Stock fact sheet · data as of
Unitil Corporation (UTL): fair value, margin of safety and Wheel Score
Utilities · Diversified Utilities · United States · Defensive
Is UTL undervalued?
UTL closed at 53.20 on 16 Oct 2026, more than 30% above the GLS average fair value of 34.16. Only 1 of the 7 models that produced a value sit above the price. By our models the shares are priced well beyond what the filed earnings, cash flow and book value support; the Sunday Scan drops names like this at the "below fair value" rule.
There is a wide gap between GLS Growth (9.87) and Graham Growth (64.11). When the models are this far apart the "fair value" is really a range, and the margin of safety above should be read with that range in mind.
The nightly engine files UTL under Defensive: a low beta, a dividend and positive earnings.
Nine valuation models for UTL
Each model turns the latest filed numbers into a value per share; the GLS fair value is the simple average of the ones that produce a positive number. The last two rows are shown for reference and never enter the average. The Quote page lets you switch any model off and add your own margin of safety.
| Model | Value | vs price | What it measures |
|---|---|---|---|
| DCF | - | - | Present value of the projected free cash flows, discounted at the cost of capital; no value tonight |
| Graham Number | 50.57 | -5% | The most a defensive investor pays for the earnings and book value per share |
| Graham Growth | 64.11 | +21% | Graham's growth formula: EPS × (8.5 + 2 × growth), adjusted for bond yields |
| Lynch | 19.35 | -64% | EPS × the earnings growth rate (PEG of 1), growth capped at 25% |
| GLS Growth | 9.87 | -81% | EPS compounded ten years at the blended growth rate, discounted back at 15% a year |
| 10 Cap | 32.50 | -39% | Owner's earnings (operating cash flow less maintenance capex) capitalised at 10% |
| Payback Time | - | - | Eight years of compounded free cash flow: the price at which the business pays for itself; no value tonight |
| DDM | 27.59 | -48% | Dividend discount model: next year's dividend ÷ (10% − 3% growth); needs a dividend |
| EPV | 35.13 | -34% | Earnings power value: current EPS capitalised at 9% with no growth |
| Zombie (liquidation) | -71.20 | -234% | Current assets less all liabilities, per share: the balance-sheet floor. Not in the average |
| Wall St target | 56.00 | +5% | Analysts' average 12-month price target. Not in the average |
Quality and financial health
Unitil Corporation scores 6 of 9 on the Piotroski F-score: a middling result that passes the Sunday Scan's "6 or more" rule. Some of the nine tests on profitability, leverage and efficiency are failed, so the accounts are worth a look before selling a put on the name. On durability UTL scores 5.0/10 on the GLS Moat - a middle reading; the Scorecard on the Quote page's Financials tab shows which ten-year lines are steady and which are not.
Returns on capital are thin or negative - ROIC 3.2%, ROE 8.2%, ROA 2.3% - with debt at 1.54 times equity and negative free cash flow.
The dividend yield is 3.52% at a payout ratio of 58%; for a wheel trader holding assigned shares the dividend adds to the covered-call premium, and the ex-dividend date is worth knowing before a call is sold. Revenue comes mainly from Gas 100% (quarter Q2 FY2026).
Institutional ownership scores 10/10, insider activity 5/10 and Congressional trading 5/10 on the GLS smart-money scales.
| Piotroski F-score | 6 / 9 | ROIC | 3.2% |
|---|---|---|---|
| GLS Moat | 5.0 / 10 | ROE | 8.2% |
| Debt / equity | 1.54 | ROA | 2.3% |
| Free-cash-flow yield | -4.7% | Payout ratio | 58% |
| Institutions | 10 / 10 | Insiders · Congress | 5 · 5 / 10 |
Wheel Score 48: Weak
With a Wheel Score of 48 Unitil Corporation sits in the Weak band. The parts - Value 0/25, Health 13/20, Moat 8/15, Premium 19/20, Stability 9/20 - show where: Value (0/25) scores lowest.
Implied volatility is 34% on the near-the-money contracts 20-60 days out: some premium, but under the 35-60% range the Wheel Score pays full marks for (19 of 20 points). Chain open interest is thin - 644 contracts across every expiry - so fills at a fair price are not guaranteed; a 30-45-day put may not exist at a usable strike.
Volume runs at 131k shares a day on a market cap of $970M, with a beta of 0.31 - a low beta, so day-to-day moves are smaller than the market's; the Stability part of the Wheel Score gives that 9 of 20.
| Part | Points | From | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Value | 0 / 25 | -56% margin of safety | |
| Health | 13 / 20 | Piotroski 6/9 | |
| Moat | 8 / 15 | moat 5.0/10 | |
| Premium | 19 / 20 | implied volatility 34% | |
| Stability | 9 / 20 | 131k shares/day, $970M cap, beta 0.31 |
The Wheel Score ranks ~7,400 US stocks for selling cash-secured puts and covered calls; it is updated nightly and is not a recommendation. The walkthrough lesson shows how the score fits into a trade, start to finish.
Upcoming events
The next earnings report is due on 2 Nov 2026 (after the close), 17 days away; a 30-45-day put sold today would expire after it, which is worth weighing against the premium.
Earnings, dividend, IPO, split and economic calendars for the whole market, filterable to your watchlists.
Similar stocks in Diversified Utilities
The 9 companies below are the closest to Unitil Corporation by market cap within the Diversified Utilities industry, each with its own fact sheet; the Compare page puts up to eight of them side by side.
| Stock | Close | Fair value | MoS | Wheel | Mkt cap |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AVA Avista Corporation | 36.18 | 37.49 | +3% | 65Good | $3.0B |
| AQN Algonquin Power & Utilities Corp. | 5.20 | 3.35 | -55% | 53Fair | $4.0B |
| BIPH Brookfield Infrastructure Finance ULC 5 % Notes 2021-24.05.81 Global | 15.33 | 28.60 | +46% | 39No options | $5.6B |
| AES The AES Corporation | 14.97 | 45.69 | +67% | 76Good | $10.7B |
| SREA Sempra | 18.83 | 25.71 | +27% | 39No options | $12.3B |
| BIP Brookfield Infrastructure Partners L.P. | 37.27 | 26.64 | -40% | 48Weak | $17.2B |
| AQNB Algonquin Power & Utilities Corp. | 25.63 | 17.93 | -43% | 31No options | $18.8B |
| SRE Sempra | 81.99 | 54.49 | -50% | 52Fair | $53.6B |
| TVC Tennessee Valley Authority | 23.82 | 17,297.56 | +100% | 39No options | $13M |
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Start free See the Sunday ScanQuestions about UTL
Is UTL undervalued right now?
No: at 53.20 the stock trades 56% above the GLS average fair value of 34.16 (data as of 16 Oct 2026), well beyond what trailing earnings, cash flow and book value support.
What is the Wheel Score of UTL and what does it mean?
UTL scores 48 out of 100 (Weak). The Wheel Score blends the margin of safety (25 points), Piotroski health (20), the GLS moat (15), the option premium on offer (20) and trading stability (20) into one number that ranks stocks for the wheel strategy - selling cash-secured puts, then covered calls if assigned. 80 and above is Prime, 65-79 Good, 50-64 Fair, under 50 Weak.
What is the GLS fair value for UTL?
34.16 per share as of 16 Oct 2026 - the simple average of the 7 valuation models (out of nine: DCF, Graham Number, Graham Growth, Lynch, GLS Growth, 10 Cap, Payback Time, DDM and EPV) that produced a positive value. The models run every night on the latest filings; the Quote page lets you switch any of them off and add a margin of safety of your own.
When does Unitil Corporation report earnings next?
The next earnings report is due on 2 Nov 2026 (after the close), 17 days from the data date of 16 Oct 2026. The Calendars page lists every upcoming report with its time of day.
Does UTL have listed options, and how liquid are they?
Yes. The nightly snapshot found 108 listed contracts with 644 open interest across all expiries and implied volatility of 34% on the near-the-money contracts. The Options scanner lists the cash-secured put and covered call set-ups with premium and annualised yield worked out.