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BMO Capital Markets has adjusted its price target for WEC Energy Group (NYSE: NYSE:WEC), increasing it to $93.00 from the previous $91.00, while maintaining a Market Perform rating on the stock in view of updates related to rate cases for the company's utilities.
WEC Energy Group, which operates several utilities, has been involved in rate cases for Wisconsin Public Service (WPS) Electric & Gas, Wisconsin Electric Power Company (WEPCO) Electric & Gas, and WG. Collectively, the company sought a revenue requirement of approximately $825 million over two years, which was based on a 10.0% Return on Equity (ROE) and a 53.50% equity layer.
In response to the filings, testimonies from intervenors, including the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin (PSC WI) staff, were submitted earlier this week. The PSC WI staff testimony was particularly noteworthy as it supported a total rate increase of around $596 million, which represents roughly 72% of WEC Energy Group's combined rate increase request. The staff's position includes maintaining the proposed unchanged equity layer while suggesting a slightly lower ROE than the company proposed.
The analyst from BMO Capital noted that the staff's supportive stance in the filed testimony is a positive development for WEC Energy Group. Despite the firm's neutral Market Perform rating on the stock, the analyst acknowledged this factor as a basis for the updated price target. The new target reflects a mark-to-market (MTM) and sum-of-the-parts (SOTP) valuation approach, leading to the increased figure of $93.00.
InvestingPro Insights
Following the positive outlook from BMO Capital Markets on WEC Energy Group, it's beneficial to consider additional metrics and insights. According to InvestingPro data, WEC Energy Group has a market capitalization of $29.38 billion and is trading at a P/E ratio of 21.43, which is above the adjusted P/E ratio for the last twelve months as of Q2 2024, at 19.3. This suggests that the stock is valued at a premium relative to its recent earnings performance.
InvestingPro Tips highlight that WEC Energy Group has a commendable record of raising its dividend for 20 consecutive years, signaling a commitment to returning value to shareholders. However, analysts have tempered their earnings expectations, with four analysts revising their earnings downwards for the upcoming period. This contrasts with the stock's recent strong performance, boasting a 16.32% price total return over the last three months. For investors seeking detailed analysis, there are additional InvestingPro Tips available, providing a comprehensive overview of WEC Energy Group's financial health and stock performance.
As rate case proceedings unfold, these insights from InvestingPro may offer investors a deeper understanding of WEC Energy Group's financial position and market sentiment, complementing the analysis provided by BMO Capital Markets.
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