Otter Tail Corporation Announces First Quarter Earnings and Increases 2024 Annual Earnings Guidance
Otter Tail (Nasdaq: OTTR) reported a 19% increase in diluted earnings per share to $1.77 and raised its 2024 earnings guidance by 21% to $6.38 per share. The company's Return on Equity over the past twelve months was 22%. Plastics segment earnings surged by 39%, while Electric segment earnings dipped due to weather-related challenges. Manufacturing segment earnings decreased by 23%. The declared a quarterly dividend of $0.4675 per share. Cash flows improved, with $71.9 million provided by operating activities. Available liquidity stood at $569.1 million. The company plans to increase its 2024 diluted earnings per share guidance to a range of $6.23 to $6.53, predominantly driven by strong Plastics segment performance.
19% increase in diluted earnings per share to $1.77.
21% increase in 2024 earnings guidance to $6.38 per share.
Plastics segment earnings increased by 39%.
Declares quarterly dividend of $0.4675 per share.
Cash provided by operating activities was $71.9 million.
Available liquidity of $569.1 million.
Plans to increase 2024 diluted earnings per share guidance to $6.23 to $6.53.
Electric segment earnings decreased due to weather-related challenges.
Manufacturing segment earnings decreased by 23%.
Net Income at corporate cost center decreased.
Anticipated lower sales volumes in certain end markets for Manufacturing segment.
With the release of the first quarter earnings, Otter Tail Corporation indicated a robust 19% increase in diluted earnings per share (EPS) to
The declared quarterly dividend of
Otter Tail's strategic movements in its Electric, Manufacturing and Plastics segments showcase a business adapting to market forces and focusing on areas with promising growth trajectories. The noteworthy 39% increase in Plastics segment earnings indicates a strong market demand and operational excellence, while the Electric segment's modest decline underscores the impact of external factors such as weather on this traditionally stable industry. The Manufacturing segment's 23% decrease in earnings reflects broader economic trends, signaling potential concerns for investors linked to cyclical industries. The company's integrated approach to diversification seems to mitigate these sector-specific risks, providing a cushion against market fluctuations.
Investors may also find the settlement agreement regarding the Integrated Resource Plan favorable, signaling proactive engagement with regulatory bodies and an emphasis on sustainable practices. The operationalization of new renewable energy sources and the limitation of coal-based generation to emergency events highlight Otter Tail's commitment to environmental stewardship, which could enhance its corporate reputation and appeal to socially responsible investors. Yet, with any such transformation, there are inherent execution risks, along with uncertainties in approval processes, that could influence future financial outcomes.
SUMMARY
-
Diluted earnings per share increased
19% to per share compared to the first quarter of 2023.$1.77 -
Midpoint of 2024 earnings guidance increased
21% to per share.$6.38 -
Return on equity of
22% over the trailing twelve months.
CEO OVERVIEW
“We are pleased with our overall first quarter financial results,” said President and CEO Chuck MacFarlane, “as our team members navigate changing market conditions and we continue to benefit from our diversified business model. Plastics segment earnings increased 39 percent as compared to the first quarter of 2023 due to higher sales volumes driven by customer sales volume growth and strong distributor and end market demand. Electric segment earnings decreased modestly, primarily driven by weather related headwinds as our service territories experienced a much warmer than normal start to the year. Manufacturing segment earnings decreased 23 percent due to lower sales volumes.
“Otter Tail Power continues to execute on its key regulatory priorities, including an ongoing general rate case in
“Our Manufacturing segment continues to navigate changing market conditions amid mixed end market demand and normalizing customer inventory levels. In response to the decline in sales volumes, we are taking action to manage costs and drive operational efficiencies.
“Our Plastics segment continues to capitalize on favorable market conditions. Sales volumes are returning to more normal levels following distributor destocking efforts throughout much of last year. Our team continues to effectively manage construction of our expansion project in
“We are increasing our 2024 diluted earnings per share guidance to a range of
QUARTERLY DIVIDEND
On May 3, 2024, the corporation’s Board of Directors declared a quarterly common stock dividend of
CASH FLOWS AND LIQUIDITY
Our consolidated cash provided by operating activities for the three months ended March 31, 2024 was
Investing activities for the three months ended March 31, 2024 included capital expenditures of
As of March 31, 2024, we had
SEGMENT PERFORMANCE
Electric Segment
|
Three Months Ended March 31, |
|
|
|
|
|||||||
($ in thousands) |
2024 |
|
2023 |
|
Change |
|
% Change |
|||||
Operating Revenues |
$ |
141,488 |
|
$ |
151,909 |
|
$ |
(10,421 |
) |
|
(6.9 |
)% |
Net Income |
|
22,470 |
|
|
23,221 |
|
|
(751 |
) |
|
(3.2 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
Retail MWh Sales |
|
1,580,851 |
|
|
1,635,246 |
|
|
(54,395 |
) |
|
(3.3 |
)% |
Heating Degree Days |
|
2,913 |
|
|
3,732 |
|
|
(819 |
) |
|
(21.9 |
) |
The following table shows heating degree days (HDDs) as a percent of normal.
|
Three Months Ended March 31, |
||
|
2024 |
|
2023 |
HDDs |
84.4 % |
|
108.2 % |
The following table summarizes the estimated effect on diluted earnings per share of the difference in retail kilowatt-hour (kwh) sales under actual weather conditions and expected retail kwh sales under normal weather conditions in 2024 and 2023.
|
2024 vs Normal |
|
2024 vs 2023 |
|
2023 vs Normal |
|||||
Effect on Diluted Earnings Per Share |
$ |
(0.06 |
) |
|
$ |
(0.09 |
) |
|
$ |
0.03 |
Operating Revenues decreased
Net Income decreased
Manufacturing Segment
|
Three Months Ended March 31, |
|
|
|
|
|||||||
(in thousands) |
2024 |
|
2023 |
|
$ Change |
|
% Change |
|||||
Operating Revenues |
$ |
99,380 |
|
$ |
106,782 |
|
$ |
(7,402 |
) |
|
(6.9 |
)% |
Net Income |
|
5,261 |
|
|
6,862 |
|
|
(1,601 |
) |
|
(23.3 |
) |
Operating Revenues decreased
Net Income decreased
Plastics Segment
|
Three Months Ended March 31, |
|
|
|
|
||||||
(in thousands) |
2024 |
|
2023 |
|
$ Change |
|
% Change |
||||
Operating Revenues |
$ |
106,200 |
|
$ |
80,390 |
|
$ |
25,810 |
|
32.1 |
% |
Net Income |
|
46,740 |
|
|
33,686 |
|
|
13,054 |
|
38.8 |
|
Operating Revenues increased
Net Income increased
Corporate
|
Three Months Ended March 31, |
|
|
|
|
||||||||
(in thousands) |
|
2024 |
|
|
|
2023 |
|
|
$ Change |
|
% Change |
||
Net Loss |
$ |
(133 |
) |
|
$ |
(1,288 |
) |
|
$ |
1,155 |
|
(89.7 |
)% |
Net Loss at our corporate cost center decreased primarily due to increased investment income earned on our short-term cash equivalent investments due to an increase in the cash available for investment and an increase in interest rates.
2024 BUSINESS OUTLOOK
We are increasing our 2024 diluted earnings per share range to
The segment components of our 2024 diluted earnings per share guidance compared with actual earnings for 2023 are as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
2024 EPS Guidance |
|
2024 EPS Guidance |
||||||||||||||
|
|
|
2023 EPS by Segment |
|
February 12, 2024 |
|
May 6, 2024 |
||||||||||||||
|
|
|
Low |
|
High |
|
Low |
|
High |
||||||||||||
Electric |
|
|
$ |
2.01 |
|
|
$ |
2.13 |
|
|
$ |
2.17 |
|
|
$ |
2.13 |
|
|
$ |
2.17 |
|
Manufacturing |
|
|
|
0.51 |
|
|
|
0.51 |
|
|
|
0.55 |
|
|
|
0.45 |
|
|
|
0.49 |
|
Plastics |
|
|
|
4.47 |
|
|
|
2.62 |
|
|
|
2.81 |
|
|
|
3.78 |
|
|
|
3.97 |
|
Corporate |
|
|
|
0.01 |
|
|
|
(0.13 |
) |
|
|
(0.10 |
) |
|
|
(0.13 |
) |
|
|
(0.10 |
) |
Total |
|
|
$ |
7.00 |
|
|
$ |
5.13 |
|
|
$ |
5.43 |
|
|
$ |
6.23 |
|
|
$ |
6.53 |
|
Return on Equity |
|
|
|
22.1 |
% |
|
|
14.3 |
% |
|
|
15.1 |
% |
|
|
17.1 |
% |
|
|
17.8 |
% |
The following items contribute to our revised 2024 earnings guidance:
Electric Segment - We are maintaining our guidance, expecting earnings to increase
Manufacturing Segment - We are decreasing our segment earnings guidance based on:
- Anticipated lower sales volumes within certain end markets, including horticulture, lawn and garden, recreational vehicle and agriculture, as distributor inventory levels normalize and end market demand softens.
- Declining operating margins as lower production and sales volumes negatively impact leverage of our fixed manufacturing costs.
- Reduced research and development tax credits from a reduction in associated cost.
Plastics Segment - We are increasing our segment earnings guidance based on:
- Continued strength in product sales prices as the rate of decline continues to be slower than our previous expectations.
- Increased sales volumes as end market demand has strengthened and distributors are rebuilding depleted inventories.
Corporate Costs - We are maintaining our corporate cost guidance.
CONFERENCE CALL AND WEBCAST
The corporation will host a live webcast on Tuesday, May 7, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. CT to discuss its financial and operating performance.
The presentation will be posted on our website before the webcast. To access the live webcast, go to www.ottertail.com/presentations and select “Webcast.” Please allow time prior to the call to visit the site and download any software needed to listen in. An archived copy of the webcast will be available on our website shortly after the call.
If you are interested in asking a question during the live webcast, visit and follow the link provided in the press release announcing the upcoming conference call.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Except for historical information contained here, the statements in this release are forward-looking and made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The words “anticipate,” “believe,” “can,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “future,” “goal,” “intend,” “likely,” “may,” “outlook,” “plan,” “possible,” “potential,” “predict,” “probable,” “projected,” “should,” “target,” “will,” “would” and similar words and expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Such statements are based upon the current beliefs and expectations of management. Forward-looking statements made herein, which may include statements regarding 2024 earnings and earnings per share, long-term earnings, earnings per share growth and earnings mix, anticipated levels of energy generation from renewable resources, anticipated reductions in carbon dioxide emissions, future investments and capital expenditures, rate base levels and rate base growth, future raw materials costs, future raw materials availability and supply constraints, future operating revenues and operating results, and expectations regarding regulatory proceedings, as well as other assumptions and statements, involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that may cause our actual results in current or future periods to differ materially from the forecasted assumptions and expected results. The Company’s risks and uncertainties include, among other things, uncertainty of future investments and capital expenditures, rate base levels and rate base growth, risks associated with energy markets, the availability and pricing of resource materials, inflationary cost pressures, attracting and maintaining a qualified and stable workforce, changing macroeconomic and industry conditions that impact the demand for our products, pricing and margin, long-term investment risk, seasonal weather patterns and extreme weather events, counterparty credit risk, future business volumes with key customers, reductions in our credit ratings, our ability to access capital markets on favorable terms, assumptions and costs relating to funding our employee benefit plans, our subsidiaries’ ability to make dividend payments, cybersecurity threats or data breaches, the impact of government legislation and regulation including foreign trade policy and environmental, health and safety laws and regulations, changes in tax laws and regulations, the impact of climate change including compliance with legislative and regulatory changes to address climate change, expectations regarding regulatory proceedings, including state utility commission approval of resource plans, assigned service areas, the siting and construction of major facilities, capital structure, and allowed customer rates, and operational and economic risks associated with our electric generating and manufacturing facilities. These and other risks are more fully described in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including our most recently filed Annual Report on Form 10-K, as updated in subsequently filed Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, as applicable. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and we expressly disclaim any obligation to update any forward-looking information.
Category: Earnings
About the Corporation: Otter Tail Corporation, a member of the S&P SmallCap 600 Index, has interests in diversified operations that include an electric utility and manufacturing businesses. Otter Tail Corporation stock trades on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol OTTR. The latest investor and corporate information is available at www.ottertail.com. Corporate offices are in
OTTER TAIL CORPORATION
|
||||||
|
Three Months Ended March 31, |
|||||
(in thousands, except per-share amounts) |
|
2024 |
|
|
2023 |
|
Operating Revenues |
|
|
||||
Electric |
$ |
141,488 |
|
$ |
151,909 |
|
Product Sales |
|
205,580 |
|
|
187,172 |
|
Total Operating Revenues |
|
347,068 |
|
|
339,081 |
|
Operating Expenses |
|
|
||||
Electric Production Fuel |
|
17,694 |
|
|
11,492 |
|
Electric Purchased Power |
|
22,521 |
|
|
41,825 |
|
Electric Operating and Maintenance Expense |
|
47,977 |
|
|
45,549 |
|
Cost of Products Sold (excluding depreciation) |
|
114,723 |
|
|
112,369 |
|
Nonelectric Selling, General, and Administrative Expenses |
|
18,914 |
|
|
18,699 |
|
Depreciation and Amortization |
|
25,897 |
|
|
23,856 |
|
Electric Property Taxes |
|
4,367 |
|
|
4,621 |
|
Total Operating Expenses |
|
252,093 |
|
|
258,411 |
|
Operating Income |
|
94,975 |
|
|
80,670 |
|
Other Income and (Expense) |
|
|
||||
Interest Expense |
|
(9,850 |
) |
|
(9,415 |
) |
Nonservice Components of Postretirement Benefits |
|
2,442 |
|
|
2,412 |
|
Other Income (Expense), net |
|
4,579 |
|
|
2,118 |
|
Income Before Income Taxes |
|
92,146 |
|
|
75,785 |
|
Income Tax Expense |
|
17,808 |
|
|
13,304 |
|
Net Income |
$ |
74,338 |
|
$ |
62,481 |
|
|
|
|
||||
Weighted-Average Common Shares Outstanding: |
|
|
||||
Basic |
|
41,724 |
|
|
41,632 |
|
Diluted |
|
42,033 |
|
|
41,977 |
|
Earnings Per Share: |
|
|
||||
Basic |
$ |
1.78 |
|
$ |
1.50 |
|
Diluted |
$ |
1.77 |
|
$ |
1.49 |
|
OTTER TAIL CORPORATION
|
|||||
|
March 31, |
|
December 31, |
||
(in thousands) |
2024 |
|
2023 |
||
Assets |
|
|
|
||
Current Assets |
|
|
|
||
Cash and Cash Equivalents |
$ |
238,158 |
|
$ |
230,373 |
Receivables, net of allowance for credit losses |
|
195,674 |
|
|
157,143 |
Inventories |
|
148,194 |
|
|
149,701 |
Regulatory Assets |
|
9,175 |
|
|
16,127 |
Other Current Assets |
|
16,742 |
|
|
16,826 |
Total Current Assets |
|
607,943 |
|
|
570,170 |
Noncurrent Assets |
|
|
|
||
Investments |
|
66,110 |
|
|
62,516 |
Property, Plant and Equipment, net of accumulated depreciation |
|
2,459,189 |
|
|
2,418,375 |
Regulatory Assets |
|
96,682 |
|
|
95,715 |
Intangible Assets, net of accumulated amortization |
|
6,568 |
|
|
6,843 |
Goodwill |
|
37,572 |
|
|
37,572 |
Other Noncurrent Assets |
|
51,968 |
|
|
51,377 |
Total Noncurrent Assets |
|
2,718,089 |
|
|
2,672,398 |
Total Assets |
$ |
3,326,032 |
|
$ |
3,242,568 |
|
|
|
|
||
Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity |
|
|
|
||
Current Liabilities |
|
|
|
||
Short-Term Debt |
$ |
— |
|
$ |
81,422 |
Accounts Payable |
|
92,170 |
|
|
94,428 |
Accrued Salaries and Wages |
|
21,922 |
|
|
38,134 |
Accrued Taxes |
|
26,486 |
|
|
26,590 |
Regulatory Liabilities |
|
33,513 |
|
|
25,408 |
Other Current Liabilities |
|
34,383 |
|
|
43,775 |
Total Current Liabilities |
|
208,474 |
|
|
309,757 |
Noncurrent Liabilities and Deferred Credits |
|
|
|
||
Pensions Benefit Liability |
|
32,945 |
|
|
33,101 |
Other Postretirement Benefits Liability |
|
27,501 |
|
|
27,676 |
Regulatory Liabilities |
|
277,056 |
|
|
276,547 |
Deferred Income Taxes |
|
246,560 |
|
|
237,273 |
Deferred Tax Credits |
|
14,985 |
|
|
15,172 |
Other Noncurrent Liabilities |
|
77,511 |
|
|
75,977 |
Total Noncurrent Liabilities and Deferred Credits |
|
676,558 |
|
|
665,746 |
Commitments and Contingencies |
|
|
|
||
Capitalization |
|
|
|
||
Long-Term Debt |
|
943,536 |
|
|
824,059 |
Shareholders’ Equity |
|
|
|
||
Common Shares |
|
208,918 |
|
|
208,553 |
Additional Paid-In Capital |
|
426,358 |
|
|
426,963 |
Retained Earnings |
|
861,127 |
|
|
806,342 |
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income |
|
1,061 |
|
|
1,148 |
Total Shareholders' Equity |
|
1,497,464 |
|
|
1,443,006 |
Total Capitalization |
|
2,441,000 |
|
|
2,267,065 |
Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity |
$ |
3,326,032 |
|
$ |
3,242,568 |
OTTER TAIL CORPORATION
|
|||||||
|
Three Months Ended March 31, |
||||||
(in thousands) |
|
2024 |
|
|
|
2023 |
|
Operating Activities |
|
|
|
||||
Net Income |
$ |
74,338 |
|
|
$ |
62,481 |
|
Adjustments to Reconcile Net Income to Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities: |
|
|
|
||||
Depreciation and Amortization |
|
25,897 |
|
|
|
23,856 |
|
Deferred Tax Credits |
|
(187 |
) |
|
|
(186 |
) |
Deferred Income Taxes |
|
7,859 |
|
|
|
8,028 |
|
Investment Gains |
|
(2,385 |
) |
|
|
(1,829 |
) |
Stock Compensation Expense |
|
5,514 |
|
|
|
5,269 |
|
Other, net |
|
(874 |
) |
|
|
93 |
|
Change in Operating Assets and Liabilities: |
|
|
|
||||
Receivables |
|
(38,531 |
) |
|
|
(31,049 |
) |
Inventories |
|
1,920 |
|
|
|
1,460 |
|
Regulatory Assets |
|
7,338 |
|
|
|
7,147 |
|
Other Assets |
|
537 |
|
|
|
5,278 |
|
Accounts Payable |
|
8,195 |
|
|
|
(7,387 |
) |
Accrued and Other Liabilities |
|
(24,372 |
) |
|
|
(19,617 |
) |
Regulatory Liabilities |
|
9,365 |
|
|
|
4,420 |
|
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits |
|
(2,701 |
) |
|
|
(2,411 |
) |
Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities |
|
71,913 |
|
|
|
55,553 |
|
Investing Activities |
|
|
|
||||
Capital Expenditures |
|
(74,044 |
) |
|
|
(98,101 |
) |
Proceeds from Disposal of Noncurrent Assets |
|
2,499 |
|
|
|
1,030 |
|
Purchases of Investments and Other Assets |
|
(4,331 |
) |
|
|
(3,308 |
) |
Net Cash Used in Investing Activities |
|
(75,876 |
) |
|
|
(100,379 |
) |
Financing Activities |
|
|
|
||||
Net Borrowings (Repayments) on Short-Term Debt |
|
(81,422 |
) |
|
|
52,650 |
|
Proceeds from Issuance of Long-Term Debt |
|
120,000 |
|
|
|
— |
|
Dividends Paid |
|
(19,553 |
) |
|
|
(18,256 |
) |
Payments for Shares Withheld for Employee Tax Obligations |
|
(5,754 |
) |
|
|
(3,088 |
) |
Other, net |
|
(1,523 |
) |
|
|
(1,396 |
) |
Net Cash Provided by Financing Activities |
|
11,748 |
|
|
|
29,910 |
|
Net Change in Cash and Cash Equivalents |
|
7,785 |
|
|
|
(14,916 |
) |
Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Period |
|
230,373 |
|
|
|
118,996 |
|
Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Period |
$ |
238,158 |
|
|
$ |
104,080 |
|
OTTER TAIL CORPORATION
|
|||||||
|
Three Months Ended March 31, |
||||||
(in thousands) |
|
2024 |
|
|
|
2023 |
|
Operating Revenues |
|
|
|
||||
Electric |
$ |
141,488 |
|
|
$ |
151,909 |
|
Manufacturing |
|
99,380 |
|
|
|
106,782 |
|
Plastics |
|
106,200 |
|
|
|
80,390 |
|
Total Operating Revenues |
$ |
347,068 |
|
|
$ |
339,081 |
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Operating Income (Loss) |
|
|
|
||||
Electric |
$ |
29,042 |
|
|
$ |
30,096 |
|
Manufacturing |
|
7,413 |
|
|
|
9,509 |
|
Plastics |
|
63,305 |
|
|
|
45,683 |
|
Corporate |
|
(4,785 |
) |
|
|
(4,618 |
) |
Total Operating Income |
$ |
94,975 |
|
|
$ |
80,670 |
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Net Income (Loss) |
|
|
|
||||
Electric |
$ |
22,470 |
|
|
$ |
23,221 |
|
Manufacturing |
|
5,261 |
|
|
|
6,862 |
|
Plastics |
|
46,740 |
|
|
|
33,686 |
|
Corporate |
|
(133 |
) |
|
|
(1,288 |
) |
Total Net Income |
$ |
74,338 |
|
|
$ |
62,481 |
|
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240506728281/en/
Media Contact:
Stephanie Hoff, Director of Corporate Communications, (218) 739-8535
Investor Contact:
Beth Eiken, Manager of Investor Relations, (701) 451-3571
Source: Otter Tail Corporation
FAQ
What was the increase in diluted earnings per share?
What is the new 2024 earnings guidance per share?
What was the Return on Equity over the past twelve months?
What caused the decrease in Manufacturing segment earnings?