Group 1 - Centuri Holdings (CTRI) is outperforming the Utilities sector with a year-to-date return of approximately 12.6%, compared to the sector average of 9.9% [4] - The Zacks Sector Rank for the Utilities group is 1, indicating strong performance among its 108 individual stocks [2] - Centuri Holdings has a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy), reflecting an improving earnings outlook with a 4.5% increase in the full-year earnings estimate over the past quarter [3][4] Group 2 - The Utility - Electric Power industry, which includes Centuri Holdings, has an average return of 9.9% this year, with CTRI performing better than this average [6] - IdaCorp (IDA) is another stock in the Utilities sector that has shown strong performance, returning 10.4% year-to-date and also holding a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy) [5][6] - Investors in the Utilities sector should monitor both Centuri Holdings and IdaCorp for their continued solid performance [7]

Core Viewpoint - Centuri Holdings (CTRI) has received an upgrade to a Zacks Rank 2 (Buy), indicating a positive outlook on its earnings estimates, which is a significant factor influencing stock prices [1][4]. Earnings Estimates and Ratings - The Zacks rating system is based solely on a company's changing earnings picture, tracking the Zacks Consensus Estimate for EPS from sell-side analysts [2]. - The Zacks rating upgrade for Centuri reflects an optimistic earnings outlook, likely leading to increased buying pressure and a rise in stock price [4][6]. Impact of Earnings Estimate Revisions - Changes in a company's future earnings potential, as shown through earnings estimate revisions, are strongly correlated with near-term stock price movements [5]. - Institutional investors often adjust their valuations based on earnings estimates, which can lead to significant stock price movements due to large share transactions [5]. Centuri's Earnings Outlook - Centuri is projected to earn $0.60 per share for the fiscal year ending December 2025, with no year-over-year change expected [9]. - Over the past three months, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for Centuri has increased by 4.5%, indicating a positive trend in earnings estimates [9]. Zacks Rank System - The Zacks Rank system classifies stocks into five groups based on earnings estimates, with a strong historical performance, particularly for Zacks Rank 1 stocks, which have averaged a +25% annual return since 1988 [8]. - Centuri's upgrade to Zacks Rank 2 places it in the top 20% of Zacks-covered stocks, suggesting a strong potential for market-beating returns in the near term [10][11].

Core Viewpoint - Southwest Gas Holdings, Inc. is conducting a secondary public offering of Centuri Holdings, Inc. common stock, offering 9,750,000 shares at a price of $20.75 per share, with a potential additional 1,462,500 shares available for underwriters [1][2] Group 1: Offering Details - The offering size has increased from an initial proposal of 9,500,000 shares to 9,750,000 shares [1] - The offering is expected to close on June 18, 2025, subject to customary closing conditions [1] - J.P. Morgan and Wells Fargo Securities are the joint lead book-running managers for the offering, with several other firms acting as book running managers and co-managers [3] Group 2: Concurrent Private Placement - Southwest Gas Holdings has agreed to sell $22 million in shares of Centuri's common stock to Icahn Partners and Icahn Partners Master Fund LP at the same price as the public offering [2] - The concurrent private placement is contingent upon the completion of the public offering and must close by July 9, 2025, or it will terminate [2] Group 3: Company Background - Southwest Gas Holdings, Inc. operates through its subsidiary, Southwest Gas Corporation, providing natural gas services to over 2 million customers in Arizona, Nevada, and California [6] - Centuri Holdings, Inc. partners with regulated utilities to build and maintain energy networks across the U.S. and Canada [7]

Core Viewpoint - Southwest Gas Holdings, Inc. successfully closed a secondary public offering of Centuri Holdings, Inc. common stock, raising significant capital for debt repayment [1][3]. Group 1: Offering Details - The company sold 10,350,000 shares of Centuri's common stock at a public offering price of $17.50 per share, including the underwriters' full exercise of their option to purchase an additional 1,350,000 shares [1]. - Icahn Partners LP and Icahn Partners Master Fund LP purchased 2,857,142 shares of Centuri's common stock in a concurrent private placement at the same price per share as the public offering [2]. - The net proceeds from the offering were approximately $175 million, while the concurrent private placement generated about $50 million [3]. Group 2: Use of Proceeds - The proceeds from both the offering and the private placement will be utilized for the repayment of outstanding indebtedness [3]. Group 3: Ownership Structure - After the completion of the offering and private placement, Southwest Gas Holdings retains approximately 65.9% ownership of Centuri's outstanding common stock [3]. Group 4: Underwriters - J.P. Morgan, UBS Investment Bank, and Wells Fargo Securities served as joint lead book-running managers for the offering, with additional support from BofA Securities and Moelis & Company [4]. Group 5: Company Background - Southwest Gas Holdings operates through its subsidiary, Southwest Gas Corporation, which focuses on the distribution and transportation of natural gas across Arizona, Nevada, and California [7]. - Centuri Holdings, Inc. provides utility infrastructure services, partnering with regulated utilities to maintain energy networks in the U.S. and Canada [8].

Core Viewpoint - Southwest Gas Holdings, Inc. is conducting a secondary public offering of 9,000,000 shares of Centuri Holdings, Inc. at a price of $17.50 per share, with an additional option for underwriters to purchase 1,350,000 shares [1][2] Group 1: Offering Details - The offering is expected to close on May 22, 2025, subject to customary closing conditions [1] - Icahn Partners and Icahn Partners Master Fund LP will purchase $50 million in shares of Centuri's common stock in a concurrent private placement at the same price per share as the public offering [2] - The shares are being offered under an effective shelf registration statement filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission [4] Group 2: Underwriters and Management - J.P. Morgan, UBS Investment Bank, and Wells Fargo Securities are acting as joint lead book-running managers for the offering [3] - BofA Securities and Moelis & Company are serving as book-running managers, with additional co-managers including Baird, KeyBanc Capital Markets, and others [3] Group 3: Company Background - Southwest Gas Holdings, Inc. operates through its subsidiary Southwest Gas Corporation, providing natural gas services to over 2 million customers in Arizona, Nevada, and California [6] - Centuri Holdings, Inc. partners with regulated utilities to build and maintain energy networks across the U.S. and Canada [7]

Core Viewpoint - Southwest Gas Holdings, Inc. is initiating a secondary public offering of 9,000,000 shares of Centuri Holdings, Inc. common stock, with an option for underwriters to purchase an additional 1,350,000 shares [1][2] Group 1: Offering Details - The offering includes 9,000,000 existing shares of Centuri's common stock, with a potential additional purchase option for underwriters [1] - Icahn Partners and Icahn Partners Master Fund LP will concurrently purchase $50 million in shares from Southwest Gas Holdings at the offering price [2] - The shares are being offered under an effective shelf registration statement filed with the SEC, and a preliminary prospectus supplement will be available [3] Group 2: Company Background - Southwest Gas Holdings operates through its subsidiary, Southwest Gas Corporation, providing natural gas services to over 2 million customers in Arizona, Nevada, and California [5] - Centuri Holdings, Inc. is a utility infrastructure services company that collaborates with regulated utilities to maintain energy networks across the U.S. and Canada [6]

Core Viewpoint - Aemetis, Inc. has signed a $27 million agreement with Centuri Holdings to construct biogas cleanup systems for 15 dairy digesters, which will enhance the production of renewable natural gas (RNG) from dairy waste [2][3]. Group 1: Agreement and Impact - The agreement with Centuri will facilitate the rapid scaling of dairy digesters, enabling Aemetis Biogas to produce RNG for a total of 50 dairies [3]. - Aemetis Biogas plans to have 16 dairies operational this summer as part of the Central Digester Project near Modesto, California, which includes a biogas pipeline and a production facility delivering RNG into the PG&E utility gas pipeline [3]. Group 2: Strategic Relationship - Aemetis is expanding its strategic relationship with Centuri, which includes plans for construction management and pipe assembly for future energy efficiency and carbon sequestration projects [4]. - Centuri's expertise in utility distribution and renewable natural gas projects aligns well with Aemetis' goals, adding significant value to upcoming projects [5]. Group 3: Renewable Energy Projects - Aemetis aims to generate over 1 million MMBtu of RNG from the 50 dairies involved in the project [6]. - Other projects include a Keyes ethanol plant expected to generate $32 million in annual cash flow starting in 2026, and a carbon sequestration project to inject 1.4 million tons of CO2 per year [6]. - Aemetis is also developing a sustainable aviation fuel and renewable diesel plant, which has received necessary permits and approvals [6]. Group 4: Company Overview - Aemetis is focused on the operation, acquisition, development, and commercialization of technologies that replace petroleum products and reduce greenhouse gas emissions [7]. - The company operates a biogas digester network and pipeline system in California, converting dairy waste gas into RNG, and has ethanol production facilities in both California and India [8].

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Consolidated revenues for Q1 2025 totaled $550.1 million, a 4.2% increase from Q1 2024 [21] - Consolidated gross profit was $20.3 million, reflecting a 53.1% increase year-over-year, with a gross profit margin of 3.7% compared to 2.5% in the prior year [21] - Net loss attributable to common stock was $17.9 million, or a diluted loss per share of $0.20, an improvement from a net loss of $25.1 million or $0.35 per share in the same period last year [22] - Adjusted EBITDA for Q1 2025 was $24.2 million, approximately 20% higher than the prior year [22] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - U.S. Gas segment revenue totaled $197.7 million, a year-over-year decrease of 12.7%, with a gross profit margin of -7.5% [23][25] - Canadian Gas segment revenue was $39.8 million, down 2.9% year-over-year, but the segment margin improved to 17.8% from 7.5% [26] - Union Electric segment revenue increased by 7.1% year-over-year to $175.5 million, with a core growth of 32.7% driven by increased bid project activity [26] - Nonunion Electric segment revenue rose by 41.9% year-over-year to $137.1 million, with gross profit increasing to 11.9% from 2.9% [27] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The U.S. Gas segment faced adverse weather conditions impacting performance, but improvements were noted in March and April [19][25] - The nonunion electrical segment benefited from strong market trends in the Sunbelt and Southeast regions, driven by storm damage recovery efforts [20] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on implementing a unified business development strategy to enhance growth and market positioning [11][31] - A significant increase in the sales pipeline was reported, approaching $12 billion in revenue opportunities, with a record booking quarter of $1.2 billion in Q1 2025 [14] - The company aims to improve capital efficiency and reduce working capital levels as part of its strategic priorities [29] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management does not anticipate significant impacts from the global trade war or tariffs in 2025, citing a resilient business model [8][30] - The outlook for full-year 2025 remains unchanged, with expectations to deliver between $2.6 billion and $2.8 billion in revenues [29][30] - Management expressed confidence in maintaining a positive trajectory across segments, with strong growth anticipated in the coming quarters [21][32] Other Important Information - The company has made significant progress in enhancing its pipeline management and sales strategies, fostering a growth-oriented culture [12][31] - Capital expenditures for Q1 2025 were $23.2 million, down from $24.6 million in the prior year [28] Q&A Session Summary Question: Can you talk about the trajectory for 2025 and how you expect to reach the upper end of revenue guidance despite a weaker Q1 in U.S. Gas? - Management noted that the gas business faced weather-related challenges in January and February but recovered in March and April, with work under contract supporting the revenue guidance [35][36] Question: Can you discuss the key findings of the strategic review? - Key findings included the need for a fully integrated sales pipeline, improved cross-selling capabilities, a cultural shift towards identifying more work for customers, and aligning KPIs with growth and profitability [38][39][40] Question: How would you frame the loss in the U.S. Gas segment relative to expectations? - Management acknowledged that weather impacts are uncontrollable but emphasized efforts to migrate the business to regions less affected by weather to achieve profitability earlier in the year [45][46] Question: What is the visibility and cadence expected for bookings moving forward? - Management indicated strong visibility for Q2 bookings and anticipated some lumpiness in Q3, with Q4 expected to be robust due to MSA renewals and new bid work [49][51] Question: Can you clarify the guidance for adjusted EBITDA? - Management confirmed that while they are cautious, the bookings and backlog are pushing towards the upper end of the revenue guidance, and they do not foresee margin erosion [55][57] Question: Can you provide details on the new MSAs and their risk profile? - Management stated that the new work aligns with existing services and customers, maintaining the same risk profile without significant changes [60][61] Question: What will be needed to achieve full-year EBITDA margin? - Management indicated that no radical changes are necessary, and they are on track to meet the full-year guidance based on current backlog and expected bookings [67][68]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Consolidated revenues for Q1 2025 totaled $550.1 million, a 4.2% increase from Q1 2024 [22] - Consolidated gross profit was $20.3 million, reflecting a 53.1% increase year-over-year, with a gross profit margin of 3.7% compared to 2.5% in Q1 2024 [22] - Net loss attributable to common stock was $17.9 million, or a diluted loss per share of $0.20, improved from a net loss of $25.1 million or $0.35 per share in the same period last year [23] - Adjusted EBITDA for Q1 2025 was $24.2 million, approximately 20% higher than the prior year [23] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - U.S. Gas segment revenue totaled $197.7 million, a year-over-year decrease of 12.7%, with a gross profit margin declining to -7.5% from -1.8% [24][25] - Canadian Gas segment revenue was $39.8 million, down 2.9% year-over-year, but the segment margin improved to 17.8% from 7.5% [26] - Union Electric segment revenue increased by 7.1% year-over-year to $175.5 million, with core Union Electric segment growth of 32.7% [26] - Nonunion Electric segment revenue rose by 41.9% to $137.1 million, with gross profit margin increasing to 11.9% from 2.9% [27] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The U.S. Gas segment faced adverse weather conditions early in the year but showed improvement in March [20] - The nonunion electrical segment benefited from strong market trends in the Sunbelt and Southeast regions [21] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on implementing a unified business development strategy aimed at high growth pipeline development and securing new awards [12][14] - The sales pipeline is approaching $12 billion in revenue opportunities, with a record booking quarter of $1.2 billion in Q1 2025 [15] - The company aims to enhance capital efficiency and reduce working capital levels to improve free cash flow [29] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management does not anticipate significant impacts from the global trade war or tariffs in 2025, citing a resilient business model [8][30] - The outlook for full-year 2025 remains unchanged, with expectations to deliver between $2.6 billion and $2.8 billion in revenues [29][30] - Management expressed confidence in maintaining a positive trajectory across segments and delivering strong growth in upcoming quarters [22] Other Important Information - The company has made significant progress in enhancing its pipeline management and sales strategies [31] - The first quarter is typically the slowest period due to seasonal winter weather, but the company expects to see improved performance in subsequent quarters [22] Q&A Session Summary Question: Can you discuss the trajectory for 2025 despite the weaker Q1 in U.S. Gas? - Management noted that the gas business faced weather-related challenges in January and February but recovered in March and April, with expectations to meet budgeted performance for the year [35][36] Question: What were the key findings of the strategic review? - Key findings included the need for a fully integrated sales pipeline, improved cross-selling capabilities, a cultural shift towards identifying more work for customers, and aligning KPIs with growth and profitability [38][39][40][41] Question: How does the U.S. Gas segment's loss compare to expectations? - Management acknowledged that weather impacts profitability, but efforts are being made to migrate the business to regions less affected by adverse weather [45][46] Question: What is the visibility on bookings moving forward? - Management indicated strong visibility on bookings for Q2 and expects to achieve the 1.1 times book-to-bill target for the full year [48][49] Question: Can you clarify guidance on adjusted EBITDA? - Management confirmed that while they are cautious, the strong bookings and backlog are pushing towards the upper end of revenue guidance, with no expected margin erosion [54][56] Question: What is the risk profile of new MSAs? - Management stated that the new work aligns with existing services and does not change the risk profile, focusing on maintaining the same type of contracts with established customers [58][60] Question: What is the outlook for margins based on the strategic review? - Management indicated that no radical changes are needed to achieve full-year EBITDA margin guidance, as the backlog and expected bookings are on track [65][66]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - In Q1 2025, consolidated revenues totaled $550.1 million, a 4.2% increase from Q1 2024 [20] - Consolidated gross profit was $20.3 million, reflecting a 53.1% increase year-over-year, with a gross profit margin of 3.7% compared to 2.5% in Q1 2024 [20] - The net loss attributable to common stock improved to $17.9 million, or a diluted loss per share of $0.20, from a net loss of $25.1 million, or $0.35 per share, in the same period last year [21] - Adjusted EBITDA was $24.2 million, approximately 20% higher than the prior year, with an adjusted EBITDA margin of 4.4%, up from 3.8% [21] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The U.S. Gas segment revenue totaled $197.7 million, a year-over-year decrease of 12.7%, with a gross profit margin declining to -7.5% from -1.8% due to weather disruptions [22][23] - The Canadian Gas segment revenue was $39.8 million, down 2.9% year-over-year, but the segment margin improved to 17.8% from 7.5% [24] - Union Electric segment revenue increased by 7.1% to $175.5 million, with core Union Electric growth of 32.7% driven by increased bid project activity [25] - Nonunion Electric segment revenue rose by 41.9% to $137.1 million, with gross profit increasing to 11.9% from 2.9% due to higher crew counts and work hours [26] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The U.S. Gas segment faced adverse weather conditions impacting performance, but March showed significant improvement [18] - The nonunion electrical segment benefited from strong market trends in the Sunbelt and Southeast, driven by storm damage recovery efforts [19] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on implementing a unified business development strategy aimed at high growth pipeline development and securing new awards [10][12] - There is an emphasis on enhancing capital efficiency and improving free cash flow through better management of capital equipment and working capital [28] - The company aims to grow its customer base and expand market presence, leveraging its scale and capabilities in utility services [9][10] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management does not anticipate significant impacts from the global trade war or tariffs in 2025, citing a resilient business model [7][29] - The outlook for full-year 2025 remains unchanged, with expectations to deliver revenues between $2.6 billion and $2.8 billion [28][29] - Management expressed confidence in achieving a book-to-bill ratio exceeding 1.1 times for the year, supported by a strong sales pipeline [13][29] Other Important Information - The company reported a record booking quarter with new bookings totaling $1.2 billion in Q1 2025, significantly up from $221 million in Q4 2024 [13] - The backlog increased to $4.5 billion as of Q1 2025 from $3.7 billion at the end of 2024 [13] Q&A Session Summary Question: How will the company achieve the upper end of revenue guidance despite a weaker Q1 in U.S. Gas? - Management noted that the gas business experienced a slow start due to weather but recovered in March and April, with work under contract supporting the guidance [34][35] Question: What were the key findings from the strategic review? - The review highlighted the need for a fully integrated sales pipeline, improved cross-selling capabilities, cultural shifts towards growth, and alignment of KPIs with profitability goals [37][40] Question: How does the U.S. Gas segment's loss compare to expectations? - Management acknowledged that Q1 is typically slow for the gas segment due to weather, but they are working to mitigate impacts by expanding operations in warmer regions [44][45] Question: What is the expected cadence for bookings throughout the year? - Management anticipates some lumpiness in bookings, with Q2 and Q4 expected to be strong, while Q3 may be quieter [50][51] Question: Can you provide details on the new MSAs and their risk profile? - The new work involves familiar services and customers, maintaining the same risk profile as previous contracts [59][60] Question: What is the outlook for EBITDA margins? - Management expects to achieve full-year guidance without needing significant changes, as the business is on track to meet budget expectations [66][67]