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PNW: Improving Arizona Regulation And Data Demand Will Shape Earnings Outlook

Update shared on 22 Nov 2025

Fair value Decreased 0.15%
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AnalystConsensusTarget's Fair Value
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-4.1%
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0.9%

Pinnacle West Capital's analyst price target has modestly declined, dropping from $96.07 to $95.93 per share. Analysts cite ongoing uncertainties around regulatory improvements in Arizona and tempered expectations for near-term earnings growth, even though there are positive long-term structural trends.

Analyst Commentary

Recent analyst reports on Pinnacle West Capital reflect a mix of optimism regarding long-term trends and caution tied to regulatory and earnings outlooks. The following are key takeaways grouped by prevailing analyst sentiment.

Bullish Takeaways
  • Bullish analysts highlight the positive effects of sustained load growth, which continues to support earnings and justify future capital expenditures.
  • Structural improvements in Arizona's regulatory environment, particularly following the upcoming 2025 general rate case, are seen as catalysts for reducing regulatory lag and supporting the company's long-term growth thesis.
  • Arizona's economic expansion, industrial demand, and favorable demographic trends are viewed as foundational drivers positioning Pinnacle West for above-average growth compared to peers.
  • Pinnacle West's maintained 2025 outlook and exposure to low climate risk conditions further differentiate the company in the segment. This enhances its potential to outperform in the years ahead.
Bearish Takeaways
  • Bearish analysts point to lingering uncertainty around the pace and impact of regulatory improvements in Arizona, with some benefits unlikely to be realized before 2028.
  • There is tempered enthusiasm for near-term earnings acceleration due to ongoing regulatory unknowns and utility sector underperformance relative to broader indices in recent months.
  • Valuation adjustments reflect cautiousness, with several analysts lowering price targets as current trading levels are not considered to fully reflect the company’s fundamental prospects.
  • The company's current rating consensus often lands at Hold or Neutral, indicating a belief that material upside may be limited until regulatory clarity and earnings momentum improve.

What's in the News

  • Pinnacle West Capital raised its 2025 consolidated earnings guidance to a new range of $4.90 to $5.10 per diluted share, up from $4.40 to $4.60. This change is due to positive customer and sales growth and the impact of favorable weather, partially offset by increased operations and maintenance expenses (Key Developments).
  • The company issued new guidance for 2026, projecting consolidated earnings in the range of $4.55 to $4.75 per diluted share on a weather-normalized basis, with sales growth expectations of 4% to 6% (Key Developments).
  • Pinnacle West Capital's board approved a 1.7% increase in the annual dividend, raising it by 6 cents to $3.64 per common share. The quarterly dividend will be $0.91, payable on December 1, 2025 (Key Developments).

Valuation Changes

  • Consensus Analyst Price Target has edged down slightly from $96.07 to $95.93 per share.
  • Discount Rate has increased modestly from 6.78% to 6.96%.
  • Revenue Growth expectation remains essentially unchanged, holding near 4.53%.
  • Net Profit Margin has risen marginally, moving from 12.83% to 12.84%.
  • Future P/E has decreased notably from 20.90x to 18.26x. This indicates lower valuation expectations for future earnings.

Disclaimer

AnalystConsensusTarget is a tool utilizing a Large Language Model (LLM) that ingests data on consensus price targets, forecasted revenue and earnings figures, as well as the transcripts of earnings calls to produce qualitative analysis. The narratives produced by AnalystConsensusTarget are general in nature and are based solely on analyst data and publicly-available material published by the respective companies. These scenarios are not indicative of the company's future performance and are exploratory in nature. Simply Wall St has no position in the company(s) mentioned. Simply Wall St may provide the securities issuer or related entities with website advertising services for a fee, on an arm's length basis. These relationships have no impact on the way we conduct our business, the content we host, or how our content is served to users. The price targets and estimates used are consensus data, and do not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and they do not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. Note that AnalystConsensusTarget's analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material.