Southwest Gas (SWX) - 2025 Q2 - Earnings Call Transcript

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported a trailing twelve-month return on equity (ROE) of 8.3%, an increase from 8% in the previous two years [8] - Full year net income guidance remains between $265 million to $275 million [9] - The utility reported record net income for 2025 with modest increases in operating and maintenance (O&M) expenses compared to the previous year [9][30] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The utility segment saw higher margins supported by rate relief and continued customer growth, with utility operating margin increasing by $26.6 million [29][31] - O&M expenses increased by $7 million year-over-year, primarily due to higher labor and benefit costs [32] - Other income increased by $3.6 million, driven by gains from COLI policies and a one-time nonoperating gain from an asset sale [33] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company added approximately 40,000 new meter sets over the last twelve months, indicating robust growth driven by strong economic activity in its service area [14][27] - The Great Basin expansion project received significant interest, with potential shippers requesting approximately 1.76 billion cubic feet of capacity per day [16][18] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to position itself as a premier pure play, fully regulated natural gas business, focusing on operational and financial performance improvements [7] - The regulatory strategy includes pursuing alternative ratemaking in Nevada, which is expected to reduce regulatory lag and support price stability [8][11] - The company plans to invest approximately $4.3 billion over the next five years to support safety, reliability, and economic development across its service territories [27] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the regulatory strategy and the completion of the Arizona rate case, which is expected to positively impact future earnings [41] - The company anticipates that the regulatory cycle will result in nonlinear net income growth, with a focus on maintaining flat O&M per customer trends [41][42] - Management highlighted the importance of customer service and executing strategic priorities while delivering strong financial results [43] Other Important Information - The company successfully executed two secondary public offerings of Century shares, generating over $470 million in net proceeds, which were used to repay debt [10][34] - The company has no plans to issue new equity in 2025 following the Century sell-downs [13][36] Q&A Session Summary Question: Can you provide more granularity on the Great Basin expansion? - Management confirmed that the increase in the project cost range is purely volume-driven due to additional shippers requesting incremental capacity [46][47] Question: How should we think about the return profile of the Great Basin investment? - Management indicated that the return profile would be based on the FERC authorized rate of return and that AFUDC would apply to the project [48][51] Question: Will you consider delaying a traditional rate case filing in Nevada to help accelerate formula rates? - Management stated that they do not see an advantage in delaying the next rate case, as both processes can work complementarily [52][53] Question: How long do you think the Nevada Commission will take to sort out the SB 417 process? - Management anticipates that the rulemaking process could be completed within the next twelve months [58][60] Question: What are your thoughts on the cadence and duration of the Arizona rate case? - Management is evaluating whether to accelerate the timing of the next Arizona rate case, considering the preference for formula rates expressed by the commission [61][62] Question: Can we infer that you feel comfortable with the level of agreements signed for the Great Basin project if you make the CPCN filing? - Management confirmed that the CPCN filing would indicate confidence in the agreements signed to date [69][73]