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Investing.com -- Utility stocks offer a unique combination of stability and income potential in today’s market environment. According to recent rankings from WarrenAI, three utility companies stand out for their distinct investment characteristics, ranging from value opportunities to high-growth potential.

The utility sector, traditionally viewed as a defensive play, now presents diverse opportunities for different investor preferences. WarrenAI’s analysis highlights companies with varying strengths in areas including dividend yield, growth prospects, and valuation metrics.

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UGI Corporation (NYSE:UGI)

UGI tops the rankings as a rare combination of value and income, offering investors a substantial 3.9% dividend yield alongside 57.1% upside potential to fair value. The company boasts a strong Piotroski Score of 7, indicating solid financial health, along with an attractive earnings yield.

Trading at a forward P/E of just 11.9x, UGI appears significantly undervalued compared to sector peers. The only minor concern is its slightly below-average current ratio of 0.9x, which investors should monitor.

In its fourth-quarter 2025 results, UGI Corporation reported an earnings per share that surpassed analyst forecasts, although revenue came in below expectations. Following the earnings release, Mizuho raised its price target on the company, citing momentum in UGI’s AmeriGas business.

ReNew Energy Global Plc (NASDAQ:RNW)

For growth-oriented investors, ReNew Energy Global presents a compelling case with 32.8% upside potential. The company stands out with exceptional growth metrics, including 96.0% forecast EPS growth and 46.8% revenue growth – the highest figures among the ranked utilities.

However, investors seeking current income should note that RNW does not currently pay a dividend, making it purely a growth play within the utility space.

A recent development saw a planned take-private transaction for ReNew Energy Global effectively end after Masdar withdrew from the buyout consortium, leading to price target reductions from both Bernstein and Mizuho.

Separately, the company announced it signed a long-term agreement with Google to develop a 150-megawatt solar project in India.

PG&E Corporation (NYSE:PCG)

PG&E rounds out the top three as an analyst favorite with a Strong Buy consensus rating (1.65) and 13.2% upside potential. The company offers a modest 1.3% dividend yield, providing some income component.

However, PG&E comes with higher risk factors, including a lower Piotroski Score of 4 and negative free cash flow yield. These metrics suggest PG&E represents more of a turnaround opportunity than a traditional defensive utility investment.

PG&E Corporation announced several executive leadership changes effective January 1, 2026, including the appointment of Sumeet Singh as the new CEO of its utility subsidiary, Pacific Gas and Electric Company. Additionally, TD Cowen reiterated its Buy rating on the company.

These rankings highlight the diversity within the utility sector, offering options for value investors, growth seekers, and those willing to take on turnaround stories with strong analyst backing.

This article was generated with the support of AI and reviewed by an editor. For more information see our T&C.

Investing.com -- Irish banks are positioned to benefit from a decade-long expansion in household wealth, even as consumers continue to hold a large share of assets in deposits rather than financial products, according to RBC Capital Markets.

The brokerage ranks AIB Group, Bank of Ireland Group and Permanent TSB as its preferred listed Irish banks, citing differences in scale, wealth management penetration and valuation.

AIB Group is ranked as the top preference among Irish banks. The lender holds about 40% of the domestic deposit market and reported €17 billion of assets under management through Goodbody and AIB Life.

Wealth-related activities account for about 2% of group revenues. RBC Capital Markets notes that AIB’s Goodbody unit returned to profitability in FY24 after several years of losses. The brokerage maintains a “sector perform” rating on the stock and sets a price target of €8.5, compared with a market price of €8.92 at the time of publication.

Bank of Ireland Group has the most developed wealth platform among Irish banks, with €58 billion of assets under management split between Davy at 54% and New Ireland at 46%. Wealth and insurance contribute about 9% of group revenues.

The bank’s assets under management grew at a 26% compound annual growth rate over the past five years, and revenues over AUM were about 69 basis points in H1 2025.

Despite this, RBC Capital Markets downgraded the stock to “sector perform” based on valuation, with a price target of €15.5 versus a market price of €16.07.

Permanent TSB is listed third in RBC Capital Markets’ stated order of preference for Irish banks. The brokerage rates the stock “underperform” and assigns a price target of €1.9.

The analysts include Permanent TSB as part of the core Irish banking universe but provides less detailed disclosure on its wealth management exposure than for AIB Group and Bank of Ireland Group.

This article was generated with the support of AI and reviewed by an editor. For more information see our T&C.

Investing.com -- British stocks edged higher on Tuesday morning, while the pound strengthened past the $1.35 level against the dollar, as broader European markets traded mixed.

As of 0848 GMT, the blue-chip index FTSE 100 rose 0.06% and the British GBP/USD rose 0.3% against the dollar. 

DAX index in Germany rose about 1%, the CAC 40 in France fell 0.2%. 

UK round up

Christie Group stock surges after stronger than expected trading

Christie Group plc (LON:CTG) stock jumped 8% after the professional business services firm announced it expects to report stronger full-year performance than previously anticipated, driven by robust trading activity in the final quarter of 2025.

The company cited particularly strong invoicing expected in Q4, with its Christie & Co brand advising on over 1,000 UK business sales or purchases at "markedly improved levels of average fee" compared to 2024. The firm’s international brokerage operations are also on track to deliver strong YoY revenue growth.

Pets at Home names new CEO

Pets at Home Group PLC (LON:PETSP) has appointed James Bailey, the former managing director of Waitrose, as its new chief executive officer.

Bailey will take on the role effective March 30, 2026, the UK pet care retailer announced.

The appointment sent Pets at Home shares up nearly 2% during Tuesday trading. Bailey will succeed the current leadership structure at the company, which has been operating with Ian Burke serving as executive chair since September 18.

Ryanair fined €255 million by Italian regulator for market abuse

Italy’s Competition Authority has imposed a fine of over €255 million on Ryanair DAC and its parent company Ryanair Holdings PLC (NASDAQ:RYAAY) for abusing its dominant market position in the travel market.

The penalty comes after an investigation determined that the airline implemented an abusive strategy against both online and traditional travel agencies. The anti-competitive practices occurred over a two-year period, starting in April 2023 and continuing through at least April 2025.

The Italian regulator found that Ryanair’s actions specifically aimed to hinder travel agencies’ operations in the market, leveraging the airline’s dominant position to create obstacles for these businesses.