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Northwest Natural Holding Co.: Q4 FY2025 earnings call

What management said about Q4 FY2025, from the documents filed with the SEC on 27 February 2026: press release. Guidance figures: 8 new, 1 kept. The quarter’s numbers.

Key takeaways

  • Adjusted EPS rose to $2.93: Adjusted EPS for 2025 was $2.93, against $2.33 in 2024; GAAP EPS was $2.77 against $2.03. Adjusted results exclude $9.1 million of transaction and business development costs tied to SiEnergy and Pines. Source
  • Connections up 11.1% with SiEnergy: The company added about 98,000 gas and water connections in the last 12 months, a combined 11.1% growth rate at year-end, mainly from the SiEnergy acquisition. Source
  • Record $467 million capital spending: Capital expenditures were $466.9 million for 2025 against $394.4 million in 2024, with $338.1 million of net acquisitions on top. Source
  • Oregon order raised revenue 2.0%: The Oregon Commission approved settlements on October 24, 2025, raising the revenue requirement by $20.7 million, or 2.0%, over current rates, with new rates from October 31, 2025. Source
  • 2026 EPS guidance $2.95 - 3.15: The company initiated 2026 adjusted EPS guidance of $2.95 - 3.15, against 2025 adjusted EPS of $2.93. Source
  • Rate base growth 6 - 8% through 2030: Rate base growth of 6 - 8% through 2030 is driven by planned capital expenditures of $2.6 - 2.9 billion for 2026 - 2030, with EPS growth of 4 - 6%. Source
  • Mist storage expansion announced: NW Natural is advancing a 4 - 5 Bcf expansion of the Mist gas storage facility, with capital expenditures of approximately $300 million and FERC regulation. Source

“We delivered record adjusted earnings per share at the top of our guidance range, deployed a record amount of capital to support customers”

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

Guidance

AreaPeriodFigureAgainst last quarter
Adjusted EPS Source2026$2.95 - 3.15New
Capital expenditures Source2026$500 - 550 millionNew
Capital expenditures Source2026 - 2030$2.6 - 2.9 billionNew
Rate base growth Sourcethrough 20306 - 8%New
Customer growth Source2026 - 20302.0 - 3.0%New
EPS growth, compounded annually2026 - 20304 - 6%Kept
EPS growth with MX3 Source2026 - 20305 - 7%New
MX3 capital expenditures SourceMX3 projectapproximately $300 milli onNew
MX3 in-service date Sourceby end of 2029end of 2029New

What changed from last quarter

  • New guidance: 2026 EPS guidance of $2.95 - 3.15 initiated, alongside 2025 actual adjusted EPS of $2.93. Source
  • New guidance: 2026 capital expenditure guidance of $500 - 550 million initiated, with 2026 - 2030 long-term targets. Source
  • New guidance: 2026 - 2030 long-term targets set: EPS growth 4.0 - 6.0%, capital expenditures $2.6 - 2.9 billion, rate base growth 6.0 - 8.0%. Source
  • Guidance kept: Long-term EPS growth target of 4% to 6% reaffirmed, as stated in the November release.
  • New: Mist gas storage expansion project MX3 announced, a 4 - 5 Bcf expansion regulated by FERC. Source

Full-year and fourth-quarter results

  • Adjusted EPS rose to $2.93: Adjusted EPS for 2025 was $2.93, against $2.33 in 2024; GAAP EPS was $2.77 against $2.03. Adjusted results exclude $9.1 million of transaction and business development costs tied to SiEnergy and Pines. Source
  • Fourth-quarter EPS flat on adjusted basis: Fourth-quarter GAAP EPS was $1.39 against $1.12. Adjusted EPS was $1.39 against $1.41, as the prior-year quarter excluded a $13.7 million non-cash regulatory disallowance. Source
  • Other segment loss widened on interest: The net loss from other business activities rose $20.9 million ($0.51 per share) on GAAP basis and $15.9 million adjusted, mainly from higher interest on December 2024 and March 2025 financings. Source

Segments and regions

  • Gas utility net income up $32.9 million: NWN Gas Utility net income was $110.0 million, or $2.69 per share, against $77.1 million, or $1.98, in 2024. The 2024 figure included a non-cash disallowance. Source
  • SiEnergy's first full year contributed: SiEnergy, acquired January 7, 2025, provided $13.7 million of net income. Pines, acquired June 2, 2025, is reported with the segment. Source
  • Water utility earnings up on Arizona rates: NWN Water Utility net income was $14.2 million, or $0.35 per share, against $5.5 million in 2024, mainly from new Arizona rates and water acquisitions. Source
  • Fourth-quarter adjusted gas earnings lower: Fourth-quarter gas utility GAAP net income rose $7.5 million, but adjusted net income fell $2.6 million, or $0.10 per share, against the prior-year quarter. Source

“I'm incredibly proud that 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

Costs, margin and interest

  • Gas utility margin rose $79 million: NWN Gas Utility margin was $680.1 million for 2025 against $601.3 million in 2024, and $214.7 million for the fourth quarter against $203.9 million. Source
  • Depreciation rose with system investment: Depreciation was $165.5 million for 2025 against $137.9 million in 2024. Operations and maintenance expense was $327.4 million against $294.7 million. Source
  • Interest expense climbed to $122.5 million: Net interest expense was $122.5 million for 2025 against $80.1 million in 2024, and $32.2 million for the fourth quarter against $21.2 million. Source
  • Cost of gas declined year over year: Cost of gas was $395.6 million for 2025 against $412.4 million in 2024, while operations and maintenance rose. Source

Customers and contracted demand

  • Connections up 11.1% with SiEnergy: The company added about 98,000 gas and water connections in the last 12 months, a combined 11.1% growth rate at year-end, mainly from the SiEnergy acquisition. Source
  • Storage capacity contracted for MX3: Capacity in the MX3 expansion is committed to investment grade regional utilities and midstream providers, with 25-year contracts starting once Notice to Proceed is received. Source
  • Meters by business at year-end: Year-end meters were 809,597 for NWN gas utility, 89,676 for SiEnergy and 80,703 for NWN Water, the company reported in its operating statistics. Source

“With momentum on our side, we’re executing with discipline and creating value for our customers and shareholders.”

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

Capital investment and rate base

  • Record $467 million capital spending: Capital expenditures were $466.9 million for 2025 against $394.4 million in 2024, with $338.1 million of net acquisitions on top. Source
  • Oregon order raised revenue 2.0%: The Oregon Commission approved settlements on October 24, 2025, raising the revenue requirement by $20.7 million, or 2.0%, over current rates, with new rates from October 31, 2025. Source
  • Net utility plant grew to $4.35 billion: Net property, plant and equipment was $4.35 billion at year-end, up from $3.67 billion a year earlier, with gross plant at $5.64 billion. Source

Cash flow, debt and financing

  • Operating cash flow rose to $269 million: Cash provided by operations was $269.1 million for 2025 against $200.3 million in 2024, while capital expenditures were $466.9 million. Source
  • Long-term debt issuance of $760 million: The company issued $760.0 million of long-term debt in 2025 against $285.0 million in 2024, and retired $183.1 million. Source
  • Equity share of capital fell to 36.2%: At year-end, common equity was 36.2% of capitalization against 42.4% a year earlier, while long-term debt was 55.7% against 51.4%. Source
  • Common stock proceeds lower: Proceeds from common stock issued, net, were $47.4 million in 2025 against $90.4 million in 2024. Source

Dividend and shareholder returns

  • Quarterly dividend declared at $0.4925: In January 2026 the board declared a quarterly dividend of $0.4925 per share, paid February 13, 2026, with an indicated annual rate of $1.97. Source
  • Dividend raised for 70th year: The company increased its dividend for the 70th consecutive year, with the annual indicated rate at $1.97 per share as stated in the November release.

2026 guidance and long-term targets

  • 2026 EPS guidance $2.95 - 3.15: The company initiated 2026 adjusted EPS guidance of $2.95 - 3.15, against 2025 adjusted EPS of $2.93. Source
  • Rate base growth 6 - 8% through 2030: Rate base growth of 6 - 8% through 2030 is driven by planned capital expenditures of $2.6 - 2.9 billion for 2026 - 2030, with EPS growth of 4 - 6%. Source
  • EPS growth could reach 5 - 7%: The long-term growth rate target with MX3 assumes an in-service date before the end of 2029. Source
  • Customer growth target 2.0 - 3.0%: The long-term targets include customer growth of 2.0 - 3.0%, with guidance assuming continued customer growth and average weather. Source

MX3 storage expansion

  • Mist storage expansion announced: NW Natural is advancing a 4 - 5 Bcf expansion of the Mist gas storage facility, with capital expenditures of approximately $300 million and FERC regulation. Source
  • Fixed 12.5% return on equity: Customers agreed to a fixed 12.5% return on equity, with a capital structure of 50% equity and 50% long-term debt for the expansion. Source

Coming up, as management said on 27 February 2026

  • MX3 Notice to Proceed targeted late 2027: Management is targeting Notice to Proceed for the MX3 expansion by late 2027, which triggers the 25-year customer contracts. Source
  • Washington rate case new rates August 2026: The Washington multi-year rate case was anticipated to take up to 11 months, with new rates expected to take effect August 1, 2026, as stated in the November release.

Figures management reported

FigureReported
Rate base growth Source6.0 - 8.0% through 2030
Capital plan Source$2.6 - 2.9 billion, 2026 - 2030
Customer growth Source11.1% connection growth to Dec. 31, 2025; 2.0 - 3.0% target
EPS growth target Source4.0 - 6.0% for 2026 - 2030; 5 - 7% with MX3
Rate case: Oregon Source$20.7 million, 2.0% revenue requirement increase
Rate case: Washington$25.6 million first-year increase from Aug. 1, 2026

Risks management discussed

  • Regulatory: Guidance assumes average weather, continued customer growth and no significant changes in regulatory policies, mechanisms or assumed outcomes. Source
  • Financial: Capital expenditure funding is expected to come from internal cash flow or long-term debt or equity, as appropriate. Source
  • Operational: MX3 long-term growth target depends on an in-service date before the end of 2029. Source

Earlier plans management reported on

  • Met: In November the company expected 2025 results above the midpoint of the updated GAAP EPS range; the February release reports adjusted EPS at the top of the range.
  • Not stated: The November release expected 2025 capital expenditures in the $450 - 500 million range; the February release reports $467 million without comparing it to the range.

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.