MDU Resources (MDU) Lags Q2 Earnings Estimates, Cuts 2022 EPS

HE D SWX MDU

MDU Resources Group Inc. (MDU - Free Report) reported second-quarter 2022 operating earnings per share of 35 cents, which missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 49 cents by 28.6%. The bottom line also decreased by 30% from the year-ago earnings of 50 cents per share.

Total Revenues

Total revenues came in at $1,720.9 million, up 20.9% from $1,423.7 million in the year-ago quarter.

Operating revenues in the electric, natural gas distribution and regulated pipeline improved by 24.1% from the prior-year quarter’s level to $323.4 million. Revenues in the non-regulated pipeline, construction materials and contracting, construction services and other segments improved by 20.2% from the year-ago quarter level to $1,397.5 million.

Highlights of the Release

Total operating expenses for the second quarter amounted to $1,600.3 million, up 24.4% from the year-ago quarter’s $1,286 million, due to an increase in operation and maintenance expenses by 22.2%.

The operating income for the reported quarter was down 12.4% year over year to $120.6 million.

MDU Resources’ interest expenses of $28.1 million were up 20.1% from $23.4 million in the prior-year quarter.

As of Jun 30, 2022, the construction services business had a backlog of $1.92 billion, up 46% from the year-ago quarter’s $1.32 billion.

As of Jun 30, 2022, the construction materials business had a backlog of $1.13 billion, up 24% from $912 million year over year.

Financial Highlights

Cash and cash equivalents as of Jun 30, 2022 were $65.4 million compared with $54.2 million on Dec 31, 2021.

Total debt amounted to $3,028 million as of Jun 30, 2022 compared with $2,742 million on Dec 31, 2021.

MDU Resources’ net cash provided by operating activities in the first six months of 2022 was $117.4 million compared with $182.8 in the prior-year period.

Guidance

MDU Resources revised its guidance and expects 2022 earnings guidance in the range of $1.75-$1.90 per share from $2.00 to $2.15. The company lowered its earnings expectation considering ongoing inflationary and supply-chain challenges.

MDU Resources plans to invest $747 million in capital projects in 2022. The capital program is expected to be largely funded by operating cash flows in the range of $550-$600 million.

Zacks Rank

MDU Resources currently has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

Upcoming Releases

Dominion Energy (D - Free Report) is scheduled to announce second-quarter 2022 results on Aug 8 before market open. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings is pegged at 77 cents per share. Dominion Energy’s long-term earnings growth is projected at 6.4%.

Hawaiian Electric Industries (HE - Free Report) is scheduled to announce second-quarter 2022 results on Aug 8 after market close. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings is pegged at 52 cents per share. Hawaiian Electric Industries’ long-term earnings growth is projected at 3.2%.

Southwest Gas Holdings (SWX - Free Report) is set to release second-quarter 2022 results on Aug 9 after market close. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings per share is pegged at 53 cents. Southwest Gas’ long-term earnings growth is projected at 5%.

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