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].

Group 1 - MDU Resources Group, Inc. will host a year-end 2025 earnings conference call on February 5, 2026, at 2 p.m. ET, with results released before U.S. markets open that day [1] - The webcast will be accessible on the company's website under the "Investors" section, specifically in "Events & Presentations" [1] - A replay of the webcast will be available after the live event at the same location [1] Group 2 - MDU Resources Group Inc. is part of the S&P SmallCap 600 index and provides electric utility and natural gas distribution services to over 1.2 million customers in the Pacific Northwest and Midwest [2] - The company operates a natural gas pipeline network exceeding 3,800 miles, ensuring reliable energy delivery across the Northern Plains [2] - MDU Resources has a legacy of over a century and focuses on delivering safe, reliable, cost-effective, and environmentally responsible energy solutions [2]

Industry Overview - Natural gas distribution companies transport natural gas from production regions to consumers across the U.S., with a significant underground pipeline network [1] - The shale revolution has increased natural gas production, leading to higher demand due to its clean-burning nature [3] - The U.S. has 3,353 trillion cubic feet of natural gas and a pipeline network of 2.5 million miles [3] - Major concerns include aging infrastructure and rising investment costs due to interest rate hikes [3] Key Trends - Increasing competition from renewable energy sources is making utility-scale projects cheaper and more reliable, posing economic risks to new pipeline investments [4] - Aging infrastructure is a challenge, with many pipelines nearing the end of their service life, leading to safety concerns and higher maintenance costs [5] - A decline in interest rates, with the Federal Reserve lowering rates by 175 basis points to a range of 3.50-3.75%, is expected to benefit capital-intensive utilities [6] Industry Performance - The Zacks Utility Gas Distribution industry ranks 149, placing it in the bottom 38% of 243 Zacks industries, indicating weak near-term prospects [7] - Earnings estimates for the industry have decreased by 7.7% since December 31, 2024 [8] - The Gas Distribution industry has gained 8.5% over the past year, underperforming the Utility sector's 14.5% and the S&P 500's 16.1% [9] Valuation - The industry is trading at a trailing 12-month EV/EBITDA ratio of 10.35X, compared to 18.77X for the S&P 500 and 15.27X for the sector [12] - Over the past five years, the industry's EV/EBITDA has ranged from a high of 12.41X to a low of 9.55X, with a median of 10.91X [12] Company Highlights - **Atmos Energy Corporation (ATO)**: Plans to invest $3.6 billion in fiscal 2025 and 2026 to enhance infrastructure and replace old pipelines, with a current dividend yield of 2.4% and long-term earnings growth projected at 7.98% [16][17] - **Brookfield Infrastructure Corporation (BIPC)**: Engaged in natural gas and electricity supply, with significant growth initiatives including a $5 billion deal with Bloom Energy and a $20 billion partnership with Qai, offering a dividend yield of 3.68% [21][22] - **Spire Inc. (SR)**: Focused on organic expansion through infrastructure investments, planning to spend $922 million in fiscal 2025 and $809 million in fiscal 2026, with a dividend yield of 3.82% and long-term earnings growth of 10.54% [25][26]

Financial Performance & Outlook - ONE Gas expects net income for 2026 to be in the range of $294 million to $302 million[12] - The company anticipates an EPS range of $4.65 to $4.77 per diluted share, assuming approximately 63.4 million diluted shares outstanding[12] - Long-term net income growth is projected at 7-9% for the 2025-2030 period[21] - Long-term EPS growth is expected to be 5-7%, raised from a previous estimate of 4-6%[21] Capital Investments & Rate Base - 2026 capital investments are estimated at approximately $800 million, with around $230 million allocated to customer growth[12] - The average rate base for 2026 is projected to be approximately $6.3 billion[12] - Capital investments from 2022 to 2026G are: System Integrity ~$2.5 billion, Customer Growth ~$1.2 billion[21] - Average annual rate base growth is expected to be 7-9%[21] Financing Activities - ONE Gas completed a $250 million term loan in August 2025, maturing in September 2026[12] - The company has forward sale agreements covering approximately 2.9 million shares at an average price of ~$78/share, totaling ~$226 million[12, 16] - Net long-term financing needs through 2030 are estimated at ~$1.3 billion, with approximately 30% expected to be equity issuances[14] Market Position - ONE Gas has a 71% market share in Kansas, 89% in Oklahoma, and 13% in Texas[8]

Core Insights - Northwest Natural Holding Company (NYSE:NWN) is recognized as one of the 14 Best Utility Dividend Stocks to Buy Now [1] Group 1: Company Overview - Northwest Natural Holding Company operates natural gas distribution utilities in the Pacific Northwest and Texas, along with water and wastewater utilities across six states [2] - The company has a strong commitment to shareholders, having approved a dividend increase for the fourth quarter, marking the 70th consecutive year of annual dividend increases [4] Group 2: Financial Performance - In the third quarter, Northwest Natural reported an adjusted loss per share of $0.73, which beat estimates by $0.1, while revenue was $164.7 million, missing expectations by over $10 million despite a 20% year-over-year increase [3] - The growth in revenue is attributed to a combined utility customer growth rate of 10.9% for the 12 months ending September 30, primarily due to gas utility acquisitions in Texas [3] - The company expects its FY 2025 results to be above the midpoint of its adjusted earnings range of $2.75 to $2.95 per share [3] Group 3: Analyst Ratings - On November 12, Stifel analyst Selman Akyol raised the stock's price target from $50 to $52 while maintaining a 'Buy' rating after updating estimates post-quarter [2]

Core Viewpoint - The National Energy Regulatory Council (NERC) has set the total allowed income cap for AB "Energijos skirstymo operatorius" (ESO) at EUR 433.0 million for 2026, reflecting a 14.4% increase from EUR 378.7 million in 2025, driven by higher investments and lower regulatory differences [5]. Income Cap Summary - The total income cap for ESO's electricity and natural gas distribution services is established at EUR 433.0 million for 2026, which is 14.4% higher than the 2025 cap [5]. - The income cap for electricity distribution services is set at EUR 376.9 million for 2026, a 17.2% increase from EUR 321.6 million in 2025 [3]. - The income cap for natural gas distribution services is set at EUR 56.1 million for 2026, showing a slight decrease of 1.6% from EUR 57.1 million in 2025 [3]. Regulatory Components Summary - The Regulatory Asset Base (RAB) for ESO is projected to be EUR 1,906.5 million in 2026, up 6.2% from EUR 1,794.9 million in 2025 [3]. - The Weighted Average Cost of Capital (WACC) for electricity distribution is slightly reduced to 5.77% in 2026 from 5.82% in 2025, while the WACC for natural gas distribution remains unchanged at 5.6% [3]. - Depreciation and amortization (D&A) for regulatory purposes is expected to increase to EUR 109.5 million for 2026, a 10.0% rise from EUR 99.6 million in 2025 [3]. Factors Influencing Changes - The increase in the income cap is attributed to higher investments in the network as per the 10-year Investment Plan, leading to an increased additional tariff component, return on investment, and depreciation and amortization [6]. - There is a noted decrease in temporary regulatory differences due to a higher return in 2025 [6].

Core Points - MDU Resources Group, Inc. will host its third quarter 2025 earnings conference call on November 6, 2025, at 2 p.m. ET, with results released before U.S. markets open that day [1] - The webcast will be accessible on the company's website under the "Investors" section, with a replay available after the event [2] - MDU Resources serves over 1.2 million customers in the Pacific Northwest and Midwest, focusing on safe, reliable, and environmentally responsible utility services [3] - The company operates a natural gas pipeline network exceeding 3,800 miles, ensuring energy delivery across the Northern Plains [3] - MDU Resources has a legacy of over a century in the energy sector, emphasizing its commitment to energizing lives for a better tomorrow [3]

Group 1 - MDU Resources Group, Inc. will host a webcast for its second quarter 2025 earnings conference call on August 7 at 2 p.m. ET, with results released before U.S. markets open that day [1] - The webcast can be accessed through the company's website under the "Investors" section, and a replay will be available after the event [1] Group 2 - MDU Resources Group Inc. is a member of the S&P SmallCap 600 index, providing electric utility and natural gas distribution services to over 1.2 million customers in the Pacific Northwest and Midwest [2] - The company operates a natural gas pipeline network exceeding 3,800 miles, ensuring reliable energy delivery across the Northern Plains [2] - MDU Resources has a legacy of over a century and focuses on delivering safe, reliable, affordable, and environmentally responsible energy solutions [2]

Financial Performance and Outlook - ONE Gas expects net income for 2025 to be in the range of $254 million to $261 million, aiming for the upper half of this range[23] - The company anticipates EPS (Earnings Per Share) for 2025 to be between $420 and $432, also expecting to achieve the upper half of the range[10, 23] - ONE Gas projects EPS growth of 4-6% for the period of 2025-2029[10] - Capital investments for 2025 are estimated at $750 million, with approximately $180 million allocated to customer growth[10, 23] - The average rate base for 2025 is projected to be $58 billion[23, 28] - Long-term net income growth is expected to be 7-9% for the 2024-2029 period[28] Capital Investments and Financing - Capital investments of approximately $4 billion are planned, including $28 billion for system integrity and replacement projects and $1 billion for growth capital[28] - The company anticipates a short- and long-term financing need of $270-$300 million for 2025[24] - ONE Gas has already executed forward sale agreements covering approximately 29 million shares at an average price of $7822 per share, totaling approximately $227 million[25] Regulatory and Operational Highlights - ONE Gas serves approximately 23 million customers across Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas[5] - The company has a 71% market share in Kansas, 89% in Oklahoma, and 13% in Texas[8] - ONE Gas aims to achieve a 55% reduction in Scope 1 emissions by 2035, measured from a 2005 baseline[82]