PNW
UtilitiesPinnacle West Capital Corporation · Regulated Electric · $12B
What is Pinnacle West Capital Corporation?
Pinnacle West Capital Corporation is an Arizona-based electric utility holding company operating primarily through its subsidiary, Arizona Public Service Company. It serves roughly 1.3 million customers across the state, making it one of Arizona's largest electric providers.
Pinnacle West generates, transmits, and distributes electricity to residential, commercial, and wholesale customers throughout Arizona. Revenue flows primarily from regulated electric rates set by state and federal regulators, providing a degree of earnings predictability. The company operates a diverse generation fleet spanning coal, nuclear, natural gas, oil, and solar resources, supported by an extensive network of transmission lines and distribution substations.
Arizona Public Service traces its roots to 1961, and Pinnacle West Capital was incorporated in 1985, with headquarters in Phoenix, Arizona.
- Regulated retail electric service to Arizona households and businesses
- Wholesale electricity transmission and distribution
- Nuclear and solar power generation capacity
- Transmission infrastructure across thousands of pole miles
- Distribution network serving substations statewide
Is PNW a Good Stock to Buy?
UQS Score rates PNW as Below Average overall, reflecting meaningful headwinds across several key dimensions of stock quality.
Within its profile, the Moat and Valuation pillars land at Neutral — suggesting the regulated utility franchise provides some competitive insulation, and the current price is not dramatically out of line with fundamentals relative to peers.
The Quality, Growth, and Risk pillars all register as Weak, pointing to below-average financial returns, limited earnings expansion, and elevated balance-sheet or operational risk factors for a utility of this size.
See the exact pillar breakdown and full financial metrics by signing up for a UQS Pro account. Sign up free →
Past performance does not guarantee future results. UQS Score is based on fundamental data and is not a buy/sell recommendation.
Does PNW pay dividends?
Yes — Pinnacle West Capital Corporation pays a dividend.
Pinnacle West pays a regular dividend, consistent with the capital-return tradition of regulated utilities. The company's relatively stable, rate-regulated cash flows support ongoing distributions to shareholders. Income-oriented investors often look to utilities like PNW for dividend continuity, though the Weak Risk pillar warrants attention when assessing dividend sustainability.
When does PNW report earnings?
Pinnacle West Capital reports earnings on a quarterly cadence, typical for US-listed equities.
As a regulated utility, PNW's quarterly results tend to reflect seasonal electricity demand patterns — Arizona summers drive peak consumption — alongside regulatory rate decisions and fuel cost movements. The Weak Quality and Growth pillar ratings suggest recent results have not demonstrated strong financial momentum relative to sector peers.
For the most recent quarter's results and guidance updates, visit Pinnacle West Capital's investor relations page directly.
PNW Price History
+47.4% over 5Y
Monthly close, adjusted for stock splits and dividend reinvestment.
What if I invested in Pinnacle West Capital Corporation?
Based on Pinnacle West Capital Corporation's historical closing prices, adjusted for stock splits and dividend reinvestment. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is for informational purposes only and is not financial advice.
PNW Long-term Outlook
The combination of Weak Growth and Weak Risk pillars paints a cautious fundamental picture for PNW going forward. While Arizona's population growth provides a long-run demand tailwind for electricity consumption, translating that into earnings expansion has proven difficult given regulatory lag and capital intensity. The Neutral Valuation pillar suggests the market has already priced in a measured outlook rather than a premium growth scenario.
Growth drivers
- Arizona population and commercial growth expanding the customer base
- Renewable energy investment supporting rate-base expansion
- Regulated capital programs providing predictable revenue recovery
Key risks
- Regulatory rate decisions limiting cost recovery and earnings growth
- High capital expenditure requirements pressuring the balance sheet
- Fuel cost volatility and transition risks across a mixed generation fleet
PNW vs Peers
Pinnacle West operates in a competitive landscape that includes both traditional regulated utilities and newer energy-sector entrants.
Oklo is an early-stage advanced nuclear power company pursuing small modular reactors, representing a technology-forward contrast to PNW's established regulated utility model.
Emera is a Canadian-based diversified utility with operations across North America and the Caribbean, offering broader geographic exposure than PNW's Arizona-focused franchise.
Sempra is a larger North American energy infrastructure company with regulated utilities and LNG operations, giving it a more diversified revenue base than Pinnacle West.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Pinnacle West Capital do?
Pinnacle West Capital, through its subsidiary Arizona Public Service, generates, transmits, and distributes electricity to approximately 1.3 million customers in Arizona. The company operates a regulated utility business using a mix of coal, nuclear, natural gas, oil, and solar generation assets.
Does PNW pay dividends?
Yes, Pinnacle West Capital pays a regular dividend. As a regulated utility, the company's relatively predictable cash flows from rate-regulated operations have historically supported consistent dividend payments. Investors should review the Weak Risk pillar rating when evaluating long-term dividend reliability.
When does PNW report earnings?
Pinnacle West reports earnings quarterly, in line with standard US-listed company practice. Results often reflect Arizona's seasonal electricity demand, with summer quarters typically showing higher consumption. Check Pinnacle West Capital's investor relations page for the current reporting schedule.
Is PNW a good stock to buy?
UQS Score rates PNW as Below Average, driven by Weak ratings across Quality, Growth, and Risk pillars. The Moat and Valuation pillars are Neutral, offering some offset. Whether PNW fits a portfolio depends on individual goals — the complete analysis is available to UQS Pro members.
Is PNW overvalued?
The UQS Valuation pillar for PNW is rated Neutral, suggesting the stock is not dramatically mispriced relative to its fundamentals compared to sector peers. However, the Weak Quality and Growth ratings mean investors should weigh what they are paying for carefully. Full valuation metrics are available in the Pro view.
How does PNW compare to its competitors?
Compared to peers like Sempra and Emera, Pinnacle West is a more geographically concentrated, Arizona-focused regulated utility. Against Oklo, PNW represents the established regulated model versus an early-stage nuclear technology play. UQS Score provides side-by-side pillar comparisons for Pro members.
What is PNW's market cap bracket?
Pinnacle West Capital is classified as a large-cap stock, reflecting its scale as one of Arizona's primary electric utilities serving over a million customers across an extensive transmission and distribution network.
Who founded Pinnacle West Capital?
Pinnacle West Capital Corporation was incorporated in 1985 as a holding company for Arizona Public Service, which itself has roots going back to 1961. Founding details are widely available through the company's official history and public filings.
Is PNW a long-term quality stock?
As a long-term quality indicator, PNW's Below Average UQS Score — with Weak Quality, Growth, and Risk pillars — suggests the stock faces structural challenges that long-term investors should weigh carefully. The regulated utility model provides some stability, but the pillar profile points to below-average quality characteristics.
What is the main competitive advantage of Pinnacle West Capital?
Pinnacle West's primary competitive advantage is its regulated monopoly franchise in Arizona, which limits direct competition for electricity distribution. This regulatory moat underpins the Neutral Moat rating in UQS Score, though it does not fully offset the Weak ratings in other pillars.
What sector does PNW belong to?
Pinnacle West Capital belongs to the Utilities sector, specifically the regulated electric utility industry. Utilities are generally characterized by stable demand, capital-intensive infrastructure, and earnings regulated by state and federal authorities — all of which shape PNW's UQS pillar profile.
Is PNW a growth stock or value stock?
Based on UQS pillar labels, PNW leans toward neither category in a compelling way. The Growth pillar is rated Weak, indicating limited earnings expansion, while the Valuation pillar is Neutral — not deeply discounted enough to qualify as a clear value opportunity. It fits most naturally as an income-oriented utility holding.
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Pro Analysis
PNW — Score History
| Date | UQS | Quality | Moat | Growth | Risk | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 21, 2026 | 39.5 | 43.6 | 48.0 | 38.8 | 4.0 | 55.3 | -1.2 |
| May 10, 2026 | 40.7 | 27.9 | 48.0 | 38.8 | 39.6 | 53.2 | 0.0 |
| May 8, 2026 | 40.7 | 27.9 | 48.0 | 38.8 | 39.6 | 53.1 | +2.5 |
| May 7, 2026 | 38.2 | 39.7 | 48.0 | 38.8 | 2.2 | 54.5 | +0.2 |
| May 4, 2026 | 38.0 | 39.7 | 48.0 | 38.8 | 2.2 | 53.0 | -0.1 |
| May 3, 2026 | 38.1 | 39.7 | 48.0 | 39.1 | 2.2 | 53.6 | -0.1 |
| Apr 26, 2026 | 38.2 | 39.7 | 48.0 | 39.1 | 2.2 | 54.1 | +0.1 |
| Apr 24, 2026 | 38.1 | 39.7 | 48.0 | 39.1 | 2.2 | 53.3 | 0.0 |
| Apr 19, 2026 | 38.1 | 39.7 | 48.0 | 39.5 | 2.2 | 53.2 | -0.5 |
| Apr 18, 2026 | 38.6 | 39.7 | 48.0 | 40.2 | 2.2 | 55.7 | +0.2 |
PNW — Pillar Breakdown
Quality
— 43.6/100 (25%)Pinnacle West Capital Corporation has average quality metrics, with room for improvement in margins or capital efficiency.
How effectively capital is deployed to generate returns.
Profitability relative to shareholders' equity.
Ability to convert revenue into operating profit.
Bottom-line profit as a share of revenue.
Asset productivity — how much gross profit each dollar of assets generates.
Free cash flow relative to market value.
Growth
— 38.8/100 (20%)Pinnacle West Capital Corporation shows steady but unspectacular growth, typical for mature companies.
Revenue trajectory over the last twelve months.
Compound annual revenue growth rate over 3 years.
Year-over-year earnings per share growth.
Analyst consensus for future revenue growth.
Analyst consensus for future earnings growth.
Risk
— 4.0/100 (15%)Pinnacle West Capital Corporation presents elevated risk with concerns around leverage or financial stability.
Debt levels relative to earnings capacity.
Total debt relative to shareholder equity.
Short-term liquidity — ability to pay near-term obligations.
Earnings capacity relative to interest payments.
Valuation
— 54.7/100 (15%)Pinnacle West Capital Corporation has a mixed valuation — some metrics suggest fair value while others appear stretched.
Inverse of forward P/E — higher yield means cheaper stock.
P/E relative to earnings growth — lower is more attractive.
Enterprise value multiple relative to sector median.
Moat
— 48/100 (25%)Pinnacle West Capital Corporation possesses some competitive advantages but faces meaningful competition. The Moat pillar evaluates competitive advantages across five dimensions: Switching Costs, Network Effects, Cost Advantage, Intangible Assets, and Scale & Ecosystem. Sign in to customize moat ratings for PNW.
Score Composition
Financial Data
More Stock Analysis
How is the PNW UQS Score Calculated?
The UQS (Unified Quality Score) for Pinnacle West Capital Corporation is calculated using a proprietary 6-pillar framework with 29 financial metrics. Each pillar evaluates a different dimension on a 0–100 scale, then combines into a single weighted score. Scoring thresholds are calibrated per sector. Momentum is an optional Pro toggle — without it, you get the 5-pillar / 25-metric core shown below.
Quality (25%) measures profitability and capital efficiency — ROIC, ROE, margins, GP/Assets, and FCF Yield.
Moat (25%) assesses Pinnacle West Capital Corporation's competitive advantages across switching costs, network effects, cost advantages, intangible assets, and ecosystem scale.
Growth (20%) tracks revenue trajectory and earnings momentum, combining historical results with analyst forward estimates.
Risk (15%) is inversely scored — lower leverage and strong balance sheet health result in higher scores.
Valuation (15%) measures whether Pinnacle West Capital Corporation is fairly priced using earnings yield, price-to-FCF, PEG ratio, and EV/EBITDA relative to sector peers.
Six investor-inspired presets are available, each with different pillar weights: Balanced, Buffett, Munger, Lynch, Cathie Wood, and Graham. The public score shown here uses the Balanced preset. Learn more in our FAQ.