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H2O America: Q2 FY2026 earnings call

What management said about Q2 FY2026, from the documents filed with the SEC on 27 July 2026: press release. Guidance figures: 1 raised, 6 kept. The quarter’s numbers.

Key takeaways

  • Adjusted EPS declined despite net income growth: Adjusted diluted EPS fell to $0.72 in Q2 from $0.75 prior year despite 17% growth in adjusted net income, as higher share count from $700 million equity raise diluted per-share results. Year-to-date adjusted diluted EPS also declined to $1.23 from $1.25. Source
  • Full-year guidance reiterated unchanged: H2O America reiterates 2026 standalone adjusted diluted EPS guidance of $3.08 - $3.18, maintaining prior quarter guidance and confirming company in excellent position midway through year. Source
  • Operating revenue up 8% year-to-date: Revenue increased to $393.8 million from $365.9 million, up 8%, driven by $26.4 million rate increases primarily in California, Connecticut, and Texas plus $2.0 million from higher customer usage, partially offset by $1.6 million regulatory mechanism adjustments. Source
  • Water production costs up from input prices: Water production expenses increased $12.1 million year-to-date to $151.9 million, primarily from higher per-unit costs for purchased water and groundwater extraction, increases in production balancing accounts related to Full Cost Balancing Account, and higher customer usage, partially offset by increased surface water availability. Source
  • Connecticut seeks $28.8 million rate increase: Connecticut Water filed general rate case May 11 requesting $28.8 million annual revenue increase for recovery of approximately $145 million infrastructure investments not in current rates, with test year ending December 31, 2025 and new rates expected February 2027. Source
  • Quadvest connections grew 10% in first half: Quadvest active connections grew 10% or 5,400 connections in first six months of 2026 to 59,800 total as of June 30. Connections under contract and pending development grew 11,900 to nearly 99,000 since December 31, 2025, despite converting 5,400 to active. Source
  • Dividend increased to $1.76 annualized: Board declared quarterly cash dividend of $0.44 per share payable September 1, 2026; 2026 annualized dividend of $1.76 per share compared with $1.68 in 2025, representing 4.8% increase and continuing 58-year streak of annual dividend growth. Source

“Our strong second quarter results have our company in an excellent position midway through 2026 to deliver on our full year guidance and we remain committed to our longer-term financial targets”

Andrew F. Walters, chair and chief executive officer

Guidance

AreaPeriodFigureAgainst last quarter
2026 standalone adjusted diluted EPS Source2026$3.08 - $3.18Kept
Long-term adjusted diluted EPS CAGR SourceLong-term6 - 8%Kept
2026 - 30 adjusted diluted EPS CAGR Source2026 - 30at or above the top end of the 6 - 8% rangeKept
2026 annualized dividend per share Source2026$1.76Raised from $1.68
Quadvest transaction closing timing Source2026end of third quarter or early fourth quarter of 2026
Texas customer base representation from Quadvest SourceBy 202926%Kept
2026 capital expenditures Source2026$483 millionKept
2026 - 30 total capital plan Source2026 - 30$2.7 billionKept

What changed from last quarter

  • Guidance kept: Company reiterates all aspects of 2026 financial guidance including adjusted EPS of $3.08 - $3.18, capex of $483 million, and long-term 6 - 8% CAGR. Source
  • New: Connecticut Water filed general rate case May 11 seeking $28.8 million annual increase for $145 million infrastructure recovery, advancing from letter of intent filed in Q1. Source

Second Quarter Results and Earnings

  • Adjusted EPS declined despite net income growth: Adjusted diluted EPS fell to $0.72 in Q2 from $0.75 prior year despite 17% growth in adjusted net income, as higher share count from $700 million equity raise diluted per-share results. Year-to-date adjusted diluted EPS also declined to $1.23 from $1.25. Source
  • Full-year guidance reiterated unchanged: H2O America reiterates 2026 standalone adjusted diluted EPS guidance of $3.08 - $3.18, maintaining prior quarter guidance and confirming company in excellent position midway through year. Source
  • CEO emphasizes regulatory and operational focus: CEO Andrew Walters highlights substantial progress on Quadvest Texas regulatory approval and general rate cases filed in Connecticut and Maine seeking combined $180 million investment recovery not yet in rates. Source

Revenue Growth and Rate Increases

  • Operating revenue up 8% year-to-date: Revenue increased to $393.8 million from $365.9 million, up 8%, driven by $26.4 million rate increases primarily in California, Connecticut, and Texas plus $2.0 million from higher customer usage, partially offset by $1.6 million regulatory mechanism adjustments. Source
  • Q2 quarterly revenue up 6% from rates: Second quarter operating revenue increased to $210.5 million from $198.3 million, a 6% increase driven by $14.5 million rate increases across all states, primarily California and Connecticut, partially offset by $1.7 million regulatory adjustments. Source
  • Connecticut regulatory mechanisms approved: Connecticut approved Water Quality and Treatment Adjustment surcharge of $0.6 million effective April 1, Water Infrastructure and Conservation Adjustment of $2.7 million for $25.7 million completed projects bringing cumulative surcharge to 9.90%, and Water Revenue Adjustment mechanism of 5.70% effective April 1. Source

“During the second quarter, our teams made substantial progress towards obtaining Texas regulatory approval for the regulated portion of the Quadvest acquisition. In addition, a great deal of thought and effort went into the general rate cases that we filed in Connecticut and Maine seeking the recovery of more than $180 million of combined investments that are not yet recognized in rates.”

Andrew F. Walters, chair and chief executive officer

Operating Expenses and Cost Pressures

  • Water production costs up from input prices: Water production expenses increased $12.1 million year-to-date to $151.9 million, primarily from higher per-unit costs for purchased water and groundwater extraction, increases in production balancing accounts related to Full Cost Balancing Account, and higher customer usage, partially offset by increased surface water availability. Source
  • Depreciation rising with utility additions: Depreciation and amortization increased $7.4 million year-to-date to $64.4 million, associated with utility plant additions placed in service reflecting ongoing capital investment and rate base expansion. Source
  • Administrative costs elevated by M&A: General and administrative expenses increased $8.0 million year-to-date, driven by higher merger and acquisition costs, outsourced services, insurance, and maintenance agreement costs related to Quadvest and Cibolo Valley acquisition activities. Source

Regulatory Filings and Rate Cases

  • Connecticut seeks $28.8 million rate increase: Connecticut Water filed general rate case May 11 requesting $28.8 million annual revenue increase for recovery of approximately $145 million infrastructure investments not in current rates, with test year ending December 31, 2025 and new rates expected February 2027. Source
  • Texas system improvement charge pending: Texas Water Company filed October 6, 2025 requesting system improvement charge increase of $5.1 million for completed water and wastewater projects, with Public Utility Commission decision expected second half of 2026. Source

“The regulatory and operational focus of our team is unwavering as we execute on our growth strategy while providing our customers and the communities that we are honored to serve with the high quality service they deserve.”

Andrew F. Walters, chair and chief executive officer

Quadvest Acquisition and Growth

  • Quadvest connections grew 10% in first half: Quadvest active connections grew 10% or 5,400 connections in first six months of 2026 to 59,800 total as of June 30. Connections under contract and pending development grew 11,900 to nearly 99,000 since December 31, 2025, despite converting 5,400 to active. Source
  • Cibolo Valley wastewater acquisition pending: Texas Water filed sale-transfer-merger application April 21 for acquisition of Cibolo Valley wastewater treatment plant and collection systems serving 1,500+ wastewater connections within existing Texas Water service area, expected to close Q4 2026. Source

Dividend Growth and Long-Term Targets

  • Dividend increased to $1.76 annualized: Board declared quarterly cash dividend of $0.44 per share payable September 1, 2026; 2026 annualized dividend of $1.76 per share compared with $1.68 in 2025, representing 4.8% increase and continuing 58-year streak of annual dividend growth. Source
  • Long-term EPS CAGR guidance 6 - 8%: Company affirms non-linear long-term adjusted diluted EPS CAGR target of 6 - 8%, anchored to 2025 adjusted EPS of $2.99, reflecting sustainable organic growth supported by elevated capital investment needs for decades, not including M&A beyond Quadvest and Cibolo Valley. Source
  • Dividends paid 80+ consecutive years: Dividends have been paid on H2O America and predecessor's common stock for over 80 consecutive years, with annual amount increased in each of past 58 years, placing company in exclusive group of dividend-growth utilities. Source

Coming up, as management said on 27 July 2026

  • Connecticut rate case new rates effective: Connecticut Water Company general rate case filed May 11 seeking $28.8 million increase; new rates expected to become effective February 2027 following PURA review. Source
  • Maine rate case new rates effective: Maine Water Company general rate case filed April 13 seeking $9.5 million increase; new rates expected to go into effect by second quarter of 2027. Source
  • Cibolo Valley wastewater acquisition closing: Texas Water Company expects to close acquisition of Cibolo Valley wastewater treatment plant and collection systems during fourth quarter of 2026. Source
  • PUCT Quadvest approval decision and closing: PUCT must rule on Quadvest sale-transfer-merger application by August 26, 2026 statutory deadline; company anticipates transaction closing end of third quarter or early fourth quarter of 2026 pending approval. Source

Figures management reported

FigureReported
Quadvest customer growth year-to-date Source10% or 5,400 connections to 59,800 total active
Quadvest connections under contract backlog Source11,900 additions to reach nearly 99,000 pending development
EPS CAGR target long-term Source6 - 8% anchored to 2025 adjusted EPS of $2.99
EPS CAGR target 2026 - 30 SourceAt or above the top end of 6 - 8% range
Capital plan 2026 Source$483 million
Capital plan 2026 - 30 Source$2.7 billion

Earlier plans management reported on

  • On track: Company reiterates full-year 2026 EPS guidance at $3.08 - $3.18, confirming midway-through-year position to deliver targets. Source
  • On track: Company affirms long-term 6 - 8% CAGR target and expects to deliver non-linear CAGR at or above top end of range over 2026 - 30 period including Quadvest and Cibolo Valley. Source
  • On track: PUCT Staff recommendation July 9 and August 26 statutory deadline advance timing; company now anticipates closing end of Q3 or early Q4 2026. Source
  • On track: Quadvest connections up 10% in first half 2026 to 59,800 active with 99,000 under contract, tracking toward goal of raising Texas from 8% to 26% of customer base by 2029. Source
  • On track: Company invested $206.9 million through June 30, tracking toward planned $483 million full-year capex, and maintains $2.7 billion plan through 2030. Source

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.