Inspire Advisors LLC Takes $1.12 Million Position in Avista Corporation $AVA

Inspire Advisors LLC purchased a new position in Avista Corporation (NYSE:AVA) during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor purchased 29,582 shares of the utilities provider’s stock, valued at approximately $1,118,000.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently modified their holdings of the company. Salomon & Ludwin LLC bought a new position in shares of Avista in the 3rd quarter worth $26,000. Ameritas Advisory Services LLC bought a new stake in Avista during the second quarter worth $34,000. Bessemer Group Inc. grew its stake in shares of Avista by 54.8% in the 2nd quarter. Bessemer Group Inc. now owns 884 shares of the utilities provider’s stock worth $34,000 after acquiring an additional 313 shares in the last quarter. Headlands Technologies LLC purchased a new stake in Avista in the 2nd quarter valued at about $37,000. Finally, GAMMA Investing LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Avista by 48.5% in the 2nd quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 1,360 shares of the utilities provider’s stock worth $52,000 after buying an additional 444 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 85.24% of the company’s stock.

Insider Activity at Avista

In related news, SVP Wayne O. Manuel sold 1,785 shares of Avista stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, December 16th. The shares were sold at an average price of $38.74, for a total transaction of $69,150.90. Following the completion of the sale, the senior vice president owned 9,883 shares in the company, valued at $382,867.42. This trade represents a 15.30% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Corporate insiders own 0.94% of the company’s stock.

Avista Stock Performance

AVA stock opened at $40.18 on Tuesday. Avista Corporation has a 1 year low of $35.47 and a 1 year high of $43.09. The company has a market cap of $3.27 billion, a P/E ratio of 17.10, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.06 and a beta of 0.30. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.06, a current ratio of 0.91 and a quick ratio of 0.60. The stock’s fifty day moving average price is $39.53 and its 200-day moving average price is $38.22.

Avista (NYSE:AVA) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, November 5th. The utilities provider reported $0.36 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.27 by $0.09. Avista had a return on equity of 7.18% and a net margin of 9.62%.During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $0.23 earnings per share. The company’s quarterly revenue was up 2.6% on a year-over-year basis. Avista has set its FY 2025 guidance at 2.520-2.720 EPS. On average, equities analysts forecast that Avista Corporation will post 2.3 earnings per share for the current year.

Avista Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, December 15th. Shareholders of record on Monday, November 24th were given a dividend of $0.49 per share. The ex-dividend date was Monday, November 24th. This represents a $1.96 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 4.9%. Avista’s payout ratio is 83.40%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

AVA has been the topic of several research reports. Wells Fargo & Company raised shares of Avista to a “hold” rating in a research report on Tuesday, October 28th. Jefferies Financial Group lifted their price target on shares of Avista from $40.00 to $41.00 and gave the stock a “hold” rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 22nd. Weiss Ratings reiterated a “hold (c+)” rating on shares of Avista in a report on Monday, December 29th. Finally, Mizuho set a $42.00 price target on Avista in a research note on Thursday, November 6th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a Hold rating, According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $40.33.

About Avista

Avista Corporation operates as an integrated energy company providing electric and natural gas delivery services to residential, commercial and industrial customers in the Pacific Northwest. Through its regulated utility operations, the company maintains and upgrades an extensive transmission and distribution network, delivering reliable energy to approximately 400,000 electric customers and 324,000 natural gas customers across Washington, Oregon and Idaho. In addition to its core utility business, Avista invests in owned generation assets, including hydroelectric, natural gas–fired, coal and wind facilities, to support system reliability and long-term supply planning.

Founded in 1889 as the Spokane and Inland Empire Water Power Company, the business adopted the Avista name in 1999 to reflect its growing energy portfolio and strategic focus on innovation.