We recently compiled a list of the 10 Best Utility Stocks to Buy Now. In this article, we are going to take a look at where PG&E Corporation (NYSE:PCG) stands against the other utility stocks. You can also check out the 20 States With the Most Expensive Electricity In The US here.
The power and utilities industry in 2023 saw mixed outcomes. Despite a 53% year-on-year drop in natural gas prices for power generation, customer bills went up by 1.9%. This increase was due to record-breaking investments of nearly $171 billion in grid modernization and decarbonization efforts, along with rising interest rates. Overall, electricity sales dipped slightly by 1.2% year-on-year (YoY).
Looking ahead to 2024, the outlook for clean energy is bright. Forecasts predict stable electricity prices alongside a 2% growth in sales. This growth is fueled by a rise in clean energy investment, from both utility companies and the government. Investments are being directed towards renewable energy generation, with solar expected to double in capacity in 2024.
The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) forecasts a significant year for solar power, with utilities planning a 30% increase in capacity by adding 31 gigawatts. Wind energy is also projected to grow by 5% or 7 gigawatts. As a result, solar and wind power are set to become the dominant sources of electricity generation in the US, potentially surpassing coal. Renewables are expected to reach 18% of total generation, while coal may fall to 17%, marking a historic milestone in the transition to cleaner energy sources.
Moreover, there is a forecast of accelerating demand for electricity in the US in the next few years. According to a report by consulting firm Grid Strategies, electricity demand forecasts for 2024 have been significantly revised upward based on filings submitted to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) in 2023. Grid planners now anticipate a nationwide increase of 4.7% over the next five years, which is a sharp rise from the 2.6% growth projected just last year. This rise in demand is expected to be accompanied by a substantial increase in peak demand, with forecasts indicating a growth of 38 gigawatts (GW) over the next five years.
This increase in electricity demand is driven by multiple factors. Industrial facilities, manufacturing plants, and data centers are experiencing a construction boom, with data centers in some areas like Virginia seeing unprecedented growth at 6% to 8% every year. Electric vehicles are also expected to contribute to the demand increase as BloombergNEF (BNEF) forecasts a 20% YoY increase in global battery electric and plug-in hybrid vehicle sales in 2024.
On the supply side, challenges remain. According to Senior Partner for Energy & Utilities at West Monroe, Danny Freeman, utilities are going to prioritize grid reliability and resilience in response to climate change. Extreme heat and drought are likely to continue disrupting power generation in 2024, with summer 2023’s record-breaking heat likely marking the start of a long-term trend.
The American West is facing its driest period in 1,200 years, and researchers predict a long-term pattern of aridification. These conditions can significantly reduce power output, especially during peak demand periods. Thus, the Department of Energy (DOE) awarded $3.5 billion in October 2023 to projects that will improve grid flexibility and resilience. The funding for this project is provided by the Grid Resilience Program (GRIP), created by the Infrastructure Investment Jobs Act (IIJA).
The rapid transformation of the utilities sector presents many exciting opportunities for investors. With this context in mind, let’s take a look at the 10 best utility stocks to buy now.
Our Methodology
To shortlist the best utility stocks, we relied on Insider Monkey’s database of 920 hedge funds as of Q1 2024 to analyze the hedge fund sentiment for each stock. We picked the utility stocks with the highest number of hedge fund investors. Why are we interested in the stocks that hedge funds pile into? The reason is simple: our research has shown that we can outperform the market by imitating the top stock picks of the best hedge funds. Our quarterly newsletter’s strategy selects 14 small-cap and large-cap stocks every quarter and has returned 275% since May 2014, beating its benchmark by 150 percentage points (see more details here).
Brightly-lit nighttime view of an electricity power grid with distribution lines and transmission substations.
PG&E Corporation (NYSE:PCG)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 48
PG&E Corporation (NYSE:PCG) delivers electricity and natural gas to millions of homes and businesses in northern and central California. It generates power from various sources like nuclear, hydro, solar, and natural gas.
PG&E Corporation (NYSE:PCG) reported a strong Q1 2024 with income available for common shareholders rising to $732 million ($0.34 per share) from $569 million ($0.27 per share) in the same period last year. This increase is mainly due to higher customer capital investment and lower wildfire fund expenses. The company reaffirmed its core EPS guidance of $1.33-$1.37.
The company is investing heavily in its future with a $62 billion infrastructure improvement plan for 2024-2028. This positions PG&E Corporation (NYSE:PCG) well to meet the growing electricity needs of data centers. Keeping these developments in mind, analysts are bullish on PG&E Corporation (NYSE:PCG) stock with an average price target of $20.98. This reflects an upside potential of over 18% from the current price levels.
Covalis Capital was the leading hedge fund investor in PG&E Corporation (NYSE:PCG) at the end of the first quarter of 2024, with a stake worth over $111.9 million. The hedge fund increased its stake in the company by 372% during Q1. PG&E Corporation (NYSE:PCG) ranks fourth on our list of the best utility stocks to buy now.
Overall PCG ranks 4th on our list of the best utility stocks to buy. You can visit 10 Best Utility Stocks to Buy Now to see the other utility stocks that are on hedge funds’ radar. While we acknowledge the potential of PCG as an investment, our conviction lies in the belief that AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns, and doing so within a shorter timeframe. If you are looking for an AI stock that is more promising than PCG but that trades at less than 5 times its earnings, check out our report about the cheapest AI stock.
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Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey.