Avista Stock Sees Q3 Earnings Forecast Increased at KeyCorp

Avista Corporation (NYSE:AVA) – Equities research analysts at KeyCorp increased their Q3 2026 EPS estimates for Avista in a report released on Monday, October 12th. KeyCorp analyst S. Karp now expects that the utilities provider will post earnings of $0.44 per share for the quarter, up from their prior forecast of $0.21. The consensus estimate for Avista’s current full-year earnings is $2.59 per share. KeyCorp also issued estimates for Avista’s FY2028 earnings at $2.85 EPS, FY2029 earnings at $3.15 EPS and FY2030 earnings at $3.32 EPS.

Avista (NYSE:AVA) last announced its earnings results on Friday, July 31st. The utilities provider reported $0.43 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.23 by $0.20. Avista had a net margin of 11.83% and a return on equity of 7.85%. The business had revenue of $413.00 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $426.93 million. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $0.17 earnings per share. The business’s revenue for the quarter was up .5% on a year-over-year basis.

AVA has been the subject of a number of other research reports. Weiss Ratings cut Avista from a “buy (b-)” rating to a “hold (c+)” rating in a report on Friday, October 9th. Barclays reduced their target price on Avista from $37.00 to $35.00 and set an “equal weight” rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, October 9th. Seven investment analysts have rated the stock with a Hold rating. According to MarketBeat.com, Avista presently has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $38.75.

Avista Stock Up 0.6%

Shares of NYSE AVA opened at $36.44 on Thursday. Avista has a 1 year low of $34.46 and a 1 year high of $43.50. The firm has a 50-day simple moving average of $36.90 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $39.65. The company has a market cap of $3.05 billion, a P/E ratio of 13.15, a PEG ratio of 3.38 and a beta of 0.23. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.08, a current ratio of 1.10 and a quick ratio of 0.69.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Sound Income Strategies LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Avista by 3.1% during the 3rd quarter. Sound Income Strategies LLC now owns 310,749 shares of the utilities provider’s stock valued at $11,025,000 after purchasing an additional 9,456 shares during the last quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC raised its holdings in shares of Avista by 52.6% in the third quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 4,670 shares of the utilities provider’s stock worth $164,000 after buying an additional 1,610 shares during the last quarter. Congress Asset Management Co. lifted its stake in shares of Avista by 21.1% during the third quarter. Congress Asset Management Co. now owns 331,090 shares of the utilities provider’s stock worth $11,618,000 after buying an additional 57,641 shares during the period. Versant Capital Management Inc raised its stake in Avista by 118.0% in the 3rd quarter. Versant Capital Management Inc now owns 3,411 shares of the utilities provider’s stock worth $120,000 after acquiring an additional 1,846 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Cim Investment Management Inc. raised its stake in shares of Avista by 7.4% in the second quarter. Cim Investment Management Inc. now owns 6,595 shares of the utilities provider’s stock worth $270,000 after purchasing an additional 455 shares during the last quarter. 85.24% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Insider Transactions at Avista

In related news, VP Joshua Diluciano sold 4,675 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, September 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $37.24, for a total value of $174,097.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the vice president owned 8,334 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $310,358.16. The trade was a 35.94% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. 0.78% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Avista Announces Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, September 14th. Investors of record on Tuesday, August 18th were issued a dividend of $0.4925 per share. This represents a $1.97 annualized dividend and a yield of 5.4%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, August 18th. Avista’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 71.12%.

More Avista News

Here are the key news stories impacting Avista this week:

• Positive Sentiment: KeyCorp more than doubled its Q3 2026 EPS forecast to $0.44 from $0.21 and increased its FY2026 estimate to $2.66 from $2.59. The firm also lifted its longer-term forecasts to $2.85 for FY2028, $3.15 for FY2029 and $3.32 for FY2030, signaling improved expectations for Avista’s earnings trajectory. KeyCorp earnings estimate updates
• Positive Sentiment: A valuation-focused analysis identified Avista as a potential value opportunity among electric utilities. Its relatively low valuation and defensive utility business may attract investors seeking income and stability, while the stock’s low beta reinforces its defensive profile. AVA versus PNW value analysis
• Neutral Sentiment: KeyCorp lowered its Q4 2026 EPS forecast to $0.68 from $0.84, partially offsetting the improved full-year and longer-term estimates. The revision suggests near-term earnings may be uneven despite better expectations for future periods. Avista quarterly earnings estimates
• Negative Sentiment: Avista was newly rated “Hold” by sell-side brokerages, indicating limited conviction that the shares will materially outperform in the near term. Avista receives Hold rating
• Negative Sentiment: An analysis highlighted financing challenges that could constrain growth or pressure shareholder returns, even though Avista’s discounted valuation offers potential upside. Avista valuation and financing analysis

About Avista

Avista Corporation is an energy company headquartered in Spokane, Washington. Through its Avista Utilities subsidiary, the company generates, transmits and distributes electricity and provides natural gas service to residential, commercial and industrial customers.

Avista Utilities serves communities in eastern Washington and northern Idaho, with natural gas operations also extending into parts of Oregon. The company’s energy portfolio includes hydroelectric, thermal and renewable generation resources, supported by transmission and distribution infrastructure.

Avista also operates Alaska Electric Light & Power Company, which provides electric service to customers in Juneau, Alaska.