3 Gas Distribution Stocks to Buy From a Challenging Industry

Industry Overview - Natural gas distribution companies transport natural gas from production regions to consumers across the U.S., with a significant underground pipeline network [1] - The shale revolution has increased natural gas production, leading to higher demand due to its clean-burning nature [3] - The U.S. has 3,353 trillion cubic feet of natural gas and a pipeline network of 2.5 million miles [3] - Major concerns include aging infrastructure and rising investment costs due to interest rate hikes [3] Key Trends - Increasing competition from renewable energy sources is making utility-scale projects cheaper and more reliable, posing economic risks to new pipeline investments [4] - Aging infrastructure is a challenge, with many pipelines nearing the end of their service life, leading to safety concerns and higher maintenance costs [5] - A decline in interest rates, with the Federal Reserve lowering rates by 175 basis points to a range of 3.50-3.75%, is expected to benefit capital-intensive utilities [6] Industry Performance - The Zacks Utility Gas Distribution industry ranks 149, placing it in the bottom 38% of 243 Zacks industries, indicating weak near-term prospects [7] - Earnings estimates for the industry have decreased by 7.7% since December 31, 2024 [8] - The Gas Distribution industry has gained 8.5% over the past year, underperforming the Utility sector's 14.5% and the S&P 500's 16.1% [9] Valuation - The industry is trading at a trailing 12-month EV/EBITDA ratio of 10.35X, compared to 18.77X for the S&P 500 and 15.27X for the sector [12] - Over the past five years, the industry's EV/EBITDA has ranged from a high of 12.41X to a low of 9.55X, with a median of 10.91X [12] Company Highlights - Atmos Energy Corporation (ATO): Plans to invest $3.6 billion in fiscal 2025 and 2026 to enhance infrastructure and replace old pipelines, with a current dividend yield of 2.4% and long-term earnings growth projected at 7.98% [16][17] - Brookfield Infrastructure Corporation (BIPC): Engaged in natural gas and electricity supply, with significant growth initiatives including a $5 billion deal with Bloom Energy and a $20 billion partnership with Qai, offering a dividend yield of 3.68% [21][22] - Spire Inc. (SR): Focused on organic expansion through infrastructure investments, planning to spend $922 million in fiscal 2025 and $809 million in fiscal 2026, with a dividend yield of 3.82% and long-term earnings growth of 10.54% [25][26]