Gain detailed insights into the trading activity of Congress members for NiSource on our government trades page. Stay updated on how elected officials are investing in NI.

NiSource - Government Trades

NiSource

NiSource is one of the nation's largest natural gas distribution companies with approximately 3.2 million customers in Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Virginia. NiSource's electric utility transmits and distributes electricity in northern Indiana to about 500,000 customers. The regulated electric utility also owns more than 3,000 megawatts of generation capacity, including coal, natural gas, and renewable energy.

New,Orleans,,Louisiana,,Usa,-,February,12,,2022:,Entergy,Sign

Analyst Color

Long Ideas

Analyst Ratings

Tech

Trading Ideas

AMZN

Are Utilities The New Tech? Why Entergy, NiSource, Vistra Are JPMorgan&#39;s Top Picks For 2025

Group,Silhouette,Of,Transmission,Towers,(power,Tower,,Electricity,Pylon,,Steel

Commodities

Markets

JPMorgan analysts predict North American utilities are poised for a strong 2025, with top picks including Vistra, Entergy, NiSource and PG&amp;E.

Vistra, Entergy, NiSource, PG&amp;E: 4 Utilities Power Up For Bullish 2025, Says JPMorgan

Earnings

Large Cap

Mid Cap

News

Dividends

FirstEnergy Corporation&#39;s (NYSE: FE) continuous capital investments to maintain and increase resiliency are likely to strengthen its infrastructure, which will help enhance its performance. Given its growth opportunities, FE makes for a solid investment option in the Utility sector.

Here&#39;s Why You Should Add FirstEnergy Stock to Your Portfolio Now

utilities ai

Top 2 Utilities Stocks That May Collapse In Q4

Wall Street US stocks

Short Ideas

Pre-Market Outlook

Top 2 Utilities Stocks That May Implode In Q3

NI, NiSource

Equities

Price Target

Analyst Ross Fowler reinstates Buy rating for NI with $37 price target and Neutral rating for CNP with $29 target. Forecasts EPS for both companies.

NiSource Set For Outperformance But CenterPoint Energy Faces Regulatory Hurdles, Says BofA Analyst

American Electric Power Company, Inc. (NASDAQ: AEP) is deploying systematic investments in infrastructural upgrades to enhance the reliability of its operations and serve its utility customers efficiently. The company is also making consistent investments to boost its renewable generation portfolio.

AEP Stock Rides on Investments Despite High Interest Rates

Public Service Enterprise Group, Inc. (NYSE: PEG) or PSEG&#39;s focus on renewable generation expansion is likely to bolster its footprint in the clean energy market.

PSEG Stock Rides on Investments Despite Weak Financial Position

Contracts

The AES Corporation (NYSE: AES) is a global energy company. Its strategic investments to expand its clean energy generation capacity and construction of new generation, transmission and distribution projects are likely to boost its performance.

Here&#39;s Why You Should Add AES to Your Portfolio Right Now

Earnings Beats

Guidance

NiSource (NYSE: NI) reported second-quarter 2024 operating earnings per share of 21 cents, which surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 15 cents by 40%. The bottom line increased 90.9% from the year-ago quarter&#39;s recorded figure of 11 cents.

NiSource Q2 Earnings Surpass Estimates, Revenues Miss

NiSource Inc

NIBE INDUSTRIER AB U/ADR by Nibe Industrier AB

NIBE Industrier AB

Niitaka Co Ltd

NIB HOLDINGS NC NSW by NIB Holdings Ltd, New Castle NSW

NIB Holdings Ltd

Nicolet Bankshares Inc

NICE Ltd - American Depositary Shares each representing one Ordinary Share

NICE Ltd

Nichias Corp

Nitches Inc

CLASS 1 NICKEL & TECH by Class 1 Nickel and Technologies Limited

Class 1 Nickel and Technologies Ltd

NICKEL INDUSTRIES LTD by Nickel Industries Ltd

Nickel Industries Ltd

NICO RESOURCES LTD by Nico Resources Ltd.

NICO Resources Ltd

Nicox SA

NORTHEAST INDIANA BNCRP by Northeast Indiana Bancorp, Inc.

Northeast Indiana Bancorp Inc

Virtus Equity & Convertible Income Fund Common Shares of Beneficial Interest

Virtus AllianzGI Equity & Convertible Income Fund

Unifty

Nifco Inc

VIDEO RIVER NETWORKS INC by Video River Networks, Inc.

Video River Networks Inc

NEW INFINITY HOLDINGS LTD by New Infinity Holdings, Ltd.

New Infinity Holdings Ltd

NICHIRIN CO LTD KOBE CITY by Nichirin Co Ltd Kobe City Hyogo Prefecture

Nichirin Co Ltd

NIPPON PAPER INDUS CO LTD by Nippon Paper Industries Co Ltd.

Nippon Paper Industries Co Ltd

NIKA PHARMACEUTICALS INC by NIKA PHARMACEUTICALS INC.

Nika Pharmaceuticals Inc

Sprott Nickel Miners ETF

Nickel Rock Resources Inc

NILAM RESOURCES INC by Nilam Resources, Inc.

Nilam Resources Inc

SURGE BATTERY METALS INC by Surge Battery Metals Inc.

Surge Battery Metals Inc

NILAR INTERNATIONAL AB AK by Nilar International AB

Nican Ltd

Nuveen Select Maturities Municipal Fund Common Stock

Nuveen Select Maturities Municipal Fund

Nimiq

NiSource Inc. (Holding Co.) 7.75% Corp Unit Ser A 12/01/2023

NON-INVASIVE MONITORG SYS by Non-Invasive Monitoring Systems, Inc.

Non-Invasive Monitoring Systems Inc

Nine Energy Service Inc

NAMI CORP by NAMI Corp.

Nikon Corp

Ninety One PLC

NIO Inc. American depositary shares, each representing one Class A ordinary share

NIO Inc

NioCorp Developments Ltd

NIO STRATEGIC METALS INC by NIO STRATEGIC METALS INC.

Nio Strategic Metals Inc

NIPPON KODOSHI CORP by Nippon Kodoshi Corp.

Nippon Kodoshi Corp

Plato Gold Corp

NIPPON INDOSARI CORPINDO by NIPPON INDOSARI CORPINDO TBK

PT Nippon Indosari Corpindo Tbk

NIP Group Inc. - American Depositary Shares

NIP Group Inc

NIPPON KONPO UNYU SOK ORD by Nippon Konpo Unyu Soko Co., Ltd.

NIKKON Holdings Co Ltd

NH Foods Ltd

NEC Corp

JAPAN HOTEL REIT INV CORP by Japan Hotel REIT Investment Corp

Japan Hotel REIT Investment Corp

NIPPON ACCOMMODTNS FD INC by Nippon Accommodations Fund, Inc.

Nippon Accommodations Fund Inc

NEAR INTELLIGENCE INC COM

Nippon Road Co Ltd

Near Intelligence Inc

Sportshero Ltd

NIRVANA LIFE SCIENCES INC by NIRVANA LIFE SCIENCES INC.

Nirvana Life Sciences Inc

Near Intelligence Inc Warrants (06/01/2025)

NEAR INTELLIGENCE INC WT EXP

Antares Metals Ltd

NiSun Intl Enterprise Development Group Co, Ltd - Class A Common Shares

NiSun International Enterprise Development Group Co Ltd

NISHIO RENT ALL CO LTD by NISHIO RENT ALL CO LTD.

NISSIN ELECTRIC CO ORD by Nissin Electric Co., Ltd.

NIPPON STEEL & SUMITOMO by Nippon Steel Corporation

Nippon Steel Corp

Nissui Corp

Capitol Series Trust The Nightview Fund NITE

NORITAKE CO by Noritake Co.

Hanna Capital Corp

N2OFF Inc

Niu Technologies - American Depositary Shares

Niu Technologies

NSI NV

NewGenIvf Group Limited - Class A Ordinary Shares

NewGenIvf Group Ltd

Research Affiliates Deletions ETF

Nixxy Inc

Who knew stodgy utilities would turn into tech's <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/utilities">unsung heroes</a>? 
JPMorgan analysts Jeremy Tonet and Richard W. Sunderland chose Entergy Corp (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ETR#NYSE">ETR</a>), NiSource Inc (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NI#NYSE">NI</a>), and Vistra Corp (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/VST#NYSE">VST</a>) as top stock picks, betting on a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/artificial-intelligence">power-hungry AI revolution</a> and surging data center demand to fuel their growth.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Entergy: Oops, It Did It Again?</h2>
Entergy is making waves with yet another massive data center deal in Louisiana. A local filing hints at a $12 billion Hut 8 project, which, if confirmed, would be the utility's third major hyperscaler win. 
JPMorgan sees this as validation of Entergy's growing dominance in the large commercial &amp; industrial (C&amp;I) power space—big tech is setting up shop, and Entergy is cashing in. 
With Meta Platform's (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/META#NASDAQ">META</a>) $10 billion investment in Northern Louisiana and Amazon.com Inc's (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMZN#NASDAQ">AMZN</a>) $10 billion spend in Mississippi, the trend is clear: AI needs juice, and Entergy is becoming the go-to provider.
Read Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/42865524/amazon-aws-will-invest-at-least-11-billion-in-georgia-to-boost-ai-and-cloud-infrastructure-we-expect-to-create-more-than-550-well-paying-jobs">Amazon AWS To Invest $11 Billion In Georgia To Boost AI And Cloud Infrastructure: &#8216;Expect To Create More Than 550 Well-Paying Jobs&#8217;</a>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Vistra: Hold Onto That Power Feeling</h2>
Vistra isn't just another independent power producer (IPP)—it's JPMorgan's top pick among IPPs (independent power producers), with a strong balance of natural gas leverage and nuclear opportunity. The firm sees manufacturing onshoring, electrification, and relentless data center demand driving power prices higher, and Vistra is positioned to capitalize. 
While competitors like Constellation Energy Corp (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CEG#NASDAQ">CEG</a>) and Talen Energy Corp (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TLN#NASDAQ">TLN</a>) also have nuclear exposure, JPMorgan believes Vistra offers the best risk/reward balance, thanks to its Permian and Appalachia gas assets and strategic flexibility.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">NiSource: A Sleeper Bet On Load Growth</h2>
NiSource may not have Entergy's headline-grabbing hyperscaler deals, but it's quietly benefiting from the same secular trends. 
JPMorgan sees broader electrification and industrial demand bolstering NiSource's long-term growth, making it a strong contender for utility investors looking beyond the AI gold rush.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">The Big Picture</h2>
JPMorgan believes 2024's power demand boom is just getting started, and utilities with data center exposure are in pole position. 
While Entergy leads the pack with another possible hyperscaler deal, Vistra's diversified portfolio and NiSource's steady growth make them standout picks ahead of earnings. 
For investors betting on AI's insatiable energy appetite, these utilities might just be the next big trade.
Read Next: 
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/43032486/meta-boosts-green-energy-with-new-solar-deal-supporting-ai-data-center-growth">Meta Boosts Green Energy With New Solar Deal, Supports AI Data Center Growth</a></li>
</ul>
Image: Shutterstock

Are Utilities The New Tech? Why Entergy, NiSource, Vistra Are JPMorgan's Top Picks For 2025

JPMorgan analysts Jeremy Tonet and Richard W. Sunderland believe <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/utilities">utilities in North America are gearing up</a> for a stellar 2025.
Bolstered by accelerating power demand and transformative growth drivers like electrification, data center expansion and manufacturing onshoring, utility stocks are positioned for sustained strength.
Their top picks from the space include Vistra Corp (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/VST#NYSE">VST</a>), Entergy Corp (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ETR#NYSE">ETR</a>), NiSource Inc (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NI#NYSE">NI</a>) and PG&amp;E Corp (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PCG#NYSE">PCG</a>). Here&#8217;s why each of these make a great 2025 pick.
<h1 class="wp-block-heading">1. Vistra</h1>
Vistra's Texas-sized opportunity makes it JPMorgan's top pick. 
The company boasts unmatched exposure to the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT), a robust integrated retail business and a nuclear production tax credit upside via its Energy Harbor acquisition.
Vistra is uniquely positioned to benefit from soaring baseload demand, tightening power supply and favorable ERCOT pricing. With guidance forecasting double-digit EBITDA growth through 2026, Vistra's potential to secure gas plant contracts and capitalize on regional power price spikes keeps it in the "catbird seat."
Read Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/movers/24/11/41997342/appaloosa-hedge-fund-buys-vistra-sells-boeing">Appaloosa Hedge Fund Buys Vistra, Sells Boeing</a>
<h1 class="wp-block-heading">2. Entergy</h1>
Entergy has captured the spotlight with its recent data center deals, including Meta Platform Inc.'s (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/META#NASDAQ">META</a>) $10 billion investment in Louisiana.
JPMorgan highlights Entergy's ability to replicate such successes, driving load growth and industrial sales compound annual growth rates (CAGR). With surging Gulf Coast demand and replicable engagement frameworks, Entergy continues to outperform with rising earnings guidance and customer expansion.
<h1 class="wp-block-heading">3. NiSource</h1>
NiSource is riding the data center wave in the Midwest, with load scenarios pointing to significant generation needs. Its impressive 6%-8% annual EPS growth and 8%-10% rate base CAGR make it a standout mid-cap utility.
JPMorgan sees inflection potential for NiSource, especially with new load announcements expected to act as catalysts for an upward earnings revision in 2025.
<h1 class="wp-block-heading">4. PG&amp;E</h1>
PG&amp;E shines with its 10% EPS growth outlook and clear runway for financing, thanks to a recent equity raise. 
JPMorgan believes PG&amp;E's wildfire mitigation investments, data center pipeline and re-rating potential could drive substantial gains. Updates on its system investment needs in the fourth quarter are likely to serve as pivotal catalysts for growth in 2025 and beyond.
Read Next: 
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42289305/top-3-utilities-stocks-that-could-sink-your-portfolio-this-month">Top 3 Utilities Stocks That Could Sink Your Portfolio This Month</a></li>
</ul>
Photo: Shutterstock

Vistra, Entergy, NiSource, PG&E: 4 Utilities Power Up For Bullish 2025, Says JPMorgan

Mizuho analyst Gabriel Moreen maintains NiSource (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NI#NYSE">NI</a>) with a Outperform and raises the price target from $38 to $40.

Mizuho Maintains Outperform on NiSource, Raises Price Target to $40

NiSource is reaffirming 2024 non-GAAP adjusted EPS guidance of $1.70-1.74. In 2025 non-GAAP adjusted EPS is expected to be in the range of $1.84-1.88. NiSource is extending its plan to 2029 with non-GAAP adjusted EPS growth expected to be 6-8% annually, driven by $19.3 billion 2025-2029 base plan capital expenditures and 8-10% 2025-2029 rate base growth. The new base capital expenditure plan is approximately $2.9 billion larger than the prior 5-year plan.

NiSource Is Reaffirming FY24 Adjusted EPS Guidance Of $1.70-$1.74 Vs. $1.73 Estimate; Sees FY25 Adjusted EPS In Range Of $1.84-$1.88 Vs. $1.85 Estimate

NiSource (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NI#NYSE">NI</a>) reported quarterly earnings of $0.20 per share which beat the analyst consensus estimate of $0.16 by 25 percent.

NiSource Q3 2024 Adj. EPS $0.20 Beats $0.16 Estimate

Jefferies analyst Julien Dumoulin-Smith initiates coverage on NiSource (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NI#NYSE">NI</a>) with a Buy rating and announces Price Target of $39.

Initiation

Jefferies Initiates Coverage On NiSource with Buy Rating, Announces Price Target of $39

JP Morgan analyst Richard Sunderland maintains NiSource (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NI#NYSE">NI</a>) with a Overweight and raises the price target from $36 to $38.

JP Morgan Maintains Overweight on NiSource, Raises Price Target to $38

In the preceding three months, 6 analysts have released ratings for NiSource (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NI#NYSE">NI</a>), presenting a wide array of perspectives from bullish to bearish.
In the table below, you'll find a summary of their recent ratings, revealing the shifting sentiments over the past 30 days and comparing them to the previous months.
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th></th>
<th style="text-align: right;">Bullish</th>
<th style="text-align: right;">Somewhat Bullish</th>
<th style="text-align: right;">Indifferent</th>
<th style="text-align: right;">Somewhat Bearish</th>
<th style="text-align: right;">Bearish</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Total Ratings</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">1</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">5</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Last 30D</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">1</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>1M Ago</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">1</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2M Ago</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">1</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">1</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>3M Ago</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">2</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
Analysts provide deeper insights through their assessments of 12-month price targets, revealing an average target of $36.33, a high estimate of $38.00, and a low estimate of $34.00. This upward trend is apparent, with the current average reflecting a 6.85% increase from the previous average price target of $34.00.
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1729526462_0.png" alt="price target chart" />
<h2>Understanding Analyst Ratings: A Comprehensive Breakdown</h2>
An in-depth analysis of recent analyst actions unveils how financial experts perceive NiSource. The following summary outlines key analysts, their recent evaluations, and adjustments to ratings and price targets.
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Analyst</th>
<th>Analyst Firm</th>
<th>Action Taken</th>
<th>Rating</th>
<th>Current Price Target</th>
<th>Prior Price Target</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Nicholas Campanella</td>
<td>Barclays</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Overweight</td>
<td>$38.00</td>
<td>$35.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Sarah Akers</td>
<td>Wells Fargo</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Overweight</td>
<td>$38.00</td>
<td>$35.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Ross Fowler</td>
<td>B of A Securities</td>
<td>Announces</td>
<td>Buy</td>
<td>$37.00</td>
<td>-</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>James Thalacker</td>
<td>BMO Capital</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Outperform</td>
<td>$36.00</td>
<td>$34.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Nicholas Campanella</td>
<td>Barclays</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Overweight</td>
<td>$35.00</td>
<td>$34.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Durgesh Chopra</td>
<td>Evercore ISI Group</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Outperform</td>
<td>$34.00</td>
<td>$32.00</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<h3>Key Insights:</h3>
<ul>
<li>Action Taken: In response to dynamic market conditions and company performance, analysts update their recommendations. Whether they 'Maintain', 'Raise', or 'Lower' their stance, it signifies their reaction to recent developments related to NiSource. This insight gives a snapshot of analysts' perspectives on the current state of the company.</li>
<li>Rating: Analysts unravel qualitative evaluations for stocks, ranging from 'Outperform' to 'Underperform'. These ratings offer insights into expectations for the relative performance of NiSource compared to the broader market.</li>
<li>Price Targets: Analysts set price targets as an estimate of a stock's future value. Comparing the current and prior price targets provides insight into how analysts' expectations have changed over time. This information can be valuable for investors seeking to understand consensus views on the stock's potential future performance.</li>
</ul>
Understanding these analyst evaluations alongside key financial indicators can offer valuable insights into NiSource's market standing. Stay informed and make well-considered decisions with our Ratings Table.
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/NI/analyst-ratings?utm_source=Benzinga Insights">Stay up to date on NiSource analyst ratings.</a>
<h2>All You Need to Know About NiSource</h2>
NiSource is one of the nation's largest natural gas distribution companies with approximately 3.2 million customers in Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Virginia. NiSource's electric utility transmits and distributes electricity in northern Indiana to about 500,000 customers. The regulated electric utility also owns more than 3,000 megawatts of generation capacity, including coal, natural gas, and renewable energy.
<h3>Breaking Down NiSource's Financial Performance</h3>
Market Capitalization Analysis: Positioned below industry benchmarks, the company's market capitalization faces constraints in size. This could be influenced by factors such as growth expectations or operational capacity.
Revenue Challenges: NiSource's revenue growth over 3 months faced difficulties. As of 30 June, 2024, the company experienced a decline of approximately -0.49%. This indicates a decrease in top-line earnings. In comparison to its industry peers, the company trails behind with a growth rate lower than the average among peers in the Utilities sector.
Net Margin: NiSource's net margin falls below industry averages, indicating challenges in achieving strong profitability. With a net margin of 7.91%, the company may face hurdles in effective cost management.
Return on Equity (ROE): NiSource's ROE lags behind industry averages, suggesting challenges in maximizing returns on equity capital. With an ROE of 1.09%, the company may face hurdles in achieving optimal financial performance.
Return on Assets (ROA): NiSource's ROA is below industry averages, indicating potential challenges in efficiently utilizing assets. With an ROA of 0.29%, the company may face hurdles in achieving optimal financial returns.
Debt Management: The company maintains a balanced debt approach with a debt-to-equity ratio below industry norms, standing at 1.71.
<h2>Analyst Ratings: Simplified</h2>
Analysts work in banking and financial systems and typically specialize in reporting for stocks or defined sectors. Analysts may attend company conference calls and meetings, research company financial statements, and communicate with insiders to publish "analyst ratings" for stocks. Analysts typically rate each stock once per quarter.
In addition to their assessments, some analysts extend their insights by offering predictions for key metrics such as earnings, revenue, and growth estimates. This supplementary information provides further guidance for traders. It is crucial to recognize that, despite their specialization, analysts are human and can only provide forecasts based on their beliefs.
Breaking: Wall Street's Next Big Mover
Benzinga's #1 analyst just identified a stock poised for explosive growth. This under-the-radar company could surge 200%+ as major market shifts unfold. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/turning-point-trader-checkout-2/?t=Tu1tu3arja3be22tu36&amp;utm_source=benzinga-insights">Click here for urgent details</a>.
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

6 Analysts Have This To Say About NiSource

NiSource (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NI#NYSE">NI</a>) has been analyzed by 6 analysts in the last three months, revealing a diverse range of perspectives from bullish to bearish.
The following table encapsulates their recent ratings, offering a glimpse into the evolving sentiments over the past 30 days and comparing them to the preceding months.
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th></th>
<th align="right">Bullish</th>
<th align="right">Somewhat Bullish</th>
<th align="right">Indifferent</th>
<th align="right">Somewhat Bearish</th>
<th align="right">Bearish</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Total Ratings</td>
<td align="right">1</td>
<td align="right">5</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Last 30D</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">1</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>1M Ago</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">1</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2M Ago</td>
<td align="right">1</td>
<td align="right">1</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>3M Ago</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">2</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
Insights from analysts' 12-month price targets are revealed, presenting an average target of $36.33, a high estimate of $38.00, and a low estimate of $34.00. This current average has increased by 6.85% from the previous average price target of $34.00. 
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1729515621_0.png" alt="price target chart" />
<h2>Analyzing Analyst Ratings: A Detailed Breakdown</h2>
In examining recent analyst actions, we gain insights into how financial experts perceive NiSource. The following summary outlines key analysts, their recent evaluations, and adjustments to ratings and price targets.
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Analyst</th>
<th>Analyst Firm</th>
<th>Action Taken</th>
<th>Rating</th>
<th>Current Price Target</th>
<th>Prior Price Target</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Nicholas Campanella</td>
<td>Barclays</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Overweight</td>
<td>$38.00</td>
<td>$35.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Sarah Akers</td>
<td>Wells Fargo</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Overweight</td>
<td>$38.00</td>
<td>$35.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Ross Fowler</td>
<td>B of A Securities</td>
<td>Announces</td>
<td>Buy</td>
<td>$37.00</td>
<td>-</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>James Thalacker</td>
<td>BMO Capital</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Outperform</td>
<td>$36.00</td>
<td>$34.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Nicholas Campanella</td>
<td>Barclays</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Overweight</td>
<td>$35.00</td>
<td>$34.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Durgesh Chopra</td>
<td>Evercore ISI Group</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Outperform</td>
<td>$34.00</td>
<td>$32.00</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<h3>Key Insights:</h3>
<ul>
<li>Action Taken: Analysts respond to changes in market conditions and company performance, frequently updating their recommendations. Whether they 'Maintain', 'Raise' or 'Lower' their stance, it reflects their reaction to recent developments related to NiSource. This information offers a snapshot of how analysts perceive the current state of the company.</li>
<li>Rating: Gaining insights, analysts provide qualitative assessments, ranging from 'Outperform' to 'Underperform'. These ratings reflect expectations for the relative performance of NiSource compared to the broader market.</li>
<li>Price Targets: Analysts predict movements in price targets, offering estimates for NiSource's future value. Examining the current and prior targets offers insights into analysts' evolving expectations.</li>
</ul>
Navigating through these analyst evaluations alongside other financial indicators can contribute to a holistic understanding of NiSource's market standing. Stay informed and make data-driven decisions with our Ratings Table.
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/NI/analyst-ratings?utm_source=Benzinga Insights">Stay up to date on NiSource analyst ratings.</a>
<h2>Unveiling the Story Behind NiSource</h2>
NiSource is one of the nation's largest natural gas distribution companies with approximately 3.2 million customers in Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Virginia. NiSource's electric utility transmits and distributes electricity in northern Indiana to about 500,000 customers. The regulated electric utility also owns more than 3,000 megawatts of generation capacity, including coal, natural gas, and renewable energy.
<h3>Financial Insights: NiSource</h3>
Market Capitalization: Indicating a reduced size compared to industry averages, the company's market capitalization poses unique challenges.
Negative Revenue Trend: Examining NiSource's financials over 3 months reveals challenges. As of 30 June, 2024, the company experienced a decline of approximately -0.49% in revenue growth, reflecting a decrease in top-line earnings. When compared to others in the Utilities sector, the company faces challenges, achieving a growth rate lower than the average among peers.
Net Margin: The company's net margin is below industry benchmarks, signaling potential difficulties in achieving strong profitability. With a net margin of 7.91%, the company may need to address challenges in effective cost control.
Return on Equity (ROE): NiSource's ROE lags behind industry averages, suggesting challenges in maximizing returns on equity capital. With an ROE of 1.09%, the company may face hurdles in achieving optimal financial performance.
Return on Assets (ROA): The company's ROA is below industry benchmarks, signaling potential difficulties in efficiently utilizing assets. With an ROA of 0.29%, the company may need to address challenges in generating satisfactory returns from its assets.
Debt Management: With a below-average debt-to-equity ratio of 1.71, NiSource adopts a prudent financial strategy, indicating a balanced approach to debt management.
<h2>The Core of Analyst Ratings: What Every Investor Should Know</h2>
Within the domain of banking and financial systems, analysts specialize in reporting for specific stocks or defined sectors. Their work involves attending company conference calls and meetings, researching company financial statements, and communicating with insiders to publish "analyst ratings" for stocks. Analysts typically assess and rate each stock once per quarter.
Analysts may enhance their evaluations by incorporating forecasts for metrics like growth estimates, earnings, and revenue, delivering additional guidance to investors. It is vital to acknowledge that, although experts in stocks and sectors, analysts are human and express their opinions when providing insights.
Which Stocks Are Analysts Recommending Now?
Benzinga Edge gives you instant access to all major analyst upgrades, downgrades, and price targets. Sort by accuracy, upside potential, and more. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/benzinga-edge-checkout/?t=be8be9arja3be22bz21&amp;utm_source=benzinga-insights">Click here to stay ahead of the market</a>.
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

Unveiling 6 Analyst Insights On NiSource

Barclays analyst Nicholas Campanella maintains NiSource (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NI#NYSE">NI</a>) with a Overweight and raises the price target from $35 to $38.

Barclays Maintains Overweight on NiSource, Raises Price Target to $38

Wells Fargo analyst Sarah Akers maintains NiSource (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NI#NYSE">NI</a>) with a Overweight and raises the price target from $35 to $38.

Wells Fargo Maintains Overweight on NiSource, Raises Price Target to $38

NiSource's (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NI#NYSE">NI</a>) short percent of float has fallen 43.21% since its last report. The company recently reported that it has 8.22 million shares sold short, which is 2.09% of all regular shares that are available for trading. Based on its trading volume, it would take traders 2.04 days to cover their short positions on average.
<h3>Why Short Interest Matters</h3>
Short interest is the number of shares that have been sold short but have not yet been covered or closed out. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/how-to-short-a-stock/">Short selling</a> is when a trader sells shares of a company they do not own, with the hope that the price will fall. Traders make money from short selling if the price of the stock falls and they lose if it rises.
Short interest is important to track because it can act as an indicator of market sentiment towards a particular stock. An increase in short interest can signal that investors have become more bearish, while a decrease in short interest can signal they have become more bullish.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/short-interest">List of the most shorted stocks</a>
<h3>NiSource Short Interest Graph (3 Months)</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1728413118_0.png" alt="short_fig" />
As you can see from the chart above the percentage of shares that are sold short for NiSource has declined since its last report. This does not mean that the stock is going to rise in the near-term but traders should be aware that less shares are being shorted.
<h3>Comparing NiSource's Short Interest Against Its Peers</h3>
Peer comparison is a popular technique amongst analysts and investors for gauging how well a company is performing. A company's peer is another company that has similar characteristics to it, such as industry, size, age, and financial structure. You can find a company's peer group by reading its 10-K, proxy filing, or by doing your own similarity analysis.
According to <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/">Benzinga Pro</a>, NiSource's peer group average for short interest as a percentage of float is 2.81%, which means the company has less short interest than most of its peers.
Did you know that increasing short interest can actually be bullish for a stock? <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/how-to-make-money-on-a-short-squeeze/">This post by Benzinga Money explains how you can profit from it.</a>
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and was reviewed by an editor.

Short Sellers

(NI) - Analyzing NiSource's Short Interest

FirstEnergy Corporation&#39;s (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/fe#NYSE">FE</a>) continuous capital investments to maintain and increase resiliency are likely to strengthen its infrastructure, which will help enhance its performance. Given its growth opportunities, FE makes for a solid investment option in the Utility sector.
Currently, the company carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). Let&#39;s look at the factors that are driving the stock.
<h2>FE&#39;s Growth Projections &amp; Surprise History</h2>
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for FE&#39;s 2024 earnings per share is pinned at $2.70, which indicates year-over-year growth of 5.5%.
The consensus estimate for 2024 sales is pinned at $13.78 billion, which indicates year-over-year growth of 7.1%.
The company&#39;s long-term (three to five years) earnings growth rate is 7%.
FE has a positive earnings surprise history. Its trailing four-quarter earnings surprise is 2.66%, on average.
<h2>FE&#39;s Dividend Yield</h2>
FirstEnergy has been rewarding its shareholders with dividend payments at regular intervals. The company&#39;s board of directors approved a new dividend policy in February 2023 that increased the target payout ratio to 60-70% from 55-65% previously. Its current dividend yield is 3.86%, better than the Zacks S&amp;P 500 composite&#39;s average yield of 1.24%.
<h2>FE&#39;s Return on Equity</h2>
FirstEnergy&#39;s current return on equity (ROE) is 12.12%, which is more than the industry average of 10.42%. ROE, a profitable measure, reflects how effectively a company is utilizing its shareholders&#39; funds in its operations to generate income.
<h2>FE&#39;s Solvency</h2>
The time-to-interest earned ratio at the end of the second quarter was 2.11. The ratio, being greater than one, reflects the company&#39;s ability to meet future interest obligations without difficulties.
<h2>Strategic Investments of FirstEnergy</h2>
FirstEnergy&#39;s strategic investment will help serve its 6 million customers more efficiently. The company&#39;s &quot;Energize365&quot; is a multi-year grid evolution platform that is focused on enhancing the customer experience while maintaining affordability.
With planned investments of $26 billion between 2024 and 2028, FE plans to install advanced equipment and technologies that will strengthen and modernize its transmission and distribution infrastructure. Strengthening the transmission and renewable generation assets will allow it to transmit electricity even during adverse weather conditions.
<h2>FE Stock&#39;s Price Performance</h2>
Shares of FirstEnergy have gained 23.4% in the year-to-date period compared with the industry&#39;s 22.7% growth.
<img alt="Zacks Investment Research" src="https://staticx-tuner.zacks.com/images/articles/charts/04/80233.jpg?v=627393970" />
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
<h2>Other Stocks to Consider</h2>
Some other top-ranked stocks in the industry are NiSource Inc. (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ni#NYSE">NI</a>), IDACORP, Inc. (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ida#NYSE">IDA</a>) and Edison International (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/eix#NYSE">EIX</a>). Each of these stocks currently carries a Zacks Rank of 2.
NiSource delivered an average earnings surprise of 20.64% in the last four quarters. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for NI&#39;s 2025 sales indicates year-over-year growth of 12.1%.
IDACORP delivered an average earnings surprise of 10.35% in the last four quarters. The consensus estimate for IDA&#39;s 2024 sales indicates year-over-year growth of 3.8%.
Edison International delivered an average earnings surprise of 4.13% in the last four quarters. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for EIX&#39;s 2024 sales indicates year-over-year growth of 2.9%.
<a href="https://www.zacks.com/stock/news/2345623/here-s-why-you-should-add-firstenergy-stock-to-your-portfolio-now?cid=CS-BENZ-FT-analyst_blog|rank_focused-2345623">To read this article on Zacks.com click here.</a>

Here's Why You Should Add FirstEnergy Stock to Your Portfolio Now

As of Oct. 2, 2024, two stocks in the utilities sector could be flashing a real warning to investors who value momentum as a key criteria in their trading decisions.
The RSI is a momentum indicator, which compares a stock&#8217;s strength on days when prices go up to its strength on days when prices go down. When compared to a stock&#8217;s price action, it can give traders a better sense of how a stock may perform in the short term. An asset is typically considered overbought when the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/rsi">RSI is above 70</a>, according to <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/">Benzinga Pro</a>. 
Here's the latest list of major overbought players in this sector.
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">NiSource Inc (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NI#NYSE">NI</a>)</h3>
<ul>
<li>On Aug. 7, NiSource posted better-than-expected quarterly earnings. "During the second quarter NiSource placed the Cavalry Solar &amp; Storage project into service and reported strong earnings results, executing our investment plan and delivering consistent shareholder returns," said NiSource President and CEO, Lloyd Yates. The company's stock gained around 5% over the past month and has a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/NI">52-week high of</a> $35.10.</li>
<li>RSI Value: 77.81&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</li>
<li>NI Price Action: Shares of NiSource gained 0.5% to close at $34.83 on Tuesday.</li>
</ul>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Xcel Energy Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XEL#NASDAQ">XEL</a>)</h3>
<ul>
<li>On Sept. 30, Keybanc analyst Sophie Karp maintained Xcel Energy with an Overweight and raised the price target from $66 to $69.. The company's stock gained around 4% over the past month and<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/XEL"> has a 52-week high</a> of $65.64.</li>
<li>RSI Value: 74.71</li>
<li>XEL Price Action: Shares of Xcel Energy fell 0.03% to close at $65.32 on Tuesday.</li>
</ul>
Read Next: 
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/24/09/41102060/jim-cramer-hand-picks-these-3-stocks-to-ride-the-crest-of-the-chinese-stimulus-frenzy">Jim Cramer Hand Picks These 3 Stocks To Ride The Crest Of The Chinese Stimulus Frenzy</a></li>
</ul>

As of Sept. 16, 2024, two stocks in the utilities sector could be flashing a real warning to investors who value momentum as a key criteria in their trading decisions.
The RSI is a momentum indicator, which compares a stock&#8217;s strength on days when prices go up to its strength on days when prices go down. When compared to a stock&#8217;s price action, it can give traders a better sense of how a stock may perform in the short term. An asset is typically considered overbought when the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/rsi">RSI is above 70</a>, according to <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/">Benzinga Pr</a>o. 
Here's the latest list of major overbought players in this sector.
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">NiSource Inc (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NI#NYSE">NI</a>)</h3>
<ul>
<li>On Aug. 7, NiSource posted better-than-expected quarterly earnings. &#8220;During the second quarter NiSource placed the Cavalry Solar &amp; Storage project into service and reported strong earnings results, executing our investment plan and delivering consistent shareholder returns,&#8221; said NiSource President and CEO, Lloyd Yates. The company's stock gained around 7% over the past month and has a 52-week high of $34.14.</li>
<li>RSI Value: 82.19&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</li>
<li>NI Price Action: Shares of NiSource gained 1.3% to close at $34.06 on Friday.</li>
</ul>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">PPL Corp (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PPL#NYSE">PPL</a>)</h3>
<ul>
<li>On Sept. 12, PPL finalized award for up to $72 million in federal funding from U.S. Department of Energy&#8217;s Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations. The company's stock gained around 4% over the past month and <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/PPL">has a 52-week high</a> of $32.54.</li>
<li>RSI Value: 70.90</li>
<li>PPL Price Action: Shares of PPL gained 1.6% to close at $32.46 on Friday.</li>
</ul>
Read Next: 
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/24/09/40860420/jim-cramer-hold-on-to-builders-firstsource-heres-the-problem-with-viking-therapeutics">Jim Cramer: &#8216;Hold On&#8217; To Builders FirstSource, &#8216;Here&#8217;s The Problem&#8217; With Viking Therapeutics</a></li>
</ul>

BofA Securities analyst Ross Fowler&nbsp;reinstated the Buy rating at NiSource Inc (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NI#NYSE">NI</a>) with a <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/ni/analyst-ratings" rel="noreferrer noopener">price target of $37</a> and the Neutral rating at CenterPoint Energy, Inc (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CNP#NYSE">CNP</a>) with a <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/cnp/analyst-ratings" rel="noreferrer noopener">price target of $29.</a>
NI: The analyst writes that NiSource has demonstrated strong regulatory and financial execution over the past 24 months and is gaining a reputation for consistency and financial prudence.
The new senior management team has proven effective, delivering results at the high end of expectations in various conditions, adds the analyst.
Also Read: <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/07/39587521/pete-buttigieg-hurricane-beryl-is-proving-to-be-a-highly-destructive-storm" rel="noreferrer noopener">Pete Buttigieg: &#8216;Hurricane Beryl Is Proving To Be A Highly Destructive Storm&#8217;</a>
Fowler expects capital upside from data centers, anticipated updates, and multiple expansions from ongoing rate case resolutions, along with a robust balance sheet to drive continued outperformance.
The analyst forecasts EPS of $1.72, $1.85, and $2.01 for FY24, FY25, and FY26 vs. consensus of $1.73, $1.85, and $1.98, respectively.
CNP: The analyst says that CenterPoint is navigating political and regulatory challenges following its response to Hurricane Beryl.
Read: <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/top-stories/24/07/39668096/hurricane-beryl-expected-to-weaken-to-tropical-storm-as-it-hits-texas" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hurricane Beryl Expected To Weaken To Tropical Storm As It Hits Texas</a>
While the direct financial impact is likely manageable due to Texas storm recovery mechanisms, ongoing investigations and a pending general rate case suggest near-term multiple recovery unlikely, adds the analyst.
Fowler projects EPS of $1.64, $1.74, and $1.85 for FY24, FY25, and FY26, compared to consensus of $1.62, $1.73, and $1.86, respectively.
Read Next:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/24/09/40838076/hurricane-disrupts-ups-deliveries-in-southern-us-details" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hurricane Disrupts UPS Deliveries In Southern US: Details</a></li>
</ul>

B of A Securities analyst Ross Fowler reinstates NiSource (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NI#NYSE">NI</a>) with a Buy and announces $37 price target.

B of A Securities Reinstates Buy on NiSource, Announces $37 Price Target

7 analysts have shared their evaluations of NiSource (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NI#NYSE">NI</a>) during the recent three months, expressing a mix of bullish and bearish perspectives.
The table below summarizes their recent ratings, showcasing the evolving sentiments within the past 30 days and comparing them to the preceding months.
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th></th>
<th style="text-align: right;">Bullish</th>
<th style="text-align: right;">Somewhat Bullish</th>
<th style="text-align: right;">Indifferent</th>
<th style="text-align: right;">Somewhat Bearish</th>
<th style="text-align: right;">Bearish</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Total Ratings</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">7</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Last 30D</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">1</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>1M Ago</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">1</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2M Ago</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">3</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>3M Ago</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">2</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
Analysts' evaluations of 12-month price targets offer additional insights, showcasing an average target of $33.57, with a high estimate of $36.00 and a low estimate of $31.00. This upward trend is apparent, with the current average reflecting a 4.35% increase from the previous average price target of $32.17.
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1726146051_0.png" alt="price target chart" />
<h2>Exploring Analyst Ratings: An In-Depth Overview</h2>
In examining recent analyst actions, we gain insights into how financial experts perceive NiSource. The following summary outlines key analysts, their recent evaluations, and adjustments to ratings and price targets.
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Analyst</th>
<th>Analyst Firm</th>
<th>Action Taken</th>
<th>Rating</th>
<th>Current Price Target</th>
<th>Prior Price Target</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>James Thalacker</td>
<td>BMO Capital</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Outperform</td>
<td>$36.00</td>
<td>$34.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Nicholas Campanella</td>
<td>Barclays</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Overweight</td>
<td>$35.00</td>
<td>$34.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Durgesh Chopra</td>
<td>Evercore ISI Group</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Outperform</td>
<td>$34.00</td>
<td>$32.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>James Thalacker</td>
<td>BMO Capital</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Outperform</td>
<td>$32.00</td>
<td>$31.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Nicholas Campanella</td>
<td>Barclays</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Overweight</td>
<td>$34.00</td>
<td>$31.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Gabriel Moreen</td>
<td>Mizuho</td>
<td>Announces</td>
<td>Outperform</td>
<td>$33.00</td>
<td>-</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>James Thalacker</td>
<td>BMO Capital</td>
<td>Maintains</td>
<td>Outperform</td>
<td>$31.00</td>
<td>$31.00</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<h3>Key Insights:</h3>
<ul>
<li>Action Taken: Analysts adapt their recommendations to changing market conditions and company performance. Whether they 'Maintain', 'Raise' or 'Lower' their stance, it reflects their response to recent developments related to NiSource. This information provides a snapshot of how analysts perceive the current state of the company.</li>
<li>Rating: Analysts assign qualitative assessments to stocks, ranging from 'Outperform' to 'Underperform'. These ratings convey the analysts' expectations for the relative performance of NiSource compared to the broader market.</li>
<li>Price Targets: Delving into movements, analysts provide estimates for the future value of NiSource's stock. This analysis reveals shifts in analysts' expectations over time.</li>
</ul>
Understanding these analyst evaluations alongside key financial indicators can offer valuable insights into NiSource's market standing. Stay informed and make well-considered decisions with our Ratings Table.
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/NI/analyst-ratings?utm_source=Benzinga Insights">Stay up to date on NiSource analyst ratings.</a>
<h2>Delving into NiSource's Background</h2>
NiSource is one of the nation's largest natural gas distribution companies with approximately 3.2 million customers in Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Virginia. NiSource's electric utility transmits and distributes electricity in northern Indiana to about 500,000 customers. The regulated electric utility also owns more than 3,000 megawatts of generation capacity, including coal, natural gas, and renewable energy.
<h3>A Deep Dive into NiSource's Financials</h3>
Market Capitalization Analysis: The company's market capitalization is below the industry average, suggesting that it is relatively smaller compared to peers. This could be due to various factors, including perceived growth potential or operational scale.
Decline in Revenue: Over the 3 months period, NiSource faced challenges, resulting in a decline of approximately -0.49% in revenue growth as of 30 June, 2024. This signifies a reduction in the company's top-line earnings. As compared to its peers, the revenue growth lags behind its industry peers. The company achieved a growth rate lower than the average among peers in Utilities sector.
Net Margin: NiSource's net margin lags behind industry averages, suggesting challenges in maintaining strong profitability. With a net margin of 7.91%, the company may face hurdles in effective cost management.
Return on Equity (ROE): NiSource's ROE falls below industry averages, indicating challenges in efficiently using equity capital. With an ROE of 1.09%, the company may face hurdles in generating optimal returns for shareholders.
Return on Assets (ROA): The company's ROA is below industry benchmarks, signaling potential difficulties in efficiently utilizing assets. With an ROA of 0.29%, the company may need to address challenges in generating satisfactory returns from its assets.
Debt Management: With a below-average debt-to-equity ratio of 1.71, NiSource adopts a prudent financial strategy, indicating a balanced approach to debt management.
<h2>The Basics of Analyst Ratings</h2>
Within the domain of banking and financial systems, analysts specialize in reporting for specific stocks or defined sectors. Their work involves attending company conference calls and meetings, researching company financial statements, and communicating with insiders to publish "analyst ratings" for stocks. Analysts typically assess and rate each stock once per quarter.
Beyond their standard evaluations, some analysts contribute predictions for metrics like growth estimates, earnings, and revenue, furnishing investors with additional guidance. Users of analyst ratings should be mindful that this specialized advice is shaped by human perspectives and may be subject to variability.
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

The Analyst Verdict: NiSource In The Eyes Of 7 Experts

BMO Capital analyst James Thalacker maintains NiSource (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NI#NYSE">NI</a>) with a Outperform and raises the price target from $34 to $36.

BMO Capital Maintains Outperform on NiSource, Raises Price Target to $36

American Electric Power Company, Inc. (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/aep#NASDAQ">AEP</a>) is deploying systematic investments in infrastructural upgrades to enhance the reliability of its operations and serve its utility customers efficiently. The company is also making consistent investments to boost its renewable generation portfolio.
However, this Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) company faces risks like rising interest rates and an unfavorable financial position, which act as a headwind.
<h2>AEP&#39;s Tailwinds</h2>
American Electric has a capital investment plan of $43 billion for the 2024-2028 period in its core regulated operations, contracted renewables and wires. This should boost AEP&#39;s customer reliability. The company expects this systematic investment to support it in achieving long-term earnings growth of 6-7%.
Moreover, American Electric intends to invest roughly $27.3 billion in its transmission and distribution operations between 2024 and 2028 to build a more efficient grid and provide consumers with customized energy solutions.
In the clean energy space, as of June 30, 2024, AEP has regulatory nods from several state regulatory commissions to purchase 2,811 megawatts of owned renewable generation facilities for a total estimated cost of $6.6 billion. It plans to invest $9.4 billion in controlled renewable expansion between 2024 and 2028. This should further boost its renewable generation portfolio in the years to come.
<h2>Headwinds Faced by AEP</h2>
Since utility firms like American Electric Power finance their operations through both short and long-term borrowings, the increased interest rate environment in the United States remains a headwind for AEP in the form of higher interest expenses. In the second quarter of 2024, the company&#39;s interest expenditure increased by 1.2% year over year. If American Electric continues to face such escalating interest costs, it might adversely affect its financial situation in the near future.
As of June 30, 2024, American Electric had $40 billion in long-term debt, while its cash equivalents totaled $0.47 billion. As of the same date, its current debt was $3.75 billion. As both AEP&#39;s current and long-term debt levels remained far greater than its cash reserve, the company seems to have a weak position with respect to its solvency.
<h2>AEP Stock Price Movement</h2>
In the past three months, shares of AEP have risen 11.8% compared with the industry&#39;s growth of 3.6%.
<img alt="Zacks Investment Research" src="https://staticx-tuner.zacks.com/images/articles/charts/dc/75929.jpg?v=1237332659" />
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
<h2>Stocks to Consider</h2>
Some better-ranked stocks from the same industry are DTE Energy Company (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/dte#NYSE">DTE</a>), The AES Corporation (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/aes#NYSE">AES</a>) and NiSource Inc. (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ni#NYSE">NI</a>), each carrying a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) at present.
DTE Energy&#39;s long-term (three to five years) earnings growth rate is 8.1%. The company delivered an average earnings surprise of 0.77% in the last four quarters.
AES delivered an average earnings surprise of 19.18% in the last four quarters. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for AES&#39; 2024 sales suggests an improvement of 3.6% from the prior-year reported figure.
NiSource&#39;s long-term earnings growth rate is 6%. The company delivered an average earnings surprise of 20.64% in the last four quarters.
<a href="https://www.zacks.com/stock/news/2328992/aep-stock-rides-on-investments-despite-high-interest-rates?cid=CS-BENZ-FT-analyst_blog|zer_report_update-2328992">To read this article on Zacks.com click here.</a>

Government Trades

NiSource Inc

top performing NI trades

Popular Channels

Tools & Features

Partners & Contributors

About Benzinga