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The Zacks Analyst Blog Highlights Atmos Energy, CenterPoint Energy, Consolidated Water and Northwest Natural Holding
Read MoreHide Full Article
For Immediate Release
Chicago, IL – October 14, 2025 – Zacks.com announces the list of stocks featured in the Analyst Blog. Every day the Zacks Equity Research analysts discuss the latest news and events impacting stocks and the financial markets. Stocks recently featured in the blog include: Atmos Energy Corp. (ATO - Free Report) , CenterPoint Energy, Inc. (CNP - Free Report) , Consolidated Water Co. Ltd. (CWCO - Free Report) and Northwest Natural Holding Co. (NWN - Free Report) .
Here are highlights from Monday’s Analyst Blog:
4 Low-Beta Stocks to Bank On as Consumer Sentiment Sinks
U.S. consumer sentiment was little changed in October compared to last month’s reading, as consumers braced for some positive developments and tried to see past the ongoing government shutdown. However, concerns about the labor market and high inflation continued.
Although the sentiment was slightly better than expected, it remains low as consumers are still uncertain about the economy’s future. Also, markets have been volatile this month due to these uncertainties.
Given this situation, it would be ideal to take refuge in low-beta, defensive stocks, such as those from the utilities sector, to navigate this volatility. These include Atmos Energy Corp., CenterPoint Energy, Inc., Consolidated Water Co. Ltd. and Northwest Natural Holding Co. Each of these stocks carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
These stocks are from the low-beta category (beta greater than 0 but less than 1). Hence, the recommended approach is to invest in low-beta stocks with a high dividend yield and a favorable Zacks Rank.
Consumer Sentiment Still Low
The University of Michigan’s Surveys of Consumers preliminary reading showed that consumer sentiment came in at 55, dropping just 0.1 point from September’s reading of 55.1, and was higher than the consensus estimate of 54.1.
The survey’s near-unchanged reading came as consumers’ one-year expectations of inflation fell in October. The index for consumers’ expectations of inflation over the next 12 months dropped to 4.6% in October, from 4.7% in the prior months. The expectations for long-term inflation, or over the next five years, remained unchanged at 3.7%.
However, the expectation for near-term inflation remains high, with the present inflation also quite elevated. The Federal Reserve cut interest rates by 25 basis points in September and has hinted at two more quarter-basis-point rate cuts this year. However, higher inflation and a shrinking labor market have been lingering concerns.
Also, federal funding has come to an abrupt halt this month due to the ongoing government shutdown, which is about to enter its third week. Although investors have tried to overlook the shutdown, markets have turned volatile over the past week, with all three major indexes ending in negative territory for the week.
4 Low-Beta Utility Stocks with Upside
Atmos Energy Corp.
Atmos Energy Corporation, along with its subsidiaries, is engaged in the regulated natural gas distribution and storage business. ATO serves nearly 3.3 million customers in more than 1,400 communities across eight states from the Blue Ridge Mountains in the East to the Rocky Mountains in the West. Atmos Energy operates more than 73,000 miles of transmission and distribution lines as well as 5,700 miles of interstate pipelines.
Atmos Energy has an expected earnings growth rate of 7.5% for the current year. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for current-year earnings has improved 0.3% over the last 60 days. ATO has a beta of 0.74 and a current dividend yield of 1.97%.
CenterPoint Energy, Inc.
CenterPoint Energy, Inc. is a domestic energy delivery company that provides electric transmission & distribution, natural gas distribution and competitive natural gas sales and services operations. CNP maintains the wires, poles and electric infrastructure serving more than 2.5 million metered customers in the greater Houston area and southwestern Indiana.
CenterPoint Energy has an expected earnings growth rate of 8.6% for the current year. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for current-year earnings has improved 0.6% over the last 60 days. CNP currently has a Zacks Rank #2. CenterPoint Energy has a beta of 0.57 and a current dividend yield of 2.24%.
Consolidated Water Co. Ltd.
Consolidated Water Co. Ltd., along with its subsidiaries, is involved in the development and operation of seawater desalination plants and water distribution systems in areas where naturally occurring supplies of potable water are scarce or nonexistent. CWCO also focuses on expanding operations in areas with a large proportion of tourist properties and a growing population.
Consolidated Water Co. has an expected earnings growth rate of 0.9% for the current year. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for current-year earnings has improved 25.6% over the last 60 days. CWCO presently has a Zacks Rank #2. Consolidated Water has a beta of 0.53 and a current dividend yield of 1.67%.
Northwest Natural Holding Co.
Northwest Natural Holding Company builds and maintains natural gas distribution systems, as well as invests in natural gas pipeline projects through its subsidiaries. NWN serves residential, commercial and industrial customers primarily in the United States, Canada and Service Territory.
Northwest Natural Holding Company has an expected earnings growth rate of 25.3% for the current year. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for current-year earnings has improved 1.4% over the last 60 days. NWN has a beta of 0.57 and a current dividend yield of 4.39%.
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Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Inherent in any investment is the potential for loss. This material is being provided for informational purposes only and nothing herein constitutes investment, legal, accounting or tax advice, or a recommendation to buy, sell or hold a security. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. It should not be assumed that any investments in securities, companies, sectors or markets identified and described were or will be profitable. All information is current as of the date of herein and is subject to change without notice. Any views or opinions expressed may not reflect those of the firm as a whole. Zacks Investment Research does not engage in investment banking, market making or asset management activities of any securities. These returns are from hypothetical portfolios consisting of stocks with Zacks Rank = 1 that were rebalanced monthly with zero transaction costs. These are not the returns of actual portfolios of stocks. The S&P 500 is an unmanaged index. Visit https://www.zacks.com/performance for information about the performance numbers displayed in this press release.
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The Zacks Analyst Blog Highlights Atmos Energy, CenterPoint Energy, Consolidated Water and Northwest Natural Holding
For Immediate Release
Chicago, IL – October 14, 2025 – Zacks.com announces the list of stocks featured in the Analyst Blog. Every day the Zacks Equity Research analysts discuss the latest news and events impacting stocks and the financial markets. Stocks recently featured in the blog include: Atmos Energy Corp. (ATO - Free Report) , CenterPoint Energy, Inc. (CNP - Free Report) , Consolidated Water Co. Ltd. (CWCO - Free Report) and Northwest Natural Holding Co. (NWN - Free Report) .
Here are highlights from Monday’s Analyst Blog:
4 Low-Beta Stocks to Bank On as Consumer Sentiment Sinks
U.S. consumer sentiment was little changed in October compared to last month’s reading, as consumers braced for some positive developments and tried to see past the ongoing government shutdown. However, concerns about the labor market and high inflation continued.
Although the sentiment was slightly better than expected, it remains low as consumers are still uncertain about the economy’s future. Also, markets have been volatile this month due to these uncertainties.
Given this situation, it would be ideal to take refuge in low-beta, defensive stocks, such as those from the utilities sector, to navigate this volatility. These include Atmos Energy Corp., CenterPoint Energy, Inc., Consolidated Water Co. Ltd. and Northwest Natural Holding Co. Each of these stocks carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
These stocks are from the low-beta category (beta greater than 0 but less than 1). Hence, the recommended approach is to invest in low-beta stocks with a high dividend yield and a favorable Zacks Rank.
Consumer Sentiment Still Low
The University of Michigan’s Surveys of Consumers preliminary reading showed that consumer sentiment came in at 55, dropping just 0.1 point from September’s reading of 55.1, and was higher than the consensus estimate of 54.1.
The survey’s near-unchanged reading came as consumers’ one-year expectations of inflation fell in October. The index for consumers’ expectations of inflation over the next 12 months dropped to 4.6% in October, from 4.7% in the prior months. The expectations for long-term inflation, or over the next five years, remained unchanged at 3.7%.
However, the expectation for near-term inflation remains high, with the present inflation also quite elevated. The Federal Reserve cut interest rates by 25 basis points in September and has hinted at two more quarter-basis-point rate cuts this year. However, higher inflation and a shrinking labor market have been lingering concerns.
Also, federal funding has come to an abrupt halt this month due to the ongoing government shutdown, which is about to enter its third week. Although investors have tried to overlook the shutdown, markets have turned volatile over the past week, with all three major indexes ending in negative territory for the week.
4 Low-Beta Utility Stocks with Upside
Atmos Energy Corp.
Atmos Energy Corporation, along with its subsidiaries, is engaged in the regulated natural gas distribution and storage business. ATO serves nearly 3.3 million customers in more than 1,400 communities across eight states from the Blue Ridge Mountains in the East to the Rocky Mountains in the West. Atmos Energy operates more than 73,000 miles of transmission and distribution lines as well as 5,700 miles of interstate pipelines.
Atmos Energy has an expected earnings growth rate of 7.5% for the current year. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for current-year earnings has improved 0.3% over the last 60 days. ATO has a beta of 0.74 and a current dividend yield of 1.97%.
CenterPoint Energy, Inc.
CenterPoint Energy, Inc. is a domestic energy delivery company that provides electric transmission & distribution, natural gas distribution and competitive natural gas sales and services operations. CNP maintains the wires, poles and electric infrastructure serving more than 2.5 million metered customers in the greater Houston area and southwestern Indiana.
CenterPoint Energy has an expected earnings growth rate of 8.6% for the current year. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for current-year earnings has improved 0.6% over the last 60 days. CNP currently has a Zacks Rank #2. CenterPoint Energy has a beta of 0.57 and a current dividend yield of 2.24%.
Consolidated Water Co. Ltd.
Consolidated Water Co. Ltd., along with its subsidiaries, is involved in the development and operation of seawater desalination plants and water distribution systems in areas where naturally occurring supplies of potable water are scarce or nonexistent. CWCO also focuses on expanding operations in areas with a large proportion of tourist properties and a growing population.
Consolidated Water Co. has an expected earnings growth rate of 0.9% for the current year. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for current-year earnings has improved 25.6% over the last 60 days. CWCO presently has a Zacks Rank #2. Consolidated Water has a beta of 0.53 and a current dividend yield of 1.67%.
Northwest Natural Holding Co.
Northwest Natural Holding Company builds and maintains natural gas distribution systems, as well as invests in natural gas pipeline projects through its subsidiaries. NWN serves residential, commercial and industrial customers primarily in the United States, Canada and Service Territory.
Northwest Natural Holding Company has an expected earnings growth rate of 25.3% for the current year. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for current-year earnings has improved 1.4% over the last 60 days. NWN has a beta of 0.57 and a current dividend yield of 4.39%.
Why Haven't You Looked at Zacks' Top Stocks?
Since 2000, our top stock-picking strategies have blown away the S&P's +7.7% average gain per year. Amazingly, they soared with average gains of +48.4%, +50.2% and +56.7% per year.
Today you can access their live picks without cost or obligation.
See Stocks Free >>
Zacks Investment Research
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Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Inherent in any investment is the potential for loss. This material is being provided for informational purposes only and nothing herein constitutes investment, legal, accounting or tax advice, or a recommendation to buy, sell or hold a security. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. It should not be assumed that any investments in securities, companies, sectors or markets identified and described were or will be profitable. All information is current as of the date of herein and is subject to change without notice. Any views or opinions expressed may not reflect those of the firm as a whole. Zacks Investment Research does not engage in investment banking, market making or asset management activities of any securities. These returns are from hypothetical portfolios consisting of stocks with Zacks Rank = 1 that were rebalanced monthly with zero transaction costs. These are not the returns of actual portfolios of stocks. The S&P 500 is an unmanaged index. Visit https://www.zacks.com/performance for information about the performance numbers displayed in this press release.