Barclays upgraded its investment opinion on Iberdrola (IBE.MC), saying the Spanish company is a "gold standard" utility with a "once in a generation" growth opportunity.
In a Tuesday note, the research firm raised its rating to overweight from equal weight and increased its price target by 34% to 22.60 euros. Analysts said the energy company's capital deployment track record is expected to be "turbocharged" by the energy transition, artificial intelligence data center demand, and energy security priorities.
"The current strategic pivot is towards regulated networks (UK/US), with renewables and low voltage networks providing optionality into the next decade. We estimate Iberdrola's strong balance sheet can finance these growth opportunities," the note said.
Against this backdrop, Barclays projects an EPS growth rate of nearly 11% between full-year 2026 and 2030, surpassing the sector slightly, alongside an anticipated total shareholder return of 15%. These estimates sit at the upper end of management's high single-digit guidance and ahead of Bloomberg consensus expectation of 8% for the 2024 to 2028 period, the research firm added.
Upcoming key catalysts include the implementation of the UK's new transmission regulatory framework, the impact of the New England Clean Energy Connect interconnection operations, and Iberdrola's Castellón Green Hydrogen project with BP (BP.L), among others.