Financial Performance & Growth - Black Hills Corp achieved a solid financial position with a long-term EPS growth target of 4% to 6% off the 2023 base of $3.75 per share[9] - The company targets a 55%-65% dividend payout ratio and has increased its annual dividend for 55 consecutive years[9] - The company is delivering on 2025 earnings guidance, which represents ~5% year-over-year growth, achieving 4%-6% CAGR off 2023 base[11] Capital Investment & Infrastructure - Black Hills Corp has a five-year capital forecast of $4.7 billion for 2025-2029, a 10% increase from the prior five-year plan[11] - The company's capital investment plan includes $2.4 billion for electric utilities and $2.1 billion for gas utilities[93] - The company is undertaking the Ready Wyoming Electric Transmission Initiative, a 260-mile expansion project costing $350 million[33] Data Center & Customer Growth - Black Hills Corp announced 1 GW of data center demand from existing customers, with ~500 MW in the current plan requiring minimal capital[11] - The company expects data center EPS contribution to more than double to 10%+ by 2028[17] - The company's customer count growth is more than double the population growth, with a customer count CAGR of 1.1% from 2019-2024[20, 23] Regulatory & Sustainability - The company is actively executing three to four rate reviews per year, including a filed rate review for Kansas Gas requesting recovery of $17.2 million[11, 18] - Black Hills Corp is committed to reducing GHG emissions intensity 40% by 2030 and 70% by 2040 for electric utilities (2005 baseline)[110] - The company targets Net Zero GHG emissions by 2035 for the natural gas distribution system[110]

Core Viewpoint - Dividend-paying stocks are generally considered lower-risk investments compared to non-payers, as they generate sufficient cash to fund growth and return excess to shareholders through dividends [1] Group 1: Black Hills (BKH) - Black Hills operates as a regulated utility with a monopoly on natural gas distribution and electricity in several states, benefiting from government regulation [5][6] - The company has a growing customer base, expanding at twice the rate of the U.S. population, and has a history of increasing dividends for over five decades, achieving Dividend King status [7] - Expected earnings growth of 4% to 6% and a dividend yield of 4.8% make Black Hills an attractive investment opportunity [8] Group 2: Kinder Morgan (KMI) - Kinder Morgan is one of the largest energy infrastructure platforms in the U.S., with stable cash flows supported by take-or-pay contracts that account for 64% of annual cash flows [9][10] - The company anticipates cash flow growth to $5.9 billion this year, sufficient to cover its $2.6 billion dividend outlay and fund capital expenditures with excess free cash flow [11][12] - With $8.8 billion in growth capital projects, primarily in natural gas pipelines, Kinder Morgan has a strong foundation for future dividend increases, having raised its payout for eight consecutive years [13] Group 3: American States Water (AWR) - American States Water is a major water utility serving 1 million consumers across nine states, with a long history of dividend payments since 1931 and 70 consecutive years of increases, making it a top Dividend King [15] - The company has achieved a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.8% in dividend growth over the past five years and aims for over 7% in the long term, supported by planned capital expenditures [16] - The stable cash flows and growth potential position American States Water as one of the safest and most reliable dividend stocks available, with a current yield of 2.4% [17]

Core Viewpoint - Black Hills Corp. demonstrates its commitment to a sustainable energy future through its 2024 Corporate Sustainability Report, highlighting significant progress in environmental, economic, and governance areas [1][2]. Environmental Achievements - The company has achieved a 38% reduction in electric utility emissions since 2005 and aims for a 40% reduction by 2030 and a 70% reduction by 2040 [2]. - Black Hills Corp. is on track to reach net zero natural gas utility emissions by 2035 [2]. Economic Impact - The total economic impact of Black Hills Corp. in 2024 was approximately $1.5 billion, which includes $3.8 million in charitable giving and energy assistance [6]. - The company’s charitable contributions included $441,000 to United Way and $73,711 to Black Hills Cares, which, with company matching, totaled $551,000 for United Way and $346,000 in energy assistance [6]. Renewable Energy Initiatives - In 2024, Black Hills Corp. acquired a renewable natural gas facility in Iowa, expected to produce enough RNG to heat over 1,800 homes annually [6]. - The company is also innovating in coal to hydrogen technology and has conducted initial testing of carbon sequestration capabilities at its Gillette, Wyoming energy complex [6]. Customer Empowerment - Through programs like Green Forward and over $10 million in energy efficiency rebates, Black Hills Corp. has helped customers save energy equivalent to powering over 1,500 homes with electricity and 246 homes with natural gas for one year [6]. Workplace Culture - Black Hills Corp. fosters a workplace environment that encourages employee contribution, collaboration, and growth, aligning with its mission to improve life with energy [6].

Core Viewpoint - Geopolitical tensions and tariff uncertainties are prompting investors to seek safe dividend stocks, particularly in the utility sector, which is characterized by stable demand and regulated returns [1][4]. Investment Options - NextEra Energy, Black Hills, and Dominion Energy are highlighted as attractive utility stocks for investment, each with distinct characteristics and dividend profiles [2][7]. NextEra Energy - NextEra Energy is recognized for its strong dividend growth, having increased its dividend annually for over 30 years, with a 10% annualized increase over the past decade and a current yield of approximately 3.2% [9][11]. - The company’s core business is its regulated utility operation in Florida, complemented by a significant renewable power segment that contributes to its growth potential [10]. Black Hills - Black Hills operates regulated electric and natural gas assets across several states and is noted for its consistent dividend increases over more than five decades, offering a yield of 4.8% [12][13]. - The utility's customer base is growing at nearly double the rate of the U.S. population, indicating strong future growth prospects [12]. Dominion Energy - Dominion Energy presents a higher yield of 4.9%, but its dividend is currently not growing as the company focuses on restructuring and strengthening its balance sheet [14][15]. - The utility is positioned to benefit from significant industry trends, including its involvement in one of the largest data center markets and the development of a large offshore wind farm [14]. Summary of Investment Appeal - The three utilities—NextEra Energy for dividend growth, Black Hills for reliable dividends, and Dominion Energy as a turnaround story—offer diverse options for investors seeking stable income streams [16].

RAPID CITY, S.D., June 11, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Black Hills Corp. (NYSE: BKH) today announced that its South Dakota electric utility subsidiary serving South Dakota and eastern Wyoming has received approval from the Wyoming Public Service Commission for a certificate of public convenience and necessity (CPCN) that supports the need for its Lange II Project, a 99 MW dispatchable generation resource in Rapid City, South Dakota. The approval allows commencement of construction of the project, which address ...

Industry Overview - The utility sector is experiencing a shift in demand, which is expected to boost growth in an industry traditionally viewed as stable and low-growth [1] - Energy demand is projected to increase significantly, with estimates rising from 22% growth between 2020 and 2040 to 55% growth by 2025, marking a substantial increase compared to the previous 20-year period [2] - Key drivers of this demand surge include artificial intelligence (AI), data centers, and electric vehicles (EVs), with demand from AI and data centers expected to rise by 300% and EV demand projected to increase by 9,000% by 2050 [3] Company Analysis: Dominion Energy - Dominion Energy has faced challenges, including a dividend cut while restructuring its asset portfolio to focus solely on electric utility operations [4] - The company is working on reducing leverage and aligning its payout ratio with industry peers, currently offering a dividend yield of 4.7%, significantly higher than the average utility yield of 2.9% [6] - Dominion holds a monopoly in a major data center market, experiencing strong demand for power, and is expected to achieve annual earnings growth of 5% to 7% due to this demand and a large offshore wind project [7] - Investors can benefit from above-average yields while awaiting dividend growth, which could lead to a higher stock premium once dividends are restored [8] Company Analysis: Black Hills - Black Hills has a strong dividend history, having increased its dividend annually for 55 consecutive years, earning the title of Dividend King [9] - Despite its small market cap of $4 billion, Black Hills offers a high dividend yield of 4.6% and is positioned to benefit from increasing demand in its service markets, projecting earnings growth of 4% to 6% annually [10] - The company represents a stable investment option in the utility sector, appealing to investors seeking consistent returns in a regulated industry [11]

Group 1 - The article emphasizes the volatility of stocks, indicating that all investors will eventually experience market fluctuations [1] - It highlights that most investors have been in the market for over a month, suggesting a shared experience of volatility [1] Group 2 - The content does not provide specific insights or data related to companies or industries [2]

Black Hills (BKH) Q1 2025 Earnings Call May 08, 2025 11:00 AM ET Company Participants Salvador Diaz - Director of Investor RelationsLinden Evans - Board Member, President & CEOKimberly Nooney - Senior VP & CFOMarne Jones - Senior Vice President of UtilitiesAndrew Weisel - DirectorRoss Fowler - Head - North America Power & Utilities Equity ResearchAnthony Crowdell - Managing Director Conference Call Participants Brian Russo - Analyst Operator Good day, and thank you for standing by. Welcome to the Q1 twenty ...

Black Hills (BKH) Q1 2025 Earnings Call May 08, 2025 11:00 AM ET Company Participants Salvador Diaz - Director of Investor RelationsLinden Evans - Board Member, President & CEOKimberly Nooney - Senior VP & CFOMarne Jones - Senior Vice President of UtilitiesAndrew Weisel - DirectorRoss Fowler - Head - North America Power & Utilities Equity ResearchAnthony Crowdell - Managing Director Conference Call Participants Brian Russo - Analyst Operator Good day, and thank you for standing by. Welcome to the Q1 twenty ...

Black Hills (BKH) Q1 2025 Earnings Call May 08, 2025 11:00 AM ET Speaker0 Good day, and thank you for standing by. Welcome to the Q1 twenty twenty five Black Hills Corporation Earnings Conference Call. At this time, all participants are in a listen only mode. Please be advised that today's conference is being recorded. After the speakers' presentation, there will be a question and answer session. I would now like to hand the conference over to your speaker today, Sal Diaz, Director of Investor Relations. Sp ...