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MDU Resources (MDU) Q4 Earnings Lag Estimates, Revenues Up
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MDU Resources Group Inc. (MDU - Free Report) delivered fourth-quarter 2018 operating earnings of 39 cents per share, which missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 42 cents by 7.14%. Operating earnings were 33.8% lower than the year-ago quarter’s level.
In 2018, the company posted operating earnings of $1.38 per share compared with $1.45 in 2017.
Total Revenues
Total revenues in the fourth quarter were $1,209.9 million, up 3.8% from $1,165.2 million in the year-ago quarter.
Operating revenues in the electric, natural gas distribution and regulated pipeline as well as the midstream segments fell 4.5% to $361.5 million. However, revenues in the non-regulated pipeline and midstream, construction materials and contracting, construction services and other segments increased 7.8% to $848.4 million.
In 2018, the company generated revenues of $4,531.6 million compared with $4,443.4 million in 2017.
MDU Resources Group, Inc. Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise
In the quarter under review, operating expenses amounted to $836.6 million, up 7.1% from the prior-year quarter’s figure of $781.1 million.
Operating income was $118.3 million, down 4.5% year over year.
The company incurred interest expenses of $22.4 million, up from $20.8 million in the prior-year quarter.
As of Dec 31, the construction services business had backlog of $939 million, up 33% from the year-ago tally.
The construction materials business had backlog of $706 million, up 45% from the prior-year figure.
Financial Highlights
Total debt amounted to $2,109 million as of Dec 31, 2018, up from $1,715 million as of Dec 21, 2017.
The company’s net cash flow from operating activities in 2018 was $499.9 million, up from $448 million in 2017.
Guidance
MDU Resources expects 2019 earnings per share in the range of $1.35-$1.55, whose mid-point of $1.45 is below the current Zacks Consensus Estimate for the period of $1.53.
The company plans to invest $ 2,659 million through 2019-2023.
NextEra Energy, Inc (NEE - Free Report) delivered fourth-quarter 2018 adjusted earnings of $1.49 per share, which lagged the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.51 by 1.3%.
American Electric Power Co., Inc (AEP - Free Report) generated fourth-quarter 2018 operating earnings of 72 cents, in line with the Zacks Consensus Estimate.
Xcel Energy Inc (XEL - Free Report) posted fourth-quarter 2018 operating earnings of 42 cents per share, in line with the Zacks Consensus Estimate.
Zacks' Top 10 Stocks for 2019
In addition to the stocks discussed above, wouldn't you like to know about our 10 finest buy-and-holds for the year?
From more than 4,000 companies covered by the Zacks Rank, these 10 were picked by a process that consistently beats the market. Even during 2018 while the market dropped -5.2%, our Top 10s were up well into double-digits. And during bullish 2012 – 2017, they soared far above the market's +126.3%, reaching +181.9%.
This year, the portfolio features a player that thrives on volatility, an AI comer, and a dynamic tech company that helps doctors deliver better patient outcomes at lower costs.
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MDU Resources (MDU) Q4 Earnings Lag Estimates, Revenues Up
MDU Resources Group Inc. (MDU - Free Report) delivered fourth-quarter 2018 operating earnings of 39 cents per share, which missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 42 cents by 7.14%. Operating earnings were 33.8% lower than the year-ago quarter’s level.
In 2018, the company posted operating earnings of $1.38 per share compared with $1.45 in 2017.
Total Revenues
Total revenues in the fourth quarter were $1,209.9 million, up 3.8% from $1,165.2 million in the year-ago quarter.
Operating revenues in the electric, natural gas distribution and regulated pipeline as well as the midstream segments fell 4.5% to $361.5 million. However, revenues in the non-regulated pipeline and midstream, construction materials and contracting, construction services and other segments increased 7.8% to $848.4 million.
In 2018, the company generated revenues of $4,531.6 million compared with $4,443.4 million in 2017.
MDU Resources Group, Inc. Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise
MDU Resources Group, Inc. Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise | MDU Resources Group, Inc. Quote
Highlights of the Release
In the quarter under review, operating expenses amounted to $836.6 million, up 7.1% from the prior-year quarter’s figure of $781.1 million.
Operating income was $118.3 million, down 4.5% year over year.
The company incurred interest expenses of $22.4 million, up from $20.8 million in the prior-year quarter.
As of Dec 31, the construction services business had backlog of $939 million, up 33% from the year-ago tally.
The construction materials business had backlog of $706 million, up 45% from the prior-year figure.
Financial Highlights
Total debt amounted to $2,109 million as of Dec 31, 2018, up from $1,715 million as of Dec 21, 2017.
The company’s net cash flow from operating activities in 2018 was $499.9 million, up from $448 million in 2017.
Guidance
MDU Resources expects 2019 earnings per share in the range of $1.35-$1.55, whose mid-point of $1.45 is below the current Zacks Consensus Estimate for the period of $1.53.
The company plans to invest $ 2,659 million through 2019-2023.
Zacks Rank
MDU Resources carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
Other Utility Releases
NextEra Energy, Inc (NEE - Free Report) delivered fourth-quarter 2018 adjusted earnings of $1.49 per share, which lagged the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.51 by 1.3%.
American Electric Power Co., Inc (AEP - Free Report) generated fourth-quarter 2018 operating earnings of 72 cents, in line with the Zacks Consensus Estimate.
Xcel Energy Inc (XEL - Free Report) posted fourth-quarter 2018 operating earnings of 42 cents per share, in line with the Zacks Consensus Estimate.
Zacks' Top 10 Stocks for 2019
In addition to the stocks discussed above, wouldn't you like to know about our 10 finest buy-and-holds for the year?
From more than 4,000 companies covered by the Zacks Rank, these 10 were picked by a process that consistently beats the market. Even during 2018 while the market dropped -5.2%, our Top 10s were up well into double-digits. And during bullish 2012 – 2017, they soared far above the market's +126.3%, reaching +181.9%.
This year, the portfolio features a player that thrives on volatility, an AI comer, and a dynamic tech company that helps doctors deliver better patient outcomes at lower costs.
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