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Upturn AI Summary - About
NorthWestern Corporation(NWE)
Advisory History & Simulated Performance *
*as per simulation (see disclosures)- ALL
- 1Y
- 1M
- 1W
- BUY Advisory
- SELL Advisory (Profit)
- SELL Advisory (Loss)
- Profit
- Loss
- PASS (Skip)
Stock price based on last close Advisory Performance History (Simulated)
Upturn Advisory & Investor View for NWE
11/03/2026: NWE (2-star) has a low Upturn Star Rating. Not recommended to BUY.
NorthWestern Corporation is a regulated utility company that provides electricity and natural gas to customers primarily in Montana, South Dakota, and Nebraska. As a steady provider of essential services, the company operates under a regulated model that offers investors predictable cash flows and a consistent dividend, making it a strong fit for income-focused portfolios. Its primary growth story revolves around long-term investments in grid modernization and renewable energy integration. However, the company faces risks related to regulatory rate-setting, capital intensity, and geographic concentration. Investors should monitor future rate case outcomes and interest rate trends as key developments that could impact the company's financial performance.
How to Read the Upturn Advisory
The Upturn Star Rating and the current BUY, SELL, or PASS advisory are generated by Upturn’s AI advisory engine based on proprietary signal analysis, price behavior, advisory history, and historical signal performance.
Company fundamentals, valuation, risks, and news provide supporting context about the business.
Investor Fit
| Investor style | Fit | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth investor | Weak fit | NorthWestern is a slow-growth utility focused on stability rather than aggressive capital appreciation. |
| Momentum investor | Weak fit | Utility stocks generally lack the rapid price appreciation sought by momentum investors. |
| Value investor | Mixed fit | The stock is valued primarily on its regulated utility assets and yield potential rather than deep-value discounts. |
| Dividend investor | Strong fit | Consistent dividend payments make this a suitable choice for income-focused portfolios. |
| Low-risk investor | Strong fit | Regulated utilities offer lower beta and lower volatility compared to the broader market. |
Risk Profile
| Risk factor | Level | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Price volatility | Low | As a regulated utility, the stock is generally less susceptible to market-wide volatility. |
| Valuation risk | Medium | Utility stocks can be sensitive to interest rate changes which impact valuation multiples. |
| Competition risk (Utility sector) | Low | The company operates in protected, regulated service territories with little direct competition. |
| Business quality | Strong | The regulated nature of the business provides long-term operational and revenue durability. |
| Dividend income | Strong | The company has a reliable track record of dividend payments. |
| Execution risk | Medium | Large infrastructure and modernization projects carry risks of cost overruns and regulatory delays. |
Price Behavior
Steady Uptrend
The stock demonstrates consistent and steady upward price momentum.
Smooth
The stock has moved along a generally orderly path with only modest fluctuations.
Analysis of Past Performance
Type Stock | Historic Profit 16.91% | Avg. Invested days 54 | Today’s Advisory Consider higher Upturn Star rating |
Upturn Advisory Rating  | Upturn Advisory Performance  4.0 | Stock Returns Performance  2.0 |
| Profits based on simulation | Last Close 11/03/2026 |
Upturn Scorecard
Upturn Star Rating 
Company Fundamentals
Financial Health Rating
Growth Momentum Score
Ownership
Top 5 Institutional Investors
Unit Economics (Per $1K Revenue)
Economic Dimensions
Quantitative Style Profile
Style Classification
Quality Focused
Key Highlights
Company Size Mid-Cap Stock | Market Capitalization 4.94B USD | Price to earnings Ratio 28.78 | 1Y Target Price 79.21 |
Price to earnings Ratio 28.78 | 1Y Target Price 79.21 | ||
Volume (30-day avg) 606.5K shares | Beta 0.31 | 52 Weeks Range 58.35 - 80.73 | Updated Date 11/03/2026 |
52 Weeks Range 58.35 - 80.73 | Updated Date 11/03/2026 | ||
Dividends yield (FY) 3.33% | Basic EPS (TTM) 2.79 |
How Company Makes Money
| Business area | What it includes | Retail investor read |
|---|---|---|
| Electric Operations | Generation and delivery of electricity in Montana and South Dakota. | Revenue is earned through regulated rates charged to residential and commercial electric customers. |
| Natural Gas Operations | Gas distribution across the service region. | Revenue is generated from reliable natural gas delivery to households and businesses. |
Analyzing Revenue: Products, Geography and Growth
Revenue by Products
Product revenue - Year on Year
Earnings Date
Report Date 2026-11-04 | When After Market | Estimate 0.73 | Actual - |
Profitability
Profit Margin 10.13% | Operating Margin (TTM) 17.34% |
Management Effectiveness
Return on Assets (TTM) 2.48% | Return on Equity (TTM) 5.94% |
Valuation
Trailing PE 28.78 | Forward PE 20.16 | Enterprise Value 8.50B | Price to Sales(TTM) 2.92 |
Enterprise Value 8.50B | Price to Sales(TTM) 2.92 | ||
Enterprise Value to Revenue 5.03 | Enterprise Value to EBITDA 14.34 | Shares Outstanding 61.52M | Shares Floating 61.12M |
Shares Outstanding 61.52M | Shares Floating 61.12M | ||
Percent Insiders 0.67 | Percent Institutions 97.53 |
Financial Metrics
🧭 Investment Snapshot
Total Revenue (Scale)
Total money earned from selling products or services before any costs. It is needed to understand the scale of the business and its ability to generate income.
Net Income (Profit)
Final profit after all expenses, interest, and taxes are deducted. It is needed to determine the overall profitability available to shareholders.
Free Cash Flow (Cash Strength)
Cash remaining after operating activities and capital expenditures, showing cash available for growth. It is needed to evaluate the company’s ability to invest, pay dividends, or reduce debt.
📈 Growth & Strength
Operating Income (Core Profit)
Profit from core operations after deducting all operating expenses. It is needed to measure how efficiently the company runs its primary business activities.
EBITDA (Cash Earnings)
Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization, indicating operating cash potential. It is needed to compare operating performance across companies without accounting or financing differences.
Gross Profit (Unit Profitability)
Revenue minus cost of revenue, showing profit after direct production costs. It is needed to evaluate core business profitability before overhead expenses.
🛡️ Financial Safety
Cash (Liquidity Buffer)
Total cash and cash equivalents on hand. It is needed to evaluate immediate liquidity and financial flexibility.
Total Debt (Leverage Risk)
Total debt including both short-term and long-term components. It is needed to assess the company’s leverage and financial risk.
Net Working Capital (Short-Term Health)
Current assets minus current liabilities, indicating short-term liquidity strength. It is needed to assess whether the company can meet its short-term obligations.
🧱 Balance Sheet Strength
Stockholder Equity (Net Worth)
Total equity value held by shareholders. It is needed to understand the net worth of the company from the owners’ perspective.
Total Assets (Asset Base)
The full value of everything the company owns, including cash, inventory, equipment, and investments. It is needed to understand the resource base used to generate revenue.
Income Before Tax (Pre-Tax Earnings)
Income before provision for income taxes. It is needed to analyze profitability independent of tax structures.
⚙️ Cost & Drag Factors
Cost of Revenue (Production Cost)
Direct costs required to produce and deliver the products or services sold. It is needed to assess efficiency in production and service delivery.
Total Operating Expenses (Operating Cost)
Indirect costs of running the business such as salaries, marketing, and administration. It is needed to understand how much it costs to sustain ongoing business operations.
Income Tax Expense (Tax Drag)
Amount of taxes paid or payable to the government. It is needed to evaluate the impact of taxation on overall profitability.
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