PG&E stock price target lowered to $17 by UBS on wildfire fund concerns

Published 18/09/2025, 11:24
PG&E stock price target lowered to $17 by UBS on wildfire fund concerns

Investing.com - UBS has reduced its price target on PG&E Corporation (NYSE:PCG) to $17.00 from $19.00 while maintaining a Neutral rating on the stock.

The investment firm cited concerns about a delay in establishing a permanent wildfire fund solution, which is now pushed to next year, along with affordability issues in California. UBS noted that PG&E remains "a top crowded long in Utilities" according to their "Weekly Crowding Data."

UBS views the recent passage of SB 254 as "a net positive but not necessarily a permanent fix due to the size of the fund." The legislation includes a $6 billion securitization funding for non-earning utility investments in California, with a report to the state legislature on next steps from wildfire fund administrators due April 1, 2026.

The firm has applied a 5% discount to PG&E, similar to discounts assigned to other companies with negative pricing power, including Edison International, Eversource Energy, and Exelon Corporation.

UBS indicated that its view on PG&E could improve with reasonable outcomes in the cost of capital proceeding or progress in 2026 on a permanent solution to wildfire liability reform.

In other recent news, PG&E Corporation reported its financial results for the second quarter of 2025, which fell short of analysts’ expectations. The company announced earnings per share of $0.31, missing the forecasted $0.34, and revenue of $5.9 billion, below the anticipated $6.26 billion. These earnings results highlight the challenges PG&E faces in meeting market expectations. In a related development, California lawmakers reached an initial agreement to boost the state’s wildfire utility fund by approximately $18 billion, which could impact PG&E’s financial landscape. The agreement aims to replenish the fund following recent wildfires, with funding split between ratepayers and utility shareholders.

Morgan Stanley upgraded PG&E’s stock from Underweight to Equalweight, raising its price target to $20.00, citing an improved risk profile. Meanwhile, UBS maintained its Neutral rating and $19.00 price target, noting evolving wildfire legislation in California. UBS also reiterated its Neutral rating following a California Public Utility Commission decision to increase PG&E’s capital cost caps by $1.47 billion. These developments reflect ongoing assessments by analysts of PG&E’s financial and regulatory environment.

This article was generated with the support of AI and reviewed by an editor. For more information see our T&C.

Latest comments

Risk Disclosure: Trading in financial instruments and/or cryptocurrencies involves high risks including the risk of losing some, or all, of your investment amount, and may not be suitable for all investors. Prices of cryptocurrencies are extremely volatile and may be affected by external factors such as financial, regulatory or political events. Trading on margin increases the financial risks.
Before deciding to trade in financial instrument or cryptocurrencies you should be fully informed of the risks and costs associated with trading the financial markets, carefully consider your investment objectives, level of experience, and risk appetite, and seek professional advice where needed.
Fusion Media would like to remind you that the data contained in this website is not necessarily real-time nor accurate. The data and prices on the website are not necessarily provided by any market or exchange, but may be provided by market makers, and so prices may not be accurate and may differ from the actual price at any given market, meaning prices are indicative and not appropriate for trading purposes. Fusion Media and any provider of the data contained in this website will not accept liability for any loss or damage as a result of your trading, or your reliance on the information contained within this website.
It is prohibited to use, store, reproduce, display, modify, transmit or distribute the data contained in this website without the explicit prior written permission of Fusion Media and/or the data provider. All intellectual property rights are reserved by the providers and/or the exchange providing the data contained in this website.
Fusion Media may be compensated by the advertisers that appear on the website, based on your interaction with the advertisements or advertisers
© 2007-2025 - Fusion Media Limited. All Rights Reserved.