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New Jersey Resources(NJR) - 2025 Q3 - Earnings Call Transcript

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - In Q3 2025, the company reported an EPS of $0.06 per share compared to a net financial loss of $0.09 per share in the previous year [22] - Year-to-date NFE is $313.4 million or $3.13 per share, an increase of nearly 55% year-over-year [22] - The company raised the lower end of its fiscal 2025 NFEPS guidance range by $0.05 to $3.2 to $3.3 per share, reflecting strong operating performance [8][27] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - New Jersey Natural Gas remains the strongest contributor to NFEPS, benefiting from a recent rate case settlement and customer growth [9] - The Clean Energy Ventures (CED) is expected to contribute over 20% of NFEPS this year, driven by high-performing operating assets and the monetization of the residential solar portfolio [9] - Approximately 65% of full-year NFEPS is expected to come from utility operations, rising to over 70% when excluding the CEV gain related to the sale of the residential solar business [10] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - New Jersey Natural Gas serves approximately 588,000 customers, with over 90% being residential, primarily in economically vibrant counties [10] - The company has invested approximately $383 million in capital projects, with more than 47% earning near real-time returns through mechanisms such as SaveGreen [13] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on disciplined execution and consistent performance across all segments, with an emphasis on utility investments and regulatory progress [5] - The SaveGreen program is highlighted as a key investment area, with capital projections raised by over 30% for 2025 [11] - The company aims to enhance utility infrastructure, expand clean energy investments, and optimize storage and transportation capabilities [24] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the company's ability to navigate changing environments and allocate capital effectively to meet customer needs [27] - The company anticipates continued growth in the natural gas sector, supported by strong demand and infrastructure investments [36] - Management remains optimistic about reaching a resolution in the Adelphia Gateway rate case by the end of the year [7][19] Other Important Information - The company has a strong balance sheet with projected cash flow from operations between $460 million and $500 million for fiscal 2025 [25] - The company maintains $825 million of credit capacity across its credit facilities, providing flexibility to fund its capital plan [26] Q&A Session Summary Question: What would be the year-over-year impact of the Adelphia rate case settlement in 2026? - Management indicated that details are still under negotiation and have not been made public yet [34] Question: How have the 131 megawatt target for CEV changed relative to initial expectations? - Management stated that the 131 megawatts is what is currently under construction, with high confidence in the projections shared [35] Question: What is the timeline for the Leaf River expansion decision? - Management expects to narrow down the expansion details in the coming months, with a binding open season currently taking place [42] Question: Can you break out the utility gross margin for the quarter? - Management noted that the gross margin benefits from the new rate case and progress on operational efficiency [46] Question: What is driving the stronger demand for the SaveGreen program? - Management highlighted strong market demand for efficient HVAC systems and successful execution of the program [64] Question: Is there interest in growth projects for gas infrastructure in the Northeast? - Management confirmed ongoing investments in reliability and expanding the system to meet customer growth [67]