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MDU Resources Group Inc.: Q2 FY2026 earnings call

What management said about Q2 FY2026, from the documents filed with the SEC on 6 August 2026: press release. Guidance figures: 1 raised, 1 lowered, 2 new, 4 kept. The quarter’s numbers.

Key takeaways

  • Net income increased 55.5% year-over-year: Consolidated net income of $21.3 million in Q2 2026 versus $13.7 million in Q2 2025. Source
  • Diluted EPS grew 42.9% from prior year: Earnings per share of $0.10 in Q2 2026 versus $0.07 in Q2 2025. Source
  • Electric segment earnings up 41.3%: Electric business earned $14.7 million in Q2 2026 compared to $10.4 million in Q2 2025, driven by Badger Wind and new rates. Source
  • Data center demand contributed to growth: Data center customers drove incremental electric retail sales volume increases during the quarter. Source
  • Seasonal losses narrowed significantly: Natural gas distribution reported seasonal loss of $3.9 million in Q2 2026 versus loss of $7.4 million in Q2 2025. Source
  • FERC application expected fourth quarter: Section 7(c) application filing anticipated in Q4 2026 ahead of final investment decision. Source
  • Bakken East capex incremental to plan: Bakken East Pipeline investment of $2.7-$3.2 billion would be separate from base capital program. Source

“We are especially encouraged by the continued advancement of our proposed Bakken East Pipeline Project. We believe our progress with customer commitments demonstrates the project's strategic value.”

Nicole A. Kivisto, president and CEO

Guidance

AreaPeriodFigureAgainst last quarter
Earnings per share Source2026$0.93 to $1.00Kept
Long-term EPS growth target Sourceongoing6% to 8% annuallyKept
Bakken East Pipeline total capex Sourceproject$2.7 billion to $3.2 billionNew
Total capex 2026 Source2026$529 millionLowered from $565 million
Bakken East Phase One in-service Sourcetiminglate 2029Kept
Bakken East Phase Two in-service Sourcetiminglate 2030Kept
Bakken East FERC filing timing Sourceexpectedfourth quarter 2026New
Bakken East customer commitments Sourceexecutednearly 1.2 billion cubic feet per dayRaised from approximately 0.56 billion cubic feet per day

What changed from last quarter

  • Guidance lowered: 2026 capex reduced from $565 million to $529 million. Source
  • Guidance raised: Bakken East customer commitments advanced with nearly 1.2 bcf/d executed agreements. Source
  • New: FERC Section 7(c) filing now targeted for Q4 2026 instead of general timeline. Source

Second Quarter Results and Earnings Growth

  • Net income increased 55.5% year-over-year: Consolidated net income of $21.3 million in Q2 2026 versus $13.7 million in Q2 2025. Source
  • Diluted EPS grew 42.9% from prior year: Earnings per share of $0.10 in Q2 2026 versus $0.07 in Q2 2025. Source
  • Badger Wind Farm delivered significant earnings: Badger Wind Farm contributed $3.3 million to Q2 2026 earnings. Source

Electric Utility Segment Expansion

  • Electric segment earnings up 41.3%: Electric business earned $14.7 million in Q2 2026 compared to $10.4 million in Q2 2025, driven by Badger Wind and new rates. Source
  • Retail sales volumes increased 8.2%: Electric retail sales volumes grew 8.2% year-over-year, benefiting from rate increases and higher customer demand. Source
  • Data center demand contributed to growth: Data center customers drove incremental electric retail sales volume increases during the quarter. Source
  • North Dakota electric rate case filed: Filed general rate case June 30 requesting $34.5 million annual increase with interim rates of $26.3 million requested effective September 1, 2026. Source

Natural Gas Distribution Performance

  • Seasonal losses narrowed significantly: Natural gas distribution reported seasonal loss of $3.9 million in Q2 2026 versus loss of $7.4 million in Q2 2025. Source
  • Retail sales volumes up 6.7%: Natural gas retail sales volumes increased 6.7% year-over-year, supported by new rates and higher customer demand. Source
  • Customer growth maintained at 1.6%: Natural gas distribution maintained year-over-year customer growth of 1.6%. Source
  • Washington filed multiyear rate case: Filed natural gas rate case requesting $25.1 million annual increase year one and $18.1 million year two. Source

Pipeline Operations and Strategic Projects

  • Pipeline segment earnings declined 6.5%: Pipeline reported $14.4 million earnings in Q2 2026 versus $15.4 million in Q2 2025, reflecting lower other income and higher depreciation. Source
  • Project design finalized based on volumes: Company continuing to design Bakken East for 1.4 bcf/d capacity with overall design finalized before final investment decision. Source
  • FERC application expected fourth quarter: Section 7(c) application filing anticipated in Q4 2026 ahead of final investment decision. Source

Capital Investment and Financing Strategy

  • Bakken East capex incremental to plan: Bakken East Pipeline investment of $2.7-$3.2 billion would be separate from base capital program. Source
  • Evaluating multiple financing options: Company considering balance sheet, partnerships and other approaches to finance Bakken East project. Source

Regulatory Progress and Rate Settlements

  • Montana electric settlement pending approval: Montana settlement agreement of $10.0 million filed and awaiting Public Service Commission approval. Source
  • Wyoming rates approved as filed: Wyoming general rate case settlement approved for $5.8 million annual increase effective April 1, 2026. Source
  • Oregon settlement awaiting approval: Natural gas settlement of $12.2 million filed and pending Oregon Public Utility Commission approval. Source
  • Pipeline FERC rate case sought: FERC rate case filed May 29, 2026, requesting $31 million annual revenue increase with rates effective December 1, 2026, subject to refund. Source

Coming up, as management said on 6 August 2026

  • Bakken East FERC filing in Q4 2026: Section 7(c) application anticipated to be filed in fourth quarter of 2026. Source
  • Phase One in-service targeted late 2029: Bakken East Phase One proposed completion date is late 2029. Source
  • Phase Two in-service targeted late 2030: Bakken East Phase Two proposed completion date is late 2030. Source
  • North Dakota rate case decision pending: North Dakota electric general rate case awaiting approval with interim rates requested effective September 1, 2026. Source
  • Montana rate settlement awaiting approval: Montana electric settlement of $10.0 million pending Public Service Commission approval. Source

Figures management reported

FigureReported
EPS growth target Source6% to 8% annually
Natural gas customer growth Source1.6% year-over-year
Electric retail sales volume growth Source8.2%
Rate case activity SourceMultiple pending filings totaling over $100 million in increases
Capital plan 2026-2030 Source$3,077 million

Risks management discussed

  • Regulatory: Guidance assumes constructive regulatory outcomes; adverse decisions could impact expected financial results. Source
  • Operational: Normal weather and economic conditions assumed; adverse weather could reduce utility volumes and earnings. Source
  • Financial: Bakken East financing options still under evaluation; inability to secure financing could delay or prevent project. Source
  • Operational: Guidance assumes successful execution of capital investment programs; execution delays could impact results. Source

Earlier plans management reported on

  • On track: Company reaffirmed full-year 2026 EPS guidance range. Source
  • On track: Badger Wind Farm delivered $3.3 million earnings in Q2 as expected from placement in service. Source
  • Ahead: Bakken East customer agreements significantly advanced from Q1 with nearly 1.2 bcf/d executed versus prior 40% of 1.4 bcf/d. Source
  • On track: Capital investment program ongoing with 2026-2030 plan of $3.077 billion subject to review. 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.