BofA Securities has initiated coverage on shares of PG&E Corporation (NYSE: PCG), assigning a Buy rating to the utility company with a price target set at $24.00.
The move reflects a positive outlook on the company's future performance, anticipating a total expected return of approximately 17.3%.
PG&E's stock has seen a slowdown in growth year-to-date in 2024 when compared to its peers, but BofA Securities suggests that this pullback is part of a natural investor rotation after the stock's significant outperformance since hitting low points in late 2021.
The firm credits PG&E's management for effectively navigating post-emergence challenges and believes that the company is on a solid track to resemble a conventional regulated utility in the United States by 2026.
Despite the high customer rates and the potential need for modest equity issuance to improve cash flow, BofA Securities is confident in PG&E's trajectory.
The firm's analysis indicates that PG&E will increasingly align with the typical financial structure of most utilities within the next few years.
BofA Securities has provided earnings per share (EPS) estimates for PG&E for the years 2024, 2025, and 2026, projecting figures of $1.37, $1.50, and $1.62 respectively.
In other recent news, PG&E Corporation has been active in the financial market, finalizing a series of significant transactions. The company successfully completed the sale of $1 billion in junior subordinated notes due in 2055.
Additionally, PG&E Corp and its subsidiary, Pacific Gas and Electric Company, concluded a $1.75 billion bond sale involving two types of bonds due in 2025 and 2054. The company also issued $1.42 billion in Senior Secured Recovery Bonds, Series 2024-A, through its subsidiary, PG&E Recovery Funding LLC.
In earnings news, PG&E reported a profitable second quarter, surpassing analysts' estimates due to increased service rates. The company's electric segment saw a 15.7% increase in revenue. However, the company has revised its 2024 GAAP earnings forecast downwards due to unrecoverable interest expenses and wildfire damage liabilities.
On the analyst front, JPMorgan upgraded PG&E's stock from Neutral to Overweight, while UBS and Mizuho Securities maintained a Buy rating. These changes reflect the ongoing financial restructuring and risk management strategies of PG&E Corp.
As part of its risk mitigation efforts, the company has committed to undergrounding 250 miles of power lines this year.
InvestingPro Insights
As BofA Securities highlights the promising future of PG&E Corporation (NYSE:PCG), notable InvestingPro data echoes this sentiment. The company's market capitalization stands at a robust $41.98 billion, and it boasts a favorable P/E ratio of 16.6, which is expected to adjust to an even more attractive 14.48 in the last twelve months as of Q2 2024. This is complemented by a PEG ratio of 0.58, indicating potential undervaluation relative to earnings growth expectations.
InvestingPro Tips suggest that PG&E is trading at a low P/E ratio relative to near-term earnings growth, which aligns with BofA Securities' optimistic EPS projections for the coming years. Additionally, with analysts predicting profitability this year and a track record of profitability over the last twelve months, the company's financial health appears sound. For investors looking for stability, PG&E's stock generally trades with low price volatility, which could be an appealing aspect for risk-averse portfolios.
The utility company has also demonstrated solid revenue growth, with an increase of 11.29% over the last twelve months as of Q2 2024. This growth trajectory is expected to continue, as illustrated by the quarterly revenue growth of 13.16% for Q2 2024. For more insights, investors can explore the full range of InvestingPro Tips, with additional tips available to help inform investment decisions.
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