Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported adjusted net income of $4.7 million and adjusted earnings of $0.29 per share for Q2 2025, representing an increase of $400,000 or 0.02 per share compared to the same period in the prior year [5][14] - For the first six months of 2025, adjusted net income was $33.1 million or $2.3 per share, an increase of $1.6 million or 0.07 per share compared to the same period in 2024 [6][14] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Electric adjusted gross margin for the six months ended June 30, 2025, was $53.3 million, an increase of $1.3 million or 2.5% compared to the same period in 2024, driven by higher distribution rates and customer growth [15] - Gas adjusted gross margin for the same period was $108.1 million, an increase of $15.8 million or approximately 17.1% compared to the same period in 2024, attributed to higher rates, customer growth, and a return to normal winter weather [16] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company added approximately 9,360 new gas customers, including 8,800 from the acquisition of Bangor Natural Gas, compared to the same period in 2024 [16] - Approximately 55% of the company's gas customers are under decoupled rates as of June 30, 2025 [16] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is optimistic about the ongoing regulatory reviews of the Maine Natural Gas and Aquarion Water transactions, expecting to close these acquisitions by 2025 [7][8] - The company aims to accelerate rate base growth to approximately 10% annually through 2029, supporting earnings growth near the top end of its guidance range [9] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management reaffirmed a strong financial outlook and long-term guidance for earnings growth, dividend growth, and rate base growth [6][26] - The company sees increasing support for natural gas in New England as a means to reduce energy supply volatility and improve affordability for customers [10][11] Other Important Information - The company has initiated a $50 million at-the-market equity program and issued $32 million in senior unsecured notes for Bangor Natural Gas [23] - The current five-year capital budget totals approximately $1 billion, which is 46% higher than the prior five years, reflecting the investment plan for existing operations [24] Q&A Session Summary Question: Will the slight negative results in Q3 affect the dividend approach for the third quarter? - Management confirmed that the slight change in quarterly distribution for the second half of the year will not affect the company's approach to 2025 dividends [30][32]

Earnings Conference Call Q2 2025 Safe Harbor The Company's risks and uncertainties include, among other things, uncertainty of future investments and capital expenditures; rate base levels and rate base growth; risks associated with energy markets; the availability and pricing of resource materials; inflationary cost pressures; attracting and maintaining a qualified and stable workforce; changing macroeconomic and industry conditions that impact the demand for our products, pricing and margin; long-term inv ...

Financial Performance & Guidance - 2025 YTD EPS reached $2.53, driven by increased revenue from higher rate base and rate case outcomes, showing a 9.4% increase compared to 2024 on a weather-normalized basis[12] - The company narrowed its 2025 EPS guidance to the top half of the range, now expecting $5.70 to $5.75, reflecting an 8.6% EPS growth at the midpoint on a weather-normalized basis[9, 27, 28, 29] - The company affirms long-term financial targets of 7-9% EPS growth and 7-9% dividend per share growth, with a dividend payout ratio target of 55-60% and a debt to capital ratio of less than 60%[13, 15] - The company's projected dividend payout ratio for 2025 is 58%, based on projected cash dividends per share of $3.2475 and EPS guidance midpoint of $5.625, excluding $0.10 incremental interest from amended HOS seller note[56, 57] Capital Investments & Acquisitions - The company invested $1.3 billion in infrastructure improvements and acquisitions through June 30, 2025[12] - The company agreed to purchase Nexus Water Group systems in eight states for $315 million, adding nearly 47,000 customers[12] - The company anticipates ~$1 billion of capital expenditure related to PFAS treatment and up to ~$50 million annually for operating expenses in its 2025-2029 plan[71] Regulatory & Rate Cases - New rates became effective in 2025 in IL, CA, TN, VA, IN, MO, and IA; general cases were filed in KY, WV, and CA[12] - The company completed rate filings that are effective since January 1, 2025, which are expected to generate $232 million in additional annualized revenue from rate cases and $38 million from infrastructure charges, totaling $270 million[82, 83, 86] - The company has pending rate case filings requesting a total revenue increase of $123 million and pending infrastructure surcharges filings requesting $3 million, totaling $126 million[88]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported GAAP and recurring earnings of $1.5 per share for the first quarter, compared to $1.49 per share in the previous year, indicating a slight increase in earnings [18] - Higher utility earnings were largely offset by a decrease in parent and other earnings, with the natural gas segment showing improved results due to higher revenues from infrastructure investments [19][20] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Electric transmission earnings increased by $0.04 per share due to increased revenues from system investments, while electric distribution earnings rose by $0.03 per share from grid modernization and rate increases in New Hampshire and Massachusetts [19] - The natural gas segment's earnings improved by $0.06 per share, primarily due to higher revenues from infrastructure investments and base distribution rate increases [19] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company is projecting an 8% growth in rate base over the next five years, with a strategic shift towards higher distribution spending in Massachusetts to meet electrification goals [8][9] - The company is examining opportunities related to ISO New England's new RFP for transmission operators to address future load growth [9] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to leverage its strengths in transmission and distribution investment opportunities, reaffirming its 2025 EPS guidance and long-term EPS growth rate of 5% to 7% through 2029 [6][17] - The company is focused on customer innovation and affordability, investing in advanced technologies to enhance reliability and efficiency [10][12] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the company's ability to continue driving value for customers and shareholders, emphasizing a commitment to financial strength and sustainability [16][17] - The company is actively working with regulators and communities to address affordability and transparency in energy bills, particularly in response to high gas bills [12][13] Other Important Information - The company is divesting Aquarion Water, which is expected to close by the end of the year, and anticipates improvements in its FFO to debt ratio as a result [14][27] - The company has a five-year capital plan of $24.2 billion, reflecting a 10% increase over the last plan, with significant investments in transmission and distribution infrastructure [23][24] Q&A Session Summary Question: Tariff exposure related to offshore projects - Management confirmed that all necessary equipment has been procured for the offshore project, with no anticipated challenges related to tariffs [33][34] Question: Regulatory approval timeline for Aquarion divestment - Management expects the transaction to close in 2025, with a straightforward regulatory approval process anticipated [40][41] Question: Impact of securitization on equity needs - Management indicated that if securitization occurs, it would revisit its equity needs, but did not assume it in the current financing strategy [48][49] Question: Updates on AMI process - Management is seeking clarity on the recovery of expenditures related to the AMI program and is committed to spending as directed by Connecticut [51] Question: Thoughts on PURA composition and timing - Management is eager for a stable regulatory environment but could not predict the timing of filling the remaining seats on PURA [56][57] Question: FFO to debt improvement expectations - Management expects significant improvement in FFO to debt metrics, driven by enhanced cash flows from operations [60][61] Question: Upcoming Millstone recontracting rates - Management noted that it is too early to determine the impact of the Millstone contract, which is up in 2029 [72][73] Question: GSEP rule changes impact - Management stated that the recent GSEP decision would not have a major impact on their operations and they are supportive of exploring non-pipe alternatives [81][82] Question: Completion percentage of the Revolution project - Management did not provide a specific percentage of project completion but confirmed that construction is progressing well [83] Question: Regulatory under recoveries and future expectations - Management highlighted the RAM docket as significant for recovery, with timely adjustments expected in Massachusetts and New Hampshire [89][90]

Financial Performance & Guidance - The company reported Q1 2025 EPS of $1.05, driven by higher revenue on increased rate base and 2024 rate case outcomes[11] - The company is affirming its 2025 EPS guidance of $5.65-$5.75, representing 8% EPS growth at the midpoint over weather-normalized 2024 EPS of $5.27[14, 33] - The company successfully executed an $800 million long-term note offering in February with an annual interest rate of 5.250%, due in 2035[11, 56] - The company projects an annual 2025 cash dividend per share of $3.2475, with a total dividend payout ratio of 58%[19] Capital Investments & Rate Base - The company invested $518 million in infrastructure improvements and acquisitions in Q1 2025[11, 38] - The company estimates its rate base to be $22.4 billion as of March 31, 2025[38, 60] - The company plans to invest $36-$37 billion in its systems over the next ten years (2025-2034)[48] Regulatory & Legislative Updates - The company announced a dividend increase of 8.2% in April, aligning with its long-term target[11, 15] - The company has new rates effective in Illinois, Tennessee, Virginia, and California, and a constructive settlement filed in the Missouri rate case, reflecting an annualized revenue increase of $63 million compared to the revised request of $107 million[11, 26] - The company completed rate cases that will add $1 million in additional authorized revenue in Tennessee and $15 million in Virginia[27] Acquisitions & Growth - The company has approximately 37,400 customer connections under agreement across 18 acquisitions in 6 states, with a total value of $162 million[41] - The company closed 3 acquisitions in 3 states with approximately 2,150 customer connections[41, 69] - The company has an acquisition pipeline of more than 1.5 million connections[42, 48]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported GAAP diluted EPS of $1.25 and non-GAAP diluted EPS of $1.22 for Q1 2025, compared to $1.06 in Q1 2024, reflecting a significant increase in earnings driven by rate recovery and colder weather [6][9][10] - The company affirmed its long-term rate base and earnings per share growth rate targets of 4% to 6% [6][19] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The Electric and Gas segments contributed strongly to the earnings, with margin improvements driven by new rates and favorable weather conditions [9][10] - New rates contributed $0.20 to margin improvement, while favorable loads added $0.13, resulting in a total margin increase [10][11] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The Montana rate review is nearing completion, with a full natural gas settlement and a partial electric settlement reached [7][14] - The average bill impact from the gas case is approximately 9%, maintaining rates below the national average [18] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focusing on opportunities with data centers and new large load opportunities, potentially achieving greater than 6% EPS growth [8] - The company is committed to maintaining a 5% dividend yield and a total growth profile of 9% to 11% over the next five years [8][19] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in delivering on earnings and rate-based growth commitments over the long term, despite not providing specific 2025 earnings guidance until the conclusion of the Montana rate review [19][20] - The company expects a lower contribution to overall earnings in Q2 2025 due to the timing of rate implementations [20] Other Important Information - The Montana legislature has passed wildfire and other constructive bills, which are pending the governor's approval, providing significant legal protections for the company [22][24] - The company has successfully priced $500 million of long-term debt to address its financing needs for 2025 [13][14] Q&A Session Summary Question: On the tariff proceeding and data centers - The company is in discussions with multiple parties regarding data centers and expects to finalize contracts with two parties, Atlas and Sabey, by the end of Q2 2025 [40][43][44] Question: EPS guidance for 2025 - Management expects to stay within the 4% to 6% EPS range long-term but acknowledges variability in achieving this target [50] Question: Changes in electric average customer counts - The change in customer counts was due to a new system for counting street lighting districts, with overall customer growth remaining around 1.5% [54][55] Question: Long-term capacity planning - The company is considering natural gas or nuclear as potential replacements for Colstrip, depending on regulatory timelines [64][66] Question: SB301 and approval processes - The 90-day cost prudency review is deemed appropriate, with no overlapping of approval processes expected [68]