UPDATE: Wunderlich Securities Upgrades Alliant Energy to Buy on Earnings Growth

Wunderlich Securities raised its rating on Alliant Energy

from Hold to Buy and increased its price target from $47 to $50. Wunderlich Securities commented, "We see accelerating EPS growth in 2014 from LNT's higher ratebase in Iowa and expiring capacity payments for purchased power contracts. The lower capacity payments in Iowa create the opportunity to increase ratebase and earnings, while potentially freezing customer rates and deferring over-earnings to fund the new gas plant in 2017. We expect LNT to discuss Iowa ratebase growth on the 3Q earnings call on November 9, which should drive EPS estimates higher for 2014 and 2015." Alliant Energy closed at $45.30 on Thursday.