NW Natural Holdings Reports Third Quarter 2022 Results

PORTLAND, Ore.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Northwest Natural Holding Company (NYSE: NWN) (NW Natural Holdings) reported financial results and highlights including:

• Reported a net loss of $19.6 million ($0.56 per share) for the third quarter of 2022, compared to a net loss of $20.7 million ($0.67 per share) for the same period in 2021
• Earned net income of $38.4 million ($1.14 per share) for the first nine months of 2022, compared to earnings of $38.1 million ($1.24 per share) for the same period in 2021
• Added nearly 8,800 natural gas meters in the last 12 months for a growth rate of 1.1% as of September 30, 2022
• Invested over $250 million in our utility systems in the first nine months of 2022 for greater reliability and resiliency
• Received approval in Oregon and Washington for new rates related to the Purchased Gas Adjustment (PGA) mechanism, which includes estimated gas costs for the upcoming winter heating season
• Closed our largest water and wastewater acquisition to date in Yuma, Arizona increasing NW Natural Water’s customer base by approximately 70%
• Increased our dividend for the 67^th consecutive year to an annual indicated dividend rate of $1.94 per share
• Reaffirmed 2022 earnings guidance in the range of $2.45 to $2.65 per share and our long-term earnings per share growth rate target of 4% to 6%

“This quarter highlights our commitment to decarbonization, diversification, and growth,” said David H. Anderson, president and CEO of NW Natural Holdings. “We believe our gas utility system will play a critical role in helping move to a low-carbon, renewable energy future. With our new competitive renewables strategy, we’re able to assist a broader group of customers with the energy transition and we’re making progress on our first project. Our water & wastewater company closed its largest transaction to date. I’m proud of our achievements and our long-term growth prospects.”

For the third quarter of 2022, the net loss decreased $1.1 million to a net loss of $19.6 million (or $0.56 per share), compared to a net loss of $20.7 million (or $0.67 per share) for the same period in 2021. The third quarter reflects the seasonal nature of the gas utility’s earnings where the majority of revenues are generated during the winter heating season in the first and fourth quarters each year. Results reflected higher margin from customer growth and new rates in Washington for our natural gas utility and lower pension expense, partially offset by higher operations and maintenance expenses. NW Natural’s other activities contributed higher net income driven by increased asset management revenues, partially offset by higher interest expense.

Year-to-date net income increased $0.2 million to $38.4 million (or $1.14 per share), compared to $38.1 million (or $1.24 per share) for the same period in 2021. Results reflected customer growth and new rates in Washington for our natural gas utility and lower pension expense, offset by higher operations and maintenance expenses. Net income from our other activities decreased primarily due to lower asset management revenues related to a severe winter storm in February 2021 that did not recur in 2022. Earnings per share was also affected by a 2.9 million common share issuance on April 1, 2022 and share issuances through Holdings’ at the market program.

KEY EVENTS AND INITIATIVES

Received Order in NW Natural’s Oregon General Rate Case

On Oct. 24, 2022, the OPUC issued an order approving the multi-party settlements in NW Natural’s general rate case. The order increased the revenue requirement $59.4 million including final adjustments for capital projects placed into service and the deprecation study. That compares to an original requested revenue requirement increase of $73.5 million. The order included a capital structure of 50% common equity and 50% long-term debt, return on equity of 9.4%, cost of capital of 6.836%, and rate base of $1.76 billion, or an increase of $320 million since the last rate case. New rates in Oregon were effective beginning Nov. 1, 2022.

Water and Wastewater Utilities

In October 2022, NW Natural Water closed its acquisition of the Far West water and wastewater utilities in Yuma, Arizona adding 25,000 customers and entering a fifth state. In August 2022, two acquisitions were closed for approximately 1,400 connections in Washington near NW Natural Water’s existing Cascadia Water utilities. In addition, in May 2022, NW Natural Water closed the purchase of a water and wastewater utility, representing approximately 150 connections, in Texas. NW Natural Water currently serves over 150,000 people through approximately 61,000 connections across five states.

Competitive Renewables

NW Natural Renewables Holdings, LLC (NW Natural Renewables), a competitive renewable natural gas (RNG) supplier, is investing in two renewable natural gas (RNG) facilities that are currently under construction and expected to begin production in the spring of 2023. NW Natural Renewables is an unregulated subsidiary of NW Natural Holdings committed to leading the energy transition and providing renewable fuels to the utility, commercial, industrial and transportation sectors.

2021 Environment, Social, and Governance (ESG) Report Issued

On August 31, 2022, we issued our third ESG report, which outlines some of the important work NW Natural Holdings is focused on. The report highlights our longstanding commitments and progress related to safety, environmental stewardship, and taking care of our employees and communities. It also features goals that we’re pursuing related to a renewable future and carbon neutral vision for our gas utility, diversifying into and growing our water and wastewater utility business, and actively working to continue advancing diversity, equity and inclusion in our workplace and our wider community. Additional information is available on our investor relations website.

THIRD QUARTER RESULTS

The following financial comparisons are for the third quarter of 2022 and 2021 with individual year-over-year drivers below presented on an after-tax basis using a statutory tax rate of 26.5% unless otherwise noted.

NW Natural Holdings’ third quarter results are summarized by business segment in the table below:

Natural Gas Distribution Segment

Natural gas distribution segment net income increased $0.3 million (or $0.10 per share) primarily reflecting higher margin and lower pension expense, partially offset by higher operations and maintenance expense.

Margin increased $0.5 million reflecting customer growth and new rates in Washington.

Operations and maintenance expense increased $1.7 million as a result of higher information technology costs, expenses mainly from contractor labor for safety and reliability projects, and professional service fees.

Depreciation and general taxes collectively increased by $0.7 million due to additional capital investments in the distribution system. In addition, we placed two significant information technology projects into service in September 2022.

Other income, net reflected a benefit of $2.5 million primarily from lower pension expense.

Other

Other net income increased $0.8 million reflecting $1.9 million higher net income from NW Natural’s other activities driven by increased asset management revenues. In addition, NW Natural Holding’s other businesses reported lower net income of $1.1 million primarily from higher interest expense.

YEAR-TO-DATE RESULTS

The following financial comparisons are for the first nine months of 2022 and 2021 with individual year-over-year drivers below presented on an after-tax basis using a statutory tax rate of 26.5% unless otherwise noted.

NW Natural Holdings’ year-to-date results are summarized by business segment in the table below:

Natural Gas Distribution Segment

Natural Gas Distribution segment net income increased $3.3 million (or $0.02 per share) primarily reflecting new rates in Washington as a result of a general rate case, which was effective beginning Nov. 1, 2021. Earnings per share was affected by a 2.9 million common share issuance on April 1, 2022.

Margin increased $6.6 million reflecting new rates in Washington and customer growth, which collectively contributed $4.9 million. In addition, margin increased $1.7 million due to higher usage from colder comparative weather, net of the loss from the Oregon gas cost incentive sharing mechanism. Weather was 3% warmer than average weather for the first nine months of 2022, compared to 12% warmer than average weather for the same period in 2021.

Operations and maintenance expense increased $8.2 million as a result of higher contractor labor for safety and reliability projects, expenses related to information technology maintenance and support, amortization expense related to cloud-computing arrangements, and professional service fees.

Depreciation and general taxes increased $1.5 million as we continue to invest in our natural gas utility system.

Other income, net increased $6.4 million driven by lower pension costs primarily related to higher returns and lower interest costs.

Other

Other net income decreased $3.1 million (or $0.12 per share) reflecting $1.6 million lower net income from NW Natural’s other activities driven by asset management revenues from a February 2021 cold weather event that did not recur. In addition, NW Natural Holding’s other businesses reported lower net income of $1.5 million primarily from higher interest expense.

February 2021 Winter Weather Event

In February 2021, NW Natural experienced a severe winter storm in its service territory. To meet expected demand, we purchased additional natural gas supplies at higher than anticipated prices. However, our third-party marketer provided incremental asset management revenues, which more than offset the cost of the incremental gas purchases. The effect of these transactions resulted in a net benefit to shareholders of $2.8 million from the combined effect of $4.6 million of asset management revenues reflected in NW Natural’s other segment offset by lower utility margin from a $1.8 million of loss on the Oregon gas cost incentive sharing mechanism.

BALANCE SHEET AND CASH FLOWS

During the first nine months of 2022, the Company generated $166.0 million in operating cash flows, compared to $181.7 million for the same period in 2021. The Company used $257.0 million in investing activities during the first nine months of 2022 primarily for natural gas utility capital expenditures, compared to $203.5 million used in investing activities during the same period in 2021. Net cash provided by financing activities was $184.2 million for the first nine months of 2022, compared to $14.0 million used in financing activities during the same period in 2021. As of September 30, 2022, NW Natural Holdings held cash of $108.6 million.

2022 GUIDANCE AND LONG-TERM TARGETS

NW Natural Holdings reaffirmed 2022 earnings guidance in the range of $2.45 to $2.65 per share. This guidance assumes continued customer growth, average weather conditions, and no significant changes in prevailing regulatory policies, mechanisms, or outcomes, or significant local, state or federal laws, legislation or regulations. NW Natural Holdings reaffirmed its long-term earnings per share growth rate target of 4% to 6% compounded annually from 2022 through 2027.

DIVIDEND DECLARED

The board of directors of NW Natural Holdings declared a quarterly dividend of 48.50 cents per share on the Company’s common stock. The dividend is payable on Nov. 15, 2022 to shareholders of record on Oct. 31, 2022. The Company’s current indicated annual dividend rate is $1.94 per share. Future dividends are subject to board of director discretion and approval.

CONFERENCE CALL AND WEBCAST

As previously announced, NW Natural Holdings will host a conference call and webcast today to discuss its third quarter 2022 financial and operating results.

The call will also be webcast in a listen-only format for the media and general public and can be accessed at ir.nwnaturalholdings.com. A replay of the conference call will be available on our website and by dialing 1-866-813-9403 (U.S.), 1-226-828-7578 (Canada), and +44-204-525-0658 (international). The replay access code is 664421.

ABOUT NW NATURAL HOLDINGS

Northwest Natural Holding Company (NYSE: NWN) (NW Natural Holdings) is headquartered in Portland, Oregon and has been doing business for over 160 years in the Pacific Northwest. It owns NW Natural Gas Company (NW Natural), NW Natural Water Company (NW Natural Water), NW Natural Renewables Holdings (NW Natural Renewables), and other business interests. We have a longstanding commitment to safety, environmental stewardship and the energy transition, and taking care of our employees and communities.

NW Natural is a local distribution company that currently provides natural gas service to approximately 2.5 million people in more than 140 communities through more than 790,000 meters in Oregon and Southwest Washington with one of the most modern pipeline systems in the nation. NW Natural consistently leads the industry with high J.D. Power & Associates customer satisfaction scores. NW Natural owns and operates 21 Bcf of underground gas storage capacity in Oregon.

NW Natural Water provides water distribution and wastewater services to communities throughout the Pacific Northwest, Texas and Arizona. NW Natural Water serves 150,000 people through approximately 61,000 connections. Learn more about our water business at nwnaturalwater.com.

Additional information is available at nwnaturalholdings.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release, and other presentations made by NW Holdings from time to time, may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements can be identified by words such as “anticipates,” “assumes,” “intends,” “plans,” “seeks,” “believes,” “estimates,” “expects” and similar references to future periods. Examples of forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the following: plans, objectives, assumptions, estimates, expectations, timing, goals, strategies, commitments, future events, investments, timing and amount of capital expenditures, targeted capital structure, risks, risk profile, stability, acquisitions and timing, approval, completion and integration thereof, the likelihood and success associated with any transaction, utility system and infrastructure investments, system modernization, reliability and resiliency, global, national and local economies, customer and business growth, customer satisfaction ratings, weather, performance and service during weather events, customer rates or rate recovery and the timing and magnitude of potential rate changes and the potential outcome of rate cases, environmental remediation cost recoveries, environmental initiatives, decarbonization and the role of natural gas and the gas delivery system, including decarbonization goals and timelines, energy efficiency measures, use of renewable sources, renewable natural gas purchases, projects, investments and other renewable initiatives and timing, magnitude and completion thereof, unregulated renewable natural gas strategy and initiatives, renewable hydrogen projects or investments and timing, magnitude, approvals and completion thereof, procurement of renewable natural gas or hydrogen for customers, technology and policy innovations, strategic goals and visions, the water and wastewater acquisition and investment strategy and financial effects of water and wastewater acquisitions, diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, operating plans of third parties, financial results, including estimated income, availability and sources of liquidity, expenses, positions, revenues, returns, cost of capital, timing, and earnings, earnings guidance and estimated future growth rates, future dividends, commodity costs and sourcing asset management activities, performance, timing, outcome, or effects of regulatory proceedings or mechanisms or approvals, including OPUC approval of the Oregon general rate case settlements, regulatory prudence reviews, anticipated regulatory actions or filings, accounting treatment of future events, effects of legislation or changes in laws or regulations, effects, extent, severity and duration of COVID-19, including variants and subvariants, and resulting economic disruption, the impact of mitigating factors and other efforts to mitigate risks posed by its spread, ability of our workforce, customers or suppliers to operate or conduct business, COVID-19 financial impact, expenses, cost savings measures and cost recovery including through regulatory deferrals and the timing and magnitude thereof, impact on capital projects, governmental actions and timing thereof, and other statements that are other than statements of historical facts.

Forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and assumptions regarding its business, the economy, geopolitical factors, and other future conditions. Because forward-looking statements relate to the future, they are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict. Actual results may differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements. You are therefore cautioned against relying on any of these forward-looking statements. They are neither statements of historical fact nor guarantees or assurances of future operational, economic or financial performance. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements are discussed by reference to the factors described in Part I, Item 1A “Risk Factors”, and Part II, Item 7 and Item 7A “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure about Market Risk” in the most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and in Part I, Items 2 and 3 “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk”, and Part II, Item 1A, “Risk Factors”, in the quarterly reports filed thereafter, which, among others, outline legal, regulatory and legislative risks, COVID-19 risks, growth and strategic risks, operational risks, and environmental risks.

All forward-looking statements made in this report and all subsequent forward-looking statements, whether written or oral and whether made by or on behalf of NW Holdings or NW Natural, are expressly qualified by these cautionary statements. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which such statement is made, and NW Holdings and NW Natural undertake no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise, except as may be required by law. New factors emerge from time to time and it is not possible to predict all such factors, nor can it assess the impact of each such factor or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements.

Contacts

Investor Contact:
Nikki Sparley

Phone: 503-721-2530

Email: nikki.sparley@nwnatural.com

Media Contact:
David Roy

Phone: 503-610-7157

Email: david.roy@nwnatural.com

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