Avista Corporation (NYSE:AVA) Sees Large Decrease in Short Interest

Avista Corporation (NYSE:AVA) was the target of a large decrease in short interest in December. As of December 31st, there was short interest totaling 2,897,441 shares, a decrease of 22.0% from the December 15th total of 3,714,358 shares. Currently, 3.6% of the company’s stock are sold short. Based on an average daily volume of 858,066 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 3.4 days. Based on an average daily volume of 858,066 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 3.4 days. Currently, 3.6% of the company’s stock are sold short.

Insider Activity at Avista

In related news, SVP Wayne O. Manuel sold 1,785 shares of Avista stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, December 16th. The stock was sold at an average price of $38.74, for a total value of $69,150.90. Following the completion of the transaction, the senior vice president directly owned 9,883 shares in the company, valued at approximately $382,867.42. This trade represents a 15.30% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. Insiders own 0.94% of the company’s stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Avista

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Salomon & Ludwin LLC acquired a new stake in Avista in the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $26,000. Ameritas Advisory Services LLC bought a new position in shares of Avista in the second quarter worth $34,000. Bessemer Group Inc. increased its holdings in shares of Avista by 54.8% during the second quarter. Bessemer Group Inc. now owns 884 shares of the utilities provider’s stock valued at $34,000 after purchasing an additional 313 shares during the period. Headlands Technologies LLC bought a new stake in shares of Avista during the second quarter valued at about $37,000. Finally, Aquatic Capital Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of Avista during the third quarter valued at about $43,000. 85.24% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of research firms have commented on AVA. Mizuho set a $42.00 target price on Avista in a report on Thursday, November 6th. Wells Fargo & Company upgraded Avista to a “hold” rating in a research note on Tuesday, October 28th. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a “hold (c+)” rating on shares of Avista in a report on Monday, December 29th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group increased their target price on shares of Avista from $40.00 to $41.00 and gave the stock a “hold” rating in a report on Wednesday, October 22nd. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a Hold rating, According to data from MarketBeat, Avista currently has an average rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $40.33.

Avista Stock Performance

NYSE:AVA traded up $0.09 during midday trading on Monday, reaching $40.18. 746,240 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 510,463. The firm has a market capitalization of $3.27 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 17.10, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.06 and a beta of 0.30. The company has a fifty day moving average price of $39.53 and a 200 day moving average price of $38.22. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.06, a current ratio of 0.91 and a quick ratio of 0.60. Avista has a twelve month low of $35.47 and a twelve month high of $43.09.

Avista (NYSE:AVA) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, November 5th. The utilities provider reported $0.36 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.27 by $0.09. Avista had a return on equity of 7.18% and a net margin of 9.62%.During the same period in the previous year, the business earned $0.23 EPS. Avista’s revenue for the quarter was up 2.6% on a year-over-year basis. Avista has set its FY 2025 guidance at 2.520-2.720 EPS. On average, analysts expect that Avista will post 2.3 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Avista Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, December 15th. Shareholders of record on Monday, November 24th were paid a $0.49 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Monday, November 24th. This represents a $1.96 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 4.9%. Avista’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 83.40%.

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.