Is First Trust Utilities AlphaDEX ETF (FXU) a Strong ETF Right Now?
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Oct 11 2024
0mins
Should l Buy EVRG?
Source: NASDAQ.COM
Overview of FXU: The First Trust Utilities AlphaDEX ETF (FXU), launched in 2007, is a smart beta fund focusing on the Utilities sector, with assets over $309 million and an annual expense ratio of 0.64%. It aims to outperform traditional passive indices through the AlphaDEX screening methodology.
Investment Considerations: While FXU has shown solid returns, it may not be the best option for investors seeking to outperform the Utilities/Infrastructure segment, as lower-cost alternatives like Vanguard Utilities ETF (VPU) and Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLU) offer better expense ratios and potentially lower risk.
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Analyst Views on EVRG
Wall Street analysts forecast EVRG stock price to rise
7 Analyst Rating
5 Buy
2 Hold
0 Sell
Moderate Buy
Current: 79.410
Low
76.00
Averages
83.71
High
93.00
Current: 79.410
Low
76.00
Averages
83.71
High
93.00
About EVRG
Evergy, Inc. is a utility holding company. The Company operates primarily through its wholly owned subsidiaries, Evergy Kansas Central, Inc. (Evergy Kansas Central); Evergy Metro, Inc. (Evergy Metro); Evergy Missouri West, Inc. (Evergy Missouri West), and Evergy Transmission Company, LLC (Evergy Transmission Company). Evergy Kansas Central is an integrated, regulated electric utility that provides electricity to customers in the state of Kansas. Evergy Metro is an integrated, regulated electric utility that provides electricity to customers in the states of Missouri and Kansas. Evergy Missouri West is an integrated, regulated electric utility that provides electricity to customers in the state of Missouri. Evergy Transmission Company owns 13.5% of Transource Energy, LLC (Transource) with the remaining 86.5% owned by AEP Transmission Holding Company, LLC. Transource is focused on the development of competitive electric transmission projects.
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.
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- Barclays Reaffirms Rating: On March 9, Barclays maintained an Overweight rating on Evergy and raised its target price from $82 to $89, reflecting confidence in the company's 8% bottom-line growth target and long-term growth potential.
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- Diverse Energy Portfolio: Evergy generates and distributes electricity from a diverse energy portfolio, including traditional sources like coal and natural gas, as well as renewable sources like wind and solar, ensuring its critical role in providing essential utility services and infrastructure.
See More
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- Sector Focus: High-yield stocks in the utilities sector, such as WEC Energy Group Inc, Exelon Corp, and Evergy Inc, are highlighted by analysts for their stable cash flows and reliable dividend payments, indicating strong market trust in these companies.
- Analyst Ratings: The ratings from the most accurate analysts suggest that these high-yield stocks are performing well in the current market environment, reflecting a growing investor appetite for stable income, which may attract more capital into these firms.
- Market Trends: As market uncertainty intensifies, the demand for high dividend stocks is likely to continue rising, which not only helps elevate the stock prices of these companies but may also drive growth across the entire utilities sector.
See More
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- Infrastructure Investment Plan: In 2025, Evergy invested $2.8 billion in infrastructure to modernize the grid and replace aging equipment, which, despite the negative impact of weather and weak industrial demand on 2025 financial results, will enhance the company's long-term competitiveness.
- New Customer Agreements and Power Services: The company received approval for large load power service (LLPS) tariffs, providing premium demand pricing for new customers, which is expected to attract more large clients into service territories and further drive revenue growth.
- Dividend Growth and Financial Outlook: Evergy announced a 4% increase in dividends to an annualized $2.78, with expectations for the payout ratio to gradually decline to 50% to 60%, indicating the company's confidence in future profitability and cash flow.
See More
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- Dividend Declaration: The company declared a quarterly dividend of $0.6950 per share, maintaining its payout despite the earnings miss, which reflects management's confidence in future cash flows and aims to attract long-term investors.
- Service Agreements: Evergypress signed electric service agreements for four large customer projects, which not only enhances future revenue streams but also strengthens its competitive position in the market, potentially driving business growth.
- Capital Investment Plan: The company introduced a $21.6 billion capital investment plan for 2026-2030, with 2026 adjusted (Non-GAAP) EPS guidance set at $4.14-$4.34, slightly below the consensus of $4.28, indicating growth potential and strategic planning for the coming years.
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