Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported full-year non-GAAP earnings per share of $4.76, a 4.2% increase from $4.57 in 2024 [21] - GAAP earnings for 2025 were $4.56 per share, compared to $2.27 per share in 2024 [19] - The company paid dividends of $3.01 per share, representing a 5.2% increase [6] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Electric transmission earned $2.09 per share in 2025, up from $2.03 per share in 2024, driven by investments in service reliability [22] - Electric distribution earnings increased to $1.80 per share in 2025 from $1.77 per share in 2024, due to base distribution rate increases [22] - Natural gas distribution segment earnings rose to $0.97 per share in 2025 from $0.81 per share in 2024, attributed to base distribution rate increases and infrastructure investments [23] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company achieved top decile performance for both MBI and SAIDI metrics, indicating improved reliability for customers [8] - The average electric customer experienced an outage only once in nearly two years, reflecting high service reliability [8] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company plans to invest approximately $26.5 billion in infrastructure over the next five years, a $2.3 billion increase from the previous plan [25] - Key focus areas include grid modernization, resiliency projects, and compliance with state safety regulations [14] - The company aims to enhance customer experience and maintain high reliability while addressing aging infrastructure [13] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management emphasized the importance of partnerships with state policymakers to address affordability and reliability [5] - The company expects 2026 to be a transformational year, with a focus on completing offshore wind commitments and managing potential sales [17] - Long-term earnings growth is projected to be in the range of 5%-7% by 2028, with expectations for growth towards the upper half of this range [38] Other Important Information - The company received regulatory approvals for rate adjustments, including a $55 million increase for NSTAR Electric and a $10 million increase for NSTAR Gas [29] - The company is actively pursuing the sale of Aquarion Water Company, with a court ruling in favor of the sale process [30] Q&A Session Summary Question: Growth trajectory and balance sheet flexibility - Management indicated that if the Aquarion sale is approved, it could eliminate some funding needs and potentially be accretive to growth [46][60] Question: Status of Revolution Wind project liabilities - Management clarified that the obligation is to Global Infrastructure Partners, not Ørsted, and that the project is on track for first power soon [60][65] Question: Sources and uses of cash regarding minority interest sales - Management discussed various alternatives for financing, including potential minority interest sales, but emphasized that these are not immediate plans [72] Question: Timeline for Connecticut AMI resolution - Management expects to meet regarding AMI in Connecticut soon and is optimistic about clarity on investment recovery mechanisms [75] Question: Impact of Aquarion sale on equity needs - Management confirmed that equity needs remain unchanged regardless of the Aquarion sale outcome, but alternative financing flexibility exists [103]

Core Viewpoint - Algonquin Power & Utilities Corp. (AQN) plans to release its fourth quarter and full year 2025 financial results on March 6, 2026, before the market opens [1] Financial Results Announcement - The earnings conference call will take place at 8:30 a.m. eastern time on March 6, 2026 [1] - The call will be hosted by Chief Executive Officer Rod West and Chief Financial Officer Rob Stefani [1]

Core Insights - NorthWestern Energy Group, Inc. (NWE) is recognized as one of the 7 Best Non-REIT Dividend Stocks to Invest in [1] - Barclays has raised its price target for NWE to $62 from $61, maintaining an Overweight rating [3] Financial Performance - NorthWestern reported GAAP earnings of $0.62 per share and adjusted EPS of $0.79, an increase from $0.65 a year earlier [4] - Utility margins improved at a double-digit rate compared to the previous year [4] - The company reaffirmed its 2025 earnings guidance of $3.53 to $3.65 per share and a long-term growth target of 4% to 6% [4] Strategic Developments - NorthWestern is pursuing a significant all-stock merger with Black Hills Corporation, which is expected to enhance its market presence and scale [5] - The company is investing heavily with a $2.7 billion capital plan aimed at expanding its rate base over time [4]

Core Insights - The article discusses the best non-REIT dividend stocks to invest in, highlighting the importance of dividends across various sectors beyond real estate investment trusts (REITs) [1][3] Dividend Market Overview - REITs have shown resilience in 2025, with aggregate funds from operations rising by 6.2%, net operating income increasing by 4.7%, and total dividends paid climbing by 6.3% compared to the same period in 2024, indicating strong fundamentals and disciplined capital access [2] - There is a significant demand for dividend-paying stocks, with over $1 trillion in funds and ETFs globally focusing on dividends, reflecting investors' desire for consistent and reliable income streams [3] Methodology for Stock Selection - The article identifies dividend-paying stocks outside of REITs with a yield above 3% as of January 31, and selects those with the highest number of hedge fund investors at the end of Q3 2025 [6] Company Highlights - **Open Text Corporation (NASDAQ:OTEX)**: - Dividend yield of 4.31% with 14 hedge fund holders; focuses on software for information management, heavily reliant on recurring revenue [9] - Analyst Stephanie Price from CIBC cut the price target to $37 from $40, maintaining a Neutral rating due to weaker-than-expected Q2 guidance [10] - The company plans to divest non-core business units, potentially reducing revenue by up to 20% to focus on AI-related content [12] - **NorthWestern Energy Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:NWE)**: - Dividend yield of 3.89% with 24 hedge fund holders; operates as a regulated utility providing electricity and natural gas [13] - Barclays raised its price target to $62 from $61, maintaining an Overweight rating following a solid Q3 performance with GAAP earnings of $0.62 per share [14][15] - The company is pursuing a strategic all-stock merger with Black Hills Corporation, expected to enhance its market presence [16]

Core Insights - European power and utilities companies are increasing investments in advanced analytics and AI-enabled operations to achieve grid modernization, decarbonization, and digitalization [1][2] Investment Trends - Utilities are expanding renewable generation and investing in grid infrastructure in response to stricter clean energy regulations and decarbonization targets [2][5] - Grid investment remains the top priority for European utilities as networks adapt to higher renewable penetration and electrification [6] Operational Changes - Enterprises are moving beyond commodity electricity procurement to pursue new, value-driven revenue models by partnering on demand response, storage, and grid-interactive platforms [3][4] - Utilities are modernizing their transmission and distribution networks and digitalizing grid operations to enhance resilience and integrate renewable energy sources [4][5] Technology Adoption - Providers are supporting utilities by modernizing grids and strengthening integration between IT and operational systems, utilizing data analytics and AI for improved forecasting and operational coordination [3][4] - Decarbonization planning is becoming more structured and investment-driven, with enterprises relying on consulting support for technology choices and investment priorities [5] Market Dynamics - The report evaluates 39 providers across four quadrants: Enterprise Asset Management, Process and Customer Experience Management, Smart Metering and Grid Modernization, and Technology, Transformation and Consulting [8] - Accenture, Capgemini, Cognizant, Deloitte, IBM, Infosys, NTT DATA, TCS, and Wipro are named as Leaders in four quadrants each, indicating strong market positions [9] Customer Experience - Capgemini is recognized as the global ISG CX Star Performer for 2025 among power and utilities service providers, achieving the highest customer satisfaction scores [10]

Core Insights - North American power and utilities companies are increasingly adopting AI and data-driven technologies to modernize operations and enhance customer responsiveness amid green energy mandates and cost pressures [1][2][3] Industry Trends - Utilities are transitioning from reactive to predictive and proactive operating models due to the complexity introduced by distributed energy resources (DERs), electric vehicles, and customer expectations for digital services [2][3] - The integration of AI, generative AI, and machine learning is central to improving grid and asset performance, with applications in outage forecasting, predictive maintenance, and workforce optimization [3][4] Technology Adoption - Digital innovation is enabling better infrastructure management, with advanced analytics helping to extend asset life and improve service-level agreement compliance [4] - Utilities are deploying DER management systems, advanced distribution management platforms, and virtual power plants to manage bidirectional power flows and enhance network resilience [4] Customer Engagement - There is a modernization of customer engagement as utilities respond to increasing demand for transparency, with upgrades to customer information systems supporting flexible payment plans and personalized insights [5] - AI-enabled contact centers and automated tools are enhancing customer interactions and reducing service costs [5] Strategic Insights - Utilities that align their asset, grid, and customer modernization efforts around shared data platforms are achieving faster operational improvements [6] - The report highlights growing investments in cybersecurity and compliance technologies, as well as the use of digital twins and IoT data for long-term infrastructure planning [6] Provider Evaluation - The report evaluates 35 providers across four quadrants: Enterprise Asset Management, Process and Customer Experience Management, Smart Metering and Grid Modernization, and Technology, Transformation and Consulting [9] - Leading companies identified include Accenture, Capgemini, Cognizant, Deloitte, HCLTech, IBM, Infosys, TCS, and Wipro, with others recognized as Rising Stars and leaders in specific quadrants [10][11]

Core Insights - Power companies are experiencing relief after years of tough market conditions, with capacity returning and competition among insurers intensifying, leading to easing pricing that favors buyers [1][2] - Insurers are competing actively, resulting in mid to high double-digit rate reductions for property damage and business interruption for power and utilities companies [2] - Long-term agreements and no-claims bonuses are re-emerging, while local markets are gaining underwriting authority, enhancing responsiveness and competition [2] Industry Challenges and Opportunities - The energy sector faces challenges from geopolitical volatility, climate-driven disruptions, underfunded transmission networks, and aging infrastructure, despite increasing demand [3][5] - Future-ready power companies are leveraging insurance strategically in the current soft market to optimize risk strategies, control costs, and position capital for sustainable growth [3] - Nuclear energy is identified as a key solution for the power needs of data centers, providing clean, reliable, and scalable electricity to support the digital economy [5] Market Dynamics - The international power liability market is softening, with Lloyd's reporting its third consecutive year of underwriting profit, although climate change and decarbonization pressures are affecting insurer appetite [5]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Q4 consolidated adjusted EBITDA was $248.6 million, down 5.2% from the prior year [37] - Fourth quarter adjusted net earnings were $45.2 million, down from $81.3 million in 2023 [39] - Full-year adjusted net earnings were $232.1 million, down from $279.4 million in 2023 [40] - Adjusted net earnings per share for Q4 were $0.06 versus $0.12 in the prior year [42] - Year-end GAAP debt was approximately $8.05 billion, with expectations to reduce it by an estimated $1.95 billion from the sale of the renewables business [45] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Regulated adjusted EBITDA was $234.4 million in Q4, up 2.4% from 2023 [38] - Full-year regulated adjusted EBITDA was $940.2 million, up 4.2% from 2023 [38] - The decline in consolidated adjusted EBITDA was primarily due to a lower dividend from Atlantica and certain corporate allocations [38] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company completed the sale of its renewables business for approximately $2.1 billion, reflecting a significant transition to a pure-play regulated utility [22][26] - The rate base increased to approximately $7.8 billion from $7.2 billion a year earlier, driven by spending and invested capital [46] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to improve operational efficiency and customer service while focusing on its regulated utilities [22][25] - The leadership transition is expected to bring a renewed focus on creating sustainable value and improving returns on equity [11][17] - The company is committed to achieving its authorized return on equity of 9.2% and addressing regulatory lag [23][54] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the company's ability to accelerate performance and earnings, particularly as a pure-play regulated utility [51][54] - The company views 2025 as a transition year with opportunities for growth above peer averages [52] - Management acknowledged challenges related to customer service and billing issues stemming from the implementation of a new IT platform [32][90] Other Important Information - The company has engaged a national firm to search for a permanent CFO following Darren Myers' departure [20] - The transition to a pure-play regulated utility is seen as a critical milestone in the company's strategic review [22] Q&A Session Summary Question: Optimization of the utility platform - Management highlighted efforts to reduce overhead and improve accountability within utilities as key focus areas for operational efficiency [58][59] Question: Long-term EPS growth potential - Management indicated that the targeted dividend payout ratio of 60% to 70% could be achieved in a few years, with potential for acceleration under new leadership [62][63] Question: Hydro sales process - Management confirmed plans to go to market within the half year for the Hydro sales process, emphasizing no dilutive transactions [69] Question: Rate base growth and adjustments - Management clarified that the increase in rate base was primarily due to IT platform investments, with no significant further adjustments expected [72] Question: Transition expenses related to renewables - Management noted that some costs related to exiting the renewables business would persist into 2025 but are not expected to be ongoing [76] Question: Customer service technology platform issues - Management acknowledged the challenges faced with the new SAP implementation but expressed confidence in future improvements [90][91] Question: Key areas of focus for the new CEO - The new CEO emphasized aligning stakeholders and focusing on areas with quick opportunities for productive capital deployment [96][97] Question: Regulatory strategy and ROE gap - Management discussed the importance of managing cost structures internally to bridge the gap between realized and allowed ROEs [112][114]