Core Points - The Avista Foundation awarded $316,250 in grants to 58 nonprofit organizations in the first quarter of 2025 to support health and human services across five states: Washington, Idaho, Oregon, Alaska, and Montana [1][2] - The foundation's president and CEO, Heather Rosentrater, emphasized the importance of community partners in providing essential support for healthcare and social services [2] - Since its establishment in 2002, the Avista Foundation has granted over $17 million, focusing on vulnerable populations, education, and economic and cultural vitality [4] Grant Distribution - The grants awarded include notable amounts such as $50,000 to Pullman Regional Hospital Foundation, $20,000 to Cancer Can't, and $10,000 to Family Promise of Spokane and Providence Inland Northwest Foundation [2][3] - A total of 58 organizations received funding, with amounts ranging from $750 to $60,000, demonstrating a diverse allocation of resources to various community needs [2][3] - Organizations eligible for funding can apply through the Avista Foundation's website [3]

Core Viewpoint - Avista Corp. will hold its quarterly conference call to discuss first quarter 2025 results on May 7, 2025, at 12:30 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time, with earnings information released earlier that day at 7:05 a.m. [1] Group 1 - The conference call can be accessed through Avista's website, requiring pre-registration for call-in details [2] - A replay of the webcast will be available for one year on Avista's website [2] Group 2 - Avista Corp. is an energy company engaged in the production, transmission, and distribution of energy, serving 422,000 electric customers and 383,000 natural gas customers [3] - The service territory spans 30,000 square miles across eastern Washington, northern Idaho, and parts of southern and eastern Oregon, with a total population of 1.7 million [3] - Avista's subsidiary, Alaska Energy and Resources Company, provides retail electric service to 18,000 customers in Juneau, Alaska [3]

Investors interested in Utilities stocks should always be looking to find the best-performing companies in the group. Has Avista (AVA) been one of those stocks this year? By taking a look at the stock's year-to-date performance in comparison to its Utilities peers, we might be able to answer that question.Avista is a member of the Utilities sector. This group includes 106 individual stocks and currently holds a Zacks Sector Rank of #2. The Zacks Sector Rank considers 16 different sector groups. The average ...

Avista (AVA) could be a solid addition to your portfolio given its recent upgrade to a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). This upgrade is essentially a reflection of an upward trend in earnings estimates -- one of the most powerful forces impacting stock prices.A company's changing earnings picture is at the core of the Zacks rating. The system tracks the Zacks Consensus Estimate -- the consensus measure of EPS estimates from the sell-side analysts covering the stock -- for the current and following years.The powe ...

Market Overview - Wall Street is anticipating a challenging start to the week, with fears of a repeat of the 1987 Black Monday, which saw a 22.6% market plunge [5][6] - Major indexes, including Dow, S&P 500, and Nasdaq, are expected to open 6% lower, potentially making last week's $6.6 trillion losses appear minor [6] Economic Impact - President Trump's recent tariffs have caused global market turmoil, leading to uncertainty among investors regarding future market reactions [6][7] - Trump stated he would not engage in trade deals until trade deficits are addressed, which may prolong market distress until clarity on the tariffs' economic impact is achieved [7] Investment Recommendations - In light of the current market conditions, investing in safe-haven stocks, particularly in the utilities sector, is advised [3][4] - Recommended utility stocks include: - **Avista Corporation (AVA)**: Expected earnings growth rate of 14%, Zacks Rank 1, beta of 0.38, and a dividend yield of 4.81% [9] - **CMS Energy Corporation (CMS)**: Expected earnings growth rate of 7.8%, Zacks Rank 2, beta of 0.34, and a dividend yield of 2.99% [11] - **Exelon Corporation (EXC)**: Expected earnings growth rate of 6.4%, Zacks Rank 2, beta of 0.39, and a dividend yield of 3.53% [13] - **Southwest Gas Holdings, Inc. (SWX)**: Expected earnings growth rate of 17.1%, Zacks Rank 2, beta of 0.50, and a dividend yield of 3.60% [15]

Group 1: CalMaine Foods (CALM) - The company is primarily engaged in the production, grading, packing, and sale of fresh shell eggs, including conventional, cage-free, organic, and nutritionally-enhanced eggs [1] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings has increased by 46.2% over the last 60 days [1] Group 2: Avista (AVA) - The company is involved in the production, transmission, and distribution of energy, as well as other energy-related businesses [2] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings has increased nearly 4.4% over the last 60 days [2] - The company has a dividend yield of 4.8%, compared to the industry average of 3.1% [2] Group 3: Potlatch (PCH) - The company is a certified forest practices leader, committed to providing superior returns to stockholders through long-term stewardship of its forest resources [3] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings has increased nearly 5.3% over the last 60 days [3] - The company has a dividend yield of 4.5%, compared to the industry average of 1.2% [3]

The utility commissions will now review the IRP and provide an opportunity for public comment. The IRP is available for review at www.myavista.com/irp. About Avista Utilities Avista Utilities is involved in the production, transmission and distribution of energy. We provide energy services and electricity to 422,000 customers and natural gas to 383,000 customers in a service territory that covers 30,000 square miles in eastern Washington, northern Idaho and parts of southern and eastern Oregon, with a popul ...

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]