UtilityApril 7, 2026

Utility Tuesday: 9.6/10 Score, 49% Revenue Growth, $5.3M Insider Buy in Gas

Top 5 Pixie Picks

This Week's Setup

This week's screen is all cash flow and conviction: seven gas-weighted producers plus First Solar, each with double-digit ROIC or high single-digit FCF yields, and insider tickets that span Appalachia consolidation and Permian scale.

CNX and EQT still lead on growth and insider participation, EOG and COP bring balance-sheet strength and buybacks, FSLR offers the renewables manufacturing angle on a deep drawdown, and VLO, XOM, and BKR round out downstream and services exposure with coverage multiples that look more industrial than speculative.

The 8 Names

1. CNX Resources Corporation (CNX)

Stock Pixie Score 9.6/10 | P/E 9.97 | FCF yield 9.5% | ROIC 11.1%

The setup here is a 9.6/10 composite (a composite of valuation, income quality, and price recovery signals) backed by 11% ROIC and 9.5% FCF yield on a 9.97 multiple. Revenue grew 49% year over year, earnings yield sits at 10%, and the normalized P/E over ten years is 5.7%, signaling the stock is cheap relative to its own history.

CIK 0001469912 (Maureen Lally-Green) transacted on March 25, 2026. Net insider share purchases over six months total 383,371 shares, a $5.29 million vote of confidence. Insider buying represents 7% of transactions, selling just 1.1%.

The stock sits 9% off its 52-week high, analysts price it 6.4% below current levels at $37.15, and short interest is 13.3% of float. The market sees execution risk or macro weakness that the numbers don't yet reflect.

Net debt to EBITDA is 1.78×, interest coverage is 5.71×, and the company operates in a commodity-exposed gas market. A recession or demand shock would compress cash flow faster than the multiple suggests.

2. EQT Corporation (EQT)

Stock Pixie Score 7.8/10 | P/E 18.24 | FCF yield 7.5% | ROIC 8.6%

EQT posts a solid 7.8/10 score on 8.6% ROIC, 7.5% FCF yield, and 60% revenue growth year over year. The normalized P/E over ten years is 1.1%, indicating the stock is trading well above its long-term average valuation, but the growth trajectory and cash generation support the premium.

Three insiders transacted in March: Sarah Fenton (March 18), Geoffrey D. Roberts (March 20), and Jeffrey R. Kiesel (March 20). Net insider purchases over six months total 508,488 shares, a $5.55 million buy signal. Insider buying represents 14.2% of transactions, selling 3.2%.

The stock is down 11.5% from its 52-week high, short interest is 4% of float, and analysts price it 13.1% above current levels at $68.27. The valuation premium over history and the drawdown suggest the market is waiting for confirmation that the revenue surge is sustainable.

Net debt to EBITDA is 1.28×, interest coverage is 7.79×, and the company is exposed to natural gas price swings. If the macro turn drags gas prices lower, the cash flow story weakens quickly.

3. First Solar, Inc. (FSLR)

Stock Pixie Score 7.6/10 | P/E 13.44 | FCF yield 5.8% | ROIC 17.5%

First Solar delivers 17.5% ROIC, 5.8% FCF yield, and a 13.44 P/E on a 7.6/10 score. Revenue grew 24% year over year, earnings yield is 7.4%, and the normalized P/E over ten years is 3.1%. The company sits on a net cash balance (net debt to EBITDA is -1.03×), and interest coverage is 36.82×, signaling fortress-level financial health.

The stock is down 33% from its 52-week high, placing it in deep dip territory. Short interest is 7.7% of float, and analysts price it 30.8% above current levels at $249.97. Jefferies just cut its target to $187, citing logistics inflation pressures on near-term margins.

Three insiders transacted in March and April: Kuntal Kumar Verma (March 11), Nathan B. Theurer (March 11), and Michael T Sweeney (April 1). Net insider shares sold over six months total 13,278 shares, a $4.99 million net sell. Insider buying represents 1.9% of transactions, selling 2.1%, a neutral signal.

The solar sector faces logistics cost inflation and policy uncertainty. If input costs rise faster than pricing power allows or if tax credit clarity fades, margins compress and the valuation premium evaporates.

4. EOG Resources, Inc. (EOG)

Stock Pixie Score 7.4/10 | P/E 16.02 | FCF yield 4.4% | ROIC 14.7%

EOG delivers 14.7% ROIC, 4.4% FCF yield, and a 16.02 P/E on a 7.4/10 score. The gross margin is 63.4%, earnings yield is 6.2%, and the normalized P/E over ten years is 1.9%. The company pays a 2.8% dividend yield and sits just 3.9% off its 52-week high.

Three insiders transacted in March and April: Jeffrey R. Leitzell (April 2), Ann D. Janssen (March 23), and Ann D. Janssen (March 16). Net insider purchases over six months total 128,702 shares, a $5.47 million vote. Insider buying represents 10.5% of transactions, selling 1.2%.

Revenue fell 3.4% year over year, and analysts price it 1.8% above current levels at $148.50. Short interest is 3% of float. The company is growing returns but not top-line, and the market is pricing in a mature business model.

Net debt to EBITDA is 0.49×, interest coverage is 28.07×, but the company is exposed to oil price volatility. If crude weakens or production discipline breaks, the cash flow story weakens.

5. ConocoPhillips (COP)

Stock Pixie Score 7.2/10 | P/E 20.92 | FCF yield 4.5% | ROIC 13.4%

ConocoPhillips posts 13.4% ROIC, 4.5% FCF yield, and a 20.92 P/E on a 7.2/10 score. The company pays a 2.5% dividend yield, sits 2.1% off its 52-week high, and revenue grew 7.7% year over year. Net debt to EBITDA is 0.72×, interest coverage is 11.26×.

Three insiders transacted on March 30, 2026: Jose Mauricio Rodriguez Rios, Mauricio Botero Wolff, and Jaime Alberto Villegas Gutierrez. Net insider purchases over six months total 261,521 shares, a $6.35 million buy signal. Insider buying represents 1.57% of transactions, selling 1.30%.

The normalized P/E over ten years is 0.42%, indicating the stock trades at a premium to its long-term average. Analysts price it 1.5% below current levels at $131.04, and short interest is 1.9% of float. The market sees limited upside from here.

The company is exposed to oil price swings and capital allocation execution risk. If buybacks slow or production disappoints, the valuation re-rates lower.

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6. Baker Hughes Company (BKR)

Stock Pixie Score 7.1/10 | P/E 23.46 | FCF yield 4.2% | ROIC 11.2%

Baker Hughes delivers 11.2% ROIC, 4.2% FCF yield, and a 23.46 P/E on a 7.1/10 score. The company pays a 1.5% dividend yield, sits 8.9% off its 52-week high, and net debt to EBITDA is 0.64×, interest coverage is 13.96×.

Three insiders transacted in March: Maria C. Borras (March 10), Maria Georgia Magno (March 13), and Maria C. Borras (March 18). Net insider purchases over six months total 531,275 shares, a $7.73 million vote. Insider buying represents 1.32% of transactions, selling 0.77%.

Revenue fell 0.34% year over year, the normalized P/E over ten years is -0.1%, and analysts price it 2.3% above current levels at $62.38. Short interest is 2.2% of float. Susquehanna just raised its target to $70, but the market is waiting for growth to re-accelerate.

The oilfield services sector is cyclical and exposed to drilling activity. If oil prices weaken or capital discipline tightens among producers, Baker Hughes' revenue outlook dims.

7. Valero Energy Corporation (VLO)

Stock Pixie Score 7.1/10 | P/E 33.52 | FCF yield 6.6% | ROIC 9.2%

Valero posts 9.2% ROIC, 6.6% FCF yield, and a 33.52 P/E on a 7.1/10 score. The company pays a 1.9% dividend yield, sits 1.8% off its 52-week high, and net debt to EBITDA is 0.92×, interest coverage is 6.40×.

Eric A Fisher (CIK 0002043747) transacted on March 12, 2026. Net insider purchases over six months total 203,843 shares, a $5.67 million buy signal. Insider buying represents 14.6% of transactions, selling 1.2%.

Revenue fell 5.5% year over year, the normalized P/E over ten years is -1.4%, and analysts price it 7.6% below current levels at $234.56. Short interest is 4.7% of float. The refining sector is cyclical, and the market is pricing in margin compression ahead.

A recent refinery explosion lawsuit raises questions on operational risk and returns. If litigation costs escalate or regulatory scrutiny increases, the cash flow story weakens.

8. Exxon Mobil Corporation (XOM)

Stock Pixie Score 6.7/10 | P/E 24.67 | FCF yield 3.4% | ROIC 11.1%

Exxon delivers 11.1% ROIC, 3.4% FCF yield, and a 24.67 P/E on a 6.7/10 score. The company pays a 2.5% dividend yield, sits 6.3% off its 52-week high, and net debt to EBITDA is 0.67×, interest coverage is 69.44×.

Darrin L Talley (CIK 0001918108) transacted on March 17, 2026. Net insider purchases over six months total 1,061,250 shares, a $6.83 million vote. Insider buying represents 0.37% of transactions, selling 0.07%.

Revenue fell 4.5% year over year, the normalized P/E over ten years is -0.31%, and analysts price it 3% below current levels at $160.29. Short interest is 1.2% of float. The market sees limited upside from the largest integrated oil major.

Exxon is exposed to oil price volatility and capital allocation execution risk. If crude prices weaken or geopolitical tensions ease, the cash flow story and multiple compress.

What to Watch

Earnings on deck: CNX Resources reports Q1 2026 results this month per the April 7 news release; watch for commentary on production guidance and capital return.
Crude price sensitivity: all eight names are tied to energy commodity prices; a sustained crude rally or collapse will re-rate these multiples.
Insider follow-through: CNX, EQT, COP, BKR, and VLO all saw insider buying in March; watch for additional Form 4 filings in April as a directional signal.
Refining margin watch: VLO's margin trajectory and litigation costs are worth tracking; any update on the explosion lawsuit or Q1 refining crack spreads will move the stock.
FSLR analyst downgrades: Jefferies cut on logistics inflation; if other analysts follow or if the company pre-announces margin pressure, the 33% drawdown extends.

Go Deeper

The utility screener hunts for energy and infrastructure names with strong ROIC, positive free cash flow, and insider buying in defensive sectors.

The top 8 show the highest-conviction setups by Stock Pixie Score, but the full list includes 20+ additional names across energy, renewables, and regulated utilities. Pro subscribers see the complete pipeline, sortable by FCF yield, insider activity, and drawdown depth.

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About the Stock Pixie Score

The Stock Pixie Score is a 0–10 composite that measures how well a stock matches the criteria for that screen. Scores reflect the strength of quantitative signals across valuation, quality, and trend factors weighted for the specific screener. A higher score means stronger alignment; above 8 indicates the algorithm finds the setup compelling across most of the metrics it tracks. It is a filter, not a forecast.

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