Stock of the Day

March 16, 2020

FirstEnergy (FE)

$45.48
+$0.07 (+0.2%)
Market Cap: $26.28B

About FirstEnergy

FirstEnergy Corp., through its subsidiaries, generates, transmits, and distributes electricity in the United States. It operates through Regulated Distribution and Regulated Transmission segments. The company owns and operates coal-fired, nuclear, hydroelectric, wind, and solar power generating facilities. It operates 24,080 circuit miles of overhead and underground transmission lines; and electric distribution systems, including 274,518 miles of overhead pole line and underground conduit carrying primary, secondary, and street lighting circuits. The company serves approximately 6 million customers in Ohio, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Maryland, New Jersey, and New York. FirstEnergy Corp. was incorporated in 1996 and is headquartered in Akron, Ohio.

FirstEnergy Bull Case

Here are some ways that investors could benefit from investing in FirstEnergy Corp.:

  • FirstEnergy Corp. offers a compelling income opportunity with a current dividend yield of 4.13%, supported by a recent declaration of a $0.465 quarterly dividend payable in December 2026, which provides a steady cash flow for income-focused investors.
  • The stock is currently trading at $45.36, which is significantly below the consensus price target of $52.58, suggesting substantial upside potential as analysts maintain a "Moderate Buy" consensus rating based on recent research reports.
  • FirstEnergy Corp. has demonstrated strong earnings performance, with the most recent quarterly results showing actual earnings per share of $0.50 and revenue of $3.68 billion, both of which met or exceeded analyst expectations, indicating solid operational execution.
  • Institutional investors are increasing their confidence in the company, as evidenced by CoreCap Advisors LLC raising its stake by 26.9% in the third quarter and other funds like Envestnet Asset Management Inc. growing their positions, signaling strong professional backing.
  • The company is well-positioned to benefit from rising electricity demand and data-center growth, with its $36 billion Energize365 plan and expanding rate base supporting sustainable long-term growth in the regulated utility sector.

FirstEnergy Bear Case

Investors should be bearish about investing in FirstEnergy Corp. for these reasons:

  • Recent analyst actions have been negative, with Barclays lowering its price target from $54.00 to $49.00 and Morgan Stanley cutting its target from $52.00 to $49.00, reflecting a cautious outlook on the stock's near-term valuation.
  • The stock has experienced significant volatility and recently hit a 52-week low of $42.67 in September 2026, indicating potential downward pressure and uncertainty in the market's perception of the company's value.
  • FirstEnergy Corp. carries a high debt-to-equity ratio of 1.88, which may limit its financial flexibility and increase risk exposure in a rising interest rate environment, potentially impacting its ability to fund capital expenditures.
  • Short interest has been increasing, with shares shorted rising to 31.9 million in the most recent reporting period, suggesting that a significant portion of the market is betting against the stock's future performance.
  • Insider selling activity has been notable, with key executives such as the CFO and CAO selling significant blocks of shares in early 2026, which may signal a lack of confidence in the stock's near-term upside from those closest to the company.

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