MDU Resources Announces Second Quarter 2025 Results; Updates Guidance
Solid performance in the pipeline segment driven by higher transportation revenue
Electric utility and natural gas distribution customer base achieves combined targeted growth rate at 1.4% year-over-year
Data centers drive higher electric retail sales volumes
2025 earnings guidance narrowed: $0.88 to $0.95 per share
Long-term EPS guidance remains unchanged with an expected growth rate of 6%-8%
BISMARCK, N.D., Aug. 7, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- MDU Resources Group, Inc. (NYSE:MDU) today announced second quarter financial results for 2025, with sustained momentum in the pipeline segment and regulatory progress supporting the company's long-term value proposition as a pure-play regulated energy delivery business.
"We continued our solid start to 2025, despite weather and operating cost challenges that impacted the second quarter results," said Nicole A. Kivisto, president and CEO of MDU Resources. "We continue to invest in infrastructure, including customer driven growth projects at our pipeline, and advance prudent rate proceedings across multiple jurisdictions."
The following summarizes the company's results for the three and six months ended June 30, for 2024 and 2025:
Three Months Ended June 30:
Six Months Ended June 30:
2025
2024
2025
2024
(In millions, except per share amounts)
Net income
$ 13.7
$ 60.4
$ 95.7
$ 161.3
Earnings per share, diluted
$ .07
$ .30
$ .47
$ .79
Income from continuing operations
$ 14.1
$ 20.2
$ 96.6
$ 95.0
Earnings per share from continuing operations, diluted
$ .07
$ .10
$ .47
$ .47
On Oct. 31, 2024, MDU Resources successfully completed the spinoff of Everus, which became an independent, publicly-traded company. Prior period results have been restated to reflect the spinoff. Everus' historical results of operations and certain costs associated with the spinoffare reported as discontinued operations.
"We've narrowed our full-year earnings guidance, reflecting our view midway through the year," Kivisto added. "Weather conditions and operation and maintenance expense impacted our second quarter results; however, we remain confident in our ability to execute on our long-term growth strategy. We believe our operational focus and financial discipline continue to position us well for delivering safe and reliable energy, customer value and strong stockholder returns."
Electric Utility SegmentRate Relief and Higher Retail Sales Volumes Offset by Increased Operation and Maintenance Expense
Retail sales volumes increased 12.0%, driven by data center demand
Continued customer growth
Operation and maintenance costs increased due to higher payroll-related costs and a planned outage
The electric utility segment earned $10.4 million in the second quarter of 2025, compared to $15.5 million in the second quarter of 2024. Higher payroll-related costs and a net of tax expense of $1.6 million in second quarter of 2025 for a planned outage at Coyote Station, contributed to increased operation and maintenance expense. These were partially offset by increased commercial sales volumes—notably from data center load—and rate relief in South Dakota.
Electric Utility Regulatory Update:
North Dakota: Filed an application for Advanced Determination of Prudence and a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity for a 49% ownership interest in the Badger Wind Project, hearing is scheduled for Sept. 9, 2025
Wyoming: Filed a General Rate Case requesting a $7.5 million annual increase, anticipated to be effective May 1, 2026
Montana: An electric general rate case filing is planned for later this year
Natural Gas Distribution SegmentRegulatory Gains Offset by Increased Operation and Maintenance Expense and Unfavorable Weather
Increased operation and maintenance expense due to higher payroll-related expenses
Volumes declined due to warmer temperatures
Rate relief in Washington and Montana partially offset seasonal losses
Natural gas retail customer count increased 1.5% year-over-year
The natural gas distribution segment reported a seasonal second quarter loss of $7.4 million, compared to a $5.0 million loss in the same period last year, mainly due to higher operation and maintenance expense primarily related to increased payroll-related expenses. Warmer weather year-over-year was a key challenge—particularly in Idaho. The company benefited from newly implemented rates in Washington and interim rates in Montana, and transportation revenue growth.
Natural Gas Distribution Segment Regulatory Update:
Idaho: Filed a General Rate Case requesting $26.5 million annually with a requested effective date of Jan. 1, 2026
Montana: Filed a settlement agreement of $7.3 million annually, pending Montana Public Service Commission approval; interim rates in effect since Feb. 1, 2025
Washington: A revision to rates submitted on April 30, 2025, related to projects that were not placed in service, reducing revenue by $3.7 million, effective June 1, 2025
Wyoming: Reached a settlement agreement requesting $2.1 million annually, pending formal approval
Pipeline SegmentGrowth Projects Offset by Increased Operation and Maintenance Expense and Absence of a Customer Settlement
Increased transportation revenue
Continued strong customer demand for short-term firm transportation capacity
Higher operation and maintenance expense due to payroll-related costs
The pipeline segment had a strong second quarter, with earnings of $15.4 million, demonstrating consistent year-over-year performance, absent proceeds of $1.5 million, net of tax, from a customer settlement in the second quarter of 2024. Recent expansion projects placed in-service, including the Wahpeton Expansion, were key drivers in demand growth.
Pipeline Segment Strategic Project Updates:
Minot Expansion Project: Construction began in May 2025 and will add approximately seven million cubic feet of natural gas transportation capacity per day. The project is expected to be in-service in the fourth quarter of this year.
Bakken East Project: The company is continuing negotiations with interested parties on construction of an approximately 350 mile pipeline from western North Dakota to eastern North Dakota. The focus is on project timing and volumes to determine the feasibility of the project. The company is actively working with landowners to conduct environmental and civil surveys along the potential route.
Baker Storage and Transportation Expansion: A binding open season for this proposed project concluded in May 2025. The company is reviewing results and based on initial feedback is evaluating a smaller project to align with the customer interest received in the open season.
The company continues to pursue several additional growth projects that are in various stages of development.
GuidanceMDU Resources is narrowing guidance, reflecting midyear performance and impacts from weather, and now expects earnings per share of $0.88 to $0.95, based on the following assumptions:
Normal weather, economic and operating conditions
Continued growth in utility customers at 1%–2% annually
No equity issuances in 2025
Successful execution of approved capital investment and rate recovery plans
Conference CallMDU Resources' management will discuss on a webcast at 2 p.m. ET today the company's second quarter results. The webcast can be accessed at www.mdu.com under the "Investors" heading. Select "Events & Presentations," and click on "Q2 2025 Earnings Conference Call." After the webcast, a replay will be available at the same location.
About MDU Resources Group, Inc.MDU Resources Group Inc., a member of the S&P SmallCap 600 index, strives to provide safe, reliable, affordable and environmentally responsible electric utility and natural gas distribution services to more than 1.2 million customers across the Pacific Northwest and Midwest. In addition to its utility operations, the company's pipeline business operates a more than 3,800-mile natural gas pipeline network and storage system, working to provide reliable energy delivery across the Northern Plains. With a legacy spanning over a century, MDU Resources remains focused on energizing lives for a better tomorrow. For more information about MDU Resources, visit www.mdu.com or contact the investor relations department at
Investor Contact: Brent Miller, treasurer, 701-530-1730Media Contact: Byron Pfordte, director of integrated communications, 208-377-6050
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking StatementsThis news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws. Other than statements of historical facts, all statements which address activities, events or developments that the company anticipates will or may occur in the future are based on underlying assumptions (many of which are based, in turn, upon further assumptions), including but not limited to, statements identified by the words "anticipates," "estimates," "expects," "intends," "plans," and "predicts," in each case related to such things as growth estimates, stockholder value creation, the company's "CORE" strategy, capital expenditures, financial guidance, trends, objectives, goals, dividend payout ratio targets, strategies and other such matters, are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based on many assumptions and factors, which are detailed in the company's filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
While made in good faith, these forward-looking statements are based largely on the company's expectations and judgments and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are unforeseeable and beyond the company's control. For additional discussion regarding risks and uncertainties that may affect forward-looking statements, see "Risk Factors" disclosed in the company's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, and subsequent filings. Any changes in such assumptions or factors could produce significantly different results. Undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date they are made. Except as required by applicable law, the company undertakes no obligation to update the forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
Consolidated Statements of Income
Three Months Ended
Six Months Ended
June 30,
June 30,
2025
2024
2025
2024
(In millions, except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)
Operating revenues
$ 351.2
$ 344.5
$ 1,026.0
$ 932.7
Operating expenses:
Operation and maintenance
112.8
100.0
223.9
207.5
Purchased natural gas sold
96.0
94.6
413.2
353.2
Electric fuel and purchased power
34.9
36.7
78.6
76.4
Depreciation and amortization
51.8
49.7
103.1
99.5
Taxes, other than income
25.3
24.0
64.0
59.9
Total operating expenses
320.8
305.0
882.8
796.5
Operating income
30.4
39.5
143.2
136.2
Other income
9.9
10.4
14.9
22.2
Interest expense
25.4
26.5
52.2
52.9
Income before income taxes
14.9
23.4
105.9
105.5
Income tax expense
.8
3.2
9.3
10.5
Income from continuing operations
14.1
20.2
96.6
95.0
Discontinued operations, net of tax
(.4)
40.2
(.9)
66.3
Net income
$ 13.7
$ 60.4
$ 95.7
$ 161.3
Earnings per share, basic:
Income from continuing operations
$ .07
$ .10
$ .47
$ .47
Discontinued operations, net of tax
—
.20
—
.32
Earnings per share, basic
$ .07
$ .30
$ .47
$ .79
Earnings per share, diluted:
Income from continuing operations
$ .07
$ .10
$ .47
$ .47
Discontinued operations, net of tax
—
.20
—
.32
Earnings per share, diluted
$ .07
$ .30
$ .47
$ .79
Weighted average common shares outstanding, basic
204.3
203.9
204.2
203.8
Weighted average common shares outstanding, diluted
205.2
204.6
205.1
204.4
Selected Cash Flows Information1
Six Months Ended
