Core Viewpoint - Northwest Natural Holding Company (NWN) has declared a quarterly dividend of $0.4925 per share, reflecting its strong commitment to shareholders with a history of 70 consecutive years of dividend increases, positioning it among a select few NYSE companies with such a record [2]. Group 1: Dividend Announcement - NWN announced a quarterly dividend of $0.4925 per share, payable on February 13, 2026, to shareholders on record as of January 30 [2]. - The company has a strong annual dividend yield of 4.20% [2]. Group 2: Financial Performance Expectations - NWN is set to announce its Q4 and full-year 2025 report on February 27, with expectations for FY 2025 adjusted earnings to be above the midpoint of the range of $2.75 to $2.95 per share [3]. - The company reaffirmed its long-term EPS growth target of 4% to 6% compounded annually from the midpoint of the 2025 adjusted EPS guidance range [3].

Core Viewpoint - Southern California Edison has filed cross-claims in the Eaton Fire litigation against multiple defendants, including Southern California Gas Company, acknowledging its role in the fire and prompting SoCalGas to defend its operations and pursue recovery for damages [1][2]. Group 1: Company Actions and Responses - Southern California Gas Company intends to vigorously defend against Edison's claims, viewing them as attempts to deflect responsibility [2]. - SoCalGas is reviewing the allegations in the cross-complaint and plans to utilize its insurance, including wildfire insurance, to cover damages related to its system and defend against Edison's claims [3]. - SoCalGas has been actively working with local and state officials to assess fire impacts on its infrastructure and restore service to affected customers [4]. Group 2: Company Overview - Southern California Gas Company is the largest gas distribution utility in the U.S., serving over 21 million consumers across approximately 24,000 square miles in Central and Southern California [5]. - The company is recognized as a leader in the energy industry and has received accolades for its community involvement, including being named Corporate Member of the Year by the Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce [5].

Industry Overview - Demand for natural gas is increasing in the U.S. and globally due to its clean-burning properties, driven by AI data centers, reshoring of industries, electric vehicle usage, and higher domestic demand during cold winters [1][11] - The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) projects that natural gas will account for 40% of U.S. electricity generation in 2025 and 2026, as coal-fired generation units are phased out [2] - The natural gas distribution industry is crucial for delivering gas through a network of 2.5 million miles of pipelines across the U.S. [5] Investment Opportunities - Capital-intensive gas distribution utilities like Atmos Energy Corporation (ATO) and Spire Inc. (SR) are recommended for investment due to rising natural gas demand and favorable market conditions [3][8] - ATO plans to invest $26 billion by 2030, targeting 6-8% annual earnings growth and maintaining steady dividends [11][12] - SR has increased its capital investment plan to $11.2 billion, aiming for 5-7% adjusted EPS growth through fiscal 2035 [11][14] Financial Performance - ATO's current dividend yield is 2.34%, outperforming the S&P 500 composite's yield of 1.4%, with a beta of 0.75 indicating lower volatility [13] - SR's current dividend yield is 3.93%, with a long-term earnings growth rate projected at 10.54% and a beta of 0.66 [17] - Both companies have shown strong performance, outperforming the Zacks Utilities sector over the past six months [9]

Company Strategy - Tokyo Gas plans to invest in US downstream assets [1] - The investment aims to lift earnings [1] - The investment aims to reinforce the last leg of its energy supply chain [1] Industry Focus - Tokyo Gas is Japan's biggest distributor of the fuel (likely referring to natural gas) [1]

Core Viewpoint - Tokyo Gas Co., Japan's largest fuel distributor, plans to invest in US downstream assets to enhance earnings and strengthen its energy supply chain [1][2]. Investment Strategy - The company aims to deploy capital in liquefaction plants, export terminals, and the energy services sector to increase profitability [2]. - Tokyo Gas has allocated 350 billion yen ($2.2 billion) for overseas investments over the next three years starting from fiscal 2026, although specific amounts for US downstream expansion were not disclosed [4]. Market Context - The planned expansion in the US coincides with a shift in US energy policy under President Donald Trump, which favors fossil fuels and responds to increased power demand from artificial intelligence and data centers [3]. Recent Acquisitions - Tokyo Gas' US subsidiary acquired Rockcliff Energy II LLC, a Texas natural-gas producer, for approximately $2.7 billion in late 2023 and also purchased a stake in Arm Energy Trading LLC in 2024 [5]. Shareholder Influence - The company attracted attention after Elliott Investment Management disclosed a 5% stake, pressuring Tokyo Gas to divest parts of its real estate portfolio to enhance shareholder value [6]. Future Asset Management - Tokyo Gas has identified target assets for potential sale but has not specified which properties will be divested, while retaining real estate that supports its core energy business [7].

Core Insights - Spire Inc. has approved a quarterly dividend increase of 5.1%, raising it from 78.5 cents to 82.5 cents, resulting in an annual dividend of $3.30 per share, payable on January 5, 2026 [1][10] Dividend History and Growth - Spire has raised its dividend five times in the last five years, with an annualized dividend growth rate of 4.67% over this period [2] - The company has consistently paid dividends since 1946 and has increased its annual dividend rate for the past 23 years [3] Financial Outlook and Investments - For fiscal 2025, Spire's capital spending is projected to be $875 million, an increase from the previous estimate of $840 million, with significant allocations to various regions [4] - Over the next decade, Spire plans to invest approximately $7.4 billion, supporting a 7-8% annual rate-base growth [4] Customer Base Expansion - Spire is experiencing growth in its natural gas customer base, both organically and through acquisitions, including an agreement to acquire Piedmont Natural Gas' Tennessee local distribution company, expected to add over 200,000 customers [5] Technological Advancements - The company is investing in smart meters, having installed over 350,000 advanced meters in fiscal 2024, benefiting a total of 850,000 customers [6] Industry Context - Domestic-focused, rate-regulated gas distribution utilities, like Spire, are stable performers, allowing for dividend hikes and share buybacks, with other utilities also raising their dividend rates in 2025 [7] - Current dividend yields for comparable companies are 1.96% for Atmos Energy, 2.69% for National Fuel Gas Company, and 4.34% for UGI Corporation, all higher than the S&P 500 composite's yield of 1.51% [8] Stock Performance - In the past year, Spire's shares have risen by 32.9%, outperforming its industry's growth of 10.3% [11]

Core Insights - ONE Gas, Inc. reported a strong third quarter performance with operating income of $65.4 million, up from $59.5 million in the same quarter of 2024, reflecting disciplined execution of strategy and operational efficiency [2][11] - The company narrowed its 2025 financial guidance, expecting net income in the range of $262 million to $266 million and diluted earnings per share between $4.34 and $4.40 [10][13] - A quarterly dividend of $0.67 per share was declared, payable on December 1, 2025, indicating a commitment to returning value to shareholders [11] Financial Performance - For the third quarter of 2025, total revenues reached $379.1 million, compared to $340.4 million in the third quarter of 2024, driven by increased natural gas sales and new rates [11][23] - Year-to-date operating income for 2025 was $317.7 million, up from $274.6 million in 2024, highlighting consistent growth [4][11] - Net income for the third quarter was $26.5 million, or $0.44 per diluted share, compared to $19.3 million, or $0.34 per diluted share, in the prior year [11][23] Capital Expenditures - Capital expenditures and asset removal costs for the third quarter of 2025 totaled $207.6 million, slightly higher than $197.7 million in the same period last year, primarily for system integrity and service extension [3][11] - Year-to-date capital expenditures were $575.4 million, compared to $571.7 million in the same period of 2024, indicating ongoing investment in infrastructure [5][11] Regulatory Activities - Texas Gas Service filed a rate case in June 2025, requesting a $41.1 million revenue increase, with new rates expected to take effect in the first quarter of 2026 [6] - Kansas Gas Service and Oklahoma Natural Gas also filed for rate increases in 2025, reflecting ongoing regulatory adjustments to support operational costs [8][9] Customer Growth - The average number of customers served by ONE Gas increased to 2.3 million, with notable growth in residential sales in Oklahoma and Texas contributing to revenue increases [11][18] - Natural gas sales volumes for the third quarter were 12.3 Bcf, up from 11.7 Bcf in the same quarter of 2024, indicating a positive trend in demand [11][31]

Core Points - Unitil Corporation has completed the acquisition of Maine Natural Gas Company from Avangrid Enterprises, with the purchase price totaling $86.0 million plus approximately $7.1 million for estimated working capital [1][3] - Maine Natural serves around 6,300 residential and commercial natural gas customers in the Greater Portland region and Augusta, with a distribution system of approximately 230 miles [2] - Following this acquisition, Unitil will serve approximately 213,300 customers across Maine, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts [2] Financial Details - The estimated rate base of Maine Natural was approximately $69.0 million as of December 31, 2024 [2] - Unitil financed the acquisition primarily through a term loan from Scotiabank [3] Strategic Importance - The acquisition is seen as highly complementary to Unitil's existing natural gas distribution operations in Maine, enhancing their service capabilities [3] - Unitil emphasizes its commitment to providing safe, clean, reliable, and affordable energy to its customers through locally managed operations [3][5]

Core Insights - CenterPoint Energy has agreed to sell its natural gas local distribution business in Ohio to National Fuel Gas for $2.62 billion [1] Company Summary - CenterPoint Energy is divesting its natural gas distribution operations in Ohio, indicating a strategic shift in its business focus [1] - National Fuel Gas is acquiring the Ohio distribution business, which may enhance its market presence and operational scale in the region [1] Financial Summary - The sale is valued at $2.62 billion, reflecting a significant transaction in the energy sector [1]

Core Viewpoint - Investors in the Utility - Gas Distribution sector should consider Spire (SR) and Atmos Energy (ATO) as potential investment opportunities, with a focus on their valuation metrics to determine which stock offers better value [1] Valuation Metrics - Both Spire and Atmos Energy currently hold a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy), indicating positive earnings estimate revisions and an improving earnings outlook for both companies [3] - Key valuation metrics for Spire include a forward P/E ratio of 16.62 and a PEG ratio of 2.44, while Atmos Energy has a forward P/E of 22.54 and a PEG ratio of 3.08 [5] - Spire's P/B ratio stands at 1.53, compared to Atmos Energy's P/B ratio of 2.11, contributing to Spire's Value grade of B and Atmos Energy's Value grade of D [6]