NWN - NW Natural Holdings Reports Second Quarter and Year-to-Date 2019 Results

PORTLAND, Aug. 06, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Northwest Natural Holding Company, (NYSE: NWN) (NW Natural Holdings), reported financial results and highlights for the second quarter of 2019 including:

• Earned net income of $0.07 per share from continuing operations for the second quarter of 2019, compared to a loss of $0.01 per share for 2018
  
  
• Reported year-to-date earnings of $1.56 per share from continuing operations and adjusted earnings¹ of $1.79 per share for 2019, compared to earnings of $1.45 per share from continuing operations for 2018
  
  
• Added more than 12,400 natural gas meters over the last 12 months equating to a 1.7% growth rate
  
  
• Placed our North Mist gas storage expansion into service and began providing storage service
  
  
• Closed Sunriver water utility and wastewater transaction adding 9,400 connections to the water platform
  
  
• Reached an all-party settlement on key items in the Washington general rate case
  
  
• Reaffirmed 2019 GAAP earnings guidance from continuing operations in the range of $2.02 to $2.22 per share. Excluding a regulatory pension disallowance, reaffirmed 2019 earnings guidance from continuing operations on a non-GAAP basis¹ in the range of $2.25 to $2.45 per share

"The Company continues to perform well," said David H. Anderson, president and CEO of NW Natural Holdings. "We placed the North Mist gas storage facility into service in May and closed our largest water and wastewater transaction to-date on May 31."

For the second quarter of 2019, net income from continuing operations increased $2.4 million to $2.1 million (or $0.07 per share), compared to a net loss from continuing operations of $0.3 million (or $0.01 per share) for the same period in 2018. Results reflected higher margin from new natural gas rates in Oregon, customer growth, and lower environmental remediation expenses, partially offset by lower other income.

Year-to-date net income from continuing operations increased $3.8 million to $45.5 million (or $1.56 per share), compared to $41.7 million (or $1.45 per share) for the same period in 2018. Results reflected higher margin due to new natural gas rates in Oregon and customer growth. This was partially offset by a regulatory pension disallowance from the final order in the Oregon general rate case, higher operations and maintenance expense, and lower other income.

Excluding the regulatory pension disallowance, on a non-GAAP basis¹ adjusted year-to-date net income from continuing operations was $52.1 million (or $1.79 per share) or an increase of $10.4 million compared to net income from continuing operations for the same period in 2018. Results reflected higher margin from new natural gas rates in Oregon and customer growth. This was partially offset by higher operations and maintenance expense and lower other income.

KEY INITIATIVES

North Mist Expansion Project
NW Natural's North Mist facility was placed into service in May 2019. The $149 million facility began earning revenues under an established tariff when it was placed into service. The project is designed to provide long-term, no-notice underground gas storage service to support gas-fired electric generating facilities that enable the integration of wind power into the region's electric generation mix. The North Mist service allows the local electric company to draw on the facility to meet its fueling needs and rapidly respond to natural variability in wind generation.

Water Utilities and Acquisitions
NW Natural Holdings' subsidiary, NW Natural Water Company, LLC (NW Natural Water), closed its largest acquisition to-date in May adding 9,400 water and wastewater connections that serve approximately 20,000 people in Sunriver, Oregon.  NW Natural Water currently serves about 45,000 people through approximately 17,700 connections in the Pacific Northwest with total investments of nearly $70 million. Several smaller acquisitions are pending as we continue to tuck in additional systems close to our existing footprint. Aggregate acquisitions are projected to be accretive to NW Natural Holdings’ earnings per share in the first full year of operations. While ongoing operations are not expected to have an immediately material impact on earnings, the acquisitions mark the Company's continued commitment to building a water platform and are intended to provide investors with a risk profile that is similar to NW Natural's regulated gas utility.

Washington Rate Case
On Dec. 31, 2018, NW Natural filed a request for a general rate increase with the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission (WUTC). Approximately 10% of NW Natural’s revenues are derived from its Washington customers. This is NW Natural’s first Washington rate case in a decade with an increase of $8.3 million in annual revenue requirement originally requested. In addition, NW Natural requested the net Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) related benefits be provided to customers, and the adoption of a decoupling and environmental remediation mechanism.

On May 23, 2019, NW Natural and other parties filed two settlements with the WUTC: an all-party settlement resolving all issues in the rate case except the proposed decoupling mechanism and a settlement with all parties except the Public Counsel Unit of the Washington Attorney General related to the adoption of a decoupling mechanism.

Under the all-party settlement, NW Natural's revenue requirement would increase $5.1 million based on a capital structure of 50% long-term debt, 1% short-term debt, and 49% common equity; a return on equity of 9.4%; cost of capital of 7.161%; and rate base of $173.7 million or an increase of $45.9 million since the last rate case. Net TCJA related benefits would be provided to customers with an initial rate reduction of $2.1 million in the first year and continuing annual rate reductions of approximately $0.5 million thereafter.

The settlements await review and approval by the WUTC. The all-party settlement requests that new rates take effect Nov. 1, 2019.

Renewable Natural Gas Legislation
In July, Senate Bill 98 (SB98) was signed into law enabling natural gas utilities to procure or develop renewable natural gas (RNG) on behalf of their Oregon customers. Renewable natural gas is produced from organic materials like food, agricultural and forestry waste, wastewater, or landfills. Methane is captured from these local organic materials as they decompose and conditioned to pipeline quality, so they can be added into the existing natural gas system thereby reducing the carbon content of the energy supply. Senate Bill 98 supports all forms of renewable natural gas including renewable hydrogen.

“We're proud to collaborate with policymakers and thankful for the leadership of Governor Kate Brown, her staff and multiple stakeholders on this groundbreaking legislation that is the first of its kind in the nation,” said David H. Anderson. “This law is an important step as we continue addressing climate change with pragmatic solutions that support our region’s move to more renewable energy, close the loop on waste, and invest in the communities we serve.”

SB98 outlines the following parameters for the RNG program including: setting out broad targets for gas utilities to add as much as 30% of RNG into the state's pipeline system by 2050; allowing gas utilities to invest in RNG infrastructure for the production, processing, pipeline interconnection and distribution of RNG to its customers; and creating a limit of 5% of a utility's revenue requirement that can be used to cover the incremental cost of RNG.

The OPUC and Oregon gas utilities will participate in a rulemaking process for the bill, which is expected to conclude with the OPUC adopting rules by July 31, 2020.

SECOND QUARTER RESULTS
The following financial comparisons are between results for the second quarter of 2019 and 2018 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' second quarter results are summarized by business segment in the table below:

Natural Gas Distribution Segment
Natural Gas Distribution net income was $1.2 million (or $0.04 per share) for 2019, compared to a net loss of $3.0 million (or $0.10 per share) for 2018. Net income increased $4.2 million reflecting a full quarter of higher rates under the Oregon general rate case, customer growth and lower environmental remediation expenses, partially offset by higher interest and lower other income.

Margin increased $8.3 million largely due to higher rates in Oregon as well as growth of 1.7% over the last 12 months, which collectively contributed $4.6 million to margin. In addition, margin increased $1.6 million as the North Mist expansion project began providing storage services in May 2019. Finally, lower environmental expenditures coupled with warmer weather on a net basis contributed $2.2 million.

Other income, net decreased $2.1 million primarily due to higher pension expense in 2019 as we began collecting Oregon pension expenses through rates beginning Nov. 1, 2018 and lower allowance for funds used during construction (AFUDC) equity interest as the North Mist expansion project was placed into service in May 2019.

Interest expense increased $1.2 million primarily from higher commercial paper balances and lower AFUDC debt interest as the North Mist expansion project was placed into service in May 2019.

Other
Other net income decreased $1.8 million (or $0.06 per share) reflecting lower asset management revenues from our Mist gas storage facility and higher non-operating expenses associated with developing the water business.

YEAR-TO-DATE RESULTS

Results for the First Six Months of 2019
The following financial comparisons are between the first six months of 2019 and the same period in 2018 with individual year-over-year drivers below presented on an after-tax basis using a statutory tax rate of 26.5% unless otherwise noted. Non-GAAP financial measures exclude the effects of the regulatory pension disallowance in 2019 as these adjusted metrics provide a clearer view of operations, reflect how Management views financial results, and provide comparability to prior year results. See "Reconciliation to GAAP" for a detailed reconciliation of adjusted amounts.

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 $5.5 million (or $0.17 per share). Results were affected by a $6.6 million after-tax disallowance of costs in the pension balancing account as ordered in the Oregon general rate case in March 2019. Excluding the effects of this disallowance, net income increased $12.1 million reflecting the first six months of higher rates under the Oregon general rate case and customer growth, partially offset by higher operations and maintenance expense and a decline in other income.

Margin increased $22.9 million largely due to higher rates in Oregon as well as growth of 1.7% over the last 12 months, which collectively contributed $13.9 million. The North Mist expansion began providing storage services in May 2019 and contributed $1.6 million, and higher fee revenue from interruptible customers as a result of system restrictions contributed $1.1 million net of losses from the gas cost incentive sharing mechanism. Colder weather in the first quarter of 2019 also provided a benefit to margin. Weather was 2% warmer than average for 2019, compared to 11% warmer than average for 2018. Finally, as a result of the March order, margin increased $5.2 million with no significant effect to net income as offsetting adjustments were recognized through expenses and income taxes.

Operations and maintenance expense increased $8.3 million reflecting $0.7 million of higher compensation and benefits expense and $2.8 million of expense related to the disallowance of costs in the pension balancing account. In addition, as a result of the March order, $4.8 million of costs were recognized with no significant effect to net income due to offsetting adjustments in margin and income taxes.

Depreciation expense increased $1.4 million related to higher property, plant, and equipment as we continue to invest in our natural gas utility system and facilities.

Other income, net decreased $12.0 million primarily due to $4.9 million of expense related to the disallowance of costs in the pension balancing account and $3.6 million of higher pension expense as we began collecting Oregon pension expenses through rates beginning Nov. 1, 2018. As a result of beginning collections of the pension balancing account, $3.1 million of regulatory interest income was recognized related to the equity interest component of financing costs on the pension balancing account. In addition, also as a result of the March order, $5.8 million of costs were recognized with no significant effect to net income due to offsetting adjustments in margin and income taxes.

Interest expense increased $1.9 million primarily from higher commercial paper balances.

Tax expense reflected a $5.9 million benefit related to the amortization and application of deferrals from the March order; however, as this offset higher expense, there was no significant resulting effect on net income.

Other
Other net income decreased $1.7 million (or $0.06 per share) reflecting lower asset management revenues from our Mist gas storage facility and non-operating expenses associated with developing the water business.

BALANCE SHEET AND CASH FLOWS
During the first six months of 2019, the Company generated $155.1 million in operating cash flow and invested $90.5 million of capital expenditures in our natural gas distribution segment to support growth, safety, and technology and facility upgrades and $55.8 million for water acquisitions. Cash provided by financing activities was $46.5 million for the first six months of 2019 or an increase of $101.5 million compared to the same period in 2018. The increase was primarily due to issuing $175 million of long-term debt and 1.4 million shares of NW Natural Holdings common stock in June 2019, partially offset by repayments of short-term debt.

The Company continues to expect capital expenditures for 2019 to be in the range of $230 to $270 million to support gas utility customer growth and safety and reliability, as well as several projects. The total capital investment for the five-year period from 2019 to 2023 is expected to range from $850 to $950 million, with a majority of the investment supporting continued customer growth, natural gas distribution system maintenance and improvements, investments in a new headquarters building and technology, and utility gas storage facility maintenance.

2019 EARNINGS GUIDANCE
On March 1, 2019, NW Natural Holdings initiated 2019 earnings guidance from continuing operations in the range of $2.25 to $2.45 per share. As previously disclosed, this range did not incorporate a potential regulatory disallowance from an Oregon all-party settlement. On March 25, 2019, the OPUC issued an order requiring NW Natural to forego $10.5 million ($6.6 million after-tax or $0.23 per share) of costs associated with the pension balancing account. As a result of the disallowance, NW Natural Holdings' 2019 GAAP earnings guidance from continuing operations is expected to range from $2.02 to $2.22 per share. Excluding the pension disallowance on a non-GAAP basis, 2019 earnings guidance from continuing operations is expected to range from $2.25 to $2.45 per share.

This guidance assumes continued customer growth, average weather conditions, and no significant changes in prevailing regulatory policies, mechanisms, or outcomes, or significant laws or regulations. The expected sale of Gill Ranch and the related gain, and any operating results associated with it, are not included in this guidance range, as they are, and are expected to continue to be, reported as Discontinued Operations.

DIVIDEND DECLARED
In July 2019, NW Natural Holdings' Board of Directors declared a quarterly dividend of 47.5 cents per share on NW Natural Holdings' common stock. The dividend is payable on August 15, 2019 to shareholders of record on July 31, 2019, reflecting an annual indicated dividend rate of $1.90 per share.

CONFERENCE CALL AND WEBCAST
As previously announced, NW Natural Holdings will host a conference call and webcast today to discuss its second quarter 2019 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 nwnaturalholdings.com. A replay of the conference call will be available on our website and by dialing 1-877-344-7529 (U.S.), 1-855-669-9658 (Canada), and 1-412-317-0088 (international). The replay access code is 10133284.

ABOUT NW NATURAL HOLDINGS
Northwest Natural Holding Company, (NYSE: NWN) (NW Natural Holdings), is headquartered in Portland, Oregon, and through its subsidiaries has been doing business for 160 years in the Pacific Northwest. It owns NW Natural Gas Company (NW Natural), NW Natural Water Company, LLC (NW Natural Water), and other business interests and activities.

NW Natural is a local distribution company that currently provides natural gas service to approximately two million people in more than 140 communities through more than 750,000 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 has 20 Bcf of storage in Oregon with 4 Bcf supporting renewables. NW Natural Holdings’ subsidiaries own and operate 35 Bcf of underground gas storage capacity.

NW Natural Water currently provides water distribution service to approximately 45,000 people through 17,700 connections. To date, NW Natural Water has acquired seven water distribution utilities and a wastewater company with several additional acquisitions pending. Upon closing current outstanding transactions, cumulatively, NW Natural Water expects to have invested $70 million and serve nearly 47,000 people through approximately 18,300 connections in the Pacific Northwest. Additional information regarding our water business is available at nwnaturalwater.com.

Additional information is available at nwnaturalholdings.com.

Investor Contact:
Nikki Sparley
Phone: 503-721-2530
Email: n1s@nwnatural.com

Media Contact:
Melissa Moore
Phone: 503-220-2436
Email: msm@nwnatural.com

Forward-Looking Statements
This report, 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, timing, goals, strategies, future events, investments, capital expenditures, targeted capital structure, risks, risk profile, stability, acquisitions and integration thereof, dispositions and timing, completion and outcomes thereof, customer and business growth, customer satisfaction ratings, weather, customer rates or rate recovery, adoption of renewable energy and our ability to provide effective supporting resources, the future of RNG and RNG regulation, infrastructure availability and development, environmental remediation cost recoveries, gas storage development or costs or timing related thereto, the water utility strategy and the related pending water acquisitions, operating plans of third parties, financial results, including estimated income, liquidity, expenses, positions, revenues, returns, and earnings and earnings guidance, capital expenditures, dividends, performance, timing, outcome, or effects of regulatory proceedings or regulatory approvals, regulatory prudence reviews, effects of regulatory decisions or mechanisms, anticipated regulatory actions or filings, expectations, timing and treatment with respect to rate cases, recovery of pension expense or our pension balancing account, accounting treatment of future events, effects of changes in laws or regulations, including tax reform, 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 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.

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.

Presentation of Non-GAAP Results
In addition to presenting the results of operations and earnings amounts in total, certain financial measures exclude the regulatory pension disallowance in 2019, which is a non-GAAP financial measure. The Company presents net income and EPS excluding this item along with the GAAP measures to illustrate the magnitude of this item on ongoing business and operational results. Although the excluded amount is properly included in the determination of this item under GAAP, the Company believes the amount and nature of such an item makes period-to-period comparisons of operations difficult or potentially confusing. Financial measures are expressed in cents per share as these amounts reflect factors that directly impact earnings, including income taxes. All references to EPS are on the basis of diluted shares. The Company uses such non-GAAP financial measures to analyze financial performance because the Company believes they provide useful information to investors and creditors in evaluating the Company's financial condition and results of operations.