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On Monday, Jefferies analyst Julian Dumoulin-Smith maintained a Hold rating on Hawaiian Electric (NYSE:HE) with a steady price target of $10.00. The stock, currently trading at $10.76 with a market capitalization of $1.86 billion, has shown strong momentum with a 10.6% gain year-to-date according to InvestingPro data. The analyst noted that Hawaiian Electric is actively pursuing legislative measures aimed at mitigating risks associated with potential wildfires. A recent positive decision by the state supreme court, along with the backing of significant legislators, is seen as a favorable development for the company. This legislative push comes at a crucial time, as InvestingPro data shows the company reported negative EBITDA of $1.38 billion in the last twelve months.
Hawaiian Electric’s efforts to secure wildfire legislation are deemed crucial to the company’s future prospects. Dumoulin-Smith pointed out that while these efforts are essential, the outcome is largely beyond the company’s control. The likelihood of the legislation’s passage is expected to become more apparent in the upcoming months, with a clearer picture emerging around April or May.
The analyst’s commentary comes as Hawaiian Electric seeks to navigate the complex legislative landscape to bolster its defenses against wildfire threats. The company’s proactive approach to seeking support for such measures reflects its commitment to addressing the challenges posed by wildfires.
Despite the positive developments and the company’s active engagement with legislators, Jefferies’ stance remains cautious due to the unpredictable nature of the legislative process. The Hold rating suggests that the firm advises investors to maintain their current positions in Hawaiian Electric shares until more definitive information is available.
Investors and stakeholders in Hawaiian Electric will be closely monitoring the progress of the proposed wildfire legislation, as its passage could have significant implications for the company’s operations and risk management strategies. While currently unprofitable, InvestingPro analysis suggests the company is undervalued, with analysts forecasting a return to profitability this year. For deeper insights into Hawaiian Electric’s financial health and growth potential, investors can access the comprehensive Pro Research Report, available exclusively on InvestingPro.
In other recent news, Hawaiian Electric Industries reported significant financial challenges for the fourth quarter of 2024, primarily due to wildfire-related expenses. The company disclosed a full-year loss from continuing operations amounting to $1.3 billion, primarily driven by $1.9 billion in pre-tax wildfire settlement accruals. Despite these setbacks, Hawaiian Electric achieved a 36% renewable portfolio standard for the year. Additionally, the company completed the sale of 90.1% of American Savings Bank for $450 million, marking a strategic shift towards focusing on its core utility business. In a separate development, Evercore ISI analyst Durgesh Chopra raised the price target for Hawaiian Electric shares from $11.00 to $12.00, maintaining an "In Line" rating, following a favorable Hawaii Supreme Court ruling regarding wildfire-related legal actions. The court’s decision may reduce legal uncertainties for the company, as it suggests insurers cannot pursue separate legal actions against those deemed responsible for the wildfires. Hawaiian Electric’s future capital expenditures are projected to be between $350 million and $375 million for 2025, with plans to invest approximately $450 million over the next three years in wildfire safety strategies.
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