NW Natural Holdings Reports Third Quarter 2022 Results

Rhea-AI Summary

Northwest Natural Holding Company (NYSE: NWN) reported a net loss of $19.6 million ($0.56 per share) for Q3 2022, a slight improvement from a net loss of $20.7 million ($0.67 per share) in Q3 2021. Year-to-date net income reached $38.4 million ($1.14 per share) compared to $38.1 million ($1.24 per share) in 2021. The company added nearly 8,800 gas meters in the past year, reflecting 1.1% growth. It invested over $250 million in utility systems and increased its dividend for the 67th consecutive year. The firm reaffirmed its earnings guidance for 2022 at $2.45 to $2.65 per share.

Positive

• Added nearly 8,800 natural gas meters in the last 12 months (1.1% growth).
• Invested over $250 million in utility systems for reliability and resiliency.
• Increased dividend for the 67th consecutive year to an annual rate of $1.94 per share.
• Reaffirmed 2022 earnings guidance of $2.45 to $2.65 per share.
• Closed largest water and wastewater acquisition, increasing customer base by 70%.

Negative

• Reported a net loss of $19.6 million in Q3 2022, despite slight improvement from prior year.
• Year-to-date net income marginally increased but earnings per share decreased from $1.24 to $1.14.
• Increased operations and maintenance expenses by $1.7 million due to higher costs.

PORTLAND, Ore.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Northwest Natural Holding Company (NYSE: NWN) (NW Natural Holdings) reported financial results and highlights including:

• Reported a net loss of $19.6 million ($0.56 per share) for the third quarter of 2022, compared to a net loss of $20.7 million ($0.67 per share) for the same period in 2021
• Earned net income of $38.4 million ($1.14 per share) for the first nine months of 2022, compared to earnings of $38.1 million ($1.24 per share) for the same period in 2021
• Added nearly 8,800 natural gas meters in the last 12 months for a growth rate of 1.1% as of September 30, 2022
• Invested over $250 million in our utility systems in the first nine months of 2022 for greater reliability and resiliency
• Received approval in Oregon and Washington for new rates related to the Purchased Gas Adjustment (PGA) mechanism, which includes estimated gas costs for the upcoming winter heating season
• Closed our largest water and wastewater acquisition to date in Yuma, Arizona increasing NW Natural Water's customer base by approximately 70%
• Increased our dividend for the 67^th consecutive year to an annual indicated dividend rate of $1.94 per share
• Reaffirmed 2022 earnings guidance in the range of $2.45 to $2.65 per share and our long-term earnings per share growth rate target of 4% to 6%

"This quarter highlights our commitment to decarbonization, diversification, and growth," said David H. Anderson, president and CEO of NW Natural Holdings. "We believe our gas utility system will play a critical role in helping move to a low-carbon, renewable energy future. With our new competitive renewables strategy, we're able to assist a broader group of customers with the energy transition and we're making progress on our first project. Our water & wastewater company closed its largest transaction to date. I'm proud of our achievements and our long-term growth prospects."

For the third quarter of 2022, the net loss decreased $1.1 million to a net loss of $19.6 million (or $0.56 per share), compared to a net loss of $20.7 million (or $0.67 per share) for the same period in 2021. The third quarter reflects the seasonal nature of the gas utility's earnings where the majority of revenues are generated during the winter heating season in the first and fourth quarters each year. Results reflected higher margin from customer growth and new rates in Washington for our natural gas utility and lower pension expense, partially offset by higher operations and maintenance expenses. NW Natural's other activities contributed higher net income driven by increased asset management revenues, partially offset by higher interest expense.

Year-to-date net income increased $0.2 million to $38.4 million (or $1.14 per share), compared to $38.1 million (or $1.24 per share) for the same period in 2021. Results reflected customer growth and new rates in Washington for our natural gas utility and lower pension expense, offset by higher operations and maintenance expenses. Net income from our other activities decreased primarily due to lower asset management revenues related to a severe winter storm in February 2021 that did not recur in 2022. Earnings per share was also affected by a 2.9 million common share issuance on April 1, 2022 and share issuances through Holdings' at the market program.

KEY EVENTS AND INITIATIVES

Received Order in NW Natural's Oregon General Rate Case
On Oct. 24, 2022, the OPUC issued an order approving the multi-party settlements in NW Natural's general rate case. The order increased the revenue requirement $59.4 million including final adjustments for capital projects placed into service and the deprecation study. That compares to an original requested revenue requirement increase of $73.5 million. The order included a capital structure of 50% common equity and 50% long-term debt, return on equity of 9.4%, cost of capital of 6.836%, and rate base of $1.76 billion, or an increase of $320 million since the last rate case. New rates in Oregon were effective beginning Nov. 1, 2022.

Water and Wastewater Utilities
In October 2022, NW Natural Water closed its acquisition of the Far West water and wastewater utilities in Yuma, Arizona adding 25,000 customers and entering a fifth state. In August 2022, two acquisitions were closed for approximately 1,400 connections in Washington near NW Natural Water's existing Cascadia Water utilities. In addition, in May 2022, NW Natural Water closed the purchase of a water and wastewater utility, representing approximately 150 connections, in Texas. NW Natural Water currently serves over 150,000 people through approximately 61,000 connections across five states.

Competitive Renewables
NW Natural Renewables Holdings, LLC (NW Natural Renewables), a competitive renewable natural gas (RNG) supplier, is investing in two renewable natural gas (RNG) facilities that are currently under construction and expected to begin production in the spring of 2023. NW Natural Renewables is an unregulated subsidiary of NW Natural Holdings committed to leading the energy transition and providing renewable fuels to the utility, commercial, industrial and transportation sectors.

2021 Environment, Social, and Governance (ESG) Report Issued
On August 31, 2022, we issued our third ESG report, which outlines some of the important work NW Natural Holdings is focused on. The report highlights our longstanding commitments and progress related to safety, environmental stewardship, and taking care of our employees and communities. It also features goals that we're pursuing related to a renewable future and carbon neutral vision for our gas utility, diversifying into and growing our water and wastewater utility business, and actively working to continue advancing diversity, equity and inclusion in our workplace and our wider community. Additional information is available on our investor relations website.

THIRD QUARTER RESULTS

The following financial comparisons are for the third quarter of 2022 and 2021 with individual year-over-year drivers below presented on an after-tax basis using a statutory tax rate of 26.5% unless otherwise noted.

NW Natural Holdings' third quarter results are summarized by business segment in the table below:

		Three Months Ended September 30,
		2022								2021								Change
In thousands, except per share data		Amount				Per Share				Amount				Per Share				Amount				Per Share
Net income (loss):
Natural Gas Distribution segment		$	(23,016	)		$	(0.66	)		$	(23,297	)		$	(0.76	)		$	281			$	0.10
Other			3,429				0.10				2,642				0.09				787				0.01
Consolidated		$	(19,587	)		$	(0.56	)		$	(20,655	)		$	(0.67	)		$	1,068			$	0.11
Diluted Shares							34,939								30,696								4,243

Natural Gas Distribution Segment
Natural gas distribution segment net income increased $0.3 million (or $0.10 per share) primarily reflecting higher margin and lower pension expense, partially offset by higher operations and maintenance expense.

Margin increased $0.5 million reflecting customer growth and new rates in Washington.

Operations and maintenance expense increased $1.7 million as a result of higher information technology costs, expenses mainly from contractor labor for safety and reliability projects, and professional service fees.

Depreciation and general taxes collectively increased by $0.7 million due to additional capital investments in the distribution system. In addition, we placed two significant information technology projects into service in September 2022.

Other income, net reflected a benefit of $2.5 million primarily from lower pension expense.

Other
Other net income increased $0.8 million reflecting $1.9 million higher net income from NW Natural's other activities driven by increased asset management revenues. In addition, NW Natural Holding's other businesses reported lower net income of $1.1 million primarily from higher interest expense.

YEAR-TO-DATE RESULTS

The following financial comparisons are for the first nine months of 2022 and 2021 with individual year-over-year drivers below presented on an after-tax basis using a statutory tax rate of 26.5% unless otherwise noted.

NW Natural Holdings' year-to-date results are summarized by business segment in the table below:

		Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2022								2021								Change
In thousands, except per share data		Amount				Per Share				Amount				Per Share				Amount				Per Share
Net income:
Natural Gas Distribution segment		$	32,531			$	0.97			$	29,247			$	0.95			$	3,284			$	0.02
Other			5,836				0.17				8,891				0.29				(3,055	)			(0.12	)
Consolidated		$	38,367			$	1.14			$	38,138			$	1.24			$	229			$	(0.10	)
Diluted Shares							33,539								30,708								2,831

Natural Gas Distribution Segment
Natural Gas Distribution segment net income increased $3.3 million (or $0.02 per share) primarily reflecting new rates in Washington as a result of a general rate case, which was effective beginning Nov. 1, 2021. Earnings per share was affected by a 2.9 million common share issuance on April 1, 2022.

Margin increased $6.6 million reflecting new rates in Washington and customer growth, which collectively contributed $4.9 million. In addition, margin increased $1.7 million due to higher usage from colder comparative weather, net of the loss from the Oregon gas cost incentive sharing mechanism. Weather was 3% warmer than average weather for the first nine months of 2022, compared to 12% warmer than average weather for the same period in 2021.

Operations and maintenance expense increased $8.2 million as a result of higher contractor labor for safety and reliability projects, expenses related to information technology maintenance and support, amortization expense related to cloud-computing arrangements, and professional service fees.

Depreciation and general taxes increased $1.5 million as we continue to invest in our natural gas utility system.

Other income, net increased $6.4 million driven by lower pension costs primarily related to higher returns and lower interest costs.

Other
Other net income decreased $3.1 million (or $0.12 per share) reflecting $1.6 million lower net income from NW Natural's other activities driven by asset management revenues from a February 2021 cold weather event that did not recur. In addition, NW Natural Holding's other businesses reported lower net income of $1.5 million primarily from higher interest expense.

February 2021 Winter Weather Event
In February 2021, NW Natural experienced a severe winter storm in its service territory. To meet expected demand, we purchased additional natural gas supplies at higher than anticipated prices. However, our third-party marketer provided incremental asset management revenues, which more than offset the cost of the incremental gas purchases. The effect of these transactions resulted in a net benefit to shareholders of $2.8 million from the combined effect of $4.6 million of asset management revenues reflected in NW Natural's other segment offset by lower utility margin from a $1.8 million of loss on the Oregon gas cost incentive sharing mechanism.

BALANCE SHEET AND CASH FLOWS

During the first nine months of 2022, the Company generated $166.0 million in operating cash flows, compared to $181.7 million for the same period in 2021. The Company used $257.0 million in investing activities during the first nine months of 2022 primarily for natural gas utility capital expenditures, compared to $203.5 million used in investing activities during the same period in 2021. Net cash provided by financing activities was $184.2 million for the first nine months of 2022, compared to $14.0 million used in financing activities during the same period in 2021. As of September 30, 2022, NW Natural Holdings held cash of $108.6 million.

2022 GUIDANCE AND LONG-TERM TARGETS

NW Natural Holdings reaffirmed 2022 earnings guidance in the range of $2.45 to $2.65 per share. This guidance assumes continued customer growth, average weather conditions, and no significant changes in prevailing regulatory policies, mechanisms, or outcomes, or significant local, state or federal laws, legislation or regulations. NW Natural Holdings reaffirmed its long-term earnings per share growth rate target of 4% to 6% compounded annually from 2022 through 2027.

DIVIDEND DECLARED

The board of directors of NW Natural Holdings declared a quarterly dividend of 48.50 cents per share on the Company’s common stock. The dividend is payable on Nov. 15, 2022 to shareholders of record on Oct. 31, 2022. The Company's current indicated annual dividend rate is $1.94 per share. Future dividends are subject to board of director discretion and approval.

CONFERENCE CALL AND WEBCAST

As previously announced, NW Natural Holdings will host a conference call and webcast today to discuss its third quarter 2022 financial and operating results.

Date and Time:				Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2022
				8 a.m. PT (11 a.m. ET)
Phone Numbers:				United States 1-844-200-6205
				Canada 1-833-950-0062
				International 1-929-526-1599
				Passcode 485752

The call will also be webcast in a listen-only format for the media and general public and can be accessed at ir.nwnaturalholdings.com. A replay of the conference call will be available on our website and by dialing 1-866-813-9403 (U.S.), 1-226-828-7578 (Canada), and +44-204-525-0658 (international). The replay access code is 664421.

ABOUT NW NATURAL HOLDINGS

Northwest Natural Holding Company (NYSE: NWN) (NW Natural Holdings) is headquartered in Portland, Oregon and has been doing business for over 160 years in the Pacific Northwest. It owns NW Natural Gas Company (NW Natural), NW Natural Water Company (NW Natural Water), NW Natural Renewables Holdings (NW Natural Renewables), and other business interests. We have a longstanding commitment to safety, environmental stewardship and the energy transition, and taking care of our employees and communities.

NW Natural is a local distribution company that currently provides natural gas service to approximately 2.5 million people in more than 140 communities through more than 790,000 meters in Oregon and Southwest Washington with one of the most modern pipeline systems in the nation. NW Natural consistently leads the industry with high J.D. Power & Associates customer satisfaction scores. NW Natural owns and operates 21 Bcf of underground gas storage capacity in Oregon.

NW Natural Water provides water distribution and wastewater services to communities throughout the Pacific Northwest, Texas and Arizona. NW Natural Water serves 150,000 people through approximately 61,000 connections. Learn more about our water business at nwnaturalwater.com.

Additional information is available at nwnaturalholdings.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release, and other presentations made by NW Holdings from time to time, may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements can be identified by words such as "anticipates," "assumes," "intends," "plans," "seeks," "believes," "estimates," "expects" and similar references to future periods. Examples of forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the following: plans, objectives, assumptions, estimates, expectations, timing, goals, strategies, commitments, future events, investments, timing and amount of capital expenditures, targeted capital structure, risks, risk profile, stability, acquisitions and timing, approval, completion and integration thereof, the likelihood and success associated with any transaction, utility system and infrastructure investments, system modernization, reliability and resiliency, global, national and local economies, customer and business growth, customer satisfaction ratings, weather, performance and service during weather events, customer rates or rate recovery and the timing and magnitude of potential rate changes and the potential outcome of rate cases, environmental remediation cost recoveries, environmental initiatives, decarbonization and the role of natural gas and the gas delivery system, including decarbonization goals and timelines, energy efficiency measures, use of renewable sources, renewable natural gas purchases, projects, investments and other renewable initiatives and timing, magnitude and completion thereof, unregulated renewable natural gas strategy and initiatives, renewable hydrogen projects or investments and timing, magnitude, approvals and completion thereof, procurement of renewable natural gas or hydrogen for customers, technology and policy innovations, strategic goals and visions, the water and wastewater acquisition and investment strategy and financial effects of water and wastewater acquisitions, diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, operating plans of third parties, financial results, including estimated income, availability and sources of liquidity, expenses, positions, revenues, returns, cost of capital, timing, and earnings, earnings guidance and estimated future growth rates, future dividends, commodity costs and sourcing asset management activities, performance, timing, outcome, or effects of regulatory proceedings or mechanisms or approvals, including OPUC approval of the Oregon general rate case settlements, regulatory prudence reviews, anticipated regulatory actions or filings, accounting treatment of future events, effects of legislation or changes in laws or regulations, effects, extent, severity and duration of COVID-19, including variants and subvariants, and resulting economic disruption, the impact of mitigating factors and other efforts to mitigate risks posed by its spread, ability of our workforce, customers or suppliers to operate or conduct business, COVID-19 financial impact, expenses, cost savings measures and cost recovery including through regulatory deferrals and the timing and magnitude thereof, impact on capital projects, governmental actions and timing thereof, and other statements that are other than statements of historical facts.

Forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and assumptions regarding its business, the economy, geopolitical factors, and other future conditions. Because forward-looking statements relate to the future, they are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict. Actual results may differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements. You are therefore cautioned against relying on any of these forward-looking statements. They are neither statements of historical fact nor guarantees or assurances of future operational, economic or financial performance. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements are discussed by reference to the factors described in Part I, Item 1A "Risk Factors", and Part II, Item 7 and Item 7A "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and "Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure about Market Risk" in the most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and in Part I, Items 2 and 3 "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and "Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk", and Part II, Item 1A, "Risk Factors", in the quarterly reports filed thereafter, which, among others, outline legal, regulatory and legislative risks, COVID-19 risks, growth and strategic risks, operational risks, and environmental risks.

All forward-looking statements made in this report and all subsequent forward-looking statements, whether written or oral and whether made by or on behalf of NW Holdings or NW Natural, are expressly qualified by these cautionary statements. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which such statement is made, and NW Holdings and NW Natural undertake no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise, except as may be required by law. New factors emerge from time to time and it is not possible to predict all such factors, nor can it assess the impact of each such factor or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements.

NORTHWEST NATURAL HOLDINGS
Consolidated Income Statement and Financial Highlights (Unaudited)
Third Quarter 2022
		Three Months Ended											Nine Months Ended											Twelve Months Ended
In thousands, except per share amounts, customer, and degree day data		September 30,											September 30,											September 30,
		2022				2021				Change			2022				2021				Change			2022				2021				Change
Operating revenues		$	116,839			$	101,447			15	%		$	662,100			$	566,310			17	%		$	956,190			$	826,583			16	%
Operating expenses:
Cost of gas			36,105				25,266			43				261,413				178,669			46				375,058				267,935			40
Operations and maintenance			50,745				47,329			7				161,405				149,567			8				216,065				195,440			11
Environmental remediation			980				806			22				7,950				6,092			30				11,796				9,289			27
General taxes			9,572				9,061			6				30,665				29,344			5				39,954				37,498			7
Revenue taxes			4,437				3,891			14				26,037				22,226			17				38,551				32,765			18
Depreciation			29,026				28,438			2				85,565				84,679			1				114,420				111,917			2
Other operating expenses			901				1,047			(14	)			2,815				2,794			1				3,918				4,249			(8	)
Total operating expenses			131,766				115,838			14				575,850				473,371			22				799,762				659,093			21
Income (loss) from operations			(14,927	)			(14,391	)		4				86,250				92,939			(7	)			156,428				167,490			(7	)
Other income (expense), net			1,636				(2,216	)		(174	)			908				(8,355	)		(111	)			(3,296	)			(12,397	)		(73	)
Interest expense, net			13,054				11,175			17				36,156				33,329			8				47,313				44,042			7
Income (loss) before income taxes			(26,345	)			(27,782	)		(5	)			51,002				51,255			—				105,819				111,051			(5	)
Income tax expense (benefit)			(6,758	)			(7,127	)		(5	)			12,635				13,117			(4	)			26,924				27,107			(1	)
Net income (loss) from continuing operations			(19,587	)			(20,655	)		(5	)			38,367				38,138			1				78,895				83,944			(6	)
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax			—				—							—				—							—				6,241			(100	)
Net income (loss)		$	(19,587	)		$	(20,655	)		(5	)		$	38,367			$	38,138			1			$	78,895			$	90,185			(13	)
Common shares outstanding:
Average diluted for period			34,939				30,696							33,539				30,708							32,911				30,676
End of period			35,098				30,730							35,098				30,730							35,098				30,730
Per share of common stock information:
Diluted earnings (loss) from continuing operations		$	(0.56	)		$	(0.67	)					$	1.14			$	1.24						$	2.40			$	2.74
Diluted earnings from discontinued operations, net of tax			—				—							—				—							—				0.20
Diluted earnings (loss)			(0.56	)			(0.67	)						1.14				1.24							2.40				2.94
Dividends paid per share			0.4825				0.4800							1.4475				1.4400							1.9300				1.9200
Book value, end of period			31.94				29.01							31.94				29.01							31.94				29.01
Market closing price, end of period			44.91				45.99							44.91				45.99							44.91				45.99
Capital structure, end of period:
Common stock equity			43.1	%			40.4	%						43.1	%			40.4	%						43.1	%			40.4	%
Long-term debt			49.5	%			41.5	%						49.5	%			41.5	%						49.5	%			41.5	%
Short-term debt (including current maturities of long-term debt)			7.4	%			18.1	%						7.4	%			18.1	%						7.4	%			18.1	%
Total			100.0	%			100.0	%						100.0	%			100.0	%						100.0	%			100.0	%
Natural Gas Distribution segment operating statistics:
Meters - end of period			790,511				781,727			1.1	%			790,511				781,727			1.1	%			790,511				781,727			1.1	%
Volumes in therms:
Residential and commercial sales			53,929				55,597							495,303				455,888							742,469				692,348
Industrial sales and transportation			104,632				105,632							360,197				350,175							491,743				474,046
Total volumes sold and delivered			158,561				161,229							855,500				806,063							1,234,212				1,166,394
Operating revenues:
Residential and commercial sales		$	78,459			$	71,979						$	552,858			$	470,923						$	812,729			$	701,082
Industrial sales and transportation			19,581				14,000							60,380				45,472							80,207				61,955
Other distribution revenues			351				292							1,367				1,278							1,796				1,597
Other regulated services			4,904				4,771							14,722				14,321							19,488				19,192
Total operating revenues			103,295				91,042							629,327				531,994							914,220				783,826
Less: Cost of gas			36,258				25,322							261,678				178,837							375,379				268,160
Less: Environmental remediation expense			975				806							7,945				6,092							11,791				9,289
Less: Revenue taxes			4,375				3,838							25,907				22,143							38,364				32,682
Margin, net		$	61,687			$	61,076						$	333,797			$	324,922						$	488,686			$	473,695
Degree days:
Average (25-year average)			9				9							1,640				1,640							2,692				2,687
Actual			—				4			(100	)%			1,591				1,447			10	%			2,522				2,425			4	%
Percent colder (warmer) than average weather			(100	)%			(56	)%						(3	)%			(12	)%						(6	)%			(10	)%

NORTHWEST NATURAL HOLDINGS
Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited)		September 30,
In thousands		2022				2021
Assets:
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents		$	108,556			$	19,502
Accounts receivable			50,850				39,209
Accrued unbilled revenue			16,857				16,809
Allowance for uncollectible accounts			(2,171	)			(2,702	)
Regulatory assets			104,830				80,638
Derivative instruments			62,710				105,175
Inventories			98,725				59,997
Other current assets			41,414				39,551
Total current assets			481,771				358,179
Non-current assets:
Property, plant, and equipment			4,207,328				3,919,096
Less: Accumulated depreciation			1,166,150				1,112,734
Total property, plant, and equipment, net			3,041,178				2,806,362
Regulatory assets			301,660				325,071
Derivative instruments			8,008				24,555
Other investments			96,569				76,027
Operating lease right of use asset, net			73,145				75,634
Assets under sales-type leases			135,480				140,189
Goodwill			74,732				69,789
Other non-current assets			88,169				53,419
Total non-current assets			3,818,941				3,571,046
Total assets		$	4,300,712			$	3,929,225
Liabilities and equity:
Current liabilities:
Short-term debt		$	141,000			$	399,500
Current maturities of long-term debt			50,614				278
Accounts payable			118,274				94,897
Taxes accrued			18,080				16,558
Interest accrued			11,086				9,315
Regulatory liabilities			111,551				164,168
Derivative instruments			19,594				9,818
Operating lease liabilities			1,361				1,213
Other current liabilities			39,796				39,218
Total current liabilities			511,356				734,965
Long-term debt			1,287,006				916,026
Deferred credits and other non-current liabilities:
Deferred tax liabilities			349,633				323,925
Regulatory liabilities			663,547				665,390
Pension and other postretirement benefit liabilities			160,196				202,287
Derivative instruments			18,824				268
Operating lease liabilities			78,469				79,789
Other non-current liabilities			110,825				115,114
Total deferred credits and other non-current liabilities			1,381,494				1,386,773
Equity:
Common stock			786,094				573,578
Retained earnings			345,570				330,109
Accumulated other comprehensive loss			(10,808	)			(12,226	)
Total equity			1,120,856				891,461
Total liabilities and equity		$	4,300,712			$	3,929,225

NORTHWEST NATURAL HOLDINGS
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited)		Nine Months Ended September 30,
In thousands		2022				2021
Operating activities:
Net income		$	38,367			$	38,138
Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash provided by operations:
Depreciation			85,565				84,679
Regulatory amortization of gas reserves			4,527				11,606
Deferred income taxes			7,759				2,748
Qualified defined benefit pension plan expense			4,013				12,075
Contributions to qualified defined benefit pension plans			—				(9,590	)
Deferred environmental expenditures, net			(14,437	)			(14,952	)
Environmental remediation expense			7,950				6,092
Asset optimization revenue sharing bill credits			(41,102	)			(9,053	)
Other			16,640				14,868
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Receivables, net			114,755				83,826
Inventories			(41,463	)			(17,307	)
Income and other taxes			19,447				19,620
Accounts payable			(30,010	)			(18,057	)
Deferred gas costs			(1,785	)			(33,379	)
Asset optimization revenue sharing			17,629				41,407
Decoupling mechanism			7,124				(9,172	)
Cloud-based software			(17,332	)			(6,851	)
Other, net			(11,686	)			(14,974	)
Cash provided by operating activities			165,961				181,724
Investing activities:
Capital expenditures			(251,842	)			(212,376	)
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired			(2,352	)			(375	)
Proceeds from the sale of assets			539				2,712
Proceeds from sale of equity method investment			—				7,000
Other			(3,349	)			(482	)
Cash used in investing activities			(257,004	)			(203,521	)
Financing activities:
Proceeds from common stock issued, net			190,929				2,107
Long-term debt issued			290,000				55,000
Long-term debt retired			—				(95,000	)
Proceeds from term loan due within one year			—				100,000
Repayment of commercial paper, maturities greater than three months			—				(195,025	)
Changes in other short-term debt, net			(248,500	)			190,000
Cash dividend payments on common stock			(46,434	)			(41,827	)
Other			(1,802	)			(1,240	)
Cash provided by financing activities			184,193				14,015
Increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash			93,150				(7,782	)
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, beginning of period			27,120				35,454
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, end of period		$	120,270			$	27,672
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
Interest paid, net of capitalization		$	31,774			$	30,910
Income taxes paid, net of refunds			2,106				6,980
Reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash:
Cash and cash equivalents		$	108,556			$	19,502
Restricted cash included in other current assets			11,714				8,170
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash		$	120,270			$	27,672

 

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20221108005374/en/

Investor Contact:

Nikki Sparley

Phone: 503-721-2530

Email: nikki.sparley@nwnatural.com



Media Contact:

David Roy

Phone: 503-610-7157

Email: david.roy@nwnatural.com

Source: NW Natural

FAQ

What were Northwest Natural's financial results for Q3 2022?

Northwest Natural reported a net loss of $19.6 million ($0.56 per share) for Q3 2022.

How much did NWN invest in utility systems in 2022?

NWN invested over $250 million in their utility systems in the first nine months of 2022.

What is the dividend increase for NW Natural Holdings in 2022?

NWN increased its dividend for the 67th consecutive year to an annual rate of $1.94 per share.

What is the earnings guidance for NWN for 2022?

NWN reaffirmed its earnings guidance for 2022 in the range of $2.45 to $2.65 per share.

How many natural gas meters did NW Natural add in the past year?

NW Natural added nearly 8,800 natural gas meters in the last 12 months, representing a growth rate of 1.1%.