Key Takeaways Southwest Gas posted Q4 EPS of $1.36, missing estimates and slipping from last year.SWX ended 2025 with $576.6M in cash and reduced long-term debt to $3.43B.SWX guides 2026 EPS of $4.17-$4.32 and projects $1.25B in capital spending.Southwest Gas Holdings Inc. (SWX) recorded fourth-quarter 2025 operating earnings of $1.36 per share, which missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.40 by 2.9%. The bottom line also decreased from the year-ago quarter’s figure of $1.39.SWX reported earnings of $3.6 ...

Core Viewpoint - Spire is focusing on strategic growth through the acquisition of Duke Energy's Piedmont Natural Gas Tennessee business, which is expected to enhance its utility footprint and diversify its portfolio, with the transaction anticipated to close in early 2026 [1][7]. Financial Performance - For fiscal 2025, Spire reported adjusted earnings of $4.45 per share and approved a 5.1% increase in the annual dividend, raising it to $3.30 per share, marking the 23rd consecutive year of dividend hikes [4][6][14]. - The company invested $922 million in fiscal 2025, with nearly 90% allocated to utilities, and achieved a regulatory revenue increase of $210 million due to a rate case in Missouri [5][13]. Leadership Changes - Scott Doyle was appointed as president and CEO on April 24, 2025, and Steve Greenley joined as COO on October 13, 2025, indicating a significant leadership transition [3][4]. Regulatory Developments - The Missouri Legislature passed Senate Bill 4 in April 2025, modernizing regulatory rate-setting mechanisms, while the Missouri Public Service Commission approved a stipulation agreement resulting in a $210 million revenue increase [10][11]. - In Alabama, Spire concluded its annual budget process and worked with stakeholders through the Rate Stabilization and Equalization process, with new rates effective in early December [12]. Future Outlook - Management's priorities for fiscal 2026 include ensuring safe and reliable service, executing the capital plan efficiently, maintaining customer affordability, achieving constructive regulatory outcomes, and successfully integrating the Tennessee acquisition [15].

Core Viewpoint - Investors in the Utility - Gas Distribution sector should consider Spire (SR) and Atmos Energy (ATO) for potential value opportunities, with Spire currently presenting a better value option [1]. Group 1: Zacks Rank and Earnings Outlook - Spire has a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy), indicating a positive earnings outlook, while Atmos Energy has a Zacks Rank of 4 (Sell), suggesting a less favorable earnings outlook [3]. - The Zacks Rank system emphasizes companies with positive earnings estimate revisions, indicating that Spire is likely experiencing a more significant improvement in its earnings outlook compared to Atmos Energy [3]. Group 2: Valuation Metrics - Spire has a forward P/E ratio of 15.89, while Atmos Energy has a higher forward P/E of 20.57, suggesting that Spire may be undervalued relative to its earnings potential [5]. - The PEG ratio for Spire is 1.51, which is more favorable compared to Atmos Energy's PEG ratio of 3.17, indicating that Spire's earnings growth is more reasonably priced [5]. - Spire's P/B ratio is 1.58, compared to Atmos Energy's P/B ratio of 1.96, further supporting the notion that Spire is a better value option [6]. Group 3: Value Grades - Spire has a Value grade of B, while Atmos Energy has a Value grade of D, highlighting Spire's superior valuation metrics and earnings outlook [6].

Core Viewpoint - Strategic Resources Inc. has appointed Mr. Terry Perles to its Board of Directors and as Business Development Lead for Vanadium and Titanium Products, aiming to enhance its market presence and business development efforts in critical minerals [1][3]. Company Overview - Strategic Resources is focused on the development of critical minerals, specifically vanadium, high-purity iron, and titanium, which are essential for decarbonizing the global economy [5]. - The company is advancing the BlackRock Project in Quebec, which is construction-ready and includes a planned 4 million tonne per year high-purity iron ore pelletizer [5]. Appointment of Terry Perles - Mr. Perles brings 15 years of experience from TTP Squared, Inc., a vanadium industry consulting firm, and has held significant roles in various companies within the vanadium sector [2]. - His background includes positions in sales, marketing, strategic planning, and senior management at notable firms such as US Steel and EVRAZ Group [2]. - Perles will focus on driving business development for vanadium and titanium products, including identifying joint ventures and collaboration opportunities [3]. Strategic Importance - The appointment of Mr. Perles is seen as a strategic move to deepen the management team and enhance the company's credibility and market knowledge, particularly as the focus on critical minerals increases globally [3]. - Perles has expressed confidence in the potential of the BlackRock Project and the timing of his involvement to help grow the company [3]. Compensation Details - As part of his compensation, Mr. Perles will receive 100,000 stock options at an exercise price of $0.29 per share, with a vesting period of three years [4].

Core Insights - MDU Resources Group is benefiting from long-term capital investments aimed at expanding infrastructure to serve a growing customer base and spinoffs that allow a focus on the energy delivery business [1] Group 1: Financial Projections - The long-term earnings growth rate for MDU is projected at 7.56% over the next three to five years [1] - MDU anticipates capital expenditures of $531 million for 2025 and nearly $3.4 billion from 2026 to 2030 for upgrading and expanding its electric and natural gas infrastructure [2] - The company expects long-term earnings per share growth of 6-8% due to customer growth and increasing demand for its services [2] Group 2: Demand and Infrastructure Development - MDU is set to benefit from rising demand for clean energy from data centers, having signed electric service agreements for 580 megawatts (MW) of data center load [3] - Currently, 180 MW is online, with an additional 100 MW expected to come online later this year, and nearly 150 MW expected in both 2026 and 2027 [3] - The company is focused on its regulated energy delivery business following the spinoff of Knife River in 2023 and Everus Construction in 2024 [4] - MDU is working on several expansion projects, including the Line Section 32 Expansion project, which is expected to support a new electric generation facility in northwest North Dakota by late 2028 [4] Group 3: Market Performance - Over the past three months, MDU shares have gained 7.3%, contrasting with a 3.2% decline in the industry [6] - MDU is investing billions in infrastructure to support customer growth and rising service demand [7] Group 4: Competitive Positioning - MDU Resources currently holds a Zacks Rank 3 (Hold), while competitors such as ONE Gas, Inc., Spire Inc., and Atmos Energy Corp. have a better Zacks Rank 2 (Buy) [8] - The dividend yields for OGS, SR, and ATO are 3.49%, 4.01%, and 2.40%, respectively [8]

Core Viewpoint - PG&E Corporation (PCG) is positioned as a strong investment opportunity due to its clean energy initiatives, declining interest rates, and systematic infrastructure investments, enhancing service reliability [1] Growth Outlook & Surprise History - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2025 and 2026 earnings per share is projected at $1.50 and $1.64, indicating year-over-year growth of 10.29% and 9.05% respectively [2] - Revenue estimates for 2025 and 2026 are $25.88 billion and $27.54 billion, reflecting year-over-year improvements of 6.0% and 6.39% respectively [2] - PCG's long-term earnings growth rate is forecasted at 15.89%, with an average positive earnings surprise of 0.47% over the last four quarters [2] Capital Investment and Clean Energy Plan - PCG plans to invest $12.9 billion in 2025 and an additional $73 billion from 2026 to 2030, targeting 10% earnings growth for 2025 and a long-term annual growth rate of at least 9% during 2026-2030 [3] Clean Energy Initiatives - The company is investing in battery energy storage, achieving a goal of 580 megawatts of operational storage capacity by the end of 2024, aiming to deliver 90% of retail energy sales from renewable and zero-carbon sources by 2035 [4] Dividend History - PCG's current dividend yield is 1.26%, with a fourth-quarter dividend of 5 cents per share, leading to an annualized dividend of 20 cents [5] - The company aims for a dividend payout ratio of 7% for 2025, expected to grow to 20% by 2026-2030 [5] Return on Equity - PCG's Return on Equity (ROE) stands at 11.10%, surpassing the industry average of 9.60%, indicating effective utilization of shareholders' funds [6] Solvency - The times interest earned ratio (TIE) for PCG at the end of Q3 2025 is 1.8, demonstrating the company's ability to meet long-term debt obligations [8] Share Price Performance - Over the past three months, PCG's stock has increased by 5.6%, outperforming the industry's growth of 1.4% [9]

Core Viewpoint - Investors are evaluating which stock presents a better value opportunity between Spire (SR) and Atmos Energy (ATO) in the Utility - Gas Distribution sector [1] Group 1: Valuation Metrics - Both Spire and Atmos Energy currently hold a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy), indicating positive earnings estimate revisions for both companies [3] - Spire has a forward P/E ratio of 15.68, while Atmos Energy has a forward P/E of 20.80, suggesting Spire may be undervalued compared to Atmos Energy [5] - The PEG ratio for Spire is 1.49, compared to Atmos Energy's PEG ratio of 2.61, indicating Spire's earnings growth is more favorably priced [5] - Spire's P/B ratio is 1.55, while Atmos Energy's P/B ratio is 1.97, further supporting the notion that Spire is a more attractive value option [6] Group 2: Value Grades - Based on various valuation metrics, Spire holds a Value grade of B, whereas Atmos Energy has a Value grade of D, highlighting Spire as the superior value option [6]

Industry Overview - Demand for natural gas is increasing in the U.S. and globally due to its clean-burning properties, driven by AI data centers, reshoring of industries, electric vehicle usage, and higher domestic demand during cold winters [1][11] - The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) projects that natural gas will account for 40% of U.S. electricity generation in 2025 and 2026, as coal-fired generation units are phased out [2] - The natural gas distribution industry is crucial for delivering gas through a network of 2.5 million miles of pipelines across the U.S. [5] Investment Opportunities - Capital-intensive gas distribution utilities like Atmos Energy Corporation (ATO) and Spire Inc. (SR) are recommended for investment due to rising natural gas demand and favorable market conditions [3][8] - ATO plans to invest $26 billion by 2030, targeting 6-8% annual earnings growth and maintaining steady dividends [11][12] - SR has increased its capital investment plan to $11.2 billion, aiming for 5-7% adjusted EPS growth through fiscal 2035 [11][14] Financial Performance - ATO's current dividend yield is 2.34%, outperforming the S&P 500 composite's yield of 1.4%, with a beta of 0.75 indicating lower volatility [13] - SR's current dividend yield is 3.93%, with a long-term earnings growth rate projected at 10.54% and a beta of 0.66 [17] - Both companies have shown strong performance, outperforming the Zacks Utilities sector over the past six months [9]

Industry Overview - The natural gas distribution industry is experiencing rising demand due to the clean-burning nature of natural gas, which is essential for transporting gas from production regions to consumers across the U.S. [1][3] - The U.S. has a substantial natural gas reserve of 3,353 trillion cubic feet and a pipeline network of 2.5 million miles [4]. Key Trends - The shale revolution has significantly increased natural gas production, leading to higher demand from various customer groups [3]. - The industry faces challenges from aging infrastructure, with many pipelines nearing the end of their effective service life, raising safety and maintenance concerns [6]. - Competition from other clean energy sources is increasing, as renewable energy projects become more affordable and reliable, potentially impacting the demand for natural gas [5]. Financial Insights - The Zacks Utility Gas Distribution industry currently ranks 149 out of 243 Zacks industries, indicating weak near-term prospects, with a negative earnings outlook as earnings estimates for 2025 have decreased by 7.7% since December 31, 2024 [10][11]. - The Gas Distribution industry has underperformed compared to the S&P 500 and the Utility sector, with an 8.5% gain over the past year compared to 14.5% for the Utility sector and 16.1% for the S&P 500 [12]. Valuation Metrics - The industry is trading at a trailing 12-month EV/EBITDA ratio of 10.35X, which is lower than the Zacks S&P 500 composite's 18.77X and the sector's 15.27X [13]. Company Highlights - **Atmos Energy Corp.**: Plans to invest $3.6 billion in fiscal 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% [15][16]. - **Brookfield Infrastructure Corp.**: Engaged in natural gas and electricity supply, recently signed a $5 billion deal with Bloom Energy and a $20 billion partnership with Qai, with a dividend yield of 3.68% and significant earnings growth estimates [17][18]. - **Spire Inc.**: Focused on organic expansion through infrastructure investments, plans to invest approximately $809 million in fiscal 2026, with a dividend yield of 3.82% and long-term earnings growth estimated at 10.54% [19][20].

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]