Bryce Point Capital LLC Takes Position in Avista Corporation $AVA

Bryce Point Capital LLC bought a new position in Avista Corporation (NYSE:AVA) in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The institutional investor bought 15,964 shares of the utilities provider’s stock, valued at approximately $604,000.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of the company. Salomon & Ludwin LLC purchased a new position in shares of Avista in the third quarter valued at about $26,000. Ameritas Advisory Services LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Avista during the second quarter worth about $34,000. Bessemer Group Inc. raised its stake in Avista by 54.8% during the 2nd quarter. Bessemer Group Inc. now owns 884 shares of the utilities provider’s stock valued at $34,000 after purchasing an additional 313 shares during the period. Headlands Technologies LLC bought a new stake in Avista during the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $37,000. Finally, Allworth Financial LP lifted its holdings in Avista by 51.7% in the 2nd quarter. Allworth Financial LP now owns 1,585 shares of the utilities provider’s stock worth $60,000 after purchasing an additional 540 shares in the last quarter. 85.24% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Avista Price Performance

AVA stock opened at $41.00 on Tuesday. Avista Corporation has a 52 week low of $35.50 and a 52 week high of $43.09. The firm has a market capitalization of $3.34 billion, a P/E ratio of 17.44, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.13 and a beta of 0.28. The company has a fifty day simple moving average of $39.48 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $38.56. The company has a quick ratio of 0.60, a current ratio of 0.91 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.06.

Avista Dividend Announcement

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, December 15th. Shareholders of record on Monday, November 24th were given a dividend of $0.49 per share. The ex-dividend date was Monday, November 24th. This represents a $1.96 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 4.8%. Avista’s dividend payout ratio is 83.40%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

AVA has been the subject of a number of research analyst reports. KeyCorp reaffirmed a “sector weight” rating on shares of Avista in a report on Tuesday, January 27th. Mizuho set a $42.00 target price on shares of Avista in a research report on Thursday, November 6th. Jefferies Financial Group reduced their price target on shares of Avista from $41.00 to $39.00 and set a “hold” rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, January 28th. Wells Fargo & Company decreased their price target on shares of Avista from $38.00 to $37.00 and set an “equal weight” rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, January 20th. Finally, Weiss Ratings reissued a “hold (c+)” rating on shares of Avista in a report on Monday, December 29th. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Hold rating, According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $39.33.

Insider Activity

In other news, SVP Wayne O. Manuel sold 1,785 shares of Avista stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, December 16th. The stock was sold at an average price of $38.74, for a total value of $69,150.90. Following the completion of the transaction, the senior vice president owned 9,883 shares in the company, valued at approximately $382,867.42. The trade was a 15.30% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. 0.94% of the stock is owned by insiders.

About Avista

Avista Corporation operates as an integrated energy company providing electric and natural gas delivery services to residential, commercial and industrial customers in the Pacific Northwest. Through its regulated utility operations, the company maintains and upgrades an extensive transmission and distribution network, delivering reliable energy to approximately 400,000 electric customers and 324,000 natural gas customers across Washington, Oregon and Idaho. In addition to its core utility business, Avista invests in owned generation assets, including hydroelectric, natural gas–fired, coal and wind facilities, to support system reliability and long-term supply planning.

Founded in 1889 as the Spokane and Inland Empire Water Power Company, the business adopted the Avista name in 1999 to reflect its growing energy portfolio and strategic focus on innovation.