Black Hills Corporation (NYSE:BKH) is included among the Best Low Risk Stocks for a Retirement Stock Portfolio. Black Hills (BKH) Valuation Updated as BofA Revises Models On January 23, BofA raised its price target on Black Hills Corporation (NYSE:BKH) to $72 from $70 and maintained a Neutral rating. The firm said the update reflects a roll-forward of its valuation to 2028 EPS, along with revised peer P/E multiples. Earlier in the month, on January 7, Black Hills announced it had completed construction ...

Group 1 - Black Hills is a utility company based in Rapid City, S.D., providing electric service to approximately 225,000 customers and natural gas to over 1.1 million customers across seven Western states [3][5]. - The company is recognized as a member of IBD's Utility Leaders Screen, indicating its strong performance in the utility sector [3]. - Black Hills has shown improving price performance, resulting in an upgrade to its IBD Relative Strength Rating, which has risen to 78 [5]. Group 2 - The stock of Black Hills is currently demonstrating rising relative strength, although it remains shy of key technical benchmarks [5]. - Recent reports indicate that Black Hills is making progress towards achieving significant technical thresholds, reflecting positive market sentiment [5].

Core Viewpoint - Black Hills Corp. will announce its 2025 fourth-quarter and full-year earnings on February 4, 2026, and will host a conference call on February 5, 2026, to discuss the financial results [1]. Company Overview - Black Hills Corp. is a customer-focused, growth-oriented utility company based in Rapid City, South Dakota, serving 1.35 million natural gas and electric utility customers across eight states: Arkansas, Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, South Dakota, and Wyoming [4].

Core Insights - Black Hills Corp. has completed its Ready Wyoming electric transmission expansion project, which spans 260 miles and costs $350 million, enhancing interconnectivity between South Dakota and Wyoming [2][5][6] Project Overview - The Ready Wyoming project aims to provide long-term cost stability for customers, enhance system resiliency, and improve access to power markets [6][8] - Approximately $300 million of the investment is being recovered through the Wyoming Transmission Rider, with an additional $50 million expected to be recovered through base rates during the next rate review [8] Company Background - Black Hills Corp. is a growth-oriented utility company based in Rapid City, South Dakota, serving 1.35 million natural gas and electric utility customers across eight states [9]

Group 1 - iREIT+HOYA Capital focuses on income-producing asset classes that provide sustainable portfolio income, diversification, and inflation hedging [1][2] - The S&P 500 recently reached an all-time high, with technology stocks comprising 35% of the index, making utilities a favorable investment option in the current market [2] - The investment group offers high-yield, dividend growth ideas, targeting dividend yields up to 10% across various asset classes including REITs, ETFs, and closed-end funds [2]

Core Insights - iREIT+HOYA Capital focuses on income-producing asset classes that provide sustainable portfolio income, diversification, and inflation hedging [1][2] - The S&P 500 has reached an all-time high, with technology stocks comprising 35% of the index, making utilities a favorable investment option in the current market [2] Investment Strategy - The investment group iREIT+HOYA Capital emphasizes high-yield, dividend growth investment ideas, targeting dividend yields up to 10% [2] - The group provides research on various asset classes including REITs, ETFs, closed-end funds, preferreds, and dividend champions, aimed at achieving dependable monthly income [2] Market Context - The current market is described as "frothy," indicating potential volatility, which makes defensive stocks, particularly in the utilities sector, an attractive option for investors [2]

Core Viewpoint - Black Hills Corp. has received approval for new natural gas rates in Nebraska, which will support the recovery of over $453 million in system investments and operational costs, benefiting over 304,000 customers [1][2]. Financial Impact - The new rates will generate approximately $23.9 million in new annual revenues and will migrate about $18.5 million in annual rider revenue to base rates, resulting in a total annual base rate revenue increase of $42.4 million [2]. - The rates are based on a return on equity of 9.85% and a capitalization structure of 50.5% equity and 49.5% debt [2]. Implementation Details - The new rates will take effect on January 1, 2026, replacing interim rates that have been in place since August 1, 2025 [2]. - The approved settlement includes a five-year System Safety and Integrity Rider for accelerated pipeline replacement, a new insurance tracker, a manufactured gas plant tracker, and a weather normalization pilot program [3]. Company Overview - Black Hills Corp. is a growth-oriented utility company serving 1.35 million natural gas and electric utility customers across eight states, including Nebraska [4].

Core Viewpoint - Black Hills Corp. has filed a rate review application with the Arkansas Public Service Commission, seeking $29.4 million in new annual revenue to cover capital infrastructure and operational costs for its natural gas utility serving over 189,000 customers in Arkansas [1][2]. Summary by Sections Rate Review Application - The company is requesting $29.4 million in new annual revenue to recover necessary costs for safe and reliable natural gas service [1]. - This request is based on a capital structure of 50.2% equity and 49.8% debt, with a targeted return on equity of 10.5% [3]. Infrastructure Investments - Black Hills Corp. aims to recover approximately $147 million invested in safety, reliability, and system integrity for its natural gas pipeline infrastructure since the last general rate filing in 2023 [2]. - These investments are essential for system growth and compliance with state and federal regulations [2]. Company Overview - Black Hills Corp. serves 1.35 million natural gas and electric utility customers across eight states, including Arkansas, Colorado, and South Dakota [4]. - The company emphasizes its commitment to providing safe and reliable natural gas service while supporting growth through critical infrastructure investments and prudent cost management [3].

Group 1: HP Inc. - HP has a history of increasing dividends for nine consecutive years, with the latest quarterly payout raised from $0.2894 to $0.30, resulting in an annual figure of $1.20 per share [3] - The current dividend yield for HP is 4.93% [3] - HP's annual revenue as of July 31 is reported at $54.71 billion, with Q4 2025 revenues of $14.64 billion, slightly below the consensus estimate of $14.70 billion, while EPS of $0.93 exceeded the consensus of $0.92 [3] Group 2: Black Hills Corp. - Black Hills has increased its dividends for 55 consecutive years, with the most recent quarterly payout raised from $0.65 to $0.676 per share, equating to an annual figure of $2.70 per share [5] - The current dividend yield for Black Hills stands at 3.76% [5] - The company's annual revenue as of September 30 is $2.27 billion, with Q3 2025 revenues of $430.20 million, which missed the consensus estimate of $440.96 million, while EPS of $0.45 surpassed the consensus of $0.42 [6] Group 3: First Merchants Corp. - First Merchants is a financial holding company that owns First Merchants Bank, providing various financial services including commercial and consumer banking, wealth management, and mortgage lending [7]

Core Insights - The investment community is preparing for the gradual withdrawal of Warren Buffett from the forefront of investing, acknowledging the end of an era in which his influence has been significant [1] Group 1 - Buffett's investment lessons are expected to endure and continue to provide guidance for investors even as he steps back [1]