greeksoup/ stock research

Global Water Resources, Inc.: Q2 FY2026 earnings call

What management said about Q2 FY2026, from the documents filed with the SEC on 13 August 2026: press release. Guidance figures: 3 new, 5 kept. The quarter’s numbers.

Key takeaways

  • Revenue rose 24.8% to $17.8 million: Total revenue for the quarter was $17.8 million, up $3.5 million or 24.8%. Unregulated ICFA revenue of $2.1 million accounted for part of the increase. Source
  • Net income rose to $0.10 per share: Net income was $2.7 million, or $0.10 per diluted share, against $1.6 million or $0.06 a year earlier. Management cited ICFA revenue, the Tucson acquisition and organic growth. Source
  • Unregulated ICFA revenue of $2.1 million: Unregulated revenue of $2.1 million was tied to commissioning of a new wastewater reclamation facility at GW-Hassayampa in June 2026. The prior-year quarter had none. Source
  • GW-Santa Cruz settlement raises revenue: The settlement with the ACC would raise GW-Santa Cruz's annual revenue requirement by about $2.3 million, subject to ACC approval. Source
  • GW-Palo Verde rate case withdrawn: GW-Palo Verde filed a motion to withdraw its rate application on July 9, 2026, under the settlement. The motion was granted July 29, 2026. Source
  • Depreciation rose 32.7% on new assets: Depreciation, amortization and accretion rose to $4.4 million, up 32.7%. Management said depreciable fixed assets grew after many assets entered service in the fourth quarter of 2025. Source
  • Active connections up 5.8% to 69,429: Active service connections reached 69,429 at June 30, 2026, up 3,790 or 5.8%. Management attributed the increase to the seven acquired Tucson systems and organic growth. Source

“A growing rate base from prudent infrastructure investments is expected to support future rate case filings and appropriate rate increases, helping drive revenue growth and fund current and future customer needs.”

Global Water Resources President and CEO, Ron Fleming

Guidance

AreaPeriodFigureAgainst last quarter
GW-Santa Cruz rate settlement, annual revenue requirement Sourceannual, from the settlementapproximately $2.3 millionKept
GW-Santa Cruz rate settlement, net rate increase Sourceunder the proposed settlement$1.9 millionNew
GW-Santa Cruz new rates, requested effective date Sourcerequested effective dateNovember 1, 2026Kept
GW-Palo Verde temporary bill credit Sourceannually, until the next GW-Palo Verde rate case is resolvedapproximately $0.4 million annuallyKept
Monthly cash dividend Sourcethree monthly declarations; annualized$0.02533 per common share monthly; $0.30396 annualizedKept
GW-Palo Verde rate case refiling Source2027, using a 2026 test yearrefile in 2027 using a 2026 test yearKept
Pima County utilities rate review and consolidation Sourcefirst half of 2027, using a 2026 test yearfirst half of 2027New
GW-Santa Cruz rate review filing Sourcefirst half of 2028, using a 2027 test yearfirst half of 2028New

What changed from last quarter

  • Ended: The GW-Palo Verde rate case was withdrawn. The motion was filed July 9, 2026, and granted July 29, 2026. Source
  • New: Hearings on the GW-Santa Cruz rate case concluded August 3, 2026, and the case is under advisement with the ALJ. Source
  • New: Unregulated ICFA revenue of $2.1 million was recorded in June 2026 on commissioning of a GW-Hassayampa facility. The prior-year quarter had none. Source
  • New: The company filed Designation of Assured Water Supply applications covering GW-Santa Cruz and GW-Ocotillo service areas. Source
  • New guidance: Management planned Pima County rate review filings for the first half of 2027. The first quarter release only said more rate activity would be announced. Source
  • New guidance: Management planned a GW-Santa Cruz rate review filing for the first half of 2028, using a 2027 test year. Source

Results and growth drivers

  • Revenue rose 24.8% to $17.8 million: Total revenue for the quarter was $17.8 million, up $3.5 million or 24.8%. Unregulated ICFA revenue of $2.1 million accounted for part of the increase. Source
  • Net income rose to $0.10 per share: Net income was $2.7 million, or $0.10 per diluted share, against $1.6 million or $0.06 a year earlier. Management cited ICFA revenue, the Tucson acquisition and organic growth. Source
  • Adjusted EBITDA rose 14.6%: Adjusted EBITDA, a non-GAAP measure, was $7.9 million. Six-month adjusted EBITDA was $13.5 million, up 7.6%. Source
  • Adjusted net income fell to $1.3 million: Adjusted net income was $1.3 million against $1.6 million, and adjusted diluted EPS was $0.04 against $0.06. Management attributed the decrease to higher depreciation. Source
  • Six-month net income was $2.4 million: Six-month net income was $2.4 million or $0.08 per diluted share, against $2.2 million or $0.08 a year earlier. Source

Regulated and unregulated revenue

  • Regulated revenue rose 9.9%: Regulated revenue was $15.7 million. Water service rose 14.1% to $8.4 million and wastewater and recycled water service rose 5.5% to $7.3 million. Source
  • Unregulated ICFA revenue of $2.1 million: Unregulated revenue of $2.1 million was tied to commissioning of a new wastewater reclamation facility at GW-Hassayampa in June 2026. The prior-year quarter had none. Source
  • Consumption rose 6.1% on heat and dryness: Water consumption rose 6.1% to 1.2 billion gallons. Management attributed higher usage largely to higher temperatures and drier weather, along with connection growth. Source
  • GW-Farmers rate increases added revenue: Higher GW-Farmers rates from its general rate case apply from November 1, 2025 and May 1, 2026, adding to regulated revenue. Source

“Although these non-cash expenses can affect near-term net income and earnings per share, they reflect capital deployed into infrastructure that supports growth, service quality, and customer and community needs.”

Global Water Resources President and CEO, Ron Fleming

Rate cases and settlement

  • GW-Santa Cruz settlement raises revenue: The settlement with the ACC would raise GW-Santa Cruz's annual revenue requirement by about $2.3 million, subject to ACC approval. Source
  • Santa Cruz hearings concluded August 3: Hearings on the GW-Santa Cruz case concluded August 3, 2026. The case, including the settlement, is under advisement with the administrative law judge. Source
  • GW-Palo Verde rate case withdrawn: GW-Palo Verde filed a motion to withdraw its rate application on July 9, 2026, under the settlement. The motion was granted July 29, 2026. Source
  • Palo Verde temporary bill credit to rise: GW-Palo Verde committed to seek about $0.4 million more a year in its customers’ temporary bill credit, timed to coincide with new Santa Cruz rates. Source

Operating costs and interest

  • Operations and maintenance rose 16.3%: Operations and maintenance expense rose 16.3% to $4.6 million. Management attributed the personnel cost increase to rising medical costs. Source
  • Purchased power lifted utilities costs: Utilities, chemicals and repairs rose 17.3% to $1.4 million. Management linked this to purchased power on higher consumption and new processing equipment from the 2025 capital plan. Source
  • G&A slightly lower on cost discipline: General and administrative expense was $4.3 million, down 1.9%. Lower personnel costs and professional fees, with higher rent and general liability insurance, were the main changes. Source
  • Depreciation rose 32.7% on new assets: Depreciation, amortization and accretion rose to $4.4 million, up 32.7%. Management said depreciable fixed assets grew after many assets entered service in the fourth quarter of 2025. Source
  • Interest expense rose on term loan: Interest expense rose to $1.7 million. Interest income fell $0.2 million on lower average cash balances. Source
  • Disposal loss and start-up costs: A $0.1 million loss on disposal of utility plant and wastewater disposal costs before the GW-Hassayampa facility started were in other O&M. Tucson systems added $0.1 million of costs. Source

Connections and Arizona demand

  • Active connections up 5.8% to 69,429: Active service connections reached 69,429 at June 30, 2026, up 3,790 or 5.8%. Management attributed the increase to the seven acquired Tucson systems and organic growth. Source
  • Organic growth 2.6% annualized: Operational highlights show annualized organic growth of 2.6% excluding the Tucson systems, while the CEO commentary and connections section cite 2.7%. Source
  • New permit activity has slowed: Management said new permit activity has slowed, but Phoenix MSA growth, particularly in Maricopa, is reflected in organic connection growth. Source
  • Maricopa homes priced 25% below Phoenix: Management cited Maricopa's lower housing cost as the main influence on organic growth. The median home sales price was 25% lower than in Phoenix as of June 2026. Source
  • TSMC adds $100 billion in Arizona: TSMC announced on July 16, 2026 an additional $100 billion for U.S. semiconductor manufacturing, which management noted brings its planned Arizona investment to $265 billion. Source
  • SR 347 widening began in June: The State Route 347 Improvement Project began in June 2026 and is scheduled for completion in 2029. Management expects it to support development in Maricopa and western Pinal County. Source

Capital spending and cash

  • Q2 infrastructure investment of $6.6 million: The company invested $6.6 million in infrastructure in the second quarter, up from $6.3 million in the first quarter, to support existing utilities and continued growth. Source
  • Six-month capital spending fell: Six-month capital expenditures were $12.9 million, compared with $35.4 million a year earlier. Source
  • Cash balance fell to $1.5 million: Cash and cash equivalents were $1.5 million at June 30, 2026, down from $4.1 million at December 31, 2025. Restricted cash was $3.4 million. Source
  • Revolver borrowings rose to $5.8 million: Revolver borrowings were $5.8 million at June 30, 2026, against nil at December 31, 2025. Six-month revolver borrowings were $10.1 million and repayments $4.3 million. Source
  • Operating cash flow rose slightly: Net cash provided by operating activities was $9.2 million for the six months, against $8.8 million a year earlier. Source
  • Revolver line extended to 2028: Management said it secured an extension of its $20 million revolving line of credit to May 18, 2028, as also reported in the first quarter. Source

Dividends and share count

  • Dividends paid rose to $4.4 million: Dividends paid were $4.4 million for the six months, against $3.9 million a year earlier. Source
  • Dividends declared held at $0.08: Dividends declared were $0.08 per share for the quarter and $0.15 for the six months, the same as in the prior-year periods. Source
  • Diluted share count rose to 28.8 million: Diluted weighted average shares were 28.8 million in the quarter, against 27.5 million a year earlier. Source

Strategy and infrastructure investment

  • Hassayampa reclamation facility commissioned: The Hassayampa utility commissioned a 60,000-gallon-per-day water reclamation facility in western Maricopa County, within Phoenix growth corridors. Source
  • Assured water supply applications filed: Management filed Designation of Assured Water Supply applications to expand assured water supply for GW-Santa Cruz and GW-Ocotillo service areas. Source
  • Acquisitions and consolidation continue: Management plans to keep acquiring water and wastewater utilities and consolidating entities, which it says brings regionalization and environmental benefits. Source
  • Infrastructure investment to continue: Management plans prudent infrastructure investments across all utilities for the rest of 2026 and beyond, to build a regulatory record supporting cost recovery. Source

Coming up, as management said on 13 August 2026

  • Dividend payable August 31: The monthly dividend is payable August 31, 2026, to holders of record at the close of business on August 17, 2026. Source

Figures management reported

FigureReported
Rate case: GW-Santa Cruz revenue requirement increase Sourceapproximately $2.3 million
Rate case: net settlement rate increase Source$1.9 million
Utility plant (balance sheet; rate base not stated as a figure) Source$623,595 thousand at June 30, 2026, up from $610,766 thousand at December 31, 2025
Capital investment, Q2 2026 Source$6.6 million
Active service connections Source69,429 at June 30, 2026, up 5.8% YoY
Organic active connection growth (annualized, excluding Tucson systems) Source2.6%
Water consumption (load) Source1.2 billion gallons, up 6.1% YoY

Risks management discussed

  • Financial: Management said depreciation and interest expense from 2025 capital investments reduce net income and earnings per share in the near term. Source
  • Operational: Management said inflationary pressures across its utilities need rate relief to address, and that recovery of investments depends on it. Source
  • External: Management said it monitors macroeconomic changes, including the impact of tariffs on operating costs and construction work in progress. Source
  • Demand: Management noted that new home construction in its service areas is a factor it monitors for connection growth. Source

Earlier plans management reported on

  • Met: Management said the 2025 capital investments were completed, including the Southwest Plant recommissioning and the Tucson acquisition. Source
  • Not stated: The first quarter release said more rate case activity would be announced in coming quarters. The second quarter release set out Pima County and GW-Santa Cruz filing plans.
  • Delayed: The first quarter release described GW-Palo Verde timing as delayed. The second quarter release reports the case withdrawn, with refiling planned for 2027.

Other quarters

Summarised with AI from the documents the company filed with the SEC. Every point is checked against the filing before it is shown: management’s own words word for word, figures against the line or table row they come from. A point that fails the check is left out. Source opens the filing at that line.