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Northwest Natural Holding Co.: Q3 FY2026 earnings call

What management said about Q3 FY2026, from the documents filed with the SEC on 5 November 2026: press release. Guidance figures: 3 raised, 6 kept. The quarter’s numbers.

Key takeaways

  • Nine-month EPS reached $1.62: Reported EPS for the first nine months was $1.62, compared with $1.36 a year earlier and adjusted EPS of $1.52 in 2025. Source
  • 2026 EPS guidance raised: Management raised the 2026 EPS range to $3.10 to $3.20, citing year-to-date performance, regulatory outcomes, and confidence in fourth-quarter execution. Source
  • Oregon ARM order approved: The Oregon commission approved an alternative rate mechanism increase of $13.0 million, below the $15.6 million requested. The mechanism covers certain capital projects over $1 million. Source
  • Connections up 17,000 over twelve months: The company added connections across its gas and water utilities over the twelve months ended Sept. 30, 2026. Source
  • Capital spend reached $373 million: The company invested $373 million in the first nine months of 2026 in gas and water systems, compared with $332.7 million in the same period of 2025. Source
  • Largest dividend increase since 2012: The dividend increase marks the 71st consecutive year of increases to shareholder dividends and is the largest declared since 2012. Source

“Based on our results through the first nine months of 2026 and the momentum we see across the business, we are raising our earnings guidance and have declared the largest dividend increase since 2012.”

Justin Palfreyman, president and chief executive officer

Guidance

AreaPeriodFigureAgainst last quarter
EPS Sourcefull year 2026$3.10 - $3.20Raised from $2.95 - $3.15 (expecting upper half)
Capital expenditures Sourcefull year 2026$500 - $550 millionKept
Rate base growth Source2026 - 20306% - 8%Kept
Capital expenditures (long-term) Source2026 - 2030$2.6 - $2.9 billionKept
EPS growth Source2026 - 2030, compounded annually4.0% - 6.0%Kept
EPS growth including MX3 Source2026 - 2030, compounded annually5.0% - 7.0%Kept
Customer growth Source2026 - 20302.0% - 3.0%Kept
Quarterly dividend Sourcepayable Nov. 13, 2026$0.50 per shareRaised from $0.4925 per share
Indicated annual dividend rate Sourcecurrent$2.00 per shareRaised from $1.97 per share

What changed from last quarter

  • Guidance raised: The 2026 EPS guidance range was raised to $3.10 to $3.20 from $2.95 to $3.15. Source
  • Guidance kept: The 2026 capital expenditure guidance of $500 to $550 million was unchanged from the prior quarter. Source
  • New: The Oregon commission issued an order approving the alternative rate mechanism settlement, which the prior quarter reported as filed. Source
  • New: SiEnergy reached a settlement resolving all items in its Texas general rate case, filed Sept. 22, 2026. Source

Results and earnings drivers

  • Nine-month EPS reached $1.62: Reported EPS for the first nine months was $1.62, compared with $1.36 a year earlier and adjusted EPS of $1.52 in 2025. Source
  • Third-quarter net loss per share: The company reported a net loss of $0.71 per share for the third quarter, compared with a net loss of $0.73 per share in the same period of 2025. Source
  • Full-period acquisitions added to results: Management said the first nine months of 2026 included a full period of net income from SiEnergy and Pines, a positive effect on year-over-year results. Source

Guidance and long-term targets

  • 2026 EPS guidance raised: Management raised the 2026 EPS range to $3.10 to $3.20, citing year-to-date performance, regulatory outcomes, and confidence in fourth-quarter execution. Source
  • Long-term targets reaffirmed: The company reaffirmed rate base growth of 6% to 8% through 2030 and long-term EPS growth of 4% to 6%, rising to 5% to 7% with MX3. Source
  • Capital expenditure guidance held: The 2026 capital expenditure range was kept at $500 to $550 million, compared with $467 million spent in 2025. Source

“Our performance reflects disciplined cost management, constructive regulatory outcomes, and continued customer growth.”

Justin Palfreyman, president and chief executive officer

Rate cases and regulatory outcomes

  • Washington rates effective August 1: The Washington order raises annual revenue over three years: $20.1 million in year one from Aug. 1, 2026, then $7.5 million and $7.4 million in years two and three. Source
  • Oregon ARM order approved: The Oregon commission approved an alternative rate mechanism increase of $13.0 million, below the $15.6 million requested. The mechanism covers certain capital projects over $1 million. Source
  • SiEnergy settlement filed in Texas: SiEnergy's settlement provides an $8.6 million revenue requirement increase, against $12.0 million requested, and resolves all items in the general rate case. Source
  • SiEnergy gets GRIP participation factors: The settlement sets factors for SiEnergy's future participation in the Gas Reliability Infrastructure Program, which allows interim rate adjustments. Source

Segment results

  • NW Natural net loss roughly flat: The NW Natural segment net loss was about unchanged. Higher margin from new rates was offset by lower O&M, higher depreciation, and financing costs. Source
  • SiEnergy net income slightly lower: SiEnergy net income fell $0.3 million in the quarter, as higher O&M expenses more than offset customer growth and the benefit of deferring depreciation and interest under Texas House Bill 4384. Source
  • NWN Water net income lower: NWN Water net income fell $0.9 million in the quarter. Higher revenue from rate increases and customer growth was offset by higher depreciation and general taxes. Source
  • Other loss narrowed on lower costs: Other net loss fell $8.5 million for the nine months, mainly from lower acquisition and business development expenses. On an adjusted basis the net loss fell $1.8 million, mainly on lower O&M. Source
  • NW Natural nine-month income higher: NW Natural nine-month net income rose $1.6 million, as higher margin from new Oregon and Washington rates was partly offset by investment-related depreciation, financing costs, and O&M. Source

“As we head into the heating season, we remain focused on safe and reliable operations, cost discipline, and customer affordability.”

Justin Palfreyman, president and chief executive officer

Customers and growth

  • Connections up 17,000 over twelve months: The company added connections across its gas and water utilities over the twelve months ended Sept. 30, 2026. Source
  • Meters rose across three businesses: End-of-period meters were 989,410, up from 971,999. SiEnergy reached 98,614 and NWN Water 81,710 meters, up from 86,945 and 79,037. Source
  • Nearly one million customers served: The company describes itself as providing energy and water services to nearly one million customers across seven states. Source
  • Customer satisfaction leadership cited: The company states that it consistently leads the industry in J.D. Power customer satisfaction. Source

Costs, margin and revenue

  • NW Natural margin rose: NW Natural margin was $95.0 million in the quarter, up from $88.6 million. The nine-month margin was $506.5 million, up from $486.9 million. Source
  • SiEnergy margin rose: SiEnergy margin was $9.1 million in the quarter, up from $8.6 million, and $37.4 million for the nine months, up from $30.3 million. Source
  • Operations and maintenance eased: Operations and maintenance expense was $74.6 million in the quarter, down from $76.8 million. For nine months it was $238.0 million, down from $239.5 million. Source
  • Operating revenues rose: Consolidated operating revenues were $178.0 million in the quarter, up from $164.7 million, and $911.9 million for nine months, up from $895.2 million. Source
  • Cost of gas fell for nine months: Cost of gas was $264.1 million for nine months, down from $276.9 million, while third-quarter cost of gas was $44.1 million, up from $39.4 million. Source

Capital investment and cash flow

  • Capital spend reached $373 million: The company invested $373 million in the first nine months of 2026 in gas and water systems, compared with $332.7 million in the same period of 2025. Source
  • Operating cash flow declined: Cash provided by operating activities was $213.1 million for the nine months, against $265.9 million a year earlier. Source
  • Long-term debt issuance declined: The company issued $315.0 million of long-term debt in the first nine months, against $560.0 million a year earlier, and retired $105.4 million. Source
  • Capital structure at quarter end: Common stock equity was 35.2% at Sept. 30, 2026, against 37.0% a year earlier. Long-term debt, including junior subordinated notes, was 59.1%, against 55.0%. Source

Dividend and shareholder returns

  • Largest dividend increase since 2012: The dividend increase marks the 71st consecutive year of increases to shareholder dividends and is the largest declared since 2012. Source
  • Dividends paid per share rose: Dividends paid per share were $1.4775 for the nine months of 2026, against $1.4700 for the same period of 2025. Source
  • Average diluted shares increased: Average diluted shares were 42.1 million for the nine months, up from 40.7 million, and 42.1 million in the third quarter, up from 41.2 million. Source

Coming up, as management said on 5 November 2026

  • SiEnergy rates expected November 2026: If the settlement is approved, SiEnergy new rates are expected to take effect in November 2026. Source
  • MX3 in-service timing assumed: The long-term growth target including MX3 assumes the project is in service before the end of 2029. Source
  • Dividend payment date set: The quarterly dividend is payable Nov. 13, 2026, to shareholders of record on Oct. 30, 2026. Source

Figures management reported

FigureReported
Rate base growth target, 2026 to 2030 Source6% - 8%
Capital plan, 2026 to 2030 Source$2.6 - $2.9 billion
EPS growth target, 2026 to 2030 Source4.0% - 6.0%; 5.0% - 7.0% including MX3
Customer growth Source1.8% over 12 months ended Sept. 30, 2026
Rate base, Washington Source$328 million, up $81 million since last rate case
Rate base, SiEnergy (Texas) Source$343 million, up $177 million since last rate case
Return on equity, Washington Source9.5%; overall cost of capital 7.15%
Return on equity, SiEnergy settlement Source9.8%

Risks management discussed

  • Demand: Guidance rests on average weather and continued customer growth; the raised range depends on those assumptions holding. Source
  • Regulatory: Guidance also assumes no significant local, state, or federal law or regulation changes affecting the business. Source
  • Financial: Continued system investment raises depreciation and financing costs, which offset part of the margin gains from new rates. Source

Earlier plans management reported on

  • Not stated: The prior quarter said 2026 EPS was expected in the upper half of the range; the current quarter raised the range instead.
  • Met: The prior quarter expected new Oregon rates effective Oct. 31, 2026; the current quarter reports they took effect on that date. Source
  • Not stated: The company reaffirmed its 2026 to 2030 rate base growth expectation, unchanged from the prior quarter. 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.