26, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Avista has selected projects as part of its request for proposal (RFP) process to identify new resources to support long-term reliability and customer needs. Avista’s 2025 Electric Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) filed on December 31, 2024, identified a need for resource additions to Avista’s portfolio to meet reliability requirements, growing customer demand for energy and Avista’s clean ...

Core Viewpoint - Avista Corp. will hold a quarterly conference call on February 25, 2026, to discuss its fourth quarter 2025 results, with a news release scheduled for the same day at 7:05 a.m. Eastern Standard Time [1]. Group 1: Company Overview - Avista Corp. is an energy company engaged in the production, transmission, and distribution of energy, along with other energy-related businesses [3]. - Avista Utilities, a division of Avista Corp., provides electric service to 422,000 customers and natural gas to 383,000 customers across a service territory of 30,000 square miles in eastern Washington, northern Idaho, and parts of southern and eastern Oregon, serving a population of 1.7 million [3]. - The Alaska Energy and Resources Company, a subsidiary of Avista, offers retail electric service to 18,000 customers in Juneau, Alaska, through its subsidiary Alaska Electric Light and Power Company [3]. - Avista's stock is traded under the ticker symbol "AVA" [3].

Core Viewpoint - Avista has filed a four-year general rate case with the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission to address rising costs and ensure reliable energy service while making necessary grid upgrades and enhancing wildfire resiliency [1][2]. Group 1: Reasons for Rate Increase - The proposal aims to maintain safe and reliable energy service, reflecting long-term planning commitments [2]. - It addresses increased costs related to grid modernization, compliance with clean energy laws, and investments in hydropower infrastructure [2][4]. - The need for recovery of operating and maintenance costs, as well as funding for critical investments, drives the request for a rate increase [4][6]. Group 2: Proposed Rate Increases - Proposed annual percentage increases for electric and natural gas services are outlined for the years 2027 to 2030, with the first year seeing the largest increase due to past investments and updated power supply costs [5][7]. - For electric service, the proposed increases are 13.9% in 2027, followed by 4.7% in 2028, 3.5% in 2029, and 2.8% in 2030 [5]. - For natural gas service, the proposed increases range from 5.0% in 2027 to 1.1% in 2030 [7]. Group 3: Customer Impact - An average residential electric customer using 925 kWh per month would see their bill rise from $124.23 today to $157.94 by 2030, with an initial increase of $17.21 in 2027 [8]. - An average residential natural gas customer using 61 therms per month would experience an increase from $91.06 today to $100.46 by 2030, starting with a $4.14 increase in 2027 [8]. Group 4: Customer Assistance Programs - The company offers various programs to assist customers in managing their energy costs, including personalized bill discounts, flexible billing options, and energy-saving tools [9][12]. - Community support initiatives provide emergency grants and home weatherization upgrades for qualifying customers [12]. Group 5: 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 [10]. - The company is committed to improving energy reliability and efficiency while complying with state and regional energy requirements [6].

Core Insights - The Avista Foundation has awarded over $832,350 in grants in 2025, with a total of $336,150 granted in the third and fourth quarters to 76 nonprofit organizations across five states [1][7]. Grant Distribution - The grants support a variety of initiatives in environmental, arts, and culture sectors [1][2]. - Notable grants include $12,500 to the Washington State Opportunity Scholarship and $20,000 to Friends of KSPS in Washington [3][5]. State-Specific Highlights - **Washington**: Grants support arts education and community engagement, including funding for Spokane Word to amplify immigrant and BIPOC youth voices [4]. - **Idaho**: The Festival at Sandpoint will enhance arts accessibility, while the Idaho Trails Association engages youth in outdoor stewardship [4]. - **Oregon**: Ross Ragland Theater will inspire youth through a science camp, and Klamath KID Center will provide safe spaces for children [4]. - **Alaska**: The Alaska Development Corporation will work on affordable housing initiatives, and Perseverance Theatre will focus on youth engagement [4]. - **Montana**: Friends of Whitepine Grange will enhance rural community life with a picnic pavilion [4]. Funding Cycles - The third quarter total for grants was $199,900, while the fourth quarter total was $136,250 [5][6]. - The next funding cycle for health and human services proposals opens on January 1, 2026 [6]. Foundation Background - Established in 2002, the Avista Foundation has granted over $17 million, focusing on vulnerable populations, education, and cultural vitality [7].

Core Insights - During market turbulence, investors often seek dividend-yielding stocks, which typically have high free cash flows and offer substantial dividends [1] Group 1: Company Ratings and Analyst Insights - Dominion Energy Inc (NYSE:D) has a dividend yield of 4.49%. Barclays analyst Nicholas Campanella maintained an Overweight rating and raised the price target from $63 to $64, with an accuracy rate of 65%. JP Morgan analyst Jeremy Tonet maintained an Underweight rating and lowered the price target from $62 to $59, with an accuracy rate of 63% [6] - Eversource Energy (NYSE:ES) has a dividend yield of 4.48%. UBS analyst William Appicelli maintained a Neutral rating and cut the price target from $78 to $73, with an accuracy rate of 66%. JP Morgan analyst Jeremy Tonet maintained an Underweight rating and slashed the price target from $72 to $71, with an accuracy rate of 63% [6] - Avista Corp (NYSE:AVA) has a dividend yield of 5.20%. Wells Fargo analyst Shahriar Pourreza initiated coverage with an Underweight rating and a price target of $38, with an accuracy rate of 66%. Jefferies analyst Julien Dumoulin-Smith maintained a Hold rating and raised the price target from $40 to $41, with an accuracy rate of 65% [6] Group 2: Recent Company Performance - Dominion Energy reported strong third-quarter performance for 2025, with adjusted earnings and revenue exceeding consensus expectations, highlighting operational resilience and strategic execution [6] - Eversource Energy reported better-than-expected quarterly results on November 4, 2025 [6] - Regency Centers elected Mark J. Parrell to its board of directors on December 16, 2025 [6]

Core Insights - Investors are increasingly turning to dividend-yielding stocks during market turbulence and uncertainty, as these companies typically have high free cash flows and offer substantial dividend payouts [1] Company Ratings and Performance - **Edison International (NYSE:EIX)**: - Dividend Yield: 5.70% - Barclays analyst Nicholas Campanella maintained an Overweight rating and reduced the price target from $69 to $68 on October 29, 2025, with an accuracy rate of 68% [7] - Wells Fargo analyst Shahriar Pourreza initiated coverage with an Equal-Weight rating and a price target of $56 on October 28, 2025, with an accuracy rate of 70% [7] - Recent News: Posted upbeat quarterly results on October 28, 2025 [7] - **Avista Corp (NYSE:AVA)**: - Dividend Yield: 4.80% - Wells Fargo analyst Shahriar Pourreza initiated coverage with an Equal-Weight rating and a price target of $38 on October 28, 2025, with an accuracy rate of 70% [7] - Jefferies analyst Julien Dumoulin-Smith maintained a Hold rating and raised the price target from $40 to $41 on October 22, 2025, with an accuracy rate of 65% [7] - Recent News: Posted mixed third-quarter results on November 5, 2025 [7] - **Eversource Energy (NYSE:ES)**: - Dividend Yield: 4.74% - Scotiabank analyst Andrew Weisel maintained a Sector Underperform rating and cut the price target from $64 to $63 on November 20, 2025, with an accuracy rate of 69% [7] - Wells Fargo analyst Shahriar Pourreza downgraded the stock from Overweight to Equal-Weight and cut the price target from $79 to $63 on November 20, 2025, with an accuracy rate of 70% [7] - Recent News: Reported better-than-expected quarterly results on November 4, 2025 [7]

Core Insights - The article emphasizes the importance of high-quality dividend growth investments for building stable and long-term wealth for investors [2][3] Group 1: Investment Strategy - The focus is on closed-end funds, dividend growth stocks, and option writing as methods to generate income [3] - The service aims to provide ideas for investments that are leaders in their respective industries, ensuring stability and growth [2] Group 2: Leadership and Expertise - The leader of the Cash Builder Opportunities group has 14 years of investing experience and previously served as a fiduciary and registered financial advisor [3] - The group offers model portfolios and research to assist investors in making informed decisions [3]

Group 1 - The article does not provide any specific content or key points related to a company or industry [1]

Core Insights - The article discusses Avista Corporation (AVA) and assigns a "Buy" rating with a stock price around $38 and a Fair Value estimate of approximately $42.1, highlighting the company's predictable business model [1] Group 1: Investment Strategy - The investment style combines fundamental analysis with options strategies, categorized as "Fundamental Options" [1] - Various investment strategies are pursued, including income-oriented investments, growth at a reasonable price, deep value based on discounted cash flow, and dividend aristocrats [1] - The company typically invests for the long term but also employs 20-25 options strategies for purposes such as hedging, bullish substitutes, neutral trades, trading volatility, and earnings-related trades [1] Group 2: Teaching and Community Engagement - The company has a passion for teaching and has experience as a formal and informal educator, including authoring a free local investing newsletter [1]

Core Insights - Avista Corporation (NYSE:AVA) is recognized as one of the 15 overlooked dividend stocks to consider for investment [1] - Mizuho has increased its price target for Avista from $39 to $42, maintaining a Neutral rating after the company's strong Q3 performance [2] - The company reported Q3 2025 revenues of $403 million, a 2.35% increase year-over-year, although it fell short of analysts' expectations by $14.7 million [3] Financial Performance - Q3 2025 revenues reached $403 million, reflecting a 2.35% increase compared to the same quarter last year [3] - The company had $210 million in liquidity available under its committed line of credit and $43 million under its letter of credit facility as of September 30, 2025 [3] - Avista plans to issue approximately $120 million in long-term debt and up to $80 million in common stock in 2026 [3] Capital Expenditures and Future Plans - CFO Kevin Christie reported $363 million in capital expenditures for the first three quarters of 2025, with total spending expected to reach $525 million for the year [4] - Potential capital opportunities could amount to $500 million between 2026 and 2029, including a request for proposals (RFP) and the addition of a large customer [4] Company Overview - Avista Corporation provides electricity and natural gas services, generating, transmitting, and distributing energy to customers across the Pacific Northwest [5]