Alliant Energy Receives Buy Rating Update with Raised Price Target of $70.00

Alliant Energy (LNT) received a buy rating update and price target increase from B of A Securities, with a new price target of $70.00. Analyst Julien Dumoulin-Smith maintained the "Buy" rating. This represents a 2.94% increase from the prior target. Historical ratings show mixed opinions from other analysts, including upgrades and downgrades. The average target price for LNT is $67.61, with a high estimate of $72.00 and a low estimate of $60.00. The average brokerage recommendation is 2.2, indicating an "Outperform" status.

Alliant Energy Corporation (LNT), a utility holding company based in Madison, Wisconsin, has received a buy rating update and an increase in its price target from B of A Securities. The analyst Julien Dumoulin-Smith maintained a "Buy" rating on LNT, setting a new price target of $70.00. This represents a 2.94% increase from the previous target [1].

Historically, analysts have held mixed opinions about LNT, with upgrades and downgrades among the ratings. The average price target for LNT currently stands at $67.61, with a high estimate of $72.00 and a low estimate of $60.00. The average brokerage recommendation is 2.2, indicating an "Outperform" status [1].

LNT, which provides regulated electric and natural gas services, has shown resilience in its financial performance. Over the past 52 weeks, LNT's shares have gained 16.2%, while the broader S&P 500 Index ($SPX) has soared 19%. On a YTD basis, LNT's stock is up 10.5% compared to SPX’s 10% rise. The company has also underperformed the Utilities Select Sector SPDR Fund’s (XLU) 16.6% return over the past 52 weeks and 14.2% surge on a YTD basis [1].

In its second quarter 2025 results, released on August 7, 2025, LNT reported earnings per share (EPS) of $0.68 on a non-GAAP basis, beating analysts’ non-GAAP expectations of $0.64. Revenue (GAAP) was $961 million, significantly higher than the $887.2 million GAAP consensus estimate, reflecting marked improvement [2].

The company's focus on expanding clean energy generation, maintaining reliable service, and increasing its rate base through major investments has driven its recent financial success. Alliant Energy's earnings and cash flows are largely regulated, with rates set with approval from state commissions to allow cost recovery and capital investment returns [2].

Looking ahead, Alliant Energy reaffirmed its full-year earnings guidance and highlighted growth from new data center contracts. The company's earnings surprise history is promising, with it topping the consensus estimates in each of the last four quarters [1].

Analysts expect LNT’s EPS to grow 5.6% year over year to $3.21 for the current fiscal year, ending in December [1]. The company’s earnings surprise history is promising, with it topping the consensus estimates in each of the last four quarters [1].

References:
[1] https://finance.yahoo.com/news/wall-street-analysts-predicting-alliant-102632029.html
[2] https://www.theglobeandmail.com/investing/markets/markets-news/Motley%20Fool/33994872/alliant-energy-lnt-q2-profit-up-100/