North Western Energy (NWE) Misses Q4 Earnings Estimates

North Western Energy (NYSE:NWE) reported fourth-quarter 2017 operating earnings of 98 cents per share, which missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.02 by 3.9%.

However, earnings improved 7.7% from 91 cents in the year-ago quarter.

In 2017, GAAP earnings were $3.34 per share, down 5 cents from $3.39 in the year-ago quarter. Non-GAAP earnings were $3.30, at the lower end of guidance.

Total Revenues

North Western Energy’s total revenues were $344.5 million, up 4.2% from $330.5 million in fourth-quarter 2016.

Highlights of the Release

Total operating expenses rose 3.6% year over year to $164.5 million. Increase in expenses was caused by higher maintenance costs at Dave Gates Generating Station & Colstrip Unit 4 and bad debt expenses.

Interest expenses amounted to $22.3 million, down 2.9% from the year-ago quarter.

Operating income totaled $71 million, up 10.8% year over year.

Financial Update

In 2017, total net liquidity was $88.9 million, down 14.7% from the year-ago quarter. This includes cash of $8.5 million and available revolving credit facility of $80.4 million.

The company announced that it has raised the quarterly dividend payment by 4.8% to 55 cents per share. The dividend is payable on Mar 30, to shareholders of record as of Mar 15.

Guidance

North Western Energy reiterated 2018 earnings in the range of $3.35-$3.50 per share.

Zacks Rank

North Western Energy has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).

You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

Peer Releases

American Electric Power (NYSE:AEP) reported fourth-quarter 2017 operating earnings of 85 cents per share, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 81 cents by 4.9%.

NextEra Energy (NYSE:NEE) reported fourth-quarter 2017 adjusted earnings of $1.25 per share, which lagged the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.31 by 4.6%.

Dominion Energy (NYSE:D) reported fourth-quarter 2017 operating earnings of 91 cents per share, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 88 cents by 3.4%.

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