28 May 2025 | 6:02AM CEST Powering Up Europe Domestic, defensive and growing; a new era for Utilities Domestic, defensive and growing. Utilities operate predominantly domestic businesses with a large share of regulated or contracted profits (i.e., defensive). We expect the industry to positively surprise on organic growth, thanks to: (1) the inflection in power demand; (2) a pivot in capital allocation; and (3) the secular need to modernize the entire power system. In this context, we believe Utilities may ...

Core Viewpoint - The concept of "value management" has gained significant traction in the capital market since the release of the regulatory guidelines by the China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC) in November last year, with employee stock ownership plans (ESOPs) being a key method for companies to enhance their market value [2][8]. Group 1: Employee Stock Ownership Plans - As of May 29, 2023, a total of 141 listed companies have disclosed employee stock ownership plans, with 27 companies planning initial funding of over 100 million yuan [2][6]. - Notable companies like BYD and Midea Group have announced substantial employee stock ownership plans, with BYD's plan amounting to approximately 3.988 billion yuan and Midea Group's plan totaling 1.331 billion yuan [6][7]. - The employee stock ownership plan by Zijin Mining involves up to 2,500 participants, with a share price set at 70% of the average repurchase price, amounting to 10.89 yuan per share [3][6]. Group 2: Market Trends and Implications - The trend of implementing employee stock ownership plans is seen as a way to align the interests of employees with those of shareholders, potentially leading to better corporate governance and reduced short-termism among management [2][8]. - Analysts suggest that these plans can create a positive feedback loop of "performance growth - stock price increase - employee benefits," although there are concerns about the potential for short-term focus [7][8]. - The CSRC's guidelines encourage companies to enhance operational efficiency and profitability while utilizing various methods, including employee stock ownership plans, to reflect their investment value accurately [8][9].

Core Insights - PG&E is experiencing a significant increase in electricity demand from new data centers, projected to require approximately 8.7 GW over the next decade, up from 5.5 GW reported at the end of 2024 [1][6] - The growth in data center demand is expected to benefit PG&E customers, potentially leading to a 1-2% reduction in monthly electric bills for every 1 GW of new demand [7] - PG&E is actively supporting the development of new data centers in collaboration with real estate developers, including a project in downtown San Jose that will also include residential units [2][13] Electricity Demand and Infrastructure - Each 1 GW of electricity can power around 750,000 homes simultaneously, highlighting the scale of the new demand [4] - PG&E is currently working on 18 new data center projects totaling approximately 1.4 GW, with operations expected to begin between 2026 and 2030 [6] - The new energy demand allows PG&E to utilize its existing power infrastructure more efficiently, spreading costs over a larger energy output [8] Future Projects and Studies - PG&E is conducting a follow-up study across its entire service area to assess data center needs, covering 70,000 square miles in Northern and Central California [9] - In addition to the current 8.7 GW pipeline, PG&E has received 21 new project applications totaling approximately 4.1 GW of additional power demand [10] - By grouping applications and projects, PG&E aims to enhance planning efficiency, reduce costs, and expedite customer connections [11]

Core Insights - Meta is planning to build its largest AI data center in Richland Parish, Louisiana, with a total area of 4 million square feet and a cost of $10 billion, requiring additional electricity from three new gas-fired power plants with a total capacity of 2,260 MW [1][2] - There is political pushback regarding the environmental impact of using natural gas for the data center, with concerns raised about Meta's carbon footprint and its commitment to net-zero emissions [18][19][20] Energy Sources Analysis - Natural gas is currently a significant energy source in the U.S., producing over 115 billion cubic feet per day and accounting for 43% of grid electricity [3] - Coal is being phased out, with about 200 coal-fired power plants remaining, which are expected to close by 2040 due to environmental concerns [4][5] - Renewables, particularly wind and solar, are gaining traction, with 90% of new energy in the U.S. in 2024 expected to come from these sources [11][12] - Nuclear energy is being promoted as a potential major energy source, but it faces challenges such as high costs and safety concerns [9][10][7] Cost Comparisons - The levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) for renewables is currently lower than that of nuclear energy, with projections indicating that by 2030, SMR nuclear energy could be at least three times more expensive than renewables in Australia [15][17] - Battery storage systems (BESS) are experiencing significant growth, with a record of 200 GWh globally last year and expected to rise to over 4 TW by 2040 [8] Future Considerations - The construction of new data centers driven by AI will necessitate ongoing decisions regarding energy sources, with a strong emphasis on sustainability and reducing carbon footprints [21]

Core Viewpoint - Exelon (EXC) has shown a downtrend recently, losing 5.5% over the past four weeks, but a hammer chart pattern suggests a potential trend reversal as buying interest may be emerging to counteract selling pressure [1][2]. Technical Analysis - The hammer chart pattern indicates a possible bottoming out, with reduced selling pressure, suggesting that bulls may be gaining control [2][5]. - A hammer pattern forms when there is a small candle body with a long lower wick, indicating that the stock opened lower, made a new low, but closed near its opening price, reflecting buying interest [4][5]. - This pattern can occur across various timeframes and is utilized by both short-term and long-term investors [5]. Fundamental Analysis - There is a strong consensus among Wall Street analysts to raise earnings estimates for Exelon, which supports the bullish case for the stock [2][7]. - Over the last 30 days, the consensus EPS estimate for the current year has increased by 1.2%, indicating improved earnings expectations from analysts [8]. - Exelon currently holds a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy), placing it in the top 20% of over 4,000 ranked stocks, which historically outperforms the market [9].

Group 1: Market Overview - The stock market is presenting opportunities for investment as the second half of 2025 approaches, with growth equities being particularly attractive [1] - Investors are hopeful for reduced volatility in the latter half of the year as trade tensions begin to ease [1] Group 2: NextEra Energy (NEE) - NextEra Energy has faced challenges in 2025, with its stock down over 5% year-to-date, currently valued at $67.76 [2][4] - The company is a leader in clean energy, with a diverse portfolio of wind and solar projects alongside its regulated utility arm, Florida Power & Light [3] - Approximately 70% of NextEra's business consists of stable utility operations, complemented by rapidly growing renewable energy assets, providing a balance of steady income and growth potential [3] - The dividend yield has increased to 3.3%, nearing decade highs, and the company has raised its dividend for 29 consecutive years, targeting 10% annual growth through 2026 [4] Group 3: Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) - Advanced Micro Devices is establishing itself as a key player in high-performance computing, particularly with the rising demand for AI and cloud infrastructure [5] - AMD's stock is down over 8% year-to-date, trading at $110, while it competes aggressively with Nvidia through its MI300 series chips [7] - In Q1, AMD reported a 36% year-over-year revenue increase to $7.44 billion and a 55% rise in adjusted earnings [9] - The data center segment, now nearly half of AMD's business, grew 57% year-to-date, driven by strong adoption of server CPUs and MI300 GPUs for AI workloads [10] - AMD anticipates Q2 revenue of $7.4 billion, a 27% increase from the previous year, with expanding profit margins expected [11]

Group 1: Market Overview - The stock market is presenting opportunities for investment as the second half of 2025 approaches, with growth equities being particularly attractive [1] - Investors are hopeful for reduced volatility in the latter half of the year as trade tensions begin to ease [1] Group 2: NextEra Energy (NEE) - NextEra Energy has faced challenges in 2025, with its stock down over 5% year-to-date, currently valued at $67.76 [2] - The company is a leader in clean energy, with a diverse portfolio of wind and solar projects alongside its regulated utility, Florida Power & Light, which positions it for long-term success [3] - Approximately 70% of NextEra's business consists of stable utility operations, complemented by rapidly growing renewable energy assets, providing a balance of steady income and growth potential [3] - The dividend yield has increased to 3.3%, nearing decade highs, and the company has raised its dividend for 29 consecutive years, targeting 10% annual growth through 2026, supported by projected earnings growth of 6% to 8% [4] Group 3: Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) - Advanced Micro Devices is establishing itself as a key player in high-performance computing, particularly with the rising demand for artificial intelligence (AI) and cloud infrastructure [5] - AMD's stock is down over 8% year-to-date, currently trading at $110, while it competes aggressively with Nvidia through its MI300 series chips [7] - In Q1, AMD reported a 36% year-over-year revenue increase to $7.44 billion and a 55% rise in adjusted earnings [9] - The data center segment, which now constitutes nearly half of AMD's business, grew 57% year-to-date, driven by strong adoption of server CPUs and MI300 GPUs for AI workloads [10] - The client processor segment is also rebounding, with a 68% revenue increase due to demand for Ryzen chips in AI PCs and commercial systems [10] - AMD projects Q2 revenue of $7.4 billion, a 27% increase from the previous year, with expanding profit margins anticipated [11]

Financial Performance - Reykjavík Energy reported a profit of ISK 4.5 billion for the first three months of the year, compared to ISK 2.9 billion in the same period in 2024 [1] - Revenues increased by 7% year-on-year, while expenses declined by the same proportion [2] - Cash flow from operations rose to ISK 9.4 billion from ISK 8.0 billion in the same period last year [3] Operational Insights - Investment in fixed operational assets remained stable year-on-year at ISK 6.4 billion, primarily driven by Veitur Utilities for district heating system enhancements [3] - ON Power received a reimbursement of approximately ISK 450 million due to a correction in Landsnet's tariff schedule [2] Management Commentary - The CEO of Reykjavík Energy expressed satisfaction with the financial results, highlighting the company's growing capacity for essential investments and a decline in interest expenses [4]

Group 1 - Reykjavik Energy concluded a green bond offering on May 23, 2025, increasing the size of the green bond series OR1802142 GB [1] - The company issued bonds amounting to ISK 5,300 million nominal value at a yield of 7.78% [1] - Following the increase, the total nominal value of bonds issued in the series reached ISK 11,538 million [1] Group 2 - Fossar Investment Bank is overseeing the issuance and sale of the bonds, as well as their admission to trading on the Nasdaq market in Iceland [1]

Core Viewpoint - Southwest Gas Holdings, Inc. successfully closed a secondary public offering of Centuri Holdings, Inc. common stock, raising significant capital for debt repayment [1][3]. Group 1: Offering Details - The company sold 10,350,000 shares of Centuri's common stock at a public offering price of $17.50 per share, including the underwriters' full exercise of their option to purchase an additional 1,350,000 shares [1]. - Icahn Partners LP and Icahn Partners Master Fund LP purchased 2,857,142 shares of Centuri's common stock in a concurrent private placement at the same price per share as the public offering [2]. - The net proceeds from the offering were approximately $175 million, while the concurrent private placement generated about $50 million [3]. Group 2: Use of Proceeds - The proceeds from both the offering and the private placement will be utilized for the repayment of outstanding indebtedness [3]. Group 3: Ownership Structure - After the completion of the offering and private placement, Southwest Gas Holdings retains approximately 65.9% ownership of Centuri's outstanding common stock [3]. Group 4: Underwriters - J.P. Morgan, UBS Investment Bank, and Wells Fargo Securities served as joint lead book-running managers for the offering, with additional support from BofA Securities and Moelis & Company [4]. Group 5: Company Background - Southwest Gas Holdings operates through its subsidiary, Southwest Gas Corporation, which focuses on the distribution and transportation of natural gas across Arizona, Nevada, and California [7]. - Centuri Holdings, Inc. provides utility infrastructure services, partnering with regulated utilities to maintain energy networks in the U.S. and Canada [8].