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Northwest Natural Holding Co.: Q3 FY2025 earnings call

What management said about Q3 FY2025, from the documents filed with the SEC on 5 November 2025: press release. Guidance figures: 1 raised, 2 lowered, 2 new, 3 kept. The quarter’s numbers.

Key takeaways

  • Third-quarter net loss widened: Third-quarter net loss was $29.9 million, against $27.2 million a year earlier, while consolidated operating revenues rose to $164.7 million from $136.9 million. Source
  • Nine-month income rose on rates: Nine-month net income was $55.5 million, or $1.36 per share, against $33.9 million, or $0.88, with new Oregon rates, SiEnergy and water rates contributing. Source
  • Gas margin rose on Oregon rates: NWN Gas Utility margin rose $12.5 million in the third quarter, mainly from the Oregon rate case effective Nov. 1, 2024; the segment net loss was $31.0 million. Source
  • SiEnergy added margin and income: SiEnergy, acquired Jan. 7, 2025, and Pines, acquired June 2, 2025, together added $1.6 million of net income in the third quarter; SiEnergy margin was $8.6 million. Source
  • Connections grew 10.9% over twelve months: Over 95,000 gas and water connections were added in the last 12 months, a combined 10.9% growth rate, mainly from the SiEnergy acquisition. Source
  • Oregon order added $20.7 million revenue: The Oregon order raised the revenue requirement by $20.7 million, or 2.0%, over current rates, including final adjustments for capital projects and the depreciation study. Source
  • Capital spending rose to $333 million: NW Natural invested $333 million in gas and water systems in the first nine months of 2025 to support growth and greater reliability and resiliency. Source

“We continue to see the benefits of our strategic investments in Texas gas utilities and growth across our water and wastewater utilities.”

Justin B. Palfreyman, President and CEO of NW Natural Holdings

Guidance

AreaPeriodFigureAgainst last quarter
GAAP diluted EPS Source2025 full year$2.59 to $2.79Lowered from $2.60 to $2.80
Adjusted EPS Source2025 full year$2.75 to $2.95Kept
Transaction and business development costs Source2025 full year$9.1 million pre-tax; approximately $6.7 million or $0.16 per share after-taxRaised from $8.6 million pre-tax; approximately $6.3 million or $0.15 per share after-tax
Average diluted shares assumption Source2025 full year40.9 millionLowered from 41.1 million
Capital expenditures Source2025 full year$450 - $500 millionKept
Long-term EPS growth rate target Source2025 to 2030, compounded annually4% to 6%Kept
Washington rate case requested revenue increase SourceYear 1 from Aug. 1, 2026; Year 2 from Aug. 1, 2027; Year 3 from Aug. 1, 2028$25.6 million Year 1; $8.6 million Year 2; $8.3 million Year 3New
Washington requested return on equity SourceYear 1; Years 2 and 310.1% Year 1; 10.2% Years 2 and 3New

What changed from last quarter

  • Guidance lowered: GAAP EPS guidance moved down $0.01 at each end, to $2.59 to $2.79 from $2.60 to $2.80. Source
  • New guidance: Management now expects 2025 EPS results above the midpoint of the guidance range. Source
  • New: Oregon Public Utility Commission issued an order on Oct. 24, 2025 approving the settlements in NW Natural's Oregon general rate case. Source
  • New: NW Natural filed a multi-year general rate case request in Washington. Source
  • New: SiEnergy issued $185 million of inaugural investment-grade bonds to refinance existing debt. Source
  • New: Dividend increased for the 70th consecutive year, to an indicated annual rate of $1.97 per share from $1.96. Source

Results and growth drivers

  • Third-quarter net loss widened: Third-quarter net loss was $29.9 million, against $27.2 million a year earlier, while consolidated operating revenues rose to $164.7 million from $136.9 million. Source
  • Nine-month income rose on rates: Nine-month net income was $55.5 million, or $1.36 per share, against $33.9 million, or $0.88, with new Oregon rates, SiEnergy and water rates contributing. Source
  • Adjusted figures exclude deal costs: Adjusted nine-month EPS of $1.52 differs from GAAP EPS of $1.36 because adjusted results exclude transaction and business development costs tied to SiEnergy and Pines. Source

Segments and regions

  • Gas margin rose on Oregon rates: NWN Gas Utility margin rose $12.5 million in the third quarter, mainly from the Oregon rate case effective Nov. 1, 2024; the segment net loss was $31.0 million. Source
  • SiEnergy added margin and income: SiEnergy, acquired Jan. 7, 2025, and Pines, acquired June 2, 2025, together added $1.6 million of net income in the third quarter; SiEnergy margin was $8.6 million. Source
  • Water income rose on Arizona rates: NWN Water net income rose $2.1 million in the third quarter, mainly on new rates at its largest Arizona utility and revenue from the ICH water utilities acquired in September 2024. Source
  • Other segment loss grew on interest: Other business activities posted a $5.2 million net loss in the quarter, down from $0.6 million of income a year earlier, mainly on interest expense. Source

“In fact, our NW Natural gas customers' bills are about the same as they were 20 years ago.”

Justin B. Palfreyman, President and CEO of NW Natural Holdings

Customers and growth

  • Connections grew 10.9% over twelve months: Over 95,000 gas and water connections were added in the last 12 months, a combined 10.9% growth rate, mainly from the SiEnergy acquisition. Source
  • Water utility serves about 197,000 people: NWN Water serves an estimated 197,000 people through about 79,000 meters and provides operation and maintenance services to 38,000 additional connections. Source

Costs, margins and rate relief

  • Gas O&M rose on payroll and contractors: Gas utility operations and maintenance rose $7.8 million on payroll, benefits and contractors; consolidated operations and maintenance reached $76.8 million, from $63.9 million. Source
  • Depreciation rose with system investment: Gas utility depreciation and general taxes rose $6.4 million on continued system investment; consolidated depreciation was $40.5 million, from $34.6 million. Source
  • Oregon order added $20.7 million revenue: The Oregon order raised the revenue requirement by $20.7 million, or 2.0%, over current rates, including final adjustments for capital projects and the depreciation study. Source
  • Oregon order sets 9.5% return on equity: The Oregon order set a 50% common equity and 50% long-term debt capital structure, a 9.5% return on equity and a 7.12% overall cost of capital. Source
  • PGA rates took effect Oct. 31: New rates for Oregon and Washington customers under the Purchased Gas Adjustment took effect Oct. 31, 2025, including estimated gas costs for the coming winter heating season. Source

“Combined with over 70 consecutive years of dividend increases, this reflects our long-standing commitment to delivering value for customers and shareholders alike.”

Justin B. Palfreyman, President and CEO of NW Natural Holdings

Capital, cash and shareholder returns

  • Capital spending rose to $333 million: NW Natural invested $333 million in gas and water systems in the first nine months of 2025 to support growth and greater reliability and resiliency. Source
  • Rate base reached about $2.3 billion: Oregon rate base is approximately $2.3 billion, an increase of $180.1 million since the last rate case. Source
  • Operating cash flow rose to $265.9 million: Nine-month operating cash flow was $265.9 million, against $219.7 million; capital expenditures were $332.7 million and acquisitions were $331.3 million. Source
  • Long-term debt issued rose to $560 million: Nine-month long-term debt issued was $560.0 million, against $150.0 million a year earlier, while long-term debt retired was $173.0 million. Source
  • Common equity share of capital fell: At Sept. 30 common stock equity was 37.0% of capital, against 43.9% a year earlier; long-term debt including junior subordinated notes was 55.0%, against 50.3%. Source
  • Dividends paid per share rose: Dividends paid per share were $0.4900 for the quarter, against $0.4875, and $1.4700 for nine months, against $1.4625. Source

Strategy and investment

  • Washington filing is first since 2021: The Washington filing is NW Natural's first general rate case since 2021 and reflects inflation, an updated depreciation study and long-planned safety and reliability investments. Source

Coming up, as management said on 5 November 2025

  • Dividend payable Nov. 14: The quarterly dividend of $0.4925 per share is payable Nov. 14, 2025 to shareholders of record on Oct. 31, 2025. Source
  • Washington rates expected Aug. 2026: The Washington process is expected to take up to 11 months, with new rates expected to take effect Aug. 1, 2026. Source

Figures management reported

FigureReported
Rate cases: Oregon revenue requirement increase Source$20.7 million, or 2.0%
Rate base growth: Oregon Sourceapproximately $2.3 billion, up $180.1 million since last rate case
Capital plan: 2025 capital expenditures Source$450 - $500 million
Customer growth: gas and water connections Source10.9% combined growth over 12 months to Sept. 30, 2025
EPS growth target: 2025 to 2030 Source4% to 6% compounded annually
Rate cases: Washington requested revenue increase, Year 1 Source$25.6 million from Aug. 1, 2026
Rate cases: Oregon return on equity Source9.5%

Risks management discussed

  • Regulatory: Guidance assumes continued customer growth, average weather and no significant changes in regulatory policies, mechanisms or assumed outcomes, or in laws. Source
  • Financial: Timing and amount of 2025 and later capital expenditures could change based on customer growth, regulatory changes or cost estimates. Source

Earlier plans management reported on

  • Not stated: Adjusted EPS guidance is described as reaffirmed from the prior release. Source
  • Not stated: The prior release said the Oregon settlements were subject to OPUC approval and to completion of capital projects placed in service before the rate effective date.

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.