On Tuesday, IDACORP, Inc. (NYSE:IDA) received an optimistic update from BofA Securities as they upgraded the stock's rating from Neutral to Buy, adjusting the price target to $117.00 up from the previous $113.00. This adjustment follows the company's third-quarter earnings report, which disclosed heightened expectations for load growth over the next five years.
IDACORP has announced an increase in its five-year load growth forecast to 7.7%, as per its preliminary 2025 Integrated Resource Plan (IRP). This is a significant rise from previous projections. Additionally, the company's anticipated rate base growth has climbed to approximately 17%, a notable increase from the prior estimate of around 11%. This growth rate is substantially higher than the average for other electric utility peers.
The revised financial model from BofA Securities incorporates approximately 60% of IDACORP's expenditures being allocated to new resource capacity and transmission projects. Analysts at BofA Securities have taken a conservative stance, yet they anticipate this investment to potentially result in an approximate 8% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) in earnings per share (EPS) starting from 2024.
The five-year capital expenditure (capex) plan for IDACORP has seen a 46% increase overall. This substantial rise includes over $1 billion attributed to the inclusion of new generation projects. These projects are part of the commitments from the requests for proposals (RFPs) for the years 2026 and 2027. The upgraded rating and price target reflect the firm's confidence in IDACORP's growth trajectory and investment plans.
In other recent news, IDACORP, Inc. reported an increase in its third quarter 2024 diluted earnings per share (EPS) to $2.12, up from $2.07 in the same period in 2023. The company has revised its 2024 EPS guidance upwards, now expecting it to fall between $5.35 and $5.45. This optimistic outlook is attributed to a robust customer growth rate of 2.6% and strategic capital investments. IDACORP also anticipates additional tax credits ranging from $25 million to $35 million.
In terms of future plans, IDACORP intends to increase its capital expenditures by 46% to $1.8 billion over the next five years, aiming to double its net rate base during this period. The company has also sought approval for a $99 million rate increase in Idaho for 2025. These recent developments follow the Oregon Commission's approval of a $6.7 million base revenue increase for the company.
An analyst from Jefferies maintained a Hold rating on IDACORP's stock and raised the company's price target to $115.00 from $112.00, reflecting confidence in IDACORP's ongoing performance. Despite concerns about regulatory lag and project timing, IDACORP remains focused on maintaining affordable rates and operational efficiency.
InvestingPro Insights
To complement IDACORP's positive outlook from BofA Securities, InvestingPro data reveals some interesting financial metrics. The company's market capitalization stands at $5.7 billion, with a P/E ratio of 19.52, indicating investor confidence in its earnings potential. This aligns with the upgraded rating and increased price target from BofA Securities.
InvestingPro Tips highlight IDACORP's strong dividend history, having raised its dividend for 13 consecutive years and maintained payments for 54 years. This consistent dividend growth, coupled with a current dividend yield of 3.24%, may appeal to income-focused investors. The company's ability to sustain and grow dividends while planning significant capital expenditures speaks to its financial stability.
Furthermore, IDACORP's revenue growth of 3.55% over the last twelve months and an EBITDA growth of 4.81% support the company's positive growth narrative. These figures, although modest, provide a solid foundation for the ambitious growth plans outlined in the article.
For investors seeking more comprehensive analysis, InvestingPro offers 6 additional tips for IDACORP, providing deeper insights into the company's financial health and market position.
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