NiSource(US:NI) ZACKS·2026-01-09 17:50Core Viewpoint - NiSource Inc. (NI) is actively modernizing its infrastructure to enhance operational reliability and is transitioning from coal-based units to clean energy assets, making it a strong investment choice in the Utility-Electric Power industry [1] Growth Outlook & Surprise History - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for NI's 2026 earnings per share (EPS) is $2.04, indicating an 8.2% year-over-year growth [2] - The revenue estimate for 2026 is $6.56 billion, reflecting a 4.8% year-over-year improvement [2] - NI's long-term earnings growth rate is projected at 7.9% [2] - The company has beaten earnings estimates in three of the last four quarters, with an average surprise of 3.23% [2] Dividend History - NI has consistently increased shareholder value through dividends, currently paying a quarterly dividend of 28 cents per share, which annualizes to $1.12 [3] - The current dividend yield stands at 2.70%, outperforming the S&P 500 composite average of 1.07% [3] Capital Investment Focus - NI's capital investment plan anticipates expenditures of $26.4 billion to $28.4 billion for the period 2026-2030 [4] - The focus of this investment includes the development of two 1,300-megawatt natural gas-fired turbines, the addition of 400 megawatts of new battery storage, and upgrades to critical transmission infrastructure [4] - These investments aim to meet rising demand from data centers, enhance system reliability, and improve customer satisfaction [4] Overview of Debt Structure - NI's total debt to capital ratio is 58.37%, which is better than the industry average of 61.13% [5] - The company's capital structure is more efficient due to lower reliance on debt compared to industry peers [5] Solvency Ratio - NI's times interest earned (TIE) ratio at the end of Q3 2025 was 3.0, indicating effective management of long-term debt obligations [6] Share Price Performance - Over the past year, NI shares have increased by 15.3%, although this is below the industry's growth of 21.9% [9]