Which pricing strategy is most likely used by public utilities for capital investment?

Rate-of-return pricing is commonly used by public utilities as it allows them to set prices based on the need to cover the costs of providing services and to earn a reasonable return on their capital investments. Public utilities often operate in regulated environments where they must justify their pricing structures to regulatory bodies. By using this strategy, they can calculate required returns on their investments in infrastructure and services while ensuring that prices remain stable and predictable for consumers.

This approach helps utilities to recover not only operational expenses but also the costs associated with capital expenditures, such as building and maintaining power plants, pipelines, and other necessary facilities. The goal is to create a pricing structure that reflects the utility's cost of service while also providing a fair return on investment to encourage ongoing investment in infrastructure, which is essential for reliable service delivery.

Dynamic pricing is often used in situations where demand fluctuates, such as in travel or events, rather than in utility services that require more stable pricing. Break-even pricing focuses on covering costs without including a profit margin, which is not sustainable for utilities needing to ensure investment returns. Penetration pricing is primarily used to attract customers by setting lower prices initially, which is not applicable to the monopolistic nature of public utilities that need to ensure long-term viability and investment