MDU Resources Group Inc. MDU reported fourth-quarter 2021 operating earnings per share (EPS) of 42 cents, which missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 55 cents by 23.6%. The bottom line narrowed 25% from the year-ago earnings of 56 cents per share. MDU Resources’ 2021 EPS were $1.87, down 4.1% from $1.95 in 2020.Total RevenuesTotal revenues came in at $1,443.1million, up 4.18% from $1,385.2 million in the year-ago quarter.MDU Resources Group, Inc. Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise MDU Resources Group, Inc. price-consensus-eps-surprise-chart | MDU Resources Group, Inc. QuoteOperating revenues in the electric, natural gas distribution and regulated pipeline improved 18.8% from the prior-year quarter’s level to $450.3 million. Revenues in the non-regulated pipeline, construction materials and contracting, construction services and other segments slid 1.3% from the year-ago quarter’s level to $992.8 million.Highlights of the ReleaseTotal operating expenses for the fourth quarter amounted to $1,320.9 million, up 6.6% from the year-ago quarter’s $1,239.3 million, due to an increase in operation and maintenance expenses by 1.3% along with the higher manufacturing cost.Operating income for the reported quarter was down 16.2% year over year to $122.2 million.MDU Resources’ interest expenses of $23.8 million were up 1.7% from $23.4 million in the prior-year quarter.As of Dec 31, 2021, the construction services business had a backlog of $1.38 billion compared with $1.27 billion on Dec 31, 2020.As of Dec 31, 2021, the construction materials business had a backlog of $708 million, up from $673 million year over year.Financial HighlightsCash and cash equivalents as of Dec 31, 2021, were $54.2 million compared with $59.6 million at the 2020 end.Total debt amounted to $2,742 million as of Dec 31, 2021, compared with $2,263 million on Dec 31, 2020.MDU Resources’ net cash provided by operating activities was $495.8 million in 2021, down 35.5%, compared with $768.4 million in 2020.GuidanceMDU Resources initiated 2022 earnings guidance in the range of $2.00-$2.15 per share. This estimate is based on several assumptions, of which worth mentioning are normal weather and continued addition to the electric and natural gas customer base at a 1-2% rate annually.In the long term, the utility reiterated EPS to grow 5-8% on an annual basis.MDU Resources plans to invest $726 million in 2022 and $3,044 million for five years from 2022 to 2026.Capital spending was associated with a focus on infrastructure development, grid safety, reliability and resiliency.Zacks RankMDU Resources currently has a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell).You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.Upcoming ReleasesEntergy Corp. ETR is slated to report fourth-quarter 2021 earnings on Feb 23 before market open. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the fourth quarter’s EPS is pegged at 68 cents.Entergy’s long-term (three to five years) earnings growth is currently pegged at 1%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for ETR’s 2022 earnings implies year-over-year growth of 5.85%.ONE Gas Inc. OGS is slated to report fourth-quarter 2021 earnings on Feb 23 after market close. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the fourth quarter’s EPS is pegged at $1.12.ONE Gas’ long-term earnings growth is currently pegged at 5%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for OGS’s 2022 earnings implies year-over-year growth of 5.9%.Sempra Energy SRE is slated to report fourth-quarter 2021 earnings on Feb 25 before market open. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the fourth quarter’s EPS is pegged at $2.02.Sempra Energy’s long-term earnings growth is currently pegged at 5.28%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for SRE’s 2022 earnings implies year-over-year growth of 1.65%. 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops." Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +25.4% per year. So be sure to give these hand-picked 7 your immediate attention. See them now >>Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Sempra Energy (SRE): Free Stock Analysis Report Entergy Corporation (ETR): Free Stock Analysis Report MDU Resources Group, Inc. (MDU): Free Stock Analysis Report ONE Gas, Inc. (OGS): Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here.