KeyCorp Issues Negative Forecast for Avista Earnings

Avista Corporation (NYSE:AVA) – Research analysts at KeyCorp dropped their Q2 2026 EPS estimates for Avista in a research report issued on Wednesday, July 22nd. KeyCorp analyst S. Karp now forecasts that the utilities provider will post earnings per share of $0.14 for the quarter, down from their prior forecast of $0.29. The consensus estimate for Avista’s current full-year earnings is $2.58 per share. KeyCorp also issued estimates for Avista’s FY2026 earnings at $2.57 EPS.

Avista (NYSE:AVA) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, May 5th. The utilities provider reported $1.10 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.04 by $0.06. The business had revenue of $570.00 million during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $643.55 million. Avista had a net margin of 10.75% and a return on equity of 7.65%. The firm’s revenue was down 8.0% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company posted $0.98 earnings per share. Avista has set its FY 2026 guidance at 2.520-2.720 EPS.

Several other equities analysts have also recently weighed in on AVA. Wall Street Zen upgraded Avista from a “sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Saturday, April 18th. Barclays upped their target price on Avista from $39.00 to $40.00 and gave the stock an “equal weight” rating in a report on Monday, July 6th. Weiss Ratings upgraded Avista from a “buy (b-)” rating to a “buy (b)” rating in a research note on Thursday. Mizuho boosted their price target on Avista from $41.00 to $42.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research report on Wednesday, May 6th. Finally, Zacks Research upgraded Avista from a “strong sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Friday, May 22nd. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating and six have given a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $40.00.

Avista Trading Down 1.2%

Shares of NYSE:AVA opened at $41.55 on Monday. The company’s 50-day moving average price is $41.35 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $40.93. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.01, a current ratio of 0.90 and a quick ratio of 0.60. Avista has a one year low of $35.50 and a one year high of $43.50. The stock has a market capitalization of $3.43 billion, a PE ratio of 16.55, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.94 and a beta of 0.25.

Avista Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, June 12th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, May 19th were issued a $0.4925 dividend. This represents a $1.97 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 4.7%. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, May 19th. Avista’s payout ratio is currently 78.49%.

Insider Activity at Avista

In other news, SVP Wayne O. Manuel sold 1,593 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Thursday, May 7th. The shares were sold at an average price of $40.98, for a total value of $65,281.14. Following the transaction, the senior vice president directly owned 10,521 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $431,150.58. This represents a 13.15% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. 0.78% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of AVA. Sound Income Strategies LLC acquired a new stake in Avista during the 4th quarter worth approximately $7,381,000. Nuance Investments LLC grew its holdings in Avista by 10.7% in the 4th quarter. Nuance Investments LLC now owns 319,020 shares of the utilities provider’s stock valued at $12,295,000 after buying an additional 30,817 shares in the last quarter. Hsbc Holdings PLC grew its holdings in Avista by 184.2% in the 4th quarter. Hsbc Holdings PLC now owns 56,881 shares of the utilities provider’s stock valued at $2,190,000 after buying an additional 36,866 shares in the last quarter. Versor Investments LP bought a new position in Avista during the 4th quarter worth $1,146,000. Finally, Gabelli Funds LLC increased its position in Avista by 9.0% during the 4th quarter. Gabelli Funds LLC now owns 458,300 shares of the utilities provider’s stock worth $17,663,000 after buying an additional 37,800 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 85.24% of the company’s stock.

Avista Company Profile

Avista Corporation operates as an integrated energy company providing electric and natural gas delivery services to residential, commercial and industrial customers in the Pacific Northwest. Through its regulated utility operations, the company maintains and upgrades an extensive transmission and distribution network, delivering reliable energy to approximately 400,000 electric customers and 324,000 natural gas customers across Washington, Oregon and Idaho. In addition to its core utility business, Avista invests in owned generation assets, including hydroelectric, natural gas–fired, coal and wind facilities, to support system reliability and long-term supply planning.

Founded in 1889 as the Spokane and Inland Empire Water Power Company, the business adopted the Avista name in 1999 to reflect its growing energy portfolio and strategic focus on innovation.