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Northwest Natural Holding Co.: Q1 FY2026 earnings call

What management said about Q1 FY2026, from the documents filed with the SEC on 6 May 2026: press release. Guidance figures: 2 new, 12 kept. The quarter’s numbers.

Key takeaways

  • EPS rose to $2.33: The company reported diluted EPS of $2.33 for the first quarter of 2026, up from $2.18. Net income was $97.5 million, compared with $87.9 million a year earlier. Source
  • Washington rate case settled: A multi-party settlement with the WUTC sets revenue increases over three years of $20.1 million, $7.7 million and $8.7 million. The settlement is subject to WUTC review and approval. Source
  • SiEnergy Texas rate case filed: SiEnergy filed on May 4, 2026, requesting consolidation with the Pines gas entities, a $12.0 million revenue increase and a 10.75% return on equity. Rate base is $343.1 million. Source
  • Connections up 2.8% in 12 months: Over 26,000 gas and water connections were added in the 12 months to March 31, 2026, a 2.8% growth rate. Organic growth was 1.8%, with the remainder from acquisitions. Source
  • MX3 permits received, EPC work under way: The 4 to 5 Bcf Mist expansion has its necessary permits, and Engineering, Procurement and Construction contracts are being worked on. The new storage services will be regulated by FERC. Source
  • 2026 guidance reaffirmed: Management reaffirmed 2026 EPS guidance of $2.95 to $3.15, capital expenditures of $500 to $550 million, and the 2026 to 2030 long-term targets. Source

“These results reflect our continued focus on building a consistent track record of disciplined execution.”

Justin Palfreyman, President and CEO of NW Natural Holding Company

Guidance

AreaPeriodFigureAgainst last quarter
EPS Source2026$2.95 - $3.15Kept
Capital expenditures Source2026$500 - $550 millionKept
EPS growth Source2026 - 2030, compounded annually4.0% - 6.0%Kept
EPS growth with MX3 Source2026 - 2030, assuming MX3 in service before end of 20295% - 7%Kept
Rate base growth Sourcethrough 20306% - 8%Kept
Capital expenditures Source2026 - 2030$2.6 - $2.9 billionKept
Customer growth Source2026 - 20302.0% - 3.0%Kept
MX3 Notice to Proceed Sourcelate 2027late 2027Kept
MX3 in-service date Sourceend of 2029by the end of 2029Kept
MX3 capital expenditures Sourcetotal projectapproximately $300 millionKept
Washington rate revenue increases Sourcethree years from Aug. 1, 2026$20.1 million, $7.7 million, $8.7 millionNew
SiEnergy rate increase request Sourcerequested in general rate case$12.0 millionNew
Quarterly dividend Sourcepayable May 15, 2026$0.4925 per shareKept
Indicated annual dividend rate Sourcecurrent$1.97 per shareKept

What changed from last quarter

  • New: Washington general rate case multi-party settlement filed with the WUTC on March 23, 2026. Source
  • New: SiEnergy filed a general rate case with the Texas Railroad Commission on May 4, 2026. Source
  • New: Gas storage and business activities previously reported in Other are now reported in the NW Natural segment, with prior periods recast. Source
  • New: MX3 storage expansion permits received and Engineering, Procurement and Construction contract work in progress. Source
  • Guidance kept: 2026 EPS guidance and long-term targets reaffirmed without change. Source

First-quarter results and drivers

  • EPS rose to $2.33: The company reported diluted EPS of $2.33 for the first quarter of 2026, up from $2.18. Net income was $97.5 million, compared with $87.9 million a year earlier. Source
  • Adjusted EPS up $0.05: Adjusted EPS was $2.33 against $2.28 a year earlier. The 2025 comparison excludes transaction and business development costs tied to the SiEnergy transaction. Source
  • Operating income rose $8.5 million: Income from operations was $162.9 million, against $154.4 million. Operating revenues were $490.4 million, down from $494.3 million, as cost of gas declined. Source
  • Average diluted shares up 1.5 million: Average diluted shares were 41.8 million, compared with 40.3 million. End-of-period shares outstanding were 42.08 million, up from 40.31 million. Source

Business segment results

  • NW Natural income up, EPS down: NW Natural net income was $93.7 million, or $2.24 per share, against $2.26. Oregon rates and a lower tax rate lifted margin, partly offset by depreciation, O&M, interest and share issuances. Source
  • SiEnergy income up on full quarter: SiEnergy net income was $9.1 million, or $0.22 per share, against $5.5 million or $0.14. Customer growth, system investment and a full quarter of Pines contributed. Source
  • NWN Water income slightly lower: NWN Water net income was $1.4 million, or $0.03 per share, against $1.7 million. Higher O&M and depreciation were partly offset by revenue growth from customers and acquisitions. Source
  • Other segment loss narrowed: The Other segment net loss was $6.8 million, or $0.16 per share, against $10.3 million, or $0.26 per share, a year earlier. Source

“We made progress on our key regulatory initiatives and delivered solid operational performance, efficient capital investment, and healthy customer growth across all three of our regulated utility businesses.”

Justin Palfreyman, President and CEO of NW Natural Holding Company

Rate cases and regulatory filings

  • Washington rate case settled: A multi-party settlement with the WUTC sets revenue increases over three years of $20.1 million, $7.7 million and $8.7 million. The settlement is subject to WUTC review and approval. Source
  • Washington settlement return terms: The settlement sets 50% equity, a 9.5% return on equity and a 7.15% overall cost of capital rising to 7.22%. Year-one rate base is $328.0 million, up $80.7 million since the last rate case. Source
  • SiEnergy Texas rate case filed: SiEnergy filed on May 4, 2026, requesting consolidation with the Pines gas entities, a $12.0 million revenue increase and a 10.75% return on equity. Rate base is $343.1 million. Source
  • SiEnergy requests interim GRIP factors: SiEnergy is also requesting the factors needed to file for interim rate adjustments under the Gas Reliability Infrastructure Program. Source

Customer and meter growth

  • Connections up 2.8% in 12 months: Over 26,000 gas and water connections were added in the 12 months to March 31, 2026, a 2.8% growth rate. Organic growth was 1.8%, with the remainder from acquisitions. Source
  • Meters up across all three businesses: Total end-of-period meters were 985,080, up from 958,555. SiEnergy meters rose to 92,754 from 73,077, NW Natural to 811,089 and NWN Water to 81,237. Source

Margin, costs and interest

  • NW Natural margin up $5.8 million: NW Natural margin was $270.4 million against $264.6 million. SiEnergy margin was $18.5 million, up from $13.6 million. Source
  • Depreciation up, O&M slightly lower: Depreciation rose to $44.1 million from $40.5 million. The release cites higher NW Natural depreciation and O&M, while consolidated O&M was $83.1 million against $83.7 million. Source
  • Interest expense rose $4.0 million: Net interest expense was $33.4 million, up from $29.4 million. The release cites higher interest expense and share issuances from financing activity. Source
  • Income tax expense lower: Income tax expense was $32.5 million against $34.5 million, with a lower income tax rate cited for NW Natural. Source

Capital spending and cash flow

  • Capital spending $113.7 million: Capital expenditures were $113.7 million, up from $102.2 million. The company reported investing $114 million in gas and water systems for reliability and resiliency. Source
  • Operating cash flow fell: Cash provided by operations was $116.1 million, against $179.6 million. The cash flow table shows lower changes in accounts payable, deferred gas costs and the decoupling mechanism. Source
  • Short-term debt share rose: Common equity was 37.7% of capitalization at period end, against 38.7%. Long-term debt was 54.4%, against 58.2%, and short-term debt was 7.9%, against 3.1%. Source
  • Stock issuance raised equity cash: Proceeds from common stock issued were $22.3 million, against $1.0 million. No long-term debt was issued in the quarter, compared with $375.0 million a year earlier. Source

MX3 storage expansion project

  • MX3 permits received, EPC work under way: The 4 to 5 Bcf Mist expansion has its necessary permits, and Engineering, Procurement and Construction contracts are being worked on. The new storage services will be regulated by FERC. Source
  • MX3 customer return set at 12.5%: Customers agreed to a fixed 12.5% return on equity for the expansion, with a capital structure of 50% equity and 50% long-term debt. Source

Guidance and dividend

  • 2026 guidance reaffirmed: Management reaffirmed 2026 EPS guidance of $2.95 to $3.15, capital expenditures of $500 to $550 million, and the 2026 to 2030 long-term targets. Source
  • Quarterly dividend declared: The board declared a quarterly dividend of $0.4925 per share, payable May 15, 2026, to shareholders of record on April 30, 2026. Source

Coming up, as management said on 6 May 2026

  • Washington rates expected Aug. 1: New Washington rates are expected to take effect Aug. 1, 2026, subject to WUTC review and approval of the settlement. Source
  • SiEnergy rates expected Q4 2026: The company expects new SiEnergy rates to take effect in the fourth quarter of 2026. Source

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 Source2.8% over 12 months to March 31, 2026; long-term target 2.0% - 3.0%
EPS growth target Source4.0% - 6.0% (5% - 7% with MX3)
Rate cases SourceWashington first-year increase $20.1 million; SiEnergy request $12.0 million

Risks management discussed

  • Regulatory: The Washington settlement takes effect only after WUTC review and approval. Source
  • External: The 2026 guidance assumes continued customer growth, average weather, and no significant changes in regulatory policies or laws. Source
  • Financial: Capital expenditure funding is expected to come from internally generated cash, long-term debt or equity, as appropriate. Source

Earlier plans management reported on

  • On track: Management says the MX3 expansion is on track. Source
  • Not stated: The prior quarter targeted Notice to Proceed by late 2027; this quarter management continues to expect that timing. 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.