Middlesex Water Company Reports 2024 Financial Results

Rhea-AI Summary

Middlesex Water Company (NASDAQ: MSEX) reported strong financial results for 2024, with net income reaching $44.4 million and diluted EPS of $2.47, up from $31.5 million and $1.76 EPS in 2023. Revenues increased to $191.9 million, a $25.6 million rise from 2023.

The company invested $75 million in infrastructure improvements during 2024 and plans to invest $387 million from 2025 through 2027, including $105 million for PFAS treatment installation. Key growth drivers included base rate increases, weather-driven customer demand, and operational improvements across all utility systems.

The company announced the acquisition of Ocean View water utility assets in Delaware for $4.6 million, adding approximately 900 customers. Additionally, Middlesex declared a quarterly dividend of $0.34 per share, marking its 52nd consecutive year of dividend increases.

Positive

• Net income increased 40.6% to $44.4M in 2024
• EPS grew 40.3% to $2.47
• Revenue rose 15.4% to $191.9M
• $4.6M acquisition adding 900 new customers
• 52 consecutive years of dividend increases
• Base rate increase approved in March 2024
• $6.0M recovery of previously incurred costs

Negative

• Operations and maintenance expenses increased 11.2% to $92.4M
• Higher energy costs due to increased water demand
• Significant PFAS treatment investment required ($105M)

Insights

Financial Analyst

Middlesex Water's 40% EPS growth to $2.47 significantly outpaces industry averages, driven by a strategic blend of rate case success, operational efficiency, and increased demand. The $12.8 million net income improvement demonstrates exceptional execution in a historically slow-growth utility sector.

The approved NJBPU rate case proved transformative, generating $19.9 million in incremental revenue - a textbook example of effective regulatory navigation. Weather-driven demand across all service territories further amplified financial performance, with Delaware operations contributing an additional $4.5 million in revenue growth.

Most compelling is the $387 million three-year capital plan, representing 42% of current market capitalization. This significant infrastructure investment, including critical PFAS treatment capabilities, establishes a robust rate base expansion runway through 2027. The $4.6 million Ocean View acquisition, while modest in size (~900 customers), reinforces their disciplined tuck-in strategy in Delaware's high-growth Sussex County region.

The 8.8% increase in O&M expenses ($9.3 million) requires monitoring but remains proportionally lower than revenue growth, indicating effective cost management despite inflation pressures. The 52-year dividend growth streak continues, maintaining the company's appeal to income-focused investors while consistently executing on infrastructure modernization.

Utility Infrastructure Specialist

The $75 million infrastructure investment in 2024 represents a substantial commitment to system hardening for a utility of Middlesex's size. Their forward-looking $387 million three-year capital program signals an aggressive modernization approach that exceeds typical replacement rates for comparably-sized water utilities.

Two aspects of their capital deployment deserve particular attention. First, the RENEW water main replacement program addresses the most failure-prone distribution assets that typically drive service interruptions and water quality issues. Second, the $105 million earmarked for PFAS treatment at the Carl J. Olsen surface water treatment plant represents a proactive response to emerging contaminant regulations.

This investment profile reflects a dual-track strategy: maintaining essential infrastructure reliability through systematic replacement while simultaneously addressing emerging compliance requirements. The 24% year-over-year increase in planned capital expenditure (from $75 million to $93 million) demonstrates management's confidence in their ability to efficiently deploy capital while securing appropriate regulatory recovery mechanisms.

The Sussex County expansion through the Ocean View acquisition leverages existing operational footprint and expertise in Delaware's coastal communities, where seasonal demand patterns create unique operational challenges. This targeted expansion strategy optimizes existing resources while accessing economies of scale in an attractive demographic growth area.

• Diluted earnings per share (“EPS”) of $2.47 for 2024, compared to 2023 earnings of $1.76
• Invested $75 million in capital expenditures in 2024 to upgrade, replace and enhance the resiliency of its water and wastewater utility infrastructure
• Utility infrastructure investment of $387 million planned from 2025 through 2027
  

ISELIN, N.J., Feb. 28, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Middlesex Water Company (“Middlesex” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ: MSEX) today announced financial results for the fourth quarter and year end 2024. Middlesex reported net income of $44.4 million and diluted EPS of $2.47 for 2024, compared to net income of $31.5 million and diluted EPS of $1.76 in 2023.

"Our strong 2024 performance underscores the strength of our growth strategy, the dedication of our team members, a constructive regulatory environment, and the trust we have earned from our stakeholders,” said Nadine Leslie, President and Chief Executive Officer of Middlesex Water Company. “We are excited to build on this momentum to position the company for long-term growth while delivering life-sustaining water utility service at affordable rates to our customers.”

2024 Operating Results

Middlesex reported net income for 2024 of $44.4 million, a $12.8 million increase when compared to 2023. A significant amount of the increase is attributable to the base rate increase in the Middlesex System, one-time recovery of previously incurred depreciation, operating and carrying costs of $6.0 million (net of tax) associated with the prior year construction and operation of the water treatment facilities at Middlesex’s Park Avenue water treatment plant, and increases in weather-driven customer demand across all its operating regulated water utility systems.

Revenues for 2024 were $191.9 million, an increase of $25.6 million when compared to $166.3 million in 2023. Middlesex System revenues increased $19.9 million due primarily to the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (“NJBPU”) approved base rate increase in March 2024, and increased weather-driven customer demand. In our Delaware System, Tidewater Utilities, Inc. (“Tidewater”) revenues increased $4.5 million due primarily to increased weather-related customer demand and customer growth. Non-regulated revenues increased $0.7 million due to higher supplemental contract services.

Operations and maintenance expenses for 2024, were $92.4 million, an increase of $9.3 million when compared to $83.1 million in 2023, primarily due to higher legal, financial, and regulatory matter costs, increased labor costs due to annual wage increases, higher costs related to an enhanced water treatment process at Middlesex’s Park Avenue water treatment plant, and higher energy costs due to increased water demand.

Fourth Quarter 2024 Operating Results

Middlesex reported net income of $8.8 million and diluted EPS of $0.49, for the fourth quarter of 2024, compared to net income of $5.8 million and diluted EPS of $0.32 for the same quarter in 2023. A significant amount of the increase is attributable to the base rate increase in the Middlesex System, increases in weather-driven customer demand across all its operating regulated water utility systems, and the implementation of new interim rates in Tidewater.

Infrastructure Investments

In 2024, Middlesex invested $75 million to upgrade, replace and enhance the resiliency of its water and wastewater utility infrastructure. These investments enhanced water quality, service reliability, security, and regulatory compliance.

In 2025, the Company plans to invest approximately $93 million in infrastructure investments, including our RENEW program to replace water mains in our Middlesex System, installation of hydrants and meters, and various water main and services replacements and improvements. From 2025 through 2027, the Company expects to invest $387 million in infrastructure investments, which includes $105 million to install treatment for Perfluoroalkyl (“PFAS”) at our Carl J. Olsen surface water treatment plant.

Selective and Sustainable Growth

In February 2025, the Delaware Public Service Commission approved the application of Tidewater to purchase the water utility assets of Ocean View for approximately $4.6 million. Ocean View serves approximately 900 customers in Sussex County, Delaware. The acquisition is expected to close by April 2025.

Quarterly Dividend Declared

On January 28, 2025, the Company’s Board of Directors declared a first quarter cash dividend of $0.34 per common share. Dividends on common shares will be paid on March 3, 2025, to shareholders of record as of February 18, 2025. The Company has paid cash dividends continually since 1912 and has increased the dividends received by shareholders each calendar year for 52 consecutive years.

About Middlesex Water Company

Middlesex Water Company (NASDAQ: MSEX) is one of the nation’s premier investor-owned water and wastewater utilities. Established in 1897, Middlesex is a trusted provider of life-sustaining services to more than half a million people in New Jersey and Delaware. The company focuses on operational excellence, superior customer experience, investment in infrastructure, selective and sustainable growth, and employee engagement to deliver value to our customers, investors, and the communities we serve.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains “forward‐looking statements” within the meaning of U.S. federal securities laws reflecting the current beliefs or expectations of Middlesex Water Company “MSEX” or the “Company” regarding its future performance, its financial condition, its strategic plans and cash flows, its results of operations as well as any other statements that do not directly relate to any historical or current facts. These statements reflect the Company’s current views and information currently available. This information is based on estimates, assumptions, and analysis that the Company believes, as of the date hereof, provide a reasonable basis for the information contained herein. Forward‐looking statements can generally be identified by the use of forward‐looking words such as “outlook,” “believes,” “expects,” “potential,” “continues,” “may,” “will,” “should,” “seeks,” “approximately,” “predicts,” “intends,” “plans,” “estimates,” “anticipates,” “foresees.” Actual results, performance or achievements may differ materially from forward‐looking statements, and the assumptions on which forward-looking statements are based. There can be no assurance that the information contained herein is reflective of future performance, and investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward‐looking statements as a predictor of future performance. Unless otherwise specified, all information contained in this press release speaks only as of the date hereof. The Company undertakes no duty to update or revise the information contained herein, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Investor Relations Contact:
Jennifer Ketschke, Director, Treasury and Investor Relations
jketschke@middlesexwater.com
(732) 638-7523

Media Contact:
Brian Hague, Vice President of Communications & Corporate Affairs
bhague@middlesexwater.com
(732) 638-7549

MIDDLESEX WATER COMPANY
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(In thousands except per share amounts)
			Years Ended December 31,						Quarters Ended December 31,
			2024			2023			2024			2023
Operating Revenues			$	191,877		$	166,274		$	47,107		$	38,602
Operating Expenses:
	Operations and Maintenance			92,363			83,113			24,714			19,071
	Depreciation			24,430			25,194			6,420			6,648
	Other Taxes			21,874			18,744			5,444			4,640
	Total Operating Expenses			138,667			127,051			36,578			30,359
Operating Income				53,210			39,223			10,529			8,243
Other Income:
	Allowance for Funds Used During Construction			1,254			2,433			467			272
	Other Income, net			10,815			4,053			1,613			929
Total Other Income, net				12,069			6,485			2,080			1,201
Interest Charges				14,023			13,143			3,302			3,779
Income before Income Taxes				51,256			32,565			9,307			5,665
Income Taxes				6,905			1,041			503			(102	)
Net Income				44,351			31,524			8,804			5,767
Preferred Stock Dividend Requirements				112			120			23			30
Earnings Applicable to Common Stock			$	44,239		$	31,404		$	8,781		$	5,737
Earnings per share of Common Stock:
	Basic		$	2.48		$	1.77		$	0.49		$	0.32
	Diluted		$	2.47		$	1.76		$	0.49		$	0.32
Average Number of
	Common Shares Outstanding :
	Basic			17,842			17,732			17,881			17,803
	Diluted			17,946			17,847			17,954			17,917

FAQ

What was Middlesex Water Company's (MSEX) earnings per share for 2024?

Middlesex Water Company reported diluted earnings per share of $2.47 for 2024, compared to $1.76 in 2023.

How much infrastructure investment is MSEX planning for 2025-2027?

MSEX plans to invest $387 million in infrastructure from 2025 through 2027, including $105 million for PFAS treatment installation.

What is the latest quarterly dividend announced by MSEX for 2025?

MSEX declared a quarterly dividend of $0.34 per common share, payable on March 3, 2025.

What acquisition did MSEX announce in Delaware for 2025?

MSEX's subsidiary Tidewater received approval to acquire Ocean View water utility assets for $4.6 million, adding 900 customers in Sussex County, Delaware.

How much revenue did Middlesex Water Company generate in 2024?

Middlesex Water Company generated revenues of $191.9 million in 2024, an increase of $25.6 million from 2023.