Should You Buy Alliant Energy Corp (LNT) Today? Analysis, Price Targets, and 2026 Outlook.
Conclusion
Hold
Latest Price
66.330
1 Day change
0.11%
52 Week Range
69.750
Analysis Updated At
2026/01/26
Alliant Energy Corp (LNT) is not a strong buy for a beginner investor seeking long-term growth at this moment. While the stock has some positive catalysts, such as hedge fund buying and analyst upgrades, the lack of recent AI or SwingMax trading signals, mixed financial performance, and limited upside potential based on technical and options data suggest holding off on immediate investment.
Technical Analysis
The stock shows bullish moving averages (SMA_5 > SMA_20 > SMA_200) and a positive MACD histogram (0.213), indicating an overall upward trend. However, RSI is neutral (56.745), and the stock is trading close to its pivot point (66.401) with limited upside resistance (R1: 67.547). The short-term stock trend suggests a 40% chance of a slight decline (-1.43%) in the next day and minimal growth potential in the next month (0.13%).
Options Data
Bullish
Open Interest Put-Call Ratio
Bullish
Option Volume Put-Call Ratio
Technical Summary
Sell
4
Buy
5
Positive Catalysts
Hedge funds are significantly increasing their positions (+258.70% last quarter).
Analysts have recently upgraded the stock, with Barclays and Wells Fargo highlighting potential upside due to data center developments in Wisconsin and Iowa.
The company has a justified premium valuation due to its lower execution risk and tailwinds.
Neutral/Negative Catalysts
Financial performance in Q3 2025 shows declining net income (-4.75% YoY), EPS (-5.22% YoY), and gross margin (-1.87% YoY), which could weigh on long-term growth.
No significant insider or congress trading activity to support confidence in the stock.
Options data shows low put-call ratios, indicating limited speculative interest, and implied volatility is relatively low, suggesting subdued market sentiment.
Financial Performance
In Q3 2025, Alliant Energy's revenue grew by 11.93% YoY to $1.21 billion, but net income dropped by 4.75% YoY to $281 million. EPS fell by 5.22% YoY to 1.09, and gross margin decreased slightly to 61.82% (-1.87% YoY). While revenue growth is positive, declining profitability metrics raise concerns.
Growth
Profitability
Efficiency
Analyst Ratings and Price Target Trends
Recent upgrades from Barclays (to Equal Weight with a price target of $67) and Wells Fargo (initiated at Overweight with a $71 price target) highlight potential upside due to data center developments and lower execution risk. However, Argus recently downgraded the stock to Hold, and UBS lowered its price target to $75 from $79.
Wall Street analysts forecast LNT stock price to rise over the next 12 months. According to Wall Street analysts, the average 1-year price target for LNT is 71.2 USD with a low forecast of 65 USD and a high forecast of 78 USD. However, analyst price targets are subjective and often lag stock prices, so investors should focus on the objective reasons behind analyst rating changes, which better reflect the company's fundamentals.
7 Analyst Rating
Wall Street analysts forecast LNT stock price to rise over the next 12 months. According to Wall Street analysts, the average 1-year price target for LNT is 71.2 USD with a low forecast of 65 USD and a high forecast of 78 USD. However, analyst price targets are subjective and often lag stock prices, so investors should focus on the objective reasons behind analyst rating changes, which better reflect the company's fundamentals.
3 Buy
3 Hold
1 Sell
Moderate Buy
Current: 66.260
Low
65
Averages
71.2
High
78
Current: 66.260
Low
65
Averages
71.2
High
78
Barclays
Underweight -> Equal Weight
upgrade
$65 -> $67
AI Analysis
2026-01-21
Reason
Barclays
Price Target
$65 -> $67
AI Analysis
2026-01-21
upgrade
Underweight -> Equal Weight
Reason
Barclays upgraded Alliant Energy to Equal Weight from Underweight with a price target of $67, up from $65.
Barclays
Underweight -> Equal Weight
upgrade
$65 -> $67
2026-01-21
Reason
Barclays
Price Target
$65 -> $67
2026-01-21
upgrade
Underweight -> Equal Weight
Reason
As previously reported, Barclays upgraded Alliant Energy to Equal Weight from Underweight with a price target of $67, up from $65. Alliant "hits core 2026 thematics" and 2-4 GW of potential data center signings offer upside, the analyst tells investors. The premium to peers "looks reasonable" given lower execution risk, adds the analyst, who sees "clean visibility with upside if DC load ramps."
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