Avista (NYSE:AVA) Posts Earnings Results, Misses Estimates By $0.04 EPS

Avista (NYSE:AVA) posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday. The utilities provider reported $0.38 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.42 by ($0.04), FiscalAI reports. Avista had a return on equity of 7.87% and a net margin of 12.75%. The company had revenue of $421.00 million for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $425.52 million.

Here are the key takeaways from Avista’s conference call:

• Consolidated earnings rose, but utility earnings improved only modestly. First-nine-month consolidated EPS increased to $2.11 from $1.51, largely reflecting a recovery in investment valuations and ERock’s IPO; non-GAAP utility EPS was $1.76 versus $1.67.
• Avista reaffirmed 2026 utility earnings guidance of $2.52–$2.72 per share and expects results near the midpoint. Management cited cost discipline and improved cost recovery, while noting a $0.09-per-share ERM headwind recognized through the first three quarters.
• Avista has paused processing new large data-center applications requiring significant generation or transmission investment for at least 12 months, and excluded compute-related growth from its capital plan. The company said it will require future projects to cover their costs and contribute to existing-customer affordability.
• The company expects $3.6 billion in base utility capital expenditures from 2027–2031 and is evaluating additional resources for rising peak-day needs. It also cited prospective commercial, manufacturing, and mining loads totaling about 85 MW, though timing and realization are uncertain.
• A decision in Avista’s Washington rate case is expected in mid-December, with disagreement over the proposed rate-plan duration and other terms. Management said a constructive outcome, alongside future Idaho and Oregon rate cases, would support its roughly 9% long-term utility ROE expectation, which includes 0.6% of structural lag.

Avista Stock Down 1.1%

AVA traded down $0.46 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $40.45. 352,285 shares of the company’s stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 683,892. The firm has a market cap of $3.39 billion, a P/E ratio of 13.57, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 4.24 and a beta of 0.22. Avista has a 12-month low of $34.46 and a 12-month high of $43.50. The company has a current ratio of 0.96, a quick ratio of 0.69 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.07. The firm has a 50 day moving average of $36.69 and a 200 day moving average of $39.71.

Analyst Ratings Changes

AVA has been the subject of several research analyst reports. Weiss Ratings lowered Avista from a “buy (b-)” rating to a “hold (c+)” rating in a research report on Friday, October 9th. Barclays dropped their price objective on Avista from $37.00 to $35.00 and set an “equal weight” rating for the company in a research note on Friday, October 9th. Seven investment analysts have rated the stock with a Hold rating. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Avista has an average rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $38.75.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other Avista news, VP Joshua Diluciano sold 4,675 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, September 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $37.24, for a total value of $174,097.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the vice president owned 8,334 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $310,358.16. This trade represents a 35.94% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. 0.78% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

About Avista

Avista Corporation is an energy company headquartered in Spokane, Washington. Through its Avista Utilities subsidiary, the company provides regulated electric and natural gas services to residential, commercial, and industrial customers.

Avista’s electric operations serve communities in eastern Washington and northern Idaho, while its natural gas service territory includes portions of Washington, Idaho, and Oregon. The company’s utility activities include generating, purchasing, transmitting, distributing, and supplying energy, as well as maintaining the infrastructure needed to deliver those services.

The company traces its history to the founding of Washington Water Power in 1889.