First Energy

FE
3.5
Companies list

Public Statements Risk

4

Current CEO is relatively new and unknown. However, FirstEnergy is still facing backlash from its prior CEO. The company allegedly bribed state officials with "dark money" for bailouts of two failed nuclear plants. For this, FirstEnergy has been dubbed the "poster child of failing to oversee and monitor political spending."

Political Contributions Risk

4

Contributes to Republicans at a 3:1 ratio. While the Utilities sector does broadly lean right, First Energy's ratio is stronger than most others in the sector. Its total contributions place it in the middle of the sector in terms of contribution magnitude. In 2021, FirstEnergy was part of a highly public scandal in which it donated millions to the former Ohio House speaker in exchange for a state bailout. The company pled guilty and has remained quiet since.

Political Dichotomy Risk

3

Contributes overwhelmingly to Republicans. FirstEnergy serves a well-defined area comprising parts of Ohio, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Maryland, New Jersey, and New York. As an electric utility company, it faces little to no competition, insulating it from product boycotts. Stock boycotts or divestment, is possible, however. The company's 10-K mentions DEI, carbon neutrality, and climate change. Reputational damage is mentioned as a risk factor, as well as unfavorable regulatory conditions from state and local governments. FE's service areas are largely red-leaning.

Associational Risk

5

Association with former CEO Chuck Jones is risky, given the bribery scandal with former Ohio House Speaker Larry Householder. The company has also supported former President Trump by giving to a dark money group, and there are headlines regarding the company encouraging Trump's former campaign manager Corey Lewandowski to lobby Trump for an energy/powerplant bailout in 2017-18.

Brand Visibility Risk

2

They have an extremely low search volume compared to other S&P 500 companies. Significant legal controversy could cause issues, but outside of something disastrous, they are likely not exposed.

Political Hazard (pH) Ratings Explained

A corporation’s Political Hazard Rating, or pH rating, is an overall assessment of the corporation’s likelihood of facing a material consumer boycott or investor backlash from a controversy caused by the company’s or its executives’ political activities and proclivities. The pH ratings range from 1 to 5, with a higher rating correlating with higher risk. The categories below are the components considered when setting a company’s pH rating.

Public Statements Risk

Rates the corporation based on its executives’ and the corporations’ own prior public political statements, including their frequency and whether they have tended to be, or actually have been, controversial or high-profile.

Political Dichotomy Risk

Rates the corporation based on the dichotomy, if any, between the executives’ and/or corporations’ own prior political contributions or statements and the likely political leaning of the corporation’s consumer base.

Political Contributions Risk

Rates the corporation based on the magnitude of the executives’ and/or corporations’ total political contributions to politicians and PACs, benchmarked to sector, and the weighted nature of those contributions as between political parties.

Associational Risk

Rates the corporation based on its executives’ and/or the corporation’s own prior political contributions and/or public association with particularly controversial people or high-profile politicians or PACs.

Brand Visibility Risk

Rates the corporation's risk relative to sector with higher risk being associated with higher brand visibility

First Energy

FE
3.5
Companies list

Public Statements Risk

4

Current CEO is relatively new and unknown. However, FirstEnergy is still facing backlash from its prior CEO. The company allegedly bribed state officials with "dark money" for bailouts of two failed nuclear plants. For this, FirstEnergy has been dubbed the "poster child of failing to oversee and monitor political spending."

Political Contributions Risk

4

Contributes to Republicans at a 3:1 ratio. While the Utilities sector does broadly lean right, First Energy's ratio is stronger than most others in the sector. Its total contributions place it in the middle of the sector in terms of contribution magnitude. In 2021, FirstEnergy was part of a highly public scandal in which it donated millions to the former Ohio House speaker in exchange for a state bailout. The company pled guilty and has remained quiet since.

Political Dichotomy Risk

3

Contributes overwhelmingly to Republicans. FirstEnergy serves a well-defined area comprising parts of Ohio, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Maryland, New Jersey, and New York. As an electric utility company, it faces little to no competition, insulating it from product boycotts. Stock boycotts or divestment, is possible, however. The company's 10-K mentions DEI, carbon neutrality, and climate change. Reputational damage is mentioned as a risk factor, as well as unfavorable regulatory conditions from state and local governments. FE's service areas are largely red-leaning.

Associational Risk

5

Association with former CEO Chuck Jones is risky, given the bribery scandal with former Ohio House Speaker Larry Householder. The company has also supported former President Trump by giving to a dark money group, and there are headlines regarding the company encouraging Trump's former campaign manager Corey Lewandowski to lobby Trump for an energy/powerplant bailout in 2017-18.

Brand Visibility Risk

2

They have an extremely low search volume compared to other S&P 500 companies. Significant legal controversy could cause issues, but outside of something disastrous, they are likely not exposed.

Political Hazard (pH) Ratings Explained

A corporation’s Political Hazard Rating, or pH rating, is an overall assessment of the corporation’s likelihood of facing a material consumer boycott or investor backlash from a controversy caused by the company’s or its executives’ political activities and proclivities. The pH ratings range from 1 to 5, with a higher rating correlating with higher risk. The categories below are the components considered when setting a company’s pH rating.

Public Statements Risk

Rates the corporation based on its executives’ and the corporations’ own prior public political statements, including their frequency and whether they have tended to be, or actually have been, controversial or high-profile.

Political Dichotomy Risk

Rates the corporation based on the dichotomy, if any, between the executives’ and/or corporations’ own prior political contributions or statements and the likely political leaning of the corporation’s consumer base.

Political Contributions Risk

Rates the corporation based on the magnitude of the executives’ and/or corporations’ total political contributions to politicians and PACs, benchmarked to sector, and the weighted nature of those contributions as between political parties.

Associational Risk

Rates the corporation based on its executives’ and/or the corporation’s own prior political contributions and/or public association with particularly controversial people or high-profile politicians or PACs.

Brand Visibility Risk

Rates the corporation's risk relative to sector with higher risk being associated with higher brand visibility

First Energy

FE
3.5
Companies list

Public Statements Risk

4

Current CEO is relatively new and unknown. However, FirstEnergy is still facing backlash from its prior CEO. The company allegedly bribed state officials with "dark money" for bailouts of two failed nuclear plants. For this, FirstEnergy has been dubbed the "poster child of failing to oversee and monitor political spending."

Political Contributions Risk

4

Contributes to Republicans at a 3:1 ratio. While the Utilities sector does broadly lean right, First Energy's ratio is stronger than most others in the sector. Its total contributions place it in the middle of the sector in terms of contribution magnitude. In 2021, FirstEnergy was part of a highly public scandal in which it donated millions to the former Ohio House speaker in exchange for a state bailout. The company pled guilty and has remained quiet since.

Political Dichotomy Risk

3

Contributes overwhelmingly to Republicans. FirstEnergy serves a well-defined area comprising parts of Ohio, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Maryland, New Jersey, and New York. As an electric utility company, it faces little to no competition, insulating it from product boycotts. Stock boycotts or divestment, is possible, however. The company's 10-K mentions DEI, carbon neutrality, and climate change. Reputational damage is mentioned as a risk factor, as well as unfavorable regulatory conditions from state and local governments. FE's service areas are largely red-leaning.

Associational Risk

5

Association with former CEO Chuck Jones is risky, given the bribery scandal with former Ohio House Speaker Larry Householder. The company has also supported former President Trump by giving to a dark money group, and there are headlines regarding the company encouraging Trump's former campaign manager Corey Lewandowski to lobby Trump for an energy/powerplant bailout in 2017-18.

Brand Visibility Risk

2

They have an extremely low search volume compared to other S&P 500 companies. Significant legal controversy could cause issues, but outside of something disastrous, they are likely not exposed.

Political Hazard (pH) Ratings Explained

A corporation’s Political Hazard Rating, or pH rating, is an overall assessment of the corporation’s likelihood of facing a material consumer boycott or investor backlash from a controversy caused by the company’s or its executives’ political activities and proclivities. The pH ratings range from 1 to 5, with a higher rating correlating with higher risk. The categories below are the components considered when setting a company’s pH rating.

Public Statements Risk

Rates the corporation based on its executives’ and the corporations’ own prior public political statements, including their frequency and whether they have tended to be, or actually have been, controversial or high-profile.

Political Dichotomy Risk

Rates the corporation based on the dichotomy, if any, between the executives’ and/or corporations’ own prior political contributions or statements and the likely political leaning of the corporation’s consumer base.

Political Contributions Risk

Rates the corporation based on the magnitude of the executives’ and/or corporations’ total political contributions to politicians and PACs, benchmarked to sector, and the weighted nature of those contributions as between political parties.

Associational Risk

Rates the corporation based on its executives’ and/or the corporation’s own prior political contributions and/or public association with particularly controversial people or high-profile politicians or PACs.

Brand Visibility Risk

Rates the corporation's risk relative to sector with higher risk being associated with higher brand visibility

First Energy

FE
3.5
Companies list

Public Statements Risk

4

Current CEO is relatively new and unknown. However, FirstEnergy is still facing backlash from its prior CEO. The company allegedly bribed state officials with "dark money" for bailouts of two failed nuclear plants. For this, FirstEnergy has been dubbed the "poster child of failing to oversee and monitor political spending."

Political Contributions Risk

4

Contributes to Republicans at a 3:1 ratio. While the Utilities sector does broadly lean right, First Energy's ratio is stronger than most others in the sector. Its total contributions place it in the middle of the sector in terms of contribution magnitude. In 2021, FirstEnergy was part of a highly public scandal in which it donated millions to the former Ohio House speaker in exchange for a state bailout. The company pled guilty and has remained quiet since.

Political Dichotomy Risk

3

Contributes overwhelmingly to Republicans. FirstEnergy serves a well-defined area comprising parts of Ohio, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Maryland, New Jersey, and New York. As an electric utility company, it faces little to no competition, insulating it from product boycotts. Stock boycotts or divestment, is possible, however. The company's 10-K mentions DEI, carbon neutrality, and climate change. Reputational damage is mentioned as a risk factor, as well as unfavorable regulatory conditions from state and local governments. FE's service areas are largely red-leaning.

Associational Risk

5

Association with former CEO Chuck Jones is risky, given the bribery scandal with former Ohio House Speaker Larry Householder. The company has also supported former President Trump by giving to a dark money group, and there are headlines regarding the company encouraging Trump's former campaign manager Corey Lewandowski to lobby Trump for an energy/powerplant bailout in 2017-18.

Brand Visibility Risk

2

They have an extremely low search volume compared to other S&P 500 companies. Significant legal controversy could cause issues, but outside of something disastrous, they are likely not exposed.

Political Hazard (pH) Ratings Explained

A corporation’s Political Hazard Rating, or pH rating, is an overall assessment of the corporation’s likelihood of facing a material consumer boycott or investor backlash from a controversy caused by the company’s or its executives’ political activities and proclivities. The pH ratings range from 1 to 5, with a higher rating correlating with higher risk. The categories below are the components considered when setting a company’s pH rating.

Public Statements Risk

Rates the corporation based on its executives’ and the corporations’ own prior public political statements, including their frequency and whether they have tended to be, or actually have been, controversial or high-profile.

Political Dichotomy Risk

Rates the corporation based on the dichotomy, if any, between the executives’ and/or corporations’ own prior political contributions or statements and the likely political leaning of the corporation’s consumer base.

Political Contributions Risk

Rates the corporation based on the magnitude of the executives’ and/or corporations’ total political contributions to politicians and PACs, benchmarked to sector, and the weighted nature of those contributions as between political parties.

Associational Risk

Rates the corporation based on its executives’ and/or the corporation’s own prior political contributions and/or public association with particularly controversial people or high-profile politicians or PACs.

Brand Visibility Risk

Rates the corporation's risk relative to sector with higher risk being associated with higher brand visibility

First Energy

FE
3.5
Companies list

Public Statements Risk

4

Current CEO is relatively new and unknown. However, FirstEnergy is still facing backlash from its prior CEO. The company allegedly bribed state officials with "dark money" for bailouts of two failed nuclear plants. For this, FirstEnergy has been dubbed the "poster child of failing to oversee and monitor political spending."

Political Contributions Risk

4

Contributes to Republicans at a 3:1 ratio. While the Utilities sector does broadly lean right, First Energy's ratio is stronger than most others in the sector. Its total contributions place it in the middle of the sector in terms of contribution magnitude. In 2021, FirstEnergy was part of a highly public scandal in which it donated millions to the former Ohio House speaker in exchange for a state bailout. The company pled guilty and has remained quiet since.

Political Dichotomy Risk

3

Contributes overwhelmingly to Republicans. FirstEnergy serves a well-defined area comprising parts of Ohio, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Maryland, New Jersey, and New York. As an electric utility company, it faces little to no competition, insulating it from product boycotts. Stock boycotts or divestment, is possible, however. The company's 10-K mentions DEI, carbon neutrality, and climate change. Reputational damage is mentioned as a risk factor, as well as unfavorable regulatory conditions from state and local governments. FE's service areas are largely red-leaning.

Associational Risk

5

Association with former CEO Chuck Jones is risky, given the bribery scandal with former Ohio House Speaker Larry Householder. The company has also supported former President Trump by giving to a dark money group, and there are headlines regarding the company encouraging Trump's former campaign manager Corey Lewandowski to lobby Trump for an energy/powerplant bailout in 2017-18.

Brand Visibility Risk

2

They have an extremely low search volume compared to other S&P 500 companies. Significant legal controversy could cause issues, but outside of something disastrous, they are likely not exposed.

Political Hazard (pH) Ratings Explained

A corporation’s Political Hazard Rating, or pH rating, is an overall assessment of the corporation’s likelihood of facing a material consumer boycott or investor backlash from a controversy caused by the company’s or its executives’ political activities and proclivities. The pH ratings range from 1 to 5, with a higher rating correlating with higher risk. The categories below are the components considered when setting a company’s pH rating.

Public Statements Risk

Rates the corporation based on its executives’ and the corporations’ own prior public political statements, including their frequency and whether they have tended to be, or actually have been, controversial or high-profile.

Political Dichotomy Risk

Rates the corporation based on the dichotomy, if any, between the executives’ and/or corporations’ own prior political contributions or statements and the likely political leaning of the corporation’s consumer base.

Political Contributions Risk

Rates the corporation based on the magnitude of the executives’ and/or corporations’ total political contributions to politicians and PACs, benchmarked to sector, and the weighted nature of those contributions as between political parties.

Associational Risk

Rates the corporation based on its executives’ and/or the corporation’s own prior political contributions and/or public association with particularly controversial people or high-profile politicians or PACs.

Brand Visibility Risk

Rates the corporation's risk relative to sector with higher risk being associated with higher brand visibility

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