Bridgeline Digital(BLIN) - 2026 Q1 - Earnings Call Transcript
2026-02-12 22:30
Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Total revenue for Q1 2026 was $3.9 million, up from $3.8 million in the prior year period [13] - Subscription revenue was $3.2 million, compared to $3.0 million in the prior year, representing 81% of total revenue [13] - Services revenue increased to $758,000 from $743,000 in the prior year [14] - Gross profit was $2.6 million, an increase from $2.5 million in the prior year, with a gross profit margin of 66% [14] - Net loss narrowed to $100,000 from a loss of $600,000 in the prior year, with positive adjusted EBITDA of $122,000 compared to negative $193,000 previously [16] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Core products accounted for 60% of total revenue, growing 17% to $2.4 million from $2.0 million last quarter [6] - HawkSearch represented 63% of subscription revenue, generating $2 million, up from $1.9 million last quarter [6] - Average ARR per customer increased by 12% to $28,000 from $25,000 last quarter [7] - Average subscription per customer rose to $33,000 from $30,000 last quarter [7] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - New customer acquisition continued to grow, with 13 new licenses sold, totaling $1.2 million in contract value [7] - More than half of new license sales included AI products, indicating strong demand for AI capabilities [8] - HawkSearch was ranked number 1 in Gartner's 2025 Critical Capabilities Report, highlighting its competitive position in the market [9] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims for HawkSearch and core products to exceed 70% of overall revenue this year, driving faster, more profitable growth [12] - Continued focus on product innovation, customer success, and delivering shareholder value is emphasized [18] - The company is targeting B2B manufacturing and distribution markets, which are seen as rapidly maturing with technology adoption [55] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in continued growth, with expectations for HawkSearch growth to reach 20% this year [51] - The total addressable market remains unchanged, with increased adoption of AI products among existing customers [42] - The company is differentiating itself through analytics and a data lake that enhances AI capabilities for customers [49] Other Important Information - Cash at the end of Q1 2026 was $1.5 million, with total assets of $15.7 million and liabilities of $6.2 million [16][17] - The company has no significant debt or contingent payments remaining from previous transactions [16] Q&A Session Summary Question: Clarification on ARR figures - Management confirmed that the average ARR per new customer is $28,000, up from $25,000, and overall revenue per customer is now $33,000, up from $30,000 last quarter [23][34] Question: Impact of increasing package prices on customer acquisition - Management stated that the total addressable market has not changed, and customers are now more willing to invest in AI add-ons [42][46] Question: Competitive landscape changes - Management noted that top competitors remain the same, but differentiation is achieved through advanced analytics and AI capabilities [48][49] Question: Future growth expectations for ARR - Management expects continued growth in ARR, supported by a solid pipeline of new customers and opportunities for add-on sales [52][54] Question: Marketing spend effectiveness - Management indicated that marketing dollars are being spent effectively, with plans to increase investment in successful campaigns [61][64] Question: Stability of gross margins - Management expects gross margins to remain stable in the mid-60s range, with subscription margins around 70% and service margins in the low 50s [66][74]
10x Genomics(TXG) - 2025 Q4 - Earnings Call Transcript
2026-02-12 22:30
Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - 10x Genomics reported $166 million in revenue for Q4 2025, representing a 1% increase year-over-year and exceeding the high end of guidance [18] - Full-year revenue for 2025 was $599 million, excluding $44 million from patent litigation settlements [4] - Gross margin improved to 68% in Q4 2025 from 67% in the prior year, driven by lower inventory write-downs and costs [20] - Operating expenses decreased by 18% in Q4 2025, reflecting cost discipline and efficiency [21] - Cash balance increased by $130 million year-over-year, ending 2025 with $523 million [21] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Total consumables revenue grew by 6%, with single-cell consumables revenue up 3% and spatial consumables revenue up 14% [19] - Single-cell consumables volumes grew at a double-digit rate each quarter, driven by the adoption of lower-cost products like FLEX [5] - Spatial consumables revenue growth was primarily driven by the success of the Xenium platform [6] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Revenue from the Americas declined by 6%, while EMEA and APAC regions grew by 7% and 9%, respectively [20] - The operating environment remained challenging, particularly in the U.S. academic and government funding sectors, impacting customer purchasing decisions [4][20] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on continuous innovation and expanding its product offerings, particularly in single-cell and spatial technologies [10] - 10x Genomics aims to leverage advancements in AI and biology measurement technologies to drive growth [11] - The company is pursuing clinical applications for diagnostics, collaborating with academic medical centers to generate clinical evidence [16] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed optimism about the company's position amidst ongoing funding challenges, noting a gradual improvement in customer sentiment [27] - The outlook for 2026 includes revenue guidance of $600 million to $625 million, reflecting expectations of continued growth in single-cell and spatial consumables [22] - Management acknowledged the systemic turbulence in research funding dynamics but noted recent NIH budget approvals as a positive sign [22] Other Important Information - The company launched several new products in 2025, including the FLEX APEX assay, which has been well-received by customers [8] - The company is seeing strong demand for its Xenium platform, which is expected to continue driving growth in spatial analysis [10] Q&A Session Summary Question: Can you comment on ordering patterns and expectations for academic and pharma? - Management noted that the environment remains steady but cautious, with ongoing uncertainty in academic funding impacting purchasing decisions [27] Question: How did volume growth and pricing impact single-cell consumables? - Management indicated that while volume growth was strong, pricing dynamics are complex, with various factors influencing the overall revenue guidance for 2026 [31][35] Question: What are the expectations for clinical translational space? - Management highlighted a hybrid strategy to enable clinical evidence generation while also pursuing direct clinical applications [48][50] Question: How is the company addressing competitive dynamics? - Management expressed confidence in their competitive position, citing continuous innovation and strong customer sentiment for their products [76] Question: What is the outlook for the Visium platform? - Management acknowledged that while Visium did not grow in 2025, they will continue to support its applications while focusing on the growth of the Xenium platform [80]
Cohu(COHU) - 2025 Q4 - Earnings Call Transcript
2026-02-12 22:30
Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Fourth quarter revenue reached $122 million, a 30% increase year-over-year, with 40% from systems and 60% from recurring revenue [5][10] - Full year revenue for 2025 was $453 million, up 13% year-over-year, indicating a market recovery trajectory [5][10] - Gross margin for Q4 was 40.8%, lower than guidance due to one-time inventory charges [11] - Cash and investments increased by $286 million during Q4, totaling $484 million at year-end [12] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Recurring business represented about 60% of total revenue in Q4, with recurring bookings up 34% sequentially [4][5] - Systems demand increased by 47% quarter-over-quarter, driven by higher equipment orders from major global customers [4][5] - Recurring revenue grew 4% quarter-over-quarter and 25% year-over-year, reflecting strong customer reliance [5] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Test serialization trends improved, with overall utilization reaching 76% by the end of December, with computing at 78% and automotive at 75% [6][9] - The top ten customers accounted for approximately 63% of Q4 bookings, indicating healthy diversification [5] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focusing on high-performance computing, HBM memory, and AI-related high-growth opportunities [11][12] - A strategic convertible notes offering was completed, raising gross proceeds of $287.5 million to strengthen the balance sheet and support strategic initiatives [12][14] - The company aims to support R&D investments enabling design wins in compute markets, including AI data center infrastructure [16] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in navigating regional shifts while aligning with customers investing in long-term technology transitions [9] - The outlook for Q1 2026 anticipates seasonally flat revenue with recurring revenue expected to represent about 60% of total revenue [15] - Management noted an increase in customer engagement and design win traction, entering 2026 with positive momentum [10][16] Other Important Information - The company secured multiple design wins across various sectors, including automotive ADAS and AI device testing [8][9] - The company has a balanced mix of recurring and system revenue, which is expected to support growth in 2026 [10] Q&A Session Summary Question: Order activity in Q4 - Management noted systems orders were up 47% quarter-over-quarter, with recurring orders up 34% [19][20] Question: Revenue from Neon high bandwidth memory - The company exited 2025 with $11 million in HBM revenue and forecasts $15 million to $20 million for 2026 [22][23] Question: Eclipse activity and capacity - The company confirmed it has the capacity to meet demand for the Eclipse handler, with production ramping expected in the second quarter [25][26] Question: Customer activity changes - Management observed increased demand from traditional customers and strong pull for the Eclipse product line in compute and mobile applications [33] Question: IDM versus OSAT performance - Utilization rates for IDMs were slightly higher than OSATs in Q4, with expectations that OSATs may see faster growth in Q1 [46][47]
Artivion(AORT) - 2025 Q4 - Earnings Call Transcript
2026-02-12 22:30
Artivion (NYSE:AORT) Q4 2025 Earnings call February 12, 2026 04:30 PM ET Speaker3Good afternoon, and welcome to the Artivion fourth quarter and year-end 2025 earnings call. At this time, all participants are in a listen-only mode. A brief question and answer session will follow the formal presentation. If anyone should require operator assistance during the conference, please press star zero on your telephone keypad. As a reminder, this conference is being recorded. I would now like to turn the conference o ...
Vertex(VRTX) - 2025 Q4 - Earnings Call Transcript
2026-02-12 22:30
Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - In Q4 2025, total revenue reached $3.2 billion, a 10% increase compared to Q4 2024. For the full year 2025, total revenue was $12 billion, reflecting a 9% increase versus 2024 [33] - Full year 2025 growth in cystic fibrosis (CF) therapies was 7% globally, with U.S. CF revenue growing 11% year-over-year [34] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - CASGEVY generated $54 million in revenue in Q4 and $116 million for the full year 2025, with continued momentum in patient initiations and first cell collections [34] - JOURNAVX delivered $27 million in sales in Q4 and $60 million for the full year, showing substantial growth in quarterly prescriptions since its launch [34] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Internationally, CF revenue grew 2% year-over-year, driven by the penetration of KAFTRIO and contributions from ALYFTREK, partially offset by a $200 million decline in Russia sales [34] - The company secured reimbursement for ALYFTREK in key European countries, enhancing access for patients [21] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to expand leadership in CF, accelerate adoption of CASGEVY, and grow JOURNAVX while advancing its renal franchise, starting with povetacicept in IgAN [5] - The renal pipeline is expected to become a key growth engine, potentially rivaling the scale of the CF business [29] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the company's ability to deliver sustained growth through commercial execution and innovation across multiple serious disease areas [5] - The guidance for 2026 anticipates total company revenue in the range of $12.95 billion to $13.1 billion, representing 8%-9% growth versus the prior year [39] Other Important Information - The company ended 2025 with $12.3 billion in cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities, positioning it well for future investments [38] - The fourth quarter gross margin was 85.7%, reflecting the product mix and investments in manufacturing optimization [35] Q&A Session Summary Question: Concerns about hypogammaglobulinemia adverse events related to povetacicept - Management indicated that while BAFF/APRIL inhibitors may decrease IgG levels, data from the RUBY-3 study showed no serious adverse events or infections associated with low IgG levels, suggesting a favorable benefit-risk profile [44][45] Question: Guidance details for CF component relative to ALYFTREK and TRIKAFTA - Management provided total revenue guidance of $12.95 billion to $13.1 billion, with a non-CF contribution of $500 million or more, but did not break down specifics for ALYFTREK versus other products [52] Question: Payer access and reimbursement for povetacicept - Management reported positive engagement with payers, having conducted 74 engagements covering over 210 million lives, indicating strong interest in the upcoming products [62] Question: Expected results on proteinuria for povetacicept - Management highlighted that a significant reduction in proteinuria, similar to the RUBY-3 study results, would be clinically meaningful and important for long-term outcomes [66] Question: Mix between retail and hospital settings for JOURNAVX - Management noted that the prescription mix concluded at about 50/50 between retail and hospital settings in 2025, with expectations for a shift towards retail in the future [83]
Flowers Foods(FLO) - 2025 Q4 - Earnings Call Transcript
2026-02-12 22:02
Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Net sales increased by 11% year-over-year, with a price mix contributing 70 basis points to this growth, while volume declined by 2.2% due to pressures in certain product lines [16][17] - Gross margin as a percentage of sales decreased by 30 basis points to 48.5%, influenced by increased outside purchases related to the Simple Mills business model [17] - GAAP diluted EPS for the quarter was a loss of $0.32, a decrease of $0.52 from the prior year, primarily due to a $136 million non-cash impairment of intangible assets [18][19] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The fresh packaged bread category saw Flowers maintain unit share, with Dave's Killer Bread gaining 20 basis points, while traditional loaf unit sales declined by 4% in Q4 [3][4] - The cake business experienced a 5% growth in unit sales, driven by the strength of the Wonder brand, despite a 3% decline in category unit sales [11] - Specialty premium loaf gained 60 basis points of unit share, largely driven by DKB, which added 50 basis points [10] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The overall bread category experienced a 2% decline, while the food category saw a modest increase in unit sales [4] - The competitive environment remained rational but challenging, with the average price per unit in the bread category rising by 1.1% [26] - Consumer behavior is shifting towards value-seeking, with increased sales in club stores and a decline in center store volumes [28][29] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is conducting a comprehensive review of operations to reignite top-line growth and expand margins, focusing on optimizing the brand portfolio and enhancing supply chain capabilities [4][5] - Investments in marketing and innovation are expected to create near-term margin pressure but are deemed essential for long-term growth [5][22] - The integration of Simple Mills is progressing well, with expectations for significant growth driven by innovation and expanded distribution [12][13] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed cautious optimism for 2026, anticipating continued category headwinds, particularly in traditional loaf, and inflationary pressures on inputs [21][22] - The company plans to balance investments in leading brands with the need to manage costs and maintain profitability [22][30] - Management remains committed to navigating current challenges while positioning for future success through strategic initiatives [30] Other Important Information - The company generated cash flow from operating activities of $446 million in 2025, an increase of $34 million over the prior year [20] - Capital expenditures decreased to $127 million, while dividends paid increased to $209 million [20] - The company is focused on maintaining a strong balance sheet, with net debt to trailing 12-month adjusted EBITDA at approximately 3.3x [20] Q&A Session Summary Question: What are the expectations for 2026? - The company expects total sales to be down 180 basis points to up 20 basis points, with category headwinds anticipated to be around 4% [21] Question: How is the Simple Mills integration progressing? - The integration is progressing well, with expectations for double-digit sales growth driven by innovation and expanded distribution [24]
Flowers Foods(FLO) - 2025 Q4 - Earnings Call Transcript
2026-02-12 22:02
Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company achieved a net sales increase of 11% year-over-year, with a price mix increase of 70 basis points, while volume declined by 2.2% [16][17] - Gross margin as a percentage of sales decreased by 30 basis points to 48.5%, influenced by increased outside purchases related to the Simple Mills business model [17] - GAAP diluted EPS for the quarter was a loss of $0.32, a decrease of $0.52 from the prior year, primarily due to a $136 million non-cash impairment of intangible assets [18][19] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The fresh packaged bread category saw Flowers maintain unit share, with Dave's Killer Bread gaining 20 basis points, while traditional loaf unit sales declined by 4% in Q4 [3][4] - The cake business experienced a 5% growth in unit sales, driven by Wonder's brand recognition, despite a 3% decline in category unit sales [11] - Specialty Premium Loaf gained 60 basis points of unit share, largely driven by DKB, which added 50 basis points [10] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The overall bread category experienced a 2% decline, while the food category saw a modest increase in unit sales [4] - The competitive environment remained rational but challenging, with a 1.1% increase in average price per unit in the bread category [26] - Consumer behavior is shifting towards value-seeking, with increased sales in club stores and a decline in center store volumes [28][29] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is conducting a comprehensive review of operations to reignite top-line growth and expand margins, focusing on brand portfolio optimization and supply chain enhancements [4][5] - Investments in marketing and innovation are expected to create near-term margin pressure but are deemed essential for long-term growth [5][22] - The integration of Simple Mills is progressing well, with expectations for significant growth driven by innovation and expanded distribution [12][24] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed cautious optimism for 2026, anticipating continued category headwinds, particularly in traditional loaf, and inflationary pressures [21][22] - The company plans to balance investments in leading brands with the need to manage costs and maintain profitability [22][30] - Management emphasized the importance of adapting to consumer trends by prioritizing better-for-you products and innovative offerings [29][30] Other Important Information - The company generated cash flow from operating activities of $446 million in 2025, an increase of $34 million over the prior year [20] - Capital expenditures decreased to $127 million, while dividends paid increased to $209 million [20] - The company is committed to maintaining a strong balance sheet, with a net debt to trailing twelve-month Adjusted EBITDA ratio of approximately 3.3 times [20] Q&A Session Summary Question: What are the expectations for growth in 2026? - The company expects fiscal 2026 net sales to be between $5.163 billion and $5.267 billion, with adjusted EBITDA of $465 million to $495 million, and adjusted diluted EPS of $0.80 to $0.90 [24][25] Question: How is the integration of Simple Mills progressing? - The integration is progressing well, with expectations for double-digit sales growth driven by expanded distribution and innovation [24]
Flowers Foods(FLO) - 2025 Q4 - Earnings Call Transcript
2026-02-12 22:00
Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Net sales increased by 11% year-over-year, with a price mix increase of 70 basis points, while volume declined by 2.2% [16][17] - Gross margin as a percentage of sales decreased by 30 basis points to 48.5% compared to the same quarter last year [17] - GAAP diluted EPS for the quarter was a loss of $0.32, a decrease of $0.52 from the prior year, while adjusted diluted EPS was $0.22, consistent with the prior year [18][19] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The fresh packaged bread category saw Flowers maintain unit share, with Dave's Killer Bread gaining 20 basis points, while traditional loaf unit sales declined by 4% in Q4 [3][4] - The cake business improved revenues, with Flowers' cake unit sales growing by 5%, while the overall category unit sales declined by 3% [10] - Simple Mills contributed $57.5 million in net sales and $6.3 million to Adjusted EBITDA, indicating strong performance in the snacking categories [19][12] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The overall bread category experienced a 2% decline, while the food category saw a modest increase in units [4] - The competitive environment remained rational but challenging, with a 1.1% increase in average price per unit in the bread category [27] - Consumer behavior is shifting towards value-seeking, with increased sales in club stores and a decline in center store volumes [30] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is conducting a comprehensive review of operations to reignite top-line growth and expand margins, focusing on brand portfolio optimization and supply chain enhancements [4][5] - Investments in marketing and innovation are expected to create near-term margin pressure but are deemed essential for long-term growth [5][23] - The company aims to leverage leading brands to uncover growth opportunities in specialty premium loaf, sandwich buns, and breakfast segments [7][9] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed cautious optimism for 2026, anticipating continued category headwinds, particularly in traditional loaf [22] - The company expects total sales to be down 180 basis points to up 20 basis points, with inflationary pressures impacting margins [22][23] - Management emphasized the importance of maintaining a strong balance sheet and managing capital structure prudently amid a challenging macro environment [20][21] Other Important Information - A non-cash impairment of $136 million was recognized due to a review of the brand portfolio, indicating a lower long-term outlook for certain brands [18][19] - The company is committed to enhancing margins through efficiency initiatives and strategic acquisitions, with a focus on better-for-you products [31][32] Q&A Session Summary Question: What are the expectations for 2026 sales growth? - The company expects fiscal 2026 net sales to be between $5.163 billion and $5.267 billion, with adjusted EBITDA of $465 million to $495 million, and adjusted diluted EPS of $0.80 to $0.90 [25][26] Question: How is the Simple Mills acquisition performing? - Simple Mills is expected to drive double-digit sales growth, supported by expanded distribution and innovation, despite higher costs impacting margins [25][30]
NorthWestern (NWE) - 2025 Q4 - Earnings Call Transcript
2026-02-12 21:32
Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported GAAP diluted EPS of $2.94 and non-GAAP diluted EPS of $3.58, reflecting a 5.3% growth from 2024 on a non-GAAP basis [7][9][15] - The quarterly dividend is being increased by 1.5% to $0.67 per share [7] - The company is initiating 2026 earnings guidance in the range of $3.68-$3.83 per share, representing a 5% growth at the midpoint from 2025 results [8][16] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The improved margin reflects new rates and regulatory execution, although it was offset by mild weather and higher operating costs [10][12] - Adjusted earnings for the fourth quarter were $1.17, compared to $1.13 in Q4 2024, despite unfavorable weather impacts [11][15] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company has made significant progress in data center growth opportunities, signing a third letter of intent for a 500+ MW data center and advancing with Sabey to a development agreement [7][24] - The company is actively pursuing large load customers in both Montana and South Dakota, with ongoing discussions and agreements in place [26][27] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company announced an all-stock merger agreement with Black Hills Corporation, expected to close in the second half of 2026, which aims to enhance scale and growth opportunities [4][20] - The updated five-year capital plan is set at $3.21 billion, a 17% increase over the prior plan, focusing on self-funded capital and maintaining high credit quality [8][17] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the legislative outcomes in Montana, which support transmission investments and wildfire risk management [5][6] - The company is optimistic about its ability to serve large load customers and the benefits of the merger, which is expected to create long-term value for both shareholders and customers [20][22] Other Important Information - The company has filed joint requests for merger approval in multiple states and is preparing for hearings in the second quarter of 2026 [23] - The company is addressing environmental concerns related to Colstrip and is prepared to invest in necessary upgrades if required [81][83] Q&A Session Summary Question: Update on large load tariff filing - The company plans to file a large load tariff once a signed ESA is in place, aiming for completion by the end of Q2 2026 [39][41] Question: Education plan for stakeholders regarding data centers - Management is focused on demonstrating the benefits of data centers and ensuring that they contribute fairly to system costs [42][45] Question: ESA strategy and financing implications - The company is working to ensure that ESAs protect customers while also addressing the unique needs of each data center [60][62] Question: Update on South Dakota plant and environmental upgrades - The South Dakota plant is expected to be completed by 2030, and the company is prepared to invest in environmental upgrades as necessary [78][81] Question: Concerns about merger regulatory delays - Management is confident in the timelines for both South Dakota and Montana, stating that the processes are progressing as expected [94][95]
NorthWestern (NWE) - 2025 Q4 - Earnings Call Transcript
2026-02-12 21:32
Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported GAAP diluted EPS of $2.94 and non-GAAP diluted EPS of $3.58 for the full year 2025, reflecting a 5.3% growth from 2024 on a non-GAAP basis [7][10][16] - The quarterly dividend was increased by 1.5% to $0.67 per share [7] - The company initiated 2026 earnings guidance in the range of $3.68-$3.83 per share, representing a 5% growth at the midpoint compared to 2025 results [17] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The improved margin for the fourth quarter was attributed to new rates and regulatory execution, although it was offset by mild weather and higher operating costs [11][12] - Adjusted earnings for the fourth quarter were $1.17, compared to $1.13 in Q4 2024, despite unfavorable weather impacting results [12][16] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company is actively pursuing data center growth opportunities, having signed a third letter of intent for a 500+ MW data center and progressed with another from a letter of intent to a development agreement [4][7] - The company is focusing on large load customers in Montana and South Dakota, with significant interest from data centers in both states [27][28] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company announced an all-stock merger agreement with Black Hills Corporation, expected to close in the second half of 2026, which aims to enhance scale, position, and growth opportunities [4][21] - The updated five-year capital plan is set at $3.21 billion, a 17% increase over the prior plan, reflecting the inclusion of new projects [17][18] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the legislative outcomes in Montana, which support transmission investment and mitigate wildfire-related risks [5][6] - The company is committed to maintaining high credit quality and is focused on self-funding its capital plan while managing equity issuance carefully [19][20] Other Important Information - The company has filed joint requests for merger approval in multiple states and is preparing for hearings expected in the second quarter of 2026 [24] - The company is also addressing environmental concerns related to its Colstrip operations and is prepared to invest in necessary upgrades if required [80][81] Q&A Session Summary Question: Update on large load tariff filing - The company plans to file a large load tariff in sync with a signed ESA, aiming for completion by the end of Q2 2026 [38][40] Question: Education plan for stakeholders regarding data centers - Management highlighted ongoing discussions to educate stakeholders on the benefits of data centers and the importance of a tariff that protects customers [41][44] Question: ESA strategy and financing implications - The company is focused on ensuring that ESAs are aligned with tariffs to protect customers, with plans to file by the first half of 2026 [58][60] Question: Update on South Dakota plant and turbine queue - The company is investing in turbines for the 131 MW plant, expected to be completed by 2030 [76][78] Question: Environmental upgrades at Colstrip - Management indicated readiness to invest in environmental controls if necessary, while maintaining a focus on keeping Colstrip operational [80][81] Question: Concerns about merger regulatory timelines - The company is working with regulators in South Dakota and Montana, expressing confidence in the timelines despite some delays [92][93]