Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported earnings per share (EPS) of $2.20 for 2025, exceeding the guidance range of $2.07-$2.11, marking a significant increase from the previous year's non-GAAP EPS of $1.97 [7][12][18] - Revenues increased by 18.6%, rising from approximately $2.1 billion to nearly $2.5 billion, with regulatory recoveries contributing $177.6 million to this growth [12][13] - Operating and maintenance (O&M) expenses rose by 8.9% year-over-year, totaling an increase of $52.3 million [15] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The water business executed a $450 million PFAS capital plan, deploying over 50 advanced treatment systems [9] - The natural gas segment achieved the installation of its 100,000th Intelis meter in 2025 [9] - The company completed three municipal acquisitions in 2025, adding over 12,700 new customers [21] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Customer growth contributed $5.6 million to revenue, while lower water volumes due to wetter weather offset revenue growth by $8.6 million [13] - The company reported a favorable regulatory recovery totaling $101.5 million in incremental annualized revenue, with $92.6 million related to water and wastewater business [20] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to maintain a long-term goal of delivering 5%-7% EPS growth from 2024 through 2027, excluding non-recurring items [19][24] - The merger with American Water is expected to create a premier multi-state utility with low risk and first quartile growth, with regulatory approvals anticipated to close in the first quarter of 2027 [4][5] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the regulatory relationships built over the years, which are expected to facilitate a constructive outcome for the merger [5] - The company remains committed to balancing responsible investments in infrastructure with customer affordability amid ongoing discussions about utility costs [11] Other Important Information - The company was recognized as one of Newsweek's America's Most Responsible Companies for the fifth consecutive year and named to USA Today's America's Climate Leaders for the third consecutive year [10] - The company plans to invest $1.7 billion in regulated infrastructure in 2026 [25] Q&A Session Summary Question: What would the non-GAAP 2025 be with adjustments? - Management did not specify the number but indicated that favorable non-recurring items would still place results above the guidance range [30][31] Question: Timing for the next round of Pennsylvania rate cases? - Management indicated that filings would follow a historical two-year cadence, suggesting a relatively quick timeline [32] Question: Could regulatory activity be combined with the merger sign-off? - Management clarified that these would be considered separate dockets and adjudicated separately [41][42]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported earnings per share (EPS) of $2.20 for 2025, exceeding the guidance range of $2.07-$2.11, and representing significant growth from the previous year's non-GAAP EPS of $1.97 [6][12][18] - Revenues increased by 18.6%, rising from approximately $2.1 billion in 2024 to nearly $2.5 billion in 2025, with regulatory recoveries contributing $177.6 million to this increase [12][13] - Operating and maintenance (O&M) expenses rose by 8.9% year-over-year, totaling an increase of $52.3 million, driven by higher employee-related costs and increased production costs [14] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The water business executed a $450 million PFAS capital plan, deploying over 50 advanced treatment systems across Pennsylvania and North Carolina [9] - The natural gas segment achieved the installation of its 100,000th Intelis meter in 2025, contributing to operational efficiency [9] - The company completed three municipal acquisitions in 2025, adding over 12,700 new customers and showcasing its growth strategy [21] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company experienced customer growth that added $5.6 million in revenue, although lower water volumes due to wetter weather offset this growth by $8.6 million [13] - Regulatory recoveries totaled $101.5 million in 2025, with $92.6 million related to the water and wastewater business [20] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on maintaining a strong balance sheet, improving cash flow, and delivering consistent dividend growth while keeping the payout ratio between 60% and 65% [24] - The merger with American Water is expected to close in the first quarter of 2027, with the company optimistic about leveraging combined resources for business development [5][21] - The company reaffirmed its long-term goal of delivering 5%-7% EPS growth from 2024 through 2027, excluding non-recurring items [24] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the regulatory relationships built over the years, which are expected to facilitate a constructive outcome for the merger [5] - The company emphasized its commitment to sustainability and affordability, balancing investments in infrastructure with customer bill impacts [11][25] - Management highlighted the importance of maintaining high-quality service while managing operating costs amid national discussions on affordability [11] Other Important Information - The company was recognized as one of Newsweek's America's Most Responsible Companies for the fifth consecutive year and named to USA Today's America's Climate Leaders for the third consecutive year [10] - The company plans to invest $1.7 billion in regulated infrastructure in 2026, reflecting its commitment to enhancing service reliability [25] Q&A Session Summary Question: What would the non-GAAP 2025 be with adjustments? - Management did not specify the exact number but indicated that the results remained favorable to the guidance range [30][31] Question: Timing for the next round of Pennsylvania rate cases? - Management suggested that filings would occur relatively quickly, following a historical two-year cadence [32] Question: Could regulatory activity be combined with merger sign-off? - Management clarified that rate cases and regulatory activities are considered separate dockets and will be adjudicated separately [40][41] Question: Options for the bankruptcy exit for Chester? - Management discussed the implications of the Supreme Court ruling and potential negotiations regarding assets related to the Chester Water Authority [44][46]

of 2024, the Company completed the sale of its interest in three non-utility local microgrid and distributed energy projects and recognized a gain of $91,236, net of transaction expenses. In October 2023, the Company completed the sale of its regulated natural gas utility assets in West Virginia. In 2024, the Company received additional proceeds from this sale of regulated natural gas utility assets in West Virginia and post-transaction activities.(2) Estimated impact to Peoples Natural Gas (PNG) operating ...

Core Points - ONE Gas, Inc. announced a dual listing of its common stock on NYSE Texas, effective November 11, 2025, alongside its primary listing on the New York Stock Exchange [1][3] - The dual listing is part of ONE Gas's commitment to Texas, aiming to enhance investor access and awareness of its mission to provide safe and affordable natural gas services [2][3] - ONE Gas is recognized as one of the largest regulated natural gas utilities in the United States and is included in the S&P MidCap 400 Index [4] Company Overview - ONE Gas, Inc. is a fully regulated natural gas utility, serving over 2.3 million customers across Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas [5] - The company operates through three divisions: Kansas Gas Service, Oklahoma Natural Gas, and Texas Gas Service, which are the largest and third-largest natural gas distributors in their respective states [5] Additional Information - The company will continue to trade under the ticker symbol "OGS" on both NYSE and NYSE Texas [3] - ONE Gas's president and CEO emphasized the importance of community ties and the strategic nature of this dual listing [2]

Core Insights - Essential Utilities Inc. reported third-quarter 2025 operating earnings per share (EPS) of 33 cents, exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 27 cents by 22.2% and reflecting a 32% year-over-year increase driven by rate increases across both business segments [1][8] - Operating revenues reached $476.97 million, slightly missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 0.06%, but showing a 9.6% year-over-year growth primarily due to increased rates [2][8] - The company announced a merger with American Water Works Company, creating a leading regulated U.S. water and wastewater utility with a pro forma market capitalization of approximately $40 billion [7][8] Revenue and Segment Performance - The regulated water segment generated revenues of $364.1 million, an 8.8% increase from $334.5 million in the third quarter of 2024, driven by higher water and wastewater rates [3] - The regulated natural gas segment reported revenues of $108.5 million, marking a 12.1% increase from $96.7 million in the same quarter last year, also primarily due to increased rates [3] Financial Highlights - Operating income totaled $169.8 million, up 9.5% year over year, while operation and maintenance expenses rose 6.0% to $153.1 million due to increased employee-related costs and other operational expenses [4] - Interest expenses increased by 7.0% to $82.3 million from $76.8 million in the prior-year quarter [5] - Current assets amounted to $433.6 million as of September 30, 2025, down from $485.9 million as of December 31, 2024, while long-term debt rose to $7.69 billion [9] Future Outlook and Guidance - The company reaffirmed its 2025 EPS guidance in the range of $2.07-$2.11, with a long-term annual earnings growth forecast of 5-7% through 2027 [10] - Essential Utilities plans to invest $1.4-$1.5 billion in infrastructure in 2025 and approximately $7.8 billion from 2025 through 2029 to enhance water and natural gas systems [11]

Core Viewpoint - Xcel Energy is positioned as a strong utility company with potential for earnings surprises, supported by recent analyst upgrades and market interest [2][3][6] Company Overview - Xcel Energy (NASDAQ:XEL) provides electricity and natural gas services across multiple states in the U.S., competing with major players like Duke Energy and Southern Company [1] Stock Performance - Morgan Stanley raised its price target for Xcel Energy to $86 from $80, indicating a potential increase of 6.32% from the current stock price of $80.97, which has seen a slight increase of 0.41% [2][6] - The stock has traded between $80.59 and $81.35 on the current day, with a market capitalization of approximately $47.89 billion [4] Earnings Outlook - Zacks Investment Research highlights Xcel Energy for its potential to exceed earnings expectations, suggesting that it could surprise investors in upcoming earnings reports [3][6] - Analysts adjusting earnings estimates may signal potential surprises, making Xcel Energy a stock to watch closely in the utility sector [5]

Core Viewpoint - Xcel Energy is positioned for growth following a significant lawsuit settlement and is focusing on expanding its services to meet increasing demand in the data center sector [3][4][6] Group 1: Company Overview - Xcel Energy, listed as NASDAQ:XEL, is a major utility company providing electricity and natural gas services across multiple U.S. states [1] - The company competes with other major utilities and aims to maintain its market position through strategic initiatives [1] Group 2: Recent Developments - On September 25, 2025, UBS analyst William Appicelli set a price target of $82 for XEL, indicating a potential increase of approximately 6.15% from its then-current price of $77.25 [2][6] - Xcel Energy's stock price recently surged by 6.7% to close at $77.93, with a trading volume of 10.85 million shares, indicating strong investor interest [2] Group 3: Legal Settlement - The company settled the 2021 Marshall Fire lawsuit for $640 million, which has positively impacted market sentiment [3][6] - Nearly $350 million of the settlement will be covered by insurance, showcasing the company's effective financial management [3] Group 4: Future Outlook - Xcel Energy anticipates customer requests for data centers to reach approximately 8.9 gigawatts by 2029, positioning itself to benefit from emerging market trends [4][6] - Despite a recent stock price decrease of 0.87%, Xcel Energy has shown resilience with a modest gain of 0.7% over the past four weeks [5]

Group 1 - The board of directors of New Jersey Resources Corporation has approved an increase in the quarterly dividend rate to $0.475 per share from $0.45 per share [1] - The new quarterly dividend rate will be effective for the dividend payable on October 1, 2025, to shareholders of record on September 22, 2025 [1] - The new annual dividend rate will be $1.90 per share, continuing the company's history of paying quarterly dividends since its inception in 1952 [1]

Group 1: Essential Utilities - Essential Utilities has a dividend yield of 3.50% and an annual dividend of $1.37, with a dividend increase track record of 32 years and a payout ratio of 58.80% [3][5] - The company reported a 35% year-over-year increase in GAAP EPS, driven by its gas and water businesses and operational efficiency, particularly in Texas [4] - Essential Utilities announced a 5.25% increase in its dividend, continuing its tradition of over three decades of dividend increases, indicating strong earnings growth potential [5] Group 2: Globe Life - Globe Life has a dividend yield of 0.77% and an annual dividend of $1.08, with a dividend increase track record of 20 years and a low payout ratio of 8.63% [7][10] - The company reported a net operating income of $271 million for the latest quarter, marking a 10% year-over-year improvement, and raised its full-year earnings guidance [8] - Globe Life has engaged in significant share buybacks, spending approximately $226 million in the second quarter and planning up to $650 million in repurchases through 2025 [9] Group 3: NetEase - NetEase has a dividend yield of 1.66% and an annual dividend of $2.27, with a payout ratio of 30.72% [11] - Despite facing potential downside of -9.5%, most analysts still view NetEase shares as a Buy, highlighting its successful games segment driven by popular titles [12]

Core Insights - Zacks Premium offers various tools for investors to enhance their stock market strategies, including daily updates, research reports, and stock screens [1][2] Zacks Style Scores - Zacks Style Scores are indicators that rate stocks based on value, growth, and momentum methodologies, helping investors identify stocks likely to outperform the market in the short term [2][3] - Stocks are rated from A to F, with A indicating the highest potential for outperformance [3] Value Score - The Value Style Score focuses on identifying undervalued stocks using financial ratios such as P/E, PEG, and Price/Sales [3] Growth Score - The Growth Style Score emphasizes a company's financial health and future growth potential, analyzing projected and historical earnings, sales, and cash flow [4] Momentum Score - The Momentum Style Score assesses stocks based on price trends and earnings outlook, utilizing factors like recent price changes and earnings estimate revisions [5] VGM Score - The VGM Score combines Value, Growth, and Momentum Scores, providing a comprehensive rating to identify stocks with the best overall potential [6] Zacks Rank - The Zacks Rank is a proprietary model that uses earnings estimate revisions to guide investors in stock selection, with a historical average annual return of +25.41% for 1 (Strong Buy) stocks since 1988 [7][8] - There are over 800 stocks rated 1 or 2, making it essential for investors to utilize Style Scores to narrow down choices [9] Stock Example: Southwest Gas (SWX) - Southwest Gas Corporation is a regulated utility with a Zacks Rank of 3 (Hold) and a VGM Score of A, indicating solid performance potential [11] - The company has a Value Style Score of B, supported by a forward P/E ratio of 20, making it attractive for value investors [11] - Recent upward revisions in earnings estimates have increased the Zacks Consensus Estimate to $3.72 per share for fiscal 2025, with an average earnings surprise of 6% [12]