Is NiSource Stock Underperforming the S&P 500?

Company Overview - NiSource Inc. has a market capitalization of $19.8 billion and operates as a regulated natural gas and electric utility through its Columbia Operations and NIPSCO Operations segments [1] - The company delivers natural gas to approximately 2.4 million customers and generates, transmits, and distributes electricity to about 0.5 million customers in northern Indiana [2] Stock Performance - NiSource's shares have decreased by 7.7% from its 52-week high of $44.88, while the broader S&P 500 Index has gained 3.7% over the same period [3] - Year-to-date, NI stock is up 12.7%, underperforming the S&P 500's 16.1% rise, but has increased 13.4% over the past 52 weeks, slightly outperforming the S&P 500's 12.8% return [4] Financial Results - In Q3 2025, NiSource reported revenue of $1.27 billion, which was better than expected, but its stock fell by 2.1% due to an adjusted EPS of $0.19 that missed consensus estimates and declined from $0.20 in the prior-year quarter [5] - The company announced a significant capital expenditure plan of $28 billion, representing a 45% increase over the previous plan, which may have contributed to investor caution [5] Analyst Ratings - Despite the stock's underperformance, analysts maintain a strong optimism for NiSource, with a consensus rating of "Strong Buy" from 15 analysts and a mean price target of $46.43, indicating a potential upside of 12.1% from current levels [6]