MDU Resources Group Inc. (MDU - Free Report) reported fourth-quarter 2017 operating earnings of 39 cents per share, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 34 cents by 14.7%.
Operating earnings improved 18.2% from 33 cents in the year-ago quarter. The company’s construction businesses and regulated energy delivery businesses benefited from favorable weather, which boosted earnings.
Including income tax benefit of 20 cents per share, MDU Resources reported earnings of 59 cents.
Total Revenues
Total revenues in the reported quarter were $1,165.2 million, up 14.6% from $1,016.1 million in the year-ago quarter.
Highlights of the Release
In the quarter under review, operating expenses amounted to $1,039.7 million, up 14.9 % from $904.6 million in the prior-year quarter.
Operating income was $125.5 million, up 12.5%.
The company incurred interest expense of $20.8 million, up 1.46% from $20.5 million in fourth-quarter 2016.
Financial Highlights
Total debt was $1,715 million as of Dec 31, 2017, down from $1,790 million as of Dec 31, 2016.
In 2017, the company’s net cash flow from operating activities was $448 million, down from $462.2 million in 2016.
Guidance
MDU Resources issued 2018 guidance for earnings per share in the range of $1.25-$1.45.
The company plans to invest $2,331 million in the 2018-2022 period to strengthen regulated energy delivery as well as construction materials and services business lines.
Peer Releases
NextEra Energy (NEE - Free Report) reported fourth-quarter 2017 adjusted earnings of $1.25 per share, missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.31 by 4.6%.
Dominion Energy (D - Free Report) reported fourth-quarter 2017 operating earnings of 91 cents per share, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 88 cents by 3.4%.
Exelon (EXC ) reported fourth-quarter 2017 operating earnings of 55 cents per share, missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 62 cents by 11.3%.
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.
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MDU Resources Group Inc. (MDU - Free Report) reported fourth-quarter 2017 operating earnings of 39 cents per share, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 34 cents by 14.7%.
Operating earnings improved 18.2% from 33 cents in the year-ago quarter. The company’s construction businesses and regulated energy delivery businesses benefited from favorable weather, which boosted earnings.
Including income tax benefit of 20 cents per share, MDU Resources reported earnings of 59 cents.
Total Revenues
Total revenues in the reported quarter were $1,165.2 million, up 14.6% from $1,016.1 million in the year-ago quarter.
Highlights of the Release
In the quarter under review, operating expenses amounted to $1,039.7 million, up 14.9 % from $904.6 million in the prior-year quarter.
Operating income was $125.5 million, up 12.5%.
The company incurred interest expense of $20.8 million, up 1.46% from $20.5 million in fourth-quarter 2016.
Financial Highlights
Total debt was $1,715 million as of Dec 31, 2017, down from $1,790 million as of Dec 31, 2016.
In 2017, the company’s net cash flow from operating activities was $448 million, down from $462.2 million in 2016.
Guidance
MDU Resources issued 2018 guidance for earnings per share in the range of $1.25-$1.45.
The company plans to invest $2,331 million in the 2018-2022 period to strengthen regulated energy delivery as well as construction materials and services business lines.
Peer Releases
NextEra Energy (NEE - Free Report) reported fourth-quarter 2017 adjusted earnings of $1.25 per share, missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.31 by 4.6%.
Dominion Energy (D - Free Report) reported fourth-quarter 2017 operating earnings of 91 cents per share, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 88 cents by 3.4%.
Exelon (EXC ) reported fourth-quarter 2017 operating earnings of 55 cents per share, missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 62 cents by 11.3%.
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.
Will You Make a Fortune on the Shift to Electric Cars?
Here's another stock idea to consider. Much like petroleum 150 years ago, lithium power may soon shake the world, creating millionaires and reshaping geo-politics. Soon electric vehicles (EVs) may be cheaper than gas guzzlers. Some are already reaching 265 miles on a single charge.
With battery prices plummeting and charging stations set to multiply, one company stands out as the #1 stock to buy according to Zacks research.
It's not the one you think.
See This Ticker Free >>
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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