Barclays analyst Michael Lonegan has maintained an Equal-Weight rating on Avista while lowering the price target to $39 from $42. The revised target indicates a recalibrated valuation outlook for the NYSE-listed utility company.

The rating action follows a review of Avista's financial position and market performance. The Equal-Weight designation suggests the stock is expected to perform in line with the broader sector averages.

Avista trades on the NYSE under the ticker symbol AVA. The price target reduction signals a more conservative stance on the stock's near-term upside potential.

Avista announced on June 12, 2026, that it is pausing the processing of energy service requests from a new large data center developer to allow time for broader policy and community alignment. The utility is taking additional time to evaluate the processing of these requests as it seeks to partner with governmental agencies on creating a coordinated planning process. The decision specifically impacts negotiations concerning a potential 500 MW data center and follows recent community interest and concern related to a previously announced Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).

Heather Rosentrater, Avista President and CEO, stated that the company has heard questions and concerns from customers, community members, and local leaders. She noted that this input has demonstrated a need for a broader coordinated planning effort, which Avista will actively participate in to ensure the process is transparent and in the long-term interest of the region.

As a regulated utility, Avista is required to review requests for service, including large proposals, though the developer must also secure all necessary permits. The company highlighted that no single entity decides if a project will proceed, as multiple reviews and approvals are required. Avista noted that while it has served large load energy customers for over 137 years, the scale of current data center requests and the level of public interest are unprecedented.

Avista outlined its approach to providing energy service to potential large data center developments through four guiding principles. These principles emphasize that existing customers will not pay for the costs of serving a new large customer and that safeguards will prevent expense shifting. Additionally, the company stated that system reliability is non-negotiable, requiring engineering studies and system upgrades before service begins. Any final service agreement must be reviewed and approved by state regulators, and large projects must deliver net benefits for customers.

The company remains committed to collaborating with local leaders, regulators, and community members to inform how large data center requests are considered moving forward. Avista Corp. is an energy company involved in the production, transmission, and distribution of energy. Avista Utilities, its operating division, provides electric service to 429,000 customers and natural gas to 386,000 customers across a 34,000 square mile territory.