MDU Resources Group Inc. (MDU - Free Report) reported third-quarter 2020 operating earnings of 76 cents per share, which increased 11.8% from the year-ago level. This upside was led by strong performance of its construction companies and stable earnings from the regulated energy business.
Total Revenues
Total revenues for the third quarter were $1,587.2 million, up 1.5% from $1,563.8 million in the year-ago quarter.
Operating revenues in the electric, natural gas distribution and regulated pipeline inched up 0.3% from the prior-year quarter to $210.1 million. Revenues in non-regulated pipeline, construction materials and contracting, construction services, and other segments increased 1.7% from the year-ago quarter to $1,377.1 million.
Highlights of the Release
For the quarter under review, operating expenses of $1,214.1 million were up 0.1% from the prior-year period’s $1,212.6 million.
Operating income was $1383.6 million, up 0.7% year over year.
The company’s interest expenses of $23.8 million were down 5.9% from $25.3 million in the prior-year quarter.
As of Sep 30, 2020, the construction services business had a backlog of $1.28 billion, up 6.7% from $1.2 billion in the corresponding period of 2019.
The construction materials business had a backlog of $571 million, down from $747 million in the year-ago quarter.
Financial Highlights
Cash and Cash equivalents as of Sep 30, 2020 were $66.1 million compared with $66.5 million at 2019-end.
Long-term debt amounted to $2,268.7 million as of Sep 30, 2020 compared with $2,226.6 million on Dec 31, 2019.
The company’s net cash provided by operating activities for the first nine months of 2020 was $481.8 million compared with net cash used in operating activities of $203.1 million in the comparable period of 2019.
Guidance
MDU Resources raised its 2020 earnings per share guidance to $1.80-$1.90 from the prior projection of $1.65-$1.85, with the current Zacks Consensus Estimate being $1.85.
Also, it now anticipates Construction services revenues in the range of $2.15-$2.25 billion (up from $1.90-$2.10 billion projected earlier) and construction materials revenues in the band of $2.20-$2.40 billion, with margins slightly higher than 2019.
Zacks Rank
MDU Resources carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold), currently. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
Other Releases
Sempra Energy’s (SRE - Free Report) third-quarter 2020 adjusted earnings per share came in at $1.31, which missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.47 by 10.9%
ONE Gas Inc. (OGS - Free Report) reported third-quarter 2020 earnings of 39 cents per share, which beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 36 cents by 8.3%.
ONEOK Inc. (OKE - Free Report) posted third-quarter 2020 operating earnings of 70 cents per share, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 59 cents by 18.6%.
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Most of the stocks in this report are flying under Wall Street radar, which provides a great opportunity to get in on the ground floor.
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MDU Resources Group Inc. (MDU - Free Report) reported third-quarter 2020 operating earnings of 76 cents per share, which increased 11.8% from the year-ago level. This upside was led by strong performance of its construction companies and stable earnings from the regulated energy business.
Total Revenues
Total revenues for the third quarter were $1,587.2 million, up 1.5% from $1,563.8 million in the year-ago quarter.
Operating revenues in the electric, natural gas distribution and regulated pipeline inched up 0.3% from the prior-year quarter to $210.1 million. Revenues in non-regulated pipeline, construction materials and contracting, construction services, and other segments increased 1.7% from the year-ago quarter to $1,377.1 million.
Highlights of the Release
For the quarter under review, operating expenses of $1,214.1 million were up 0.1% from the prior-year period’s $1,212.6 million.
Operating income was $1383.6 million, up 0.7% year over year.
The company’s interest expenses of $23.8 million were down 5.9% from $25.3 million in the prior-year quarter.
As of Sep 30, 2020, the construction services business had a backlog of $1.28 billion, up 6.7% from $1.2 billion in the corresponding period of 2019.
The construction materials business had a backlog of $571 million, down from $747 million in the year-ago quarter.
Financial Highlights
Cash and Cash equivalents as of Sep 30, 2020 were $66.1 million compared with $66.5 million at 2019-end.
Long-term debt amounted to $2,268.7 million as of Sep 30, 2020 compared with $2,226.6 million on Dec 31, 2019.
The company’s net cash provided by operating activities for the first nine months of 2020 was $481.8 million compared with net cash used in operating activities of $203.1 million in the comparable period of 2019.
Guidance
MDU Resources raised its 2020 earnings per share guidance to $1.80-$1.90 from the prior projection of $1.65-$1.85, with the current Zacks Consensus Estimate being $1.85.
Also, it now anticipates Construction services revenues in the range of $2.15-$2.25 billion (up from $1.90-$2.10 billion projected earlier) and construction materials revenues in the band of $2.20-$2.40 billion, with margins slightly higher than 2019.
Zacks Rank
MDU Resources carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold), currently. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
Other Releases
Sempra Energy’s (SRE - Free Report) third-quarter 2020 adjusted earnings per share came in at $1.31, which missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.47 by 10.9%
ONE Gas Inc. (OGS - Free Report) reported third-quarter 2020 earnings of 39 cents per share, which beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 36 cents by 8.3%.
ONEOK Inc. (OKE - Free Report) posted third-quarter 2020 operating earnings of 70 cents per share, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 59 cents by 18.6%.
5 Stocks Set to Double
Each was hand-picked by a Zacks expert as the #1 favorite stock to gain +100% or more in 2020. Each comes from a different sector and has unique qualities and catalysts that could fuel exceptional growth.
Most of the stocks in this report are flying under Wall Street radar, which provides a great opportunity to get in on the ground floor.
Today, See These 5 Potential Home Runs >>
Zacks Names "Single Best Pick to Double"
From thousands of stocks, 5 Zacks experts each have chosen their favorite to skyrocket +100% or more in months to come. From those 5, Director of Research Sheraz Mian hand-picks one to have the most explosive upside of all.
It’s a little-known chemical company that’s up 65% over last year, yet still dirt cheap. With unrelenting demand, soaring 2022 earnings estimates, and $1.5 billion for repurchasing shares, retail investors could jump in at any time.
This company could rival or surpass other recent Zacks’ Stocks Set to Double like Boston Beer Company which shot up +143.0% in little more than 9 months and NVIDIA which boomed +175.9% in one year.
Free: See Our Top Stock and 4 Runners Up >>
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