Company Overview - Southern Company is the second-largest utility company in the US, generating electricity from both traditional power and new energies in Alabama, Georgia, and Southeastern Mississippi [1] Business Growth - The company is favored for its business growth in the data center market, indicating a strategic focus on expanding its services in this sector [1] Stability - Southern Company is recognized for its stable utility operations, which may contribute to its attractiveness as an investment [1]

Core Viewpoint - CenterPoint Energy has announced a settlement agreement for its 2026-2028 Systemwide Resiliency Plan (SRP), which is the largest grid resiliency investment in the company's history, aimed at reducing storm-related outages for its 2.8 million customers by nearly 1 billion minutes by 2029 [1][5][8] Investment and Financial Summary - The SRP involves a revised investment of over $3 billion in the electric distribution system, with more than $240 million in costs deferred until the second half of 2029 to minimize customer bill impacts [5][7] - The average residential customer will see an increase of approximately $1.40 per month from 2026 to 2028, with an additional $0.60 in 2030 [7][10] Resiliency Actions - The SRP will enhance the electric distribution system by implementing automation devices capable of self-healing, installing 130,000 stronger poles, and modernizing underground cables [8][14] - The plan builds on previous phases of the Greater Houston Resiliency Initiative (GHRI) and addresses various extreme weather threats, including hurricanes and flooding [2][4] Customer and Community Impact - The SRP is designed to benefit customers across a 12-county service area, particularly in higher-risk areas, and aims to meet the growing energy needs of the population, which is expected to increase by about 2% annually [11][12] - CenterPoint conducted extensive community engagement, including 30 meetings, to gather feedback for the SRP, ensuring it aligns with customer needs and priorities [12] Historical Context - CenterPoint Energy has been serving customers for over 150 years and currently serves approximately 7 million metered customers across multiple states, with total assets of about $44 billion as of March 31, 2025 [13]

Group 1 - Pinnacle West (PNW) and Avista Corporation (AVA) are both regulated electric utilities operating in the Western U.S. but have different investment profiles [1] - Pinnacle West is based in Arizona and is characterized by growth potential [1] Group 2 - Joseph Jones, a professor with over fifteen years of market study experience, focuses on portfolio construction from a dividend growth investor's perspective [1]

Core Viewpoint - Duke Energy Progress has requested a public review of its current rates from South Carolina regulators, seeking a revenue increase of $74.8 million, which equates to a 12.1% rise over existing revenues [2][4]. Rate Increase Details - If approved, typical residential customers using 1,000 kilowatt-hours per month will see their monthly electric bills rise by $21.66, from $144.85 to $166.51, effective February 1, 2026 [2]. - Commercial customers are expected to experience an average increase of 12.8%, while industrial customers will see an average increase of around 3.6% [2]. Company Background - Duke Energy Progress, a subsidiary of Duke Energy, operates with 13,800 megawatts of energy capacity, serving 1.8 million customers across a 28,000-square-mile area in North and South Carolina [5]. - Duke Energy, a Fortune 150 company, serves 8.6 million customers across multiple states and owns a total of 55,100 megawatts of energy capacity [6]. Recent Investments and Improvements - The company has made significant investments to strengthen the grid, improve storm readiness, and enhance customer service, which have contributed to reduced outages [7][9]. - The last regulatory review of rates occurred in 2022, and this request reflects ongoing efforts to meet future energy demands and improve operational excellence [7][8]. Technological Advancements - Smart, self-healing technology has been implemented, which helped restore over 10,000 customer outages during Hurricane Helene, saving more than 28,000 hours of total outage time [8]. Commitment to Energy Transition - Duke Energy is focused on an ambitious energy transition, investing in electric grid upgrades and cleaner energy sources, including natural gas, nuclear, renewables, and energy storage [9].

Core Insights - WEC Energy Group's strategic investments enhance infrastructure and cater to rising customer demand, with a strong emphasis on clean energy driving performance [1] - The company faces competitive risks in the electric and natural gas markets, impacting its ability to retain customers [5] Factors Acting in Favor of WEC - WEC Energy is experiencing increased demand from both commercial and industrial (C&I) customers, which constitutes over 60% of its electricity sales, positively influencing performance [2] - The company anticipates a 4.5-5% increase in weather-normalized electric sales and a 0.7-1% growth in gas sales in Wisconsin from 2027 to 2029 [3] Investment Plans - WEC Energy plans to invest $28 billion from 2025 to 2029, with $9.1 billion allocated to regulated renewable projects, aiming to enhance its renewable portfolio [4][7] - The company intends to develop nearly 4.4 gigawatts (GW) of renewable energy, including 2.9 GW of solar, 565 megawatts (MW) of battery storage, and 900 MW of wind generation [4] Challenges Faced by WEC - Increased competition from retail choice and alternative electric suppliers poses a challenge to WEC Energy's customer retention [5] - The company's operations are subject to extensive governmental regulations, which may impact cost recovery from utility customers [5] Stock Performance - Over the past six months, WEC Energy's stock has increased by 10.1%, outperforming the industry average growth of 5.4% [6]

Core Viewpoint - Black Hills Corp. has received approval for its Lange II Project, which will enhance energy reliability in South Dakota and eastern Wyoming by addressing capacity deficits and increasing planning reserve margins [1][2]. Group 1: Project Details - The Lange II Project will consist of six reciprocating internal combustion engines (RICE) with dual-fuel capabilities (natural gas and diesel) and related interconnection facilities [2]. - The estimated cost of the Lange II Project is $280 million [2]. - Construction is set to begin in the third quarter of 2025, with the project expected to start serving customers in the second half of 2026 [3]. Group 2: Company Overview - Black Hills Corp. is a growth-oriented utility company based in Rapid City, South Dakota, serving 1.35 million natural gas and electric utility customers across eight states [4]. - The company aims to provide safe, reliable, and cost-effective electric service, enhancing the resiliency of the electric system to respond to demand fluctuations [3].

Group 1: Zacks Premium Overview - Zacks Premium offers various tools for investors to enhance their stock market strategies, including daily updates on Zacks Rank and Industry Rank, access to the Zacks 1 Rank List, Equity Research reports, and Premium stock screens [1] - The service also includes Zacks Style Scores, which are designed to help investors identify stocks with the best potential to outperform the market in the short term [2] Group 2: Zacks Style Scores - Zacks Style Scores categorize stocks based on value, growth, and momentum characteristics, assigning ratings from A to F, where A indicates the highest potential for outperformance [3] - The Value Score focuses on identifying undervalued stocks using financial ratios like P/E, PEG, and Price/Sales [3] - The Growth Score assesses a company's financial health and future outlook, analyzing projected and historical earnings, sales, and cash flow [4] - The Momentum Score evaluates stocks based on price trends and earnings estimate changes, helping investors identify optimal buying opportunities [5] - The VGM Score combines all three Style Scores, providing a comprehensive indicator for investors seeking attractive value, growth, and momentum [6] Group 3: Zacks Rank and Performance - The Zacks Rank is a proprietary model that utilizes earnings estimate revisions to guide investors in building successful portfolios [7] - Stocks rated 1 (Strong Buy) have historically achieved an average annual return of +25.41% since 1988, significantly outperforming the S&P 500 [8] - Investors are encouraged to focus on stocks with a Zacks Rank of 1 or 2 and Style Scores of A or B for the highest probability of success [10] Group 4: Stock Example - WEC Energy Group - WEC Energy Group is a diversified holding company involved in electricity generation and distribution in Wisconsin and Michigan [12] - Currently rated 3 (Hold) with a VGM Score of B, WEC is considered a potential growth investment with an expected year-over-year earnings growth of 8.5% for the current fiscal year [12][13] - Recent upward revisions in earnings estimates and a solid average earnings surprise of 6.2% further support WEC's position as a noteworthy investment option [13]

Core Insights - Georgia Power, a subsidiary of the Southern Company, is enhancing its storm response capabilities in preparation for the 2025 Atlantic Hurricane Season, anticipating above-average storm activity as forecasted by NOAA [1] - The utility has invested in smart grid technologies and infrastructure upgrades to minimize outage impacts and expedite recovery [1] Storm Response Enhancements - Self-healing technology is now integrated into Georgia's power grid, allowing for rerouting power and isolating issues, which reduces the number of affected customers and accelerates power restoration [2] - This technology was crucial during Hurricane Helene in 2024, which was the most destructive hurricane in Georgia Power's history, significantly aiding in faster power restoration [2] Safety and Preparedness - Georgia Power is urging customers to take proactive safety measures, such as avoiding downed power lines and using generators correctly, emphasizing that preparation can save lives [3] - The company promotes digital tools for customers to stay informed during emergencies, including outage alerts and safety resources [9] Recognition and Achievements - Following Hurricane Helene, which left over a million Georgians without power, Georgia Power received the Edison Electric Institute's Emergency Recovery Award for its recovery efforts [4] - The company replaced over 11,000 power poles, repaired 1,000 miles of wire, and removed more than 3,000 damaged trees as part of the recovery process [4] Future Preparedness - As storm threats are anticipated in 2025, Georgia Power is committed to responding with resilience and innovation [5] Company Overview - The Southern Company operates in electricity generation, transmission, and distribution, serving approximately nine million customers through its seven electric and natural gas distribution units [6] - Currently, the Southern Company holds a Zacks Rank 3 (Hold) [6] Investment Opportunities - Investors in the utility sector may consider stocks like EDP, S.A. (EDPFY), Engie SA (ENGIY), and CenterPoint Energy, Inc. (CNP), with EDP and Engie holding Zacks Rank 1 (Strong Buy) and CenterPoint Energy at Zacks Rank 2 (Buy) [7]

Core Viewpoint - FirstEnergy Corp. plans to offer $950 million of convertible senior notes due 2029 and $850 million due 2031 in a private placement, with an option for initial purchasers to buy an additional $150 million of each series within 13 days of issuance [1][2]. Group 1: Offering Details - The offering consists of two series of convertible senior notes: the 2029 Notes and the 2031 Notes, totaling $1.8 billion [1]. - The Notes will be unsecured and unsubordinated obligations of FirstEnergy, convertible under certain conditions, with interest payable semiannually [3]. - The offering is targeted at qualified institutional buyers under Rule 144A of the Securities Act, and the Notes will not be registered under the Securities Act [4]. Group 2: Use of Proceeds - Net proceeds from the offering will be used for repurchasing existing convertible senior notes, repaying or refinancing existing debt, and general corporate purposes [2]. Group 3: Company Overview - FirstEnergy serves over 6 million customers across several states and operates approximately 24,000 miles of transmission lines [6].

Core Viewpoint - NextEra Energy is positioned as a reliable investment opportunity due to its strong performance, commitment to shareholder returns, and conservative business model [2][12]. Business Overview - NextEra Energy is one of the largest regulated electric utilities in North America, primarily generating revenue from Florida Power and Light (FPL) and NextEra Energy Resources, serving over six million customers [4][5]. - The company operates a diversified portfolio of clean energy assets totaling approximately 38 gigawatts (GW), including solar, wind, and nuclear power [6]. Financial Performance - NextEra Energy has maintained an average EBITDA margin of 51.8% from 2020 to 2024, outperforming peers like Southern Company and Duke Energy [8]. - The company has averaged a payout ratio of 81% over the past five years and has increased its dividend for over 30 consecutive years [12]. Growth Strategies - NextEra Energy plans to petition the Florida Public Service Commission for rate increases, proposing base rate hikes of about $1.6 billion and $0.9 billion for 2026 and 2027, respectively [13]. - The company has a backlog of renewable energy projects totaling 28 GW and a pipeline of 300 GW, with recent additions of 1.4 GW of wind, 2.5 GW of solar, and 0.8 GW of battery storage capacity [14]. - Acquisitions have been a growth strategy, including the 2019 acquisition of Gulf Power for approximately $4.4 billion and the 2021 acquisition of GridLiance for $502 million [15]. Investment Consideration - With the stock trading at 11.4 times operating cash flow, below its five-year average of 14.9, it is suggested that now may be an opportune time to invest in NextEra Energy [16].