Black Hills Corporation (BKH Quick QuoteBKH - Free Report) reported second-quarter 2017 adjusted earnings of 41 cents per share, missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 51 cents by 19.6%. However, on a year-over-year basis earnings increased 5.1%.

Increased earnings in the second quarter can be attributed to benefit arising out of electric utilities from new generation and transmission investments as well as strong industrial sales.

Total Revenue

In second-quarter 2017, Black Hills’ total revenues of $348 million missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $372 million by 6.5%. However, revenues were up 14.3% from $325.4 million in the prior-year quarter.

Quarterly Highlights

During the second quarter, Black Hills cost of fuel, purchased power and gas amounted to $98.2 million, increased 16.2% year over year from $84.5 million.

The company’s operating and maintenance expenses amounted to $132.3 million reflecting a marginal decrease of 0.5% year over year.

Operating income in the reported quarter increased 95.2% year over year to $68.9 million.

Interest expenses increased 1.5% year over year to $34.1 million.

Black Hills Corporation Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise

Guidance

Black Hills narrowed guidance for 2017 earnings per share to the range of $3.45–$3.60 from $3.45–$3.65. The slashed guidance reflects unfavorable weather during the first half of the year and additional diluted shares from equity units issued in Nov 2015.

Performance of Other Utilities

Among other players from the industry that have reported their second-quarter earnings, both WEC Energy Group (WEC Quick QuoteWEC - Free Report) and Xcel Energy Inc. (XEL Quick QuoteXEL - Free Report) beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate, while FirstEnergy Corporation (FE Quick QuoteFE - Free Report) reported earnings on par with the Zacks Consensus Estimate.

Zacks Rank

Black Hills carries a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell).

You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

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