NiSource (NI) Q1 Earnings In Line, Infrastructure in Focus

NI ETR DTE AEP

NiSource Inc. (NI - Free Report) reported first-quarter 2018 operating earnings of 77 cents per share, in line with the Zacks Consensus Estimate. Earnings were 8.5% higher than the year-ago quarter.

The company reported GAAP earnings of 82 cents per share compared with 65 cents in the year-ago period. The difference between GAAP and operating earnings was due to 5 cents impact of one-time non-recurring items.

Highlights of the Release

During the quarter, the company increased its quarterly dividend by 11.4% to 78 cents.

During and after the end of the quarter, the company applied for rate hikes in different Utility Commissions.

The company received approval on a rate hike application filed with Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities. The new rates will become applicable from May 1, 2018.

Guidance

NiSource reiterated its 2018 capital utility infrastructure investment of $1.7-$1.8 billion.

NiSource’s long-term goal is to improve its earnings and dividend per share by 5-7% annually through 2020.

NiSource intends to invest within $1.6-$1.8 billion annually in its utility infrastructure programs through 2020.

Zacks Rank

NiSource 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

American Electric Power Co. Inc. (AEP - Free Report) reported first-quarter 2018 adjusted earnings per share (EPS) of 96 cents, missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.00 per share by 4%.

DTE Energy (DTE - Free Report) reported first-quarter 2018 operating earnings per share of $1.91, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.89 by 1.06%.

Entergy Corporation (ETR - Free Report) reported first-quarter 2018 adjusted earnings of $1.16 per share, missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.31 by 11.5%.

Looking for Stocks with Skyrocketing Upside?

Zacks has just released a Special Report on the booming investment opportunities of legal marijuana.

Ignited by new referendums and legislation, this industry is expected to blast from an already robust $6.7 billion to $20.2 billion in 2021. Early investors stand to make a killing, but you have to be ready to act and know just where to look.

See the pot trades we're targeting>>

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 >>