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Vector (VCT) AI Stock Analysis

NZ:VCT

Vector

(NZX:VCT)

Select Model
Rating:72Outperform
Price Target:NZD 5.50▲(20.88% Upside)
Action:initiatedcoverage
Date:10/05/26

Improved balance sheet stability and strong earnings momentum with constructive FY27 guidance are the primary drivers. Attractive dividend yield supports valuation while neutral technical indicators and gas segment pressures are secondary factors.

Positive Factors
Profitability GrowthStrong EBITDA and NPAT growth indicates improved earnings capacity, supported by higher regulated electricity revenue and the absence of a prior gas impairment. Management’s FY27 EBITDA guidance of $540–$560 million suggests this stronger profitability is expected to continue.
Negative Factors
Heavy Capital IntensityPersistent heavy capital requirements absorb much of Vector’s operating cash flow, leaving free cash flow thin and volatile. This reduces flexibility for debt reduction, dividends, or other investment if operating conditions weaken, especially as FY27 capex is guided to another record level.

Vector (VCT) vs. SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY)

-10%-5%0%5%10%15%20%NZ:VCT-4.05%SPY+11.79%Dec '25Jan '26Feb '26Mar '26Apr '26May '26Jun '26Jul '26Aug '26Sep '26Oct '26
Market Cap
NZD 4.55B
Dividend Yield
5.72%
Average Volume (3M)
168.85K
Price to Earnings (P/E)
19.0
Beta (1Y)
0.18
Revenue Growth
8.27%
EPS Growth
47.72%
Country
NZ
Employees
584
Sector
Utilities
Sector Strength
66
Industry
Diversified Utilities

Vector Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company Description

Vector Limited, together with its subsidiaries, engages in electricity and gas distribution, telecommunication and new energy solutions businesses in New Zealand. The company operates in two segments, Electricity and Gas Distribution. It provides ele...

Vector Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date:Aug 17, 2026(Q4-2026)|% Change Since:-4.13%|Next Earnings Date:Feb 21, 2027
Earnings Call SentimentPositive

The call presents a predominantly positive performance: strong revenue (+12%), sizeable EBITDA growth (+20%), a large increase in NPAT (+55%), record electricity network investment and improved operating cash flow. Management provided bullish FY'27 guidance (higher EBITDA and record-level capex) and retained a BBB+ rating with positive outlook. Headwinds include flat gas earnings with declining volumes, higher operating and pass-through costs, an accounting loss from the Bluecurrent JV (offset by cash distributions), modestly higher net debt and variability in capital contributions. On balance the operational and financial improvements and constructive guidance outweigh the challenges.

Positive Updates

Revenue Growth from Continuing Operations
Revenue from continuing operations increased by $111 million (12%) to just over $1.0 billion, driven primarily by the DPP4 reset applying for the full 12 months.

Negative Updates

Gas Distribution Weakness and Uncertainty
Gas Distribution adjusted EBITDA was flat at $47 million. Gas volumes declined 1.7% year-on-year and total gas connections fell 0.5% to 119,991. Management flagged ongoing market uncertainty and a shift from growth capex to maintenance spending.

Company Guidance

Vector guided FY27 adjusted EBITDA of $540–$560 million (up from FY26’s $482m), gross capital expenditure of $605–$635 million (versus $544m in FY26, likely another record year driven primarily by higher replacement CapEx), and capital contributions of $160–$190 million (FY26: $191m) — the FY27 EBITDA forecast also includes recovery of an additional net $54 million of revenue wash‑ups and IRIS adjustments under DPP4; management expects customer‑driven activity to be broadly in line with FY26 and reiterated a conservative dividend stance given heavy near‑term CapEx (FY26 full‑year dividend $0.26 per share, payout at the bottom of the 70% range).

Vector Financial Statement Overview

Summary

Vector shows improving financial stability with lower leverage to 0.64 debt-to-equity and recovering cash flows, though revenue volatility and historically weak free cash flow present risks.

Income Statement

68Positive

Balance Sheet

78Positive

Cash Flow

62Positive
Financial statement breakdown
BreakdownTTMJun 2026Jun 2025Jun 2024Jun 2023Jun 2022
Income Statement
Total Revenue1.20B1.20B1.04B1.14B1.13B1.27B
Gross Profit566.30M518.00M771.00M560.40M689.20M823.10M
EBITDA682.60M684.70M567.30M499.00M514.40M468.90M
Net Income240.20M240.20M166.50M88.60M1.71B158.90M
Balance Sheet
Total Assets7.16B7.16B6.92B7.13B7.53B6.81B
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments5.40M5.40M23.30M104.60M537.00M22.50M
Total Debt2.31B2.31B2.10B2.11B2.33B3.26B
Total Liabilities3.53B3.53B3.32B3.35B3.57B4.38B
Stockholders Equity3.63B3.63B3.60B3.76B3.94B2.41B
Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow101.20M101.20M40.30M-43.60M-121.90M-40.00M
Operating Cash Flow632.50M632.50M515.20M445.10M517.10M518.80M
Investing Cash Flow-504.90M-504.90M-274.40M-393.00M1.07B-534.40M
Financing Cash Flow-145.50M-145.50M-322.10M-484.50M-1.07B20.70M

Vector Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis SentimentNegative
Last Price4.55

Price Trends

50DMA4.68Negative
100DMA4.74Negative
200DMA4.72Negative

Market Momentum

MACD-0.04Positive
RSI44.69Neutral
STOCH34.02Neutral

Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For NZ:VCT, the sentiment is Negative. The current price of 4.55 is below the 20-day moving average (MA) of 4.64, below the 50-day MA of 4.68, and below the 200-day MA of 4.72, indicating a bearish trend. The MACD of -0.04 indicates Positive momentum. The RSI at 44.69 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 34.02 is Neutral, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Negative sentiment for NZ:VCT.

Vector Peers Comparison

Overall Rating

UnderperformOutperform
Sector (66)

Financial Indicators

NZ:VCT against its peers
NameOverall RatingMarket CapP/E RatioROEDividend YieldRevenue GrowthEPS Growth
NZ:VCTNZ:VCT72OutperformNZD 4.55B18.966.64%5.72%8.27%47.72%
Sector *66Neutral$17.65B18.105.60%3.62%6.62%11.55%
NZ:MCYNZ:MCY64NeutralNZD 9.73B30.206.38%4.69%-7.83%56250.00%
NZ:MELNZ:MEL64NeutralNZD 14.67B111.071.38%4.71%-19.65%―
NZ:CENNZ:CEN63NeutralNZD 9.23B20.318.71%5.27%-6.33%-0.10%
NZ:GNENZ:GNE57NeutralNZD 3.15B30.522.78%7.27%-24.15%-49.61%

* Utilities Sector Average

Performance Comparison

-10%0%10%NZ:VCTNZ:CENNZ:MELNZ:MCYNZ:GNEDec '25Jan '26Feb '26Mar '26Apr '26May '26Jun '26Jul '26Aug '26Sep '26Oct '26
NZ:VCT and its peers over the selected period
Show on chartTickerCompany NamePriceChange% Change
NZ:VCTVector 4.55-0.19-4.05%
NZ:CENContact Energy Limited8.53-0.45-5.04%
NZ:MELMeridian Energy Limited5.52-0.14-2.54%
NZ:MCYMercury NZ Ltd.6.770.579.18%
NZ:GNEGenesis Energy Limited2.390.073.06%
Glossary
BuyA stock rated as a "Buy" is expected to perform better than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock is likely to deliver higher returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
HoldA stock rated as a "Hold" is expected to perform in line with the overall market or a specific benchmark. This rating indicates that the stock is neither particularly compelling nor unfavorable for investment. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
SellA stock rated as a "Sell" is expected to perform worse than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock may deliver lower returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.

Disclaimer

This AI Analyst Stock Report is automatically generated by our AI systems using advanced algorithms and publicly available financial, technical, and market data. While the information provided aims to be accurate and insightful, it is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Any content created by an AI (Artificial Intelligence) system may contain inaccuracies and/or contain errors. Investing in stocks carries inherent risks, and past performance is not indicative of future results. This report does not account for your personal financial circumstances, objectives, or risk tolerance. Always conduct your own research or consult with a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions. The analysis and recommendations provided are based on historical and current data and may not fully reflect future market conditions or unexpected developments. Neither the creators of this report nor its affiliated entities guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information presented. Use this report at your own discretion and risk.

Date of analysis: Oct 05, 2026