WallStSmart

Northwest Natural Gas Co (NWN)vsTalen Energy Corporation (TLN)

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Smart Verdict

WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison

Talen Energy Corporation generates 104% more annual revenue ($2.63B vs $1.29B). NWN leads profitability with a 8.8% profit margin vs -8.3%. NWN earns a higher WallStSmart Score of 64/100 (C+).

NWN

Buy

64

out of 100

Grade: C+

Growth: 6.7Profit: 6.0Value: 6.0Quality: 3.5
Piotroski: 4/9Altman Z: 0.72

TLN

Hold

42

out of 100

Grade: D

Growth: 8.0Profit: 2.0Value: 5.0Quality: 5.3
Piotroski: 4/9Altman Z: 0.70
IV

Intrinsic Value Comparison

Multi-model valuation · Graham Formula

NWNUndervalued (+32.4%)

Margin of Safety

+32.4%

Fair Value

$72.25

Current Price

$53.12

$19.13 discount

UndervaluedFair: $72.25Overvalued

Intrinsic value data unavailable for TLN.

Key Strengths & Concerns

Side-by-side fundamental analysis

Key Strengths

NWN3 strengths · Avg: 8.7/10
Price/BookValuation
1.5x10/10

Reasonable price relative to book value

Operating MarginProfitability
25.4%8/10

Strong operational efficiency at 25.4%

EPS GrowthGrowth
24.1%8/10

Earnings expanding 24.1% YoY

TLN2 strengths · Avg: 9.0/10
Revenue GrowthGrowth
58.0%10/10

Revenue surging 58.0% year-over-year

EPS GrowthGrowth
34.5%8/10

Earnings expanding 34.5% YoY

Areas to Watch

NWN4 concerns · Avg: 2.5/10
Return on EquityProfitability
7.9%3/10

ROE of 7.9% — below average capital efficiency

Debt/EquityHealth
1.763/10

Elevated debt levels

PEG RatioValuation
2.812/10

Expensive relative to growth rate

Free Cash FlowQuality
$-130.97M2/10

Negative free cash flow — burning cash

TLN4 concerns · Avg: 2.3/10
Price/BookValuation
14.7x4/10

Trading at 14.7x book value

Return on EquityProfitability
-17.7%2/10

ROE of -17.7% — below average capital efficiency

Altman Z-ScoreHealth
0.702/10

Distress zone — elevated risk

Profit MarginProfitability
-8.3%1/10

Currently unprofitable

Comparative Analysis Report

WallStSmart Research

Bull Case : NWN

The strongest argument for NWN centers on Price/Book, Operating Margin, EPS Growth.

Bull Case : TLN

The strongest argument for TLN centers on Revenue Growth, EPS Growth. Revenue growth of 58.0% demonstrates continued momentum.

Bear Case : NWN

The primary concerns for NWN are Return on Equity, Debt/Equity, PEG Ratio. Debt-to-equity of 1.76 is elevated, increasing financial risk.

Bear Case : TLN

The primary concerns for TLN are Price/Book, Return on Equity, Altman Z-Score.

Key Dynamics to Monitor

NWN profiles as a value stock while TLN is a hypergrowth play — different risk/reward profiles.

TLN carries more volatility with a beta of 1.78 — expect wider price swings.

TLN is growing revenue faster at 58.0% — sustainability is the question.

TLN generates stronger free cash flow (180M), providing more financial flexibility.

Bottom Line

NWN scores higher overall (64/100 vs 42/100). Both earn "Buy" and "Hold" ratings respectively — the choice depends on your investment horizon and risk tolerance.

This analysis is generated from publicly available financial data. Not financial advice.

Northwest Natural Gas Co

UTILITIES · UTILITIES - REGULATED GAS · USA

Northwest Natural Holding Company, through its subsidiary, Northwest Natural Gas Company, provides regulated natural gas distribution services to residential, commercial, industrial and transportation customers in Oregon and Southwest Washington. The company is headquartered in Portland, Oregon.

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Talen Energy Corporation

UTILITIES · UTILITIES - INDEPENDENT POWER PRODUCERS · USA

Talen Energy Corporation (Ticker: TLN) is a leading power generation and infrastructure company based in the United States, specializing in the development and operation of reliable and sustainable energy solutions. With a diverse portfolio that includes both traditional and renewable energy sources, Talen Energy is committed to supporting the evolving energy landscape while prioritizing environmental stewardship. The company is strategically positioned to meet growing electricity demand, leverage technological advancements, and enhance grid resilience, making it an attractive investment opportunity for institutional investors focused on the energy sector's transformation.

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