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Algonquin Power & Utilities (TSE:AQN)
TSX:AQN

Algonquin Power & Utilities (AQN) AI Stock Analysis

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Algonquin Power & Utilities

(TSX:AQN)

51Neutral
Algonquin Power & Utilities faces significant financial challenges with declining revenues, high debt levels, and negative cash flow trends. While the company is making strategic adjustments, including leadership changes and debt reduction efforts, these are offset by operational inefficiencies and regulatory delays. The technical analysis shows some stability, and the high dividend yield is a positive for investors seeking income. Overall, the stock score reflects the need for the company to overcome its financial and operational hurdles to achieve a more favorable outlook.
Positive Factors
Leadership and Growth Strategy
Investors are encouraged with new CEO Rod West's potential impact on the company, including bridging the current realized ROE towards allowed weighted average or potential EPS power with accelerated reductions in regulatory lag and operational efficiency.
Valuation and Stock Rating
AQN shares are rated Outperform due to the attractive valuation, transition to a pure-play utility, and a cleaner company story.
Negative Factors
Guidance and Market Reaction
AQN did not unveil its formal 2025 guidance with Q4/24 results as previously messaged, which disappointed the market.
Stock Performance
AQN stock initially sold off aggressively at the open, down as much as ~10.0%, due to the EPS miss, lack of 2025 guidance, and expected delay in the Empire Electric Missouri rate decision.

Algonquin Power & Utilities (AQN) vs. S&P 500 (SPY)

Algonquin Power & Utilities Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company DescriptionAlgonquin Power & Utilities Corp., through its subsidiaries, owns and operates a portfolio of regulated and non-regulated generation, distribution, and transmission utility assets. The company operates through two segments, Regulated Services Group and Renewable Energy Group. The Regulated Services Group segment operates a portfolio of rate-regulated utilities located in the United States, Canada, Chile, and Bermuda. Its utilities provide distribution services to approximately 1,093,000 customer connections in the electric, natural gas, and water and wastewater sectors The Renewable Energy Group segment generates and sells electrical energy, capacity, ancillary products, and renewable attributes produced by its portfolio of renewable and clean power generation facilities primarily in the United States and Canada. It owns and operates hydroelectric, wind, solar, and thermal facilities; and owns and operates a portfolio of clean energy and water infrastructure assets. The company was incorporated in 1988 and is headquartered in Oakville, Canada.
How the Company Makes MoneyAlgonquin Power & Utilities Corp. generates revenue through its two main business segments. The renewable energy segment earns money by selling the electricity it generates from its portfolio of renewable power facilities to utilities and other customers under long-term power purchase agreements (PPAs), which provide stable and predictable cash flows. The regulated services segment generates revenue from the distribution of water, electricity, and natural gas to residential, commercial, and industrial customers. This segment benefits from regulated rate structures that ensure a return on investment and cover operational costs. Additionally, AQN has strategic partnerships and acquisitions that expand its market reach and enhance its revenue-generating capabilities, contributing to overall earnings growth.

Algonquin Power & Utilities Financial Statement Overview

Summary
Algonquin Power & Utilities is experiencing financial difficulties characterized by declining revenues, net income losses, and increasing debt levels. While there are operational efficiencies, they are overshadowed by the high leverage and negative cash flow trends. The company needs strategic adjustments to improve profitability and strengthen its financial position.
Income Statement
45
Neutral
Algonquin Power & Utilities shows fluctuating revenue trends over the years with a recent revenue decline of about 14% in 2024 compared to 2023. The gross profit margin is strong around 74%, but the company faces significant challenges with net profitability as evident by the net income loss in 2024. The EBIT and EBITDA margins remain moderate, indicating some operational efficiency but not enough to overcome the net losses.
Balance Sheet
50
Neutral
The company's balance sheet reflects a high debt-to-equity ratio of approximately 1.42 in 2024, signaling heavy reliance on debt. The equity ratio is moderate at 27.8%, which indicates a balanced asset funding structure mostly through liabilities. The declining stockholders' equity over the years poses a risk to financial stability.
Cash Flow
40
Negative
Cash flow analysis reveals a decreasing trend in free cash flow, with a significant free cash flow deficit in 2024. The operating cash flow remains positive but is insufficient to cover capital expenditures. The ratios of operating and free cash flow to net income are not ideal, highlighting the company's ongoing cash management challenges.
Breakdown
Dec 2024Dec 2023Dec 2022Dec 2021Dec 2020
Income StatementTotal Revenue
2.32B2.70B2.77B2.29B1.68B
Gross Profit
1.73B1.06B1.90B1.57B1.28B
EBIT
446.09M467.29M621.52M419.25M384.09M
EBITDA
1.04B732.98M1.08B758.75M655.26M
Net Income Common Stockholders
-1.38B28.67M-308.15M185.66M782.46M
Balance SheetCash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments
34.84M56.14M57.62M125.16M101.61M
Total Assets
16.96B18.37B17.63B16.79B13.22B
Total Debt
6.70B8.52B7.51B6.21B4.54B
Net Debt
6.66B8.46B7.45B6.09B4.44B
Total Liabilities
10.78B11.43B10.47B9.08B7.23B
Stockholders Equity
4.71B5.04B5.22B5.86B5.20B
Cash FlowFree Cash Flow
-390.70M-398.14M-469.93M-1.19B-280.81M
Operating Cash Flow
481.72M628.03M619.10M157.47M505.22M
Investing Cash Flow
132.74M-1.10B-1.79B-1.80B-1.23B
Financing Cash Flow
-556.41M442.81M1.11B1.67B766.86M

Algonquin Power & Utilities Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Positive
Last Price7.01
Price Trends
50DMA
6.90
Positive
100DMA
6.62
Positive
200DMA
6.92
Positive
Market Momentum
MACD
0.16
Negative
RSI
69.18
Neutral
STOCH
35.11
Neutral
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For TSE:AQN, the sentiment is Positive. The current price of 7.01 is below the 20-day moving average (MA) of 7.14, above the 50-day MA of 6.90, and above the 200-day MA of 6.92, indicating a neutral trend. The MACD of 0.16 indicates Negative momentum. The RSI at 69.18 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 35.11 is Neutral, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Positive sentiment for TSE:AQN.

Algonquin Power & Utilities Peers Comparison

Overall Rating
UnderperformOutperform
Sector (65)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
TSCU
70
Neutral
C$7.17B23.576.93%5.05%-1.42%-36.31%
65
Neutral
$11.90B15.776.20%4.52%5.53%-8.93%
TSAQN
51
Neutral
$5.38B1.65%6.04%-6.72%-6766.85%
* Utilities Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
TSE:AQN
Algonquin Power & Utilities
7.01
-0.56
-7.40%
BEP
Brookfield Renewable Partners
21.35
1.98
10.22%
TSE:CU
Canadian Utilities A
36.00
7.51
26.36%
FTS
Fortis
46.53
10.47
29.03%
NPIFF
Northland Power
13.15
-1.75
-11.74%
EMRAF
Emera
42.77
10.99
34.58%

Algonquin Power & Utilities Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date: Mar 7, 2025 | % Change Since: 3.96% | Next Earnings Date: May 9, 2025
Earnings Call Sentiment Neutral
The earnings call reflects a mixed sentiment with significant strategic achievements such as leadership transition and regulatory progress. However, these positives are offset by financial underperformance, operational challenges, and regulatory delays impacting the overall outlook.
Highlights
Successful Leadership Transition
Roderick West was introduced as the Incoming CEO, bringing over 25 years of experience with Entergy. His leadership is expected to drive Algonquin towards new growth as a pure-play regulated utility.
Major Strategic Milestones Achieved
Completion of the sale of the renewables business and stake in Atlantica, leading to significant proceeds used to reduce debt and marking a transition to a pure-play regulated utility.
Regulatory Progress
Several rate cases were successfully settled and new rates implemented in Missouri, Arkansas, and New Brunswick, providing a positive outlook for regulatory improvements.
Transmission Investment Opportunities
Southwest Power Pool's plan approval includes projects in the Empire Electric footprint, potentially leading to over $700 million in capital spending in the next five to seven years.
Lowlights
Disappointing Financial Performance
Q4 adjusted net earnings were $45.2 million, down from $81.3 million in 2023, with a decline in adjusted net earnings per share from $0.12 to $0.06.
Missouri Rate Case Delay
The Empire Electric Missouri rate case was delayed due to a late revision in tariff calculations, pushing resolution to 2026 and involving a commission investigation into customer service issues.
Higher Operating Expenses
Operating expenses were higher due to non-recurring costs, increased depreciation, and interest expenses, impacting the overall financial results.
ROE Underperformance
Algonquin's earned ROE is several hundred basis points below the allowable target of 9.2%, highlighting the need for improvements in operational efficiency and regulatory lag reduction.
Company Guidance
During the Algonquin Power & Utilities Corp Fourth Quarter and Year End 2024 Earnings Conference Call, several key metrics and guidance points were highlighted. The company reported a consolidated adjusted EBITDA of $248.6 million for Q4, reflecting a 5.2% decline year-over-year, while full-year consolidated adjusted EBITDA increased by 2.6% to approximately $1.04 billion. Regulated adjusted EBITDA for Q4 was $234.4 million, a 2.4% increase from the previous year, and for the full year, it was $940.2 million, up 4.2%. The company's adjusted net earnings for Q4 were $45.2 million, down from $81.3 million the previous year, with full-year adjusted net earnings at $232.1 million, compared to $279.4 million in 2023. Adjusted net earnings per share for the full year were $0.30, down from $0.39 in 2023. Algonquin's year-end balance sheet showed a total GAAP debt of $8.05 billion, which is expected to be reduced following the $2.1 billion proceeds from the sale of its renewables business. The company's year-end 2024 estimated rate base was approximately $7.8 billion, an increase from $7.2 billion the previous year. The call also discussed the leadership transition, with Rod West taking over as CEO, and the strategic focus on improving customer service, operational efficiency, and closing the gap between the authorized and earned ROE, which currently stands in the mid-5% range against an authorized rate of 9.2%. Additionally, the company plans to provide more detailed guidance and an outlook within the next 90 days.
Glossary
OutperformA stock rated as "Outperform" is expected to perform better than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests that the stock is likely to deliver higher returns compared to the average returns of other stocks in the same sector or market index. Investors might consider this stock a good buying opportunity.
NeutralA stock rated as "Neutral" is expected to perform in line with the overall market or a specific benchmark. This rating indicates that the stock is neither particularly attractive nor unattractive for investment. Investors may consider holding onto the stock, as it is not expected to either significantly outperform or underperform the market.
UnderperformA stock rated as "Underperform" is expected to perform worse than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests that the stock may deliver lower returns compared to the average returns of other stocks in the same sector or market index. Investors might consider selling the stock or avoiding it as an investment.

Disclaimer

This AI Analyst Stock Report is automatically generated by our AI systems using advanced algorithms and publicly available financial, technical, and market data. While the information provided aims to be accurate and insightful, it is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Any content created by an AI (Artificial Intelligence) system may contain inaccuracies and/or contain errors. Investing in stocks carries inherent risks, and past performance is not indicative of future results. This report does not account for your personal financial circumstances, objectives, or risk tolerance. Always conduct your own research or consult with a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions. The analysis and recommendations provided are based on historical and current data and may not fully reflect future market conditions or unexpected developments. Neither the creators of this report nor its affiliated entities guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information presented. Use this report at your own discretion and risk.