The foundation underpinning NextEra Energy's business is the regulated utility operations it runs in the state of Florida. The Sunshine State has long seen its population grow as people look for better weather and low taxes (Florida does not impose a state income tax). Retirees are a major source of new residents, which is also a positive given the aging of the very large baby boom generation. No business can completely avoid the recession hit, but some are much better positioned to do so than others. A rec ...

Company Performance - Northwest Natural (NWN) reported quarterly earnings of $0.01 per share, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of a loss of $0.07 per share, compared to a loss of $0.07 per share a year ago, resulting in an earnings surprise of +114.29% [1] - The company posted revenues of $236.19 million for the quarter ended June 2025, missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 2.76%, while year-ago revenues were $211.71 million [2] - Over the last four quarters, Northwest Natural has exceeded consensus EPS estimates three times, but has only topped consensus revenue estimates once [2] Stock Outlook - The immediate price movement of Northwest Natural's stock will largely depend on management's commentary during the earnings call and future earnings expectations [3] - The stock has gained approximately 1.6% since the beginning of the year, underperforming the S&P 500's gain of 7.6% [3] - The current consensus EPS estimate for the upcoming quarter is -$0.85 on revenues of $157.3 million, and for the current fiscal year, it is $2.88 on revenues of $1.3 billion [7] Industry Context - The Utility - Gas Distribution industry, to which Northwest Natural belongs, is currently ranked in the top 30% of over 250 Zacks industries, indicating a favorable outlook [8] - Empirical research suggests a strong correlation between near-term stock movements and trends in earnings estimate revisions, which can impact Northwest Natural's stock performance [5] - UGI (UGI), another company in the same industry, is expected to report a quarterly loss of $0.12 per share, representing a year-over-year change of -300%, with revenues projected at $1.44 billion, up 4.6% from the previous year [9]

Company Overview - Black Hills Corporation (NYSE: BKH) serves 1.35 million natural gas and electricity customers, operating as a holding company for residential and commercial gas utilities [1] - The company is experiencing growth in its smaller but valuable electric generation and utilities segments, alongside its transmission and generation operations [1] Leadership and Expertise - Laura Starks, founder and CEO of Starks Energy Economics, LLC, has a background in chemical engineering and an MBA with a concentration in finance, which she has utilized for personal investments and insights on energy companies [1] - Starks' coverage includes various sectors such as utilities, independent power producers, energy service companies, contractors, and all segments of oil and natural gas: upstream, midstream, and downstream [1]

Core Insights - The utilities sector has shown resilience amid market volatility in 2025, emerging as a stable source of dividend income and defensive investment [1][3] - The Utilities Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLU) has returned 8% year-to-date, outperforming the S&P 500, which is up under 2% [2] Company Highlights - Artesian Resources Corp. has seen a year-to-date share price increase of about 10%, with a dividend yield of 3.65% and an annual dividend of $1.23 [4][5] - The company reported an earnings per share (EPS) of 53 cents, exceeding analyst predictions by 18 cents, and quarterly revenue also surpassed expectations [5] - Artesian's revenue growth is attributed to an increase in customer count and a new distribution system improvement charge, with non-utility revenue growing by 8% year-over-year [6] - An anticipated rate increase later this year is expected to support continued revenue growth and maintain the company's attractive dividend yield [7] Additional Company Insights - Clearway Energy Inc. has a dividend yield of 5.85% and an annual dividend of $1.75, with a focus on renewable energy and battery storage operations [8][9] - Clearway reported an EPS beat, coming in at 3 cents per share, with adjusted EBITDA for its renewables and storage segment climbing by about 30% year-over-year [9] - NiSource Inc. has seen its shares rise over 8% year-to-date, with an EPS growth target of 6-8% and plans to invest $19 billion in renewable energy projects [12][13]

Core Points - The PG&E Corporation Foundation is launching the Better Together Nature Positive Innovation Grant program, offering a total of $500,000 in grants for environmental stewardship initiatives [1][3] - Five regional grants of $100,000 each will be awarded to projects focused on air quality, land, and water stewardship within PG&E's service area [2][8] - The program aims to support innovative solutions to environmental challenges and prioritize projects that benefit disadvantaged and vulnerable communities [6][7] Grant Details - Eligible applicants include government organizations, educational institutions, and 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations [8] - The application deadline for the grants is July 18, 2025 [8] - The grants are funded by PG&E shareholders, not customers, emphasizing the company's commitment to community investment [3][4] Community Impact - The program encourages local collaboration and aims to share successful strategies publicly to foster sustainable habitats [4][7] - Previous grant recipients have included organizations like Kitchen Table Advisors, which supports small-scale regenerative farmers, and the El Dorado Fire Safe Council, which aids vulnerable populations in wildfire resilience [5]

Core Viewpoint - PG&E proposed its 2027-2030 General Rate Case (GRC) to California regulators, aiming for the smallest percentage increase in a decade while enhancing safety and reliability for customers [1][2]. Group 1: Rate Proposal and Customer Impact - PG&E's GRC proposal includes a maximum bill increase of 3.6% in 2027, but total residential combined gas and electric bills are expected to remain flat compared to 2025 [6]. - The company forecasts that residential electric rates and average combined bills will be lower in 2026 due to the expiration of cost recovery currently included in rates [4]. - If the proposal is fully approved, PG&E anticipates that total residential combined bills will be flat in 2027, with potential decreases if electric demand rises [3][6]. Group 2: Cost Management and Savings - PG&E has reduced operating and capital costs by approximately $2.5 billion over the past three years, enabling the proposed small percentage increase [2]. - The company aims to stabilize customer bills through 2030, with additional savings expected from a $15 billion Department of Energy loan guarantee, which could save customers $1 billion over the loan's life [7]. Group 3: Infrastructure Improvements and Safety Enhancements - PG&E's proposal includes modernizing the grid to accommodate growth in electricity demand from new homes, businesses, and electric vehicles, targeting 3 million EVs by 2030 [9]. - The company plans to enhance wildfire safety by replacing 760 miles of powerlines and placing 307 miles underground in high-risk areas, reducing risk by 98% [9]. - Investments will also be made in lower-cost solar and battery energy storage, microgrids, and modernizing existing hydroelectric plants to improve reliability and safety [12].

Group 1: Earnings Performance - Sempra reported quarterly earnings of $1.44 per share, exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.21 per share, and up from $1.34 per share a year ago, representing an earnings surprise of 19.01% [1] - The company posted revenues of $3.8 billion for the quarter ended March 2025, missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 1.20%, compared to year-ago revenues of $3.64 billion [2] - Over the last four quarters, Sempra has surpassed consensus EPS estimates only once and has not beaten consensus revenue estimates during the same period [2] Group 2: Stock Performance and Outlook - Sempra shares have declined approximately 13.5% since the beginning of the year, while the S&P 500 has decreased by -4.3% [3] - The current consensus EPS estimate for the upcoming quarter is $0.81 on revenues of $3.24 billion, and for the current fiscal year, it is $4.69 on revenues of $16.67 billion [7] - The estimate revisions trend for Sempra is currently unfavorable, resulting in a Zacks Rank 4 (Sell) for the stock, indicating expected underperformance in the near future [6] Group 3: Industry Context - The Utility - Gas Distribution industry, to which Sempra belongs, is currently in the top 14% of over 250 Zacks industries, suggesting a favorable industry outlook [8] - Empirical research indicates a strong correlation between near-term stock movements and trends in earnings estimate revisions, which can be tracked by investors [5]

Core Insights - Atmos Energy (ATO) reported quarterly earnings of $3.03 per share, exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.92 per share, and up from $2.85 per share a year ago, representing an earnings surprise of 3.77% [1] - The company posted revenues of $1.95 billion for the quarter ended March 2025, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 2.72%, compared to $1.65 billion in the same quarter last year [2] - Atmos shares have increased approximately 16.3% since the beginning of the year, contrasting with a -4.7% decline in the S&P 500 [3] Earnings Outlook - The current consensus EPS estimate for the upcoming quarter is $1.17 on revenues of $954.77 million, and for the current fiscal year, it is $7.19 on revenues of $4.78 billion [7] - The estimate revisions trend for Atmos is favorable, leading to a Zacks Rank 2 (Buy) for the stock, indicating expected outperformance in the near future [6] Industry Context - The Utility - Gas Distribution industry, to which Atmos belongs, is currently ranked in the top 15% of over 250 Zacks industries, suggesting a positive outlook for stocks within this sector [8] - Another company in the same industry, Sempra (SRE), is expected to report quarterly earnings of $1.21 per share, reflecting a year-over-year decline of 9.7%, with revenues anticipated at $3.85 billion, up 5.7% from the previous year [9][10]

Company Overview - Sempra is expected to report quarterly earnings of $1.21 per share, reflecting a year-over-year decline of 9.7% [3] - Revenues are anticipated to reach $3.85 billion, which is a 5.7% increase from the previous year [3] Earnings Estimates and Revisions - The consensus EPS estimate has been revised down by 22.86% over the last 30 days, indicating a reassessment by analysts [4] - The Most Accurate Estimate for Sempra is higher than the Zacks Consensus Estimate, resulting in an Earnings ESP of +11.05% [10][11] Earnings Surprise Prediction - A positive Earnings ESP reading suggests a potential earnings beat, particularly when combined with a strong Zacks Rank [8] - Despite the positive Earnings ESP, Sempra currently holds a Zacks Rank of 4, making it challenging to predict an earnings beat conclusively [11] Historical Performance - In the last reported quarter, Sempra was expected to post earnings of $1.63 per share but delivered only $1.50, resulting in a surprise of -7.98% [12] - The company has not surpassed consensus EPS estimates in any of the last four quarters [13] Industry Context - In comparison, Southwest Gas is expected to report earnings of $1.61 per share, indicating a year-over-year increase of 17.5% [17] - Southwest Gas has seen its consensus EPS estimate revised up by 11.6% over the last 30 days, but it has a negative Earnings ESP of -1.44% [18]