** Mizuho raises PT on U.S.-based utilities over cost efficiency and consistent performance, as shown by stable operation and maintenance trends
** Brokerage says key issue is how utilities protect households from rising electricity costs, driven by large-load customers like data centers - otherwise, they risk political and regulatory backlash
** "We believe management teams who can control costs will create bill headroom for new rate base additions without causing rate shock for customers and regulators," brokerage says Brokerage changes PT on the following companies:
Company | New PT | Old PT | Upside/Downside to stock's last close |
Eversource Energy ES.N | $81 | $72 | 8.4% |
XCEL Energy XEL.O | $87 | $83 | 8.2% |
WEC Energy WEC.N | $125 | $117 | 7.9% |
Nextera Energy NEE.N | $88 | $78 | 4.25% |
Duke Energy DUK.N | $140 | $132 | 9.9% |
(Reporting by Varun Sahay)
((Varun.sahay@thomsonreuters.com))