The only constant in the world is change. Companies that have been around for decades or even over a century are ones that need to adapt to the times to survive and thrive.
For some industries, this change can be quickly driven by technologies and competition. In others, regulatory changes can play a big role as well. Increased environmental regulations in the past few years ensure that even a stodgy industry like utilities have to change as well.
Utility provider Dominion Energy (D) has been shifting from a heavy mix of traditional energy sources to increased uses of greener sources of energy. That could allow the utility firm, which has been lagging the sector’s performance, to move higher instead.
With shares still down 6 percent over the past year, it’s been a poor performer. But profit margins are solid, and the company’s upgraded utility mix could point to bigger revenue and earnings growth in the years ahead.
Action to take: Investors may like shares here, as the stock could outperform based on its prior underperformance while it started making greener investments. Shares yield 3.4 percent at present, although dividend growth has been slow overall and nearly non-existent in the past year.
Traders would best benefit from a longer-dated call option, given the slow performance in the utility space. The April $75 calls, last going for about $2.90, offer mid-to-high double-digit return potential from here.
Disclosure: The author of this article has no position in the company mentioned here, but may trade after the next 72 hours. The author receives no compensation from any of the companies mentioned in this article.