Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported earnings per share (EPS) of 0.25forQ32024,adecreasefrom0.30 in Q3 2023, primarily due to one-time tax benefits in the previous year [23][29] - Revenues for Q3 2024 were 435.3million,anincreaseofapproximately6411.3 million in Q3 2023, driven by rate increases, surcharges, and customer growth [21][22] - Operations and maintenance (O&M) expenses decreased compared to Q3 2023, mainly due to reduced bad debt expenses and divestitures [22][26] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The regulated water segment saw revenues increase by nearly 8% in Q3 2024 compared to the same period in 2023, attributed to higher water volume due to warm and dry weather [25] - The natural gas segment experienced a minor revenue decline due to lower gas sales from warmer-than-normal weather [21][24] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) approved a rate case for Peoples Natural Gas, resulting in an annualized revenue increase of 93million[9][31]−AsettlementagreementforAquaPennsylvaniaisexpectedtoyieldanannualizedrevenueincreaseof73 million, pending approval [11][35] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company reinstated its multiyear EPS guidance at a growth rate of 5% to 7% through 2027, excluding any contributions from the DELCORA transaction [7][43] - Plans to invest approximately 7.8billionininfrastructureimprovementsthrough2029,focusingonwater,wastewater,andnaturalgassystems[13][44]−Thecompanyaimstomaintainaffordableratesforcustomerswhileachievinggrowththroughacquisitionsandorganiccustomergrowth[47][48]Management′sCommentsonOperatingEnvironmentandFutureOutlook−ManagementexpressedconfidenceinachievingEPSgrowthdespitechallengessuchaselevatedinflationandhigherinterestrates[16]−Thecompanyisoptimisticaboutfuturegrowthopportunities,particularlyinTexasandNorthCarolina,wheresignificantpopulationgrowthisexpected[42][47]OtherImportantInformation−Thecompanyisactivelypursuingacquisitions,withsignedagreementsprojectedtoaddover213,000customersacrossthreestates[38]−Regulatoryactivitiesincludependingratecasesandinfrastructuresurchargesinmultiplestates,withatotalrevenuerequestof149.2 million [36] Q&A Session Summary Question: Equity financing expectations and timing - Management clarified that they plan to raise approximately 350millioninequitybetween2024and2025,withflexibilityintimingbasedonmarketconditions[51][52]Question:ClarificationonEPSgrowthstartingpoint−Thestartingpointforthe573 million water and wastewater base rate increase from the settlement will be implemented all at once in February 2025 [87]