Core Viewpoint - Black Hills Corporation (NYSE:BKH) is recognized as a strong value-oriented dividend stock, appealing to long-term investors due to its consistent dividend growth and robust customer base expansion [1][3][4]. Company Overview - Black Hills Corporation is a diversified energy company providing electric and gas utility services across multiple states including South Dakota, Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, Arkansas, Kansas, Nebraska, and Iowa, while also selling power throughout the western states [2]. Dividend Performance - The company is classified as a Dividend King, boasting 55 years of consecutive dividend growth. It currently offers a quarterly dividend of $0.676 per share, resulting in a dividend yield of 4.44% as of September 26 [3]. Growth Potential - Black Hills Corporation has been expanding its customer base at nearly three times the rate of overall U.S. population growth, which enhances its position for regulatory approvals on future investments and rate adjustments. The company aims for long-term annual earnings growth of 4% to 6%, with dividend increases expected to align with this growth trajectory [4].

Group 1 - Consolidated Edison, Inc. (NYSE:ED) is recognized for its strong dividend growth, having raised dividends for 51 consecutive years and maintaining regular payouts since 1885, currently paying a quarterly dividend of $0.85 per share [4] - The company operates in the electric and gas utility sector, serving the New York City region, and benefits from steady demand and regulated rates, which provide dependable cash flow [2] - Consolidated Edison plans to invest $38 billion in its utility infrastructure through the end of the decade, which is expected to drive steady earnings growth and support ongoing increases to its dividend, currently yielding nearly 3.5% [3] Group 2 - The consistent dividend payouts of Consolidated Edison make it an attractive option for investors seeking reliable income [2] - The company's operations are characterized by a stable revenue stream due to regulated rates, which enhances its investment appeal [2]

Core Viewpoint - The market anticipates Fortis (FTS) to report flat earnings of $0.69 per share for the quarter ended March 2025, with revenues expected to increase by 2.9% to $2.38 billion compared to the previous year [3][12]. Earnings Expectations - The consensus EPS estimate has been revised 3.09% higher in the last 30 days, indicating a more optimistic outlook from analysts [4]. - Fortis has an Earnings ESP of +1.23%, suggesting a likelihood of beating the consensus EPS estimate [11][10]. Historical Performance - Fortis has consistently surpassed consensus EPS estimates, achieving this in the last four quarters [13]. - In the last reported quarter, Fortis exceeded expectations by delivering earnings of $0.59 per share against an estimate of $0.57, resulting in a surprise of +3.51% [12]. Industry Context - American Electric Power (AEP), a peer in the utility sector, is expected to report earnings of $1.39 per share, reflecting a year-over-year increase of +9.5% with revenues projected at $5.34 billion, up 6.7% [17]. - AEP's consensus EPS estimate has been revised 13.4% higher in the last 30 days, with an Earnings ESP of 0.54%, indicating a potential earnings beat [18].

Core Viewpoint - NorthWestern (NWE) reported quarterly earnings of $1.22 per share, exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.16 per share, and showing an increase from $1.09 per share a year ago, indicating a 5.17% earnings surprise [1] Financial Performance - The company posted revenues of $466.6 million for the quarter ended March 2025, which was 4.17% below the Zacks Consensus Estimate and a decrease from $475.3 million year-over-year [2] - Over the last four quarters, NorthWestern has surpassed consensus EPS estimates two times and topped consensus revenue estimates three times [2] Stock Performance - NorthWestern shares have increased approximately 10% since the beginning of the year, contrasting with a -6% decline in the S&P 500 [3] Future Outlook - The company's earnings outlook is crucial for investors, as it includes current consensus earnings expectations for upcoming quarters and any recent changes to these expectations [4] - The current consensus EPS estimate for the upcoming quarter is $0.66 on revenues of $338.33 million, and for the current fiscal year, it is $3.58 on revenues of $1.58 billion [7] Industry Context - The Utility - Electric Power industry, to which NorthWestern belongs, is currently ranked in the top 14% of over 250 Zacks industries, suggesting a favorable outlook compared to lower-ranked industries [8]