RGC Resources, Inc. Reports Second Quarter Earnings

Rhea-AI Summary

RGC Resources, Inc. (NASDAQ: RGCO) reported consolidated earnings of $4,767,478 or $0.58 per share for Q1 2021, down from $5,680,316 or $0.70 per share in Q1 2020. For the twelve months ending March 31, 2021, earnings were $10,368,023 or $1.27 per share, compared to $11,281,412 or $1.40 per share for the previous year. The decline in earnings is attributed to the cessation of the non-cash MVP AFUDC, maintenance investments, and COVID-19 related bad-debt expense. Future earnings for fiscal 2021 are expected to be lower than last year due to seasonal business factors.

Positive

• Customer growth and improved utility margins from infrastructure programs.

Negative

• Earnings decline of 16% year-over-year for Q1 2021.
• Cessation of non-cash MVP AFUDC negatively impacting earnings.
• COVID-19 related bad-debt expenses affecting fiscal results.
• Lower net income expected for fiscal 2021 compared to last year.

ROANOKE, Va., May 10, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- RGC Resources, Inc. (NASDAQ: RGCO) announced consolidated Company earnings of $4,767,478 or $0.58 per share for the quarter ended March 31, 2021. This compares to consolidated earnings of $5,680,316 or $0.70 per share for the quarter ended March 31, 2020. CEO Paul Nester stated, “We continue to experience customer growth and improved utility margins associated with infrastructure replacement programs. The overall earnings decline was primarily attributable to the cessation of the non-cash MVP AFUDC beginning January 1, 2021.”

Earnings for the twelve months ending March 31, 2021 were $10,368,023 or $1.27 per share outstanding compared to $11,281,412 or $1.40 per share for the twelve months ended March 31, 2020. Nester attributed the earnings decline to rate case final order adjustments in the first half of fiscal 2020, one-time maintenance investments and COVID-19 related bad-debt expense in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020 as well as the non-cash MVP AFUDC change in the second quarter of fiscal 2021.

RGC Resources, Inc. provides energy and related products and services to customers in Virginia through its operating subsidiaries Roanoke Gas Company and RGC Midstream, LLC.

Net income for the three months ended March 31, 2021 is not indicative of the results to be expected for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2021 as quarterly earnings are affected by the highly seasonal nature of the business and weather conditions generally result in greater earnings during the winter months. Net income for the remainder of fiscal 2021 is expected to be lower than the corresponding period in 2020.

From time to time, the Company may publish forward-looking statements relating to such matters as anticipated financial performance, business prospects, technological developments, new products, research and development activities and similar matters. The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a safe harbor for forward-looking statements. In order to comply with the terms of the safe harbor, the Company notes that a variety of factors could cause the Company’s actual results and experience to differ materially from the anticipated results or other expectations expressed in the Company’s forward-looking statements.

Past performance is not necessarily a predictor of future results.

Summary financial statements for the second quarter and twelve months are as follows:

RGC Resources, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income
(Unaudited)
		Three Months Ended							Twelve Months Ended
		March 31,							March 31,
			2021				2020			2021			2020
Operating revenues		$	28,253,662			$	22,437,731		$	68,622,886		$	63,758,003
Operating expenses			21,154,236				15,438,115			55,505,486			49,548,649
Operating income			7,099,426				6,999,616			13,117,400			14,209,354
Equity in earnings (loss) of unconsolidated affiliate			(3,797	)			1,188,593			3,885,081			4,041,803
Other income, net			287,548				317,892			778,335			579,822
Interest expense			1,007,764				1,038,293			4,003,273			4,032,598
Income before income taxes			6,375,413				7,467,808			13,777,543			14,798,381
Income tax expense			1,607,935				1,787,492			3,409,520			3,516,969
Net income		$	4,767,478			$	5,680,316		$	10,368,023		$	11,281,412
Net earnings per share of common stock:
Basic		$	0.58			$	0.70		$	1.27		$	1.40
Diluted		$	0.58			$	0.70		$	1.27		$	1.39
Cash dividends per common share		$	0.185			$	0.175		$	0.720		$	0.680
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding:
Basic			8,217,822				8,122,157			8,171,202			8,081,438
Diluted			8,230,650				8,144,963			8,185,332			8,112,308
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(Unaudited)
						March 31,
Assets							2021			2020
Current assets						$	16,563,212		$	16,603,503
Utility plant, net							203,698,440			189,667,211
Other assets							71,902,386			64,317,462
Total Assets						$	292,164,038		$	270,588,176
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
Current liabilities						$	20,775,066		$	17,172,195
Long-term debt, net							120,770,429			112,231,649
Deferred credits and other liabilities							53,043,935			50,866,985
Total Liabilities							194,589,430			180,270,829
Stockholders' Equity							97,574,608			90,317,347
Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity						$	292,164,038		$	270,588,176

Contact:		Paul W. Nester
		President and CEO
Telephone:		540-777-3837

FAQ

What were RGC Resources' Q1 2021 earnings?

RGC Resources reported consolidated earnings of $4,767,478, or $0.58 per share for Q1 2021.

How do RGC Resources' earnings compare year-over-year?

Earnings for Q1 2021 decreased from $5,680,316 or $0.70 per share in Q1 2020.

What factors contributed to the earnings decline for RGCO?

The decline was mainly due to the cessation of non-cash MVP AFUDC, maintenance investments, and COVID-19 related bad-debt expense.

What is the earnings outlook for RGC Resources for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2021?

The company expects lower net income for the remainder of fiscal 2021 compared to the same period in 2020.