Head to Head Review: Avista vs. Eversource Energy

Comparing the utilities companies on key metrics to determine the superior investment

Jan. 27, 2026 at 10:23pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Avista (NYSE:AVA) and Eversource Energy (NYSE:ES) are both utilities companies, but an analysis of their valuation, earnings, profitability, risk, institutional ownership, analyst recommendations, and dividends shows that Eversource Energy is the more favorable investment.

Why it matters

As investors look to diversify their portfolios with stable utility stocks, understanding the relative strengths and weaknesses of major players in the sector can help inform their investment decisions.

The details

The analysis finds that Eversource Energy has higher revenue and earnings than Avista, and is trading at a higher price-to-earnings ratio, indicating it is currently the more expensive of the two stocks. However, Eversource Energy also has a higher potential upside based on analyst price targets. Additionally, Avista has a lower beta, indicating its share price is less volatile than the overall market, but Eversource Energy has stronger institutional ownership. In terms of dividends, Avista has a higher yield and a longer track record of consecutive dividend increases.

  • The analysis is based on data as of December 31, 2023.

The players

Avista Corporation

An electric and natural gas utility company that operates in parts of Washington, Idaho, Oregon, and Montana, as well as in Alaska.

Eversource Energy

A public utility holding company that engages in energy delivery, including electricity transmission and distribution, natural gas distribution, and water distribution, primarily in Connecticut, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

The takeaway

While both Avista and Eversource Energy are established utilities companies, the analysis suggests that Eversource Energy may be the more favorable investment based on its higher revenue, earnings, and potential upside, as well as its strong institutional ownership, despite Avista's higher dividend yield and longer dividend growth history.