Avista (AVA) Q1 2026 Earnings Call Transcript
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: 1 hour ago
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Should l Buy AVA?
Source: NASDAQ.COM
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Analyst Views on AVA
Wall Street analysts forecast AVA stock price to fall
4 Analyst Rating
0 Buy
3 Hold
1 Sell
Hold
Current: 40.560
Low
36.00
Averages
39.25
High
42.00
Current: 40.560
Low
36.00
Averages
39.25
High
42.00
About AVA
Avista Corp. is an energy company involved in the production, transmission and distribution of energy as well as other energy-related businesses. Its segment includes Avista Utilities and AEL&P. The Avista Utilities segment comprises regulated utility operations in Washington, Idaho, Oregon and Montana. It engages in electric distribution and transmission, and natural gas distribution services in parts of eastern Washington and northern Idaho. It also provides natural gas distribution service in parts of northeastern and southwestern Oregon. Additionally, it supplies electricity to a small number of customers in Montana. Avista Utilities also engages in wholesale purchases and sales of electricity and natural gas as an integral part of energy resource management and its load-serving obligation. The AEL&P segment is a regulated utility providing electric services in Juneau, Alaska that is a wholly owned subsidiary and the primary operating subsidiary of AERC.
About the author

Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
- Earnings Announcement: Avista is set to release its Q1 earnings on May 5 before market open, with an expected EPS of $1.03, reflecting a 5.1% year-over-year growth, indicating the company's ongoing commitment to maintaining profitability.
- Revenue Expectations: The company anticipates Q1 revenue of $643.55 million, representing a 6.7% year-over-year increase, which highlights Avista's positive performance amid growing market demand and business expansion.
- Estimate Revision Dynamics: Over the past three months, EPS estimates for Avista have seen 0 upward revisions and 2 downward revisions, indicating a cautious market sentiment regarding the company's future profitability, which may affect investor confidence.
- Long-term Growth Targets: Avista has outlined a $3.4 billion capital plan and aims for 4% to 6% EPS growth through 2030, demonstrating that investments in large load projects are expected to drive sustainable growth in the future.
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- Q1 Performance: Avista's Q1 non-GAAP EPS of $1.10 exceeded expectations by $0.07, indicating stable profitability; however, the 8% year-over-year revenue decline may dampen investor confidence moving forward.
- Revenue Miss: The reported revenue of $555 million fell short of expectations by $88.55 million, reflecting weak market demand that could negatively impact the company's cash flow and reinvestment capabilities.
- Future Guidance: Avista has confirmed its 2026 non-GAAP utility earnings guidance, projecting earnings per share between $2.52 and $2.72, providing investors with visibility into future earnings and helping to stabilize market expectations.
- Market Context: Amid rising market uncertainty, the high dividend yields offered by utility companies have attracted investor interest, and Avista's dividend policy may enhance its appeal in a competitive landscape.
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- Net Income Growth: Avista reported a net income of $92 million for Q1 2026, translating to $1.11 per diluted share, which is a significant increase from $79 million and $0.98 per share in 2025, indicating the positive impact of ongoing investments in safety and reliability.
- Non-GAAP Earnings Guidance: The company confirmed its 2026 non-GAAP utility earnings guidance in the range of $2.52 to $2.72 per diluted share, reflecting confidence in future growth, particularly as natural gas utility margins increased significantly due to general rate cases.
- Capital Expenditure Plans: Avista's capital expenditures for Q1 2026 were $147 million, with expectations to invest $615 million annually through 2030 in infrastructure to support long-term business growth and customer demand.
- Strong Liquidity Position: As of March 31, 2026, Avista had $110 million in available liquidity and plans to issue up to $90 million in common stock in 2026, demonstrating robust performance in capital markets and financing capabilities.
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- Earnings Report Companies: Major companies expected to report earnings before Tuesday's open include Pfizer (PFE), PayPal (PYPL), Energy Transfer LP (ET), and Shopify (SHOP), whose results will significantly impact market sentiment.
- Additional Earnings Forecast: Furthermore, other companies slated to release earnings include ABEV, ADM, AEP, among nearly 70 firms, indicating heightened market activity.
- Market Reaction Expectations: With numerous prominent companies set to report, investor reactions could lead to stock market volatility, particularly in the technology and energy sectors.
- Importance of Earnings Season: The earnings season is a critical time for investors to assess company performance and market trends, expected to provide essential data for investment decisions.
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- Financial Performance Overview: Avista reported earnings of $2.38 per share for 2025, up from $2.29 in 2024, despite a one-time adjustment from Colstrip-related investments that reduced EPS by $0.07, indicating the company's ability to maintain profitability under adverse conditions.
- Long-term Strategic Planning: The company filed a four-year rate plan to address cost pressures related to grid modernization and clean energy, aiming to enhance stability in cost recovery and shareholder returns by reducing the frequency of regulatory proceedings, thereby increasing transparency and predictability for customers.
- Capital Expenditure Plans: Avista expects capital expenditures of $585 million in 2026, with a total of $3.4 billion planned from 2026 to 2030, representing a 5% compound growth rate, demonstrating the company's strong confidence in future growth.
- Dividend Policy Adjustment: The Board raised the dividend to $1.97 per share, marking the 24th consecutive annual increase, with management expecting the dividend growth rate to be less than the growth in EPS until reaching a target payout ratio of 60% to 70%, reflecting a strategic shift in shareholder returns.
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