ava stock is it a good buy
8/1/2025 11:00am
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The deep research logic is organized as follows:
Okay, let's tackle the question of whether AVA (Avista) is a good buy. First, I need to go through all the provided references and background information to gather the necessary data points. The user is a sophisticated investor with a short holding period, focusing on high-profitability growth stocks and technically strong stocks. They prefer blue-chip stocks and are interested in those with strong market sentiment. Their portfolio includes various sectors, so I should consider how AVA fits into that.
Starting with the fundamental data from the references. The latest closing price is $37.3, with a slight increase of 0.16% . The net income for Q1 2025 is $79 million, up 11.27% YoY . Revenue grew only 1.31% YoY to $617 million , which is modest. The diluted EPS is $0.98, up 7.69% YoY . The 3-year CAGR for net income is 7.76%, revenue 6.46%, and EPS 3.93% . These numbers show steady growth but not explosive. The dividend yield is 5.1%, with a 45-year continuous dividend history and 22 years of growth . That's a strong point for income-focused investors.
Looking at technical indicators, the MACD is -0.05 (bearish), RSI is 48.62 (neutral), KDJ is 29.62 (bearish), and Bollinger Bands are at 37.64 . Moving averages show the price is above the 5-day (37.14) and 10-day (37.29) but below the 20-day (37.64) . Longer-term averages (30-day: 37.71, 50-day: 37.8, 60-day: 38.08, 120-day: 38.99, 200-day: 38.27) suggest a bearish trend as the price is below most of these . The net fund flow is negative, indicating institutional selling . Analysts have a neutral rating with a price target of $39 , which is a 4.6% upside from the current price of $37.3.
Market sentiment and news: Avista filed annual rate adjustments in Idaho, which could increase electric revenues by 2% but decrease natural gas by 10.6% . They also made filings for energy efficiency adjustments and residential exchange programs. The company has a moderate debt-to-equity ratio, but there's no specific data provided . Regulatory risks are mentioned, but no pending cases are detailed . Competitors like NorthWestern Energy (NWE) have a lower P/E ratio (14.42 vs. AVA's 16.02) , suggesting AVA might be overvalued relative to peers.
Considering the user's profile, they prefer short-term trades with high profitability and strong technicals. AVA's technicals are mixed, with bearish signals from MACD, KDJ, and longer-term moving averages. The dividend yield is attractive, but the user's focus is on short-term gains. The negative fund flow and lack of analyst upgrades might indicate weak institutional support. However, the company's stable fundamentals and dividend history could appeal if the user is considering a hold for income. The 3-year growth rates are decent but not exceptional, and the competition from NWE in the same sector might pressure AVA's valuation.
Putting it all together, AVA doesn't seem like a strong buy for short-term traders due to bearish technicals and mixed market sentiment. However, it could be a hold for those interested in a steady dividend and moderate growth. The user's preference for technically strong stocks leans against AVA right now, but the dividend aspect might be a consideration if they're looking for income.
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### 📊 **Conclusion**
**Avista (AVA)** presents a **neutral to cautious** outlook for short-term traders due to mixed fundamentals and technicals, but it could be a **hold for income-focused investors** with a longer horizon. Here’s the breakdown:
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### 📊 **Key Analysis**
#### 1. **Fundamental Health**
| Metric | Q1 2025 Data | Key Takeaway |
|----------------------------|-------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| **Revenue** | $617M (YoY: +1.31%) | Revenue growth is modest, driven by rate adjustments and energy efficiency programs . |
| **Net Income** | $79M (YoY: +11.27%) | Profitability improving steadily, but revenue growth lags behind . |
| **Diluted EPS** | $0.98 (YoY: +7.69%) | Earnings per share growth aligns with net income trends . |
| **Dividend Yield** | 5.1% (45-year streak) | High yield with a long history of growth, but payout ratio is 52.04% . |
**Key Risk**: Regulatory filings for rate adjustments in Idaho could impact future revenue stability .
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#### 2. **Technical Setup**
| Metric | Current Data | Key Takeaway |
|----------------------------|-------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| **MACD** | -0.05 (Bearish) | Short-term momentum is weak . |
| **RSI** | 48.62 (Neutral) | No extreme overbought/oversold signals . |
| **Bollinger Bands** | $37.64 (Current Price: $37.3) | Price near the lower band; potential breakout . |
| **Moving Averages** | MA5: $37.14, MA20: $37.64 | Price above MA5 but below MA20; mixed signals . |
**Key Risk**: The stock is trading below its 200-day MA ($38.27), indicating bearish long-term momentum .
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#### 3. **Market Sentiment & Catalysts**
| Catalyst | Recent News | Key Takeaway |
|----------------------------|-------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| **Rate Adjustments** | Idaho filings for +2% electric, -10.6% natural gas | Regulatory risks could pressure short-term revenue stability. |
| **Analyst Targets** | Avg. $39 (Upside: 4.6%) | Neutral outlook; Mizuho raised target to $42 in 2024 . |
| **Institutional Activity** | Net Fund Flow: -$528,094.67 | Institutional selling pressure . |
**Key Risk**: Negative fund flow and lack of recent analyst upgrades suggest weak institutional support .
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### 📊 **Final Take**
- **For Short-Term Traders**: Avoid. Bearish technicals and regulatory risks make this a risky bet for quick profits.
- **For Income Investors**: Hold. The 5.1% dividend yield and 45-year streak are attractive, but monitor payout sustainability .
- **For Long-Term Growth**: Neutral. Regulatory adjustments and moderate growth rates could stabilize the stock, but execution risks are high .
**Final Rating**: ⚠️ **Neutral** with a **Hold** recommendation.
|code|Ticker|Name|Date|Closing Price|market_code|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|AVA|AVA.N|Avista|20250731|37.3|169|