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Northwest Natural Holding Co.: Q2 FY2026 earnings call

What management said about Q2 FY2026, from the documents filed with the SEC on 5 August 2026: press release. Guidance figures: 1 raised, 6 kept. The quarter’s numbers.

Key takeaways

  • Second-quarter EPS reported at $0.01: Diluted EPS for the second quarter was $0.01, against a net loss per share of $0.06 a year earlier; adjusted EPS was $0.01 in both periods. Source
  • First-half EPS rose to $2.33: EPS for the first six months was $2.33, compared with $2.11 a year earlier; adjusted EPS for the first half of 2025 was $2.28. Source
  • NW Natural earnings fell $1.0 million: NW Natural net income was $3.9 million ($0.09 per share) against $4.9 million ($0.12); higher Oregon margin was offset by O&M, depreciation and financing costs. Source
  • SiEnergy earnings rose on growth: SiEnergy net income was $2.1 million ($0.05 per share) against $1.0 million, helped by customer growth and deferral of depreciation and interest under Texas House Bill 4384. Source
  • Connections grew 1.9% over twelve months: Nearly 18,000 gas and water connections were added in the 12 months to June 30, 2026, a 1.9% growth rate; the prior release reported 2.8% for the 12 months to March 31. Source
  • Washington rate order approved: The WUTC approved the settlement on July 29, 2026; first-year rates took effect Aug. 1, 2026, with a 9.5% return on equity and a 50% equity capital structure. Source
  • Oregon settlement sets $13.0 million increase: The Oregon ARM settlement provides a $13.0 million revenue requirement increase against the $15.6 million originally requested; a Commission order is expected later this year. Source

“Our results exceeded our expectations and reflect strong execution across the business,”

Justin Palfreyman, President and Chief Executive Officer

Guidance

AreaPeriodFigureAgainst last quarter
2026 EPS SourceFull year 2026upper half of $2.95 - $3.15Raised from $2.95 - $3.15
Capital expenditures Source2026$500 - $550 millionKept
EPS growth target Source2026 - 2030, compounded annually4.0% - 6.0%Kept
EPS growth target including MX3 Source2026 - 2030, compounded annually5.0% - 7.0%Kept
Capital expenditures Source2026 - 2030$2.6 - $2.9 billionKept
Rate base growth SourceThrough 20306.0% - 8.0%Kept
Customer growth Source2026 - 2030 target2.0% - 3.0%Kept

What changed from last quarter

  • Guidance raised: Expected 2026 EPS moved to the upper half of the $2.95 - $3.15 range; the range is unchanged from the prior release. Source
  • New: WUTC issued an order on July 29, 2026 approving the Washington general rate case settlement, which the prior release described as filed in March. Source
  • New: Washington second- and third-year increases are $7.5 million and $7.4 million, against $7.7 million and $8.7 million in the prior release's settlement. Source
  • New: Company filed a multi-party settlement in the Oregon alternative rate mechanism docket on June 29, 2026. Source

Second-quarter and first-half results

  • Second-quarter EPS reported at $0.01: Diluted EPS for the second quarter was $0.01, against a net loss per share of $0.06 a year earlier; adjusted EPS was $0.01 in both periods. Source
  • First-half EPS rose to $2.33: EPS for the first six months was $2.33, compared with $2.11 a year earlier; adjusted EPS for the first half of 2025 was $2.28. Source
  • Quarterly operating revenues rose: Operating revenues were $243,552 thousand for the quarter, against $236,194 thousand, and $733,955 thousand for the first half against $730,478 thousand. Source
  • Quarterly net income turned positive: Net income was $600 thousand for the quarter, against a net loss of $2,500 thousand; first-half net income was $98,089 thousand versus $85,416 thousand. Source

Segment results

  • NW Natural earnings fell $1.0 million: NW Natural net income was $3.9 million ($0.09 per share) against $4.9 million ($0.12); higher Oregon margin was offset by O&M, depreciation and financing costs. Source
  • SiEnergy earnings rose on growth: SiEnergy net income was $2.1 million ($0.05 per share) against $1.0 million, helped by customer growth and deferral of depreciation and interest under Texas House Bill 4384. Source
  • NWN Water earnings declined on O&M: NWN Water net income was $2.3 million ($0.05 per share) against $2.8 million; higher rate and customer revenue was more than offset by O&M to support growth. Source
  • Other loss narrowed on lower deal costs: Other net loss was $7.7 million ($0.18 per share) against $11.3 million; on an adjusted basis the loss narrowed $0.8 million, mainly on higher NW Natural Renewables income. Source

“Our consistent performance and strong first-half results, combined with increased visibility into the balance of the year, support our expectation that 2026 EPS will be in the upper half”

Justin Palfreyman, President and Chief Executive Officer

Customer growth and system investment

  • Connections grew 1.9% over twelve months: Nearly 18,000 gas and water connections were added in the 12 months to June 30, 2026, a 1.9% growth rate; the prior release reported 2.8% for the 12 months to March 31. Source
  • Meters rose in all three businesses: End-of-period meters were 987,115 against 969,156; SiEnergy rose to 95,904 from 83,278, NW Natural to 809,917 from 807,243 and NWN Water to 81,294 from 78,635. Source
  • Gas and water investment reached $235 million: The company invested $235 million in its gas and water systems in the first six months of 2026 for greater reliability and resiliency. Source

Margins, costs and interest

  • NW Natural margin up $7.4 million: NW Natural margin was $141.1 million against $133.7 million; SiEnergy margin was $9.8 million against $8.2 million. Source
  • O&M and depreciation both higher: Operations and maintenance expense was $80.4 million against $79.1 million, and depreciation was $44.2 million against $41.5 million for the quarter. Source
  • Cost of gas declined year over year: Cost of gas was $61.8 million for the quarter against $64.5 million, and $219.9 million for the first half against $237.5 million. Source
  • Net interest expense increased: Interest expense, net was $33.4 million against $30.5 million for the quarter; management cited higher depreciation and financing costs for NW Natural. Source

“The strength of our strategy positions NW Natural Holdings to continue to deliver safe, reliable, and affordable service while creating long-term value for customers and shareholders.”

Justin Palfreyman, President and Chief Executive Officer

Rate orders and growth projects

  • Washington rate order approved: The WUTC approved the settlement on July 29, 2026; first-year rates took effect Aug. 1, 2026, with a 9.5% return on equity and a 50% equity capital structure. Source
  • Washington rate base reaches $328.0 million: Rate base in the first year is $328.0 million, an increase of $80.7 million since the last rate case. Source
  • Oregon settlement sets $13.0 million increase: The Oregon ARM settlement provides a $13.0 million revenue requirement increase against the $15.6 million originally requested; a Commission order is expected later this year. Source
  • MX3 timing from prior release: The prior release said notice to proceed was expected by late 2027 and MX3 in service by end-2029; the Mist expansion was described as 4 - 5 Bcf with about $300 million of capital cost.

Cash, debt and dividend

  • Operating cash flow fell $55.9 million: Cash from operations was $225.8 million for the first half against $281.8 million; changes in deferred gas costs and the decoupling mechanism were among the items. Source
  • Long-term debt issuance fell to $125 million: Long-term debt issued in the first half was $125.0 million against $375.0 million; long-term debt retired was $55.3 million. Source
  • Common equity ratio fell to 37.3%: Common stock equity was 37.3% of capitalization at June 30, 2026, against 38.0% a year earlier; long-term debt was 56.8% against 54.2%. Source
  • Quarterly dividend declared at $0.4925: The board declared a quarterly dividend of $0.4925 per share; the indicated annual dividend rate is $1.97. Source

Coming up, as management said on 5 August 2026

  • Oregon ARM order and new rates: A Commission order on the Oregon ARM settlement is expected later this year, with new rates expected to be effective Oct. 31, 2026. Source
  • Dividend payable August 14: The declared dividend is payable Aug. 14, 2026 to shareholders of record on July 31, 2026. Source

Figures management reported

FigureReported
Rate cases SourceWashington: $20.1 million first-year increase effective Aug. 1, 2026; Oregon ARM settlement: $13.0 million against $15.6 million requested
Rate base growth Source6.0% - 8.0% through 2030
Capital plan Source$2.6 - $2.9 billion for 2026 - 2030; $500 - $550 million for 2026
Customer growth Source1.9% over 12 months ended June 30, 2026
EPS growth target Source4.0% - 6.0% (5.0% - 7.0% with MX3), 2026 - 2030

Risks management discussed

  • Regulatory: Guidance assumes no significant changes in prevailing regulatory policies, mechanisms, or laws; the Oregon ARM order is still pending. Source
  • External: Guidance assumes average weather conditions and continued customer growth. Source
  • Financial: Capital spending is to be funded internally or through long-term debt or equity, as appropriate. Source
  • Operational: Management cited higher O&M and continued system investment, which raise depreciation and financing costs, as offsets to new Oregon rate margin. Source

Earlier plans management reported on

  • Not stated: Management reaffirmed its long-term targets for 2026 through 2030 alongside the upper-half EPS expectation. Source
  • Ahead: Management said first-half results exceeded its own expectations. Source
  • Met: The prior release expected new Washington rates effective Aug. 1, 2026; this release says they were effective that date.
  • On track: The prior release said the MX3 expansion was on track; the current release does not restate that status.
  • Not stated: The footnote says the MX3 growth target assumes in-service before the end of 2029. 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.