NiSource (NYSE:NI) versus Centuri (NYSE:CTRI) Head to Head Analysis

Centuri (NYSE:CTRI) and NiSource (NYSE:NI) are both utilities companies, but which is the superior stock? We will contrast the two companies based on the strength of their valuation, risk, earnings, institutional ownership, profitability, analyst recommendations and dividends.

Risk and Volatility

Centuri has a beta of 0.81, meaning that its share price is 19% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, NiSource has a beta of 0.65, meaning that its share price is 35% less volatile than the S&P 500.

Earnings & Valuation

This table compares Centuri and NiSource”s gross revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

	Gross Revenue	Price/Sales Ratio	Net Income	Earnings Per Share	Price/Earnings Ratio
Centuri	$2.64 billion	1.05	-$6.72 million	$0.03	924.67
NiSource	$5.46 billion	3.85	$760.40 million	$1.89	23.27

NiSource has higher revenue and earnings than Centuri. NiSource is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Centuri, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

Profitability

This table compares Centuri and NiSource’s net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

	Net Margins	Return on Equity	Return on Assets
Centuri	0.09%	6.37%	1.71%
NiSource	14.15%	8.09%	2.66%

Institutional and Insider Ownership

91.6% of NiSource shares are owned by institutional investors. 0.2% of Centuri shares are owned by insiders. Comparatively, 0.2% of NiSource shares are owned by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, endowments and hedge funds believe a stock is poised for long-term growth.

Analyst Recommendations

This is a summary of recent recommendations and price targets for Centuri and NiSource, as reported by MarketBeat.

	Sell Ratings	Hold Ratings	Buy Ratings	Strong Buy Ratings	Rating Score
Centuri	2	1	3	0	2.17
NiSource	0	2	9	0	2.82

Centuri presently has a consensus price target of $26.40, indicating a potential downside of 4.83%. NiSource has a consensus price target of $47.11, indicating a potential upside of 7.12%. Given NiSource’s stronger consensus rating and higher possible upside, analysts clearly believe NiSource is more favorable than Centuri.

Summary

NiSource beats Centuri on 12 of the 14 factors compared between the two stocks.

About Centuri

Centuri Holdings, Inc. operates as a utility infrastructure services company in North America. It offers gas utility services, including maintenance, repair, installation, and replacement services for natural gas local distribution utility companies with focus on the modernization of infrastructure. The company also provides electric utility services comprising design, maintenance and repair, upgrade, and expansion services for transmission and distribution infrastructure. Its customers include electric, gas, and combination utility companies, as well as serves end markets, such as renewable energy and 5G datacom. The company was founded in 1909 and is headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona. Centuri Holdings, Inc. is a subsidiary of Southwest Gas Holdings, Inc.

About NiSource

NiSource Inc., an energy holding company, operates as a regulated natural gas and electric utility company in the United States. It operates in two segments, Gas Distribution Operations and Electric Operations. The company distributes natural gas to approximately 3.3 million customers through approximately 55,000 miles of distribution main pipeline and the associated individual customer service lines; and 1,000 miles of transmission main pipeline in northern Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Kentucky, and Maryland. It also generates, transmits, and distributes electricity to approximately 0.5 million customers in various counties in the northern part of Indiana, as well as engages in wholesale electric and transmission transactions. It owns and operates coal-fired electric generating stations in Wheatfield and Michigan City; combined cycle gas turbine in West Terre Haute; natural gas generating units in Wheatfield; hydro generating plants in Carroll County and White County; wind generating units in White County, Indiana; and solar generating units in Jasper County and White County. The company was formerly known as NIPSCO Industries, Inc. and changed its name to NiSource Inc. in April 1999. NiSource Inc. was founded in 1847 and is headquartered in Merrillville, Indiana.