MDU Resources Group Inc. MDU reported third-quarter 2021 operating earnings of 68 cents per share, which missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 79 cents by 13.9%. The same declined 10.5% from the year-ago level of 76 cents.

Total Revenues

Total revenues came in at $1,586 million, down 0.1% from $1,587.3 million in the year-ago quarter.
 

Operating revenues in the electric, natural gas distribution and regulated pipeline improved 12.9% from the prior-year quarter’s level to $237.1 million. Revenues in non-regulated pipeline, construction materials and contracting, construction services and other segments slid 2.1% from the year-ago quarter’s level to $1,348.9 million.

Highlights of the Release

For the quarter under review, operating expenses of $1,396.8 million increased 1% from the prior-year period’s $1,383.6 million.

Operating income was $189.2 million, down 7.1% year over year.

The company’s interest expenses of $23.4 million were down 1.3% from $23.7 million in the prior-year quarter.

As of Sep 30, 2021, the construction services business had a backlog of $1.27 billion compared to $1.28 billion on Sep 30, 2020.

As of Sep 30, 2021, the construction materials business had a backlog of $652 million, up from $571 million year over year.

Financial Highlights

Cash and cash equivalents as of Sep 30, 2021 were $57.2 million compared with $59.5 million at 2020 end.

Long-term debt amounted to $2,326.7 million as of Sep 30, 2021 compared with $2,211.6 million on Dec 31, 2020.

The company’s net cash provided by operating activities in the first three quarters of 2021 was $365.8 million compared with $481.8 million in the comparable period of 2020.

Guidance

MDU Resources adjusted its 2021 earnings per share guidance to $1.90-$2.05 from the prior expectation of $2-$2.15. This estimate is based on several assumptions, of which worth mentioning are normal weather and a continued addition to the electric and natural gas customer base at 1-2% rate, annually.

In the long term, the utility expects earnings to grow 5-8% on an annual basis.

It reduced its investment plans to $775 million from $806 million in the ongoing year.

Zacks Rank

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

Peer Releases

ONEOK Inc OKE posted third-quarter 2021 operating earnings of 88 cents per share, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 83 cents by 6%

ONE Gas Inc. OGS reported third-quarter 2021 earnings of 38 cents per share, on par with the Zacks Consensus Estimate.

Upcoming Release

Atmos Energy Corporation ATO is scheduled to release fourth-quarter fiscal 2021 operating earnings on Nov 10. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the same is pegged at 37 cents per share.

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