Financial Performance - Net income for 2024 was $281.1 million, a decrease of 32.2% from $414.7 million in 2023[2] - The company reported a net income of $55.2 million for Q4 2024, down from $170.7 million in Q4 2023, with income from continuing operations at $70.5 million compared to $136.2 million in the previous year[26] - Adjusted income from continuing operations for Q4 2024 was $70.5 million, an increase from $64.0 million in Q4 2023, while adjusted earnings per share rose to $0.34 from $0.31[26] - The natural gas distribution business reported a net income of $46.9 million for the full year, down from $48.5 million in 2023, primarily due to higher operation and maintenance expenses[32] - The Other segment's net income for the full year was $91.4 million, down 63% from $247.7 million in 2023, largely due to the absence of a prior year gain related to the tax-free exchange of retained shares in Knife River[39] Revenue and Earnings Growth - Regulated energy delivery earnings increased by 13.6% year-over-year, totaling $189.7 million[3] - The electric utility segment's earnings increased by 4.5% year-over-year, totaling $74.8 million[8] - The pipeline segment achieved record earnings of $68.0 million, up 45.0% year-over-year[8] - Operating revenues for the pipeline business increased by 19% to $211.8 million in 2024, compared to $177.6 million in 2023[34] - The pipeline business reported a 37% increase in operating income for the full year, reaching $94.5 million, up from $69.2 million in 2023[34] Capital Investment and Future Expectations - MDU Resources plans a capital investment of $533 million for 2025[11] - For 2025, the company expects earnings per share to be in the range of $0.88 to $0.98[11] - The company anticipates a long-term compound annual growth of 7% to 8% on utility rate base and 1% to 2% on customer growth annually[11] Operational Metrics - Record annual pipeline transportation volumes rose by 8.1% year-over-year[3] - The utility rate base grew by 6.8% year-over-year[3] - Transportation volumes for the pipeline business increased to 613.2 MMdk for the full year, compared to 567.2 MMdk in 2023[34] - The company experienced a 4% increase in retail sales volumes in the natural gas distribution segment, primarily driven by residential and commercial customers[31] Cost and Expense Management - Operating revenues for the electric business decreased by 7% to $99.0 million in Q4 2024, while total operating expenses fell by 8% to $78.3 million[27] - Costs attributable to strategic initiatives for 2024 amounted to $4.4 million, net of tax, compared to $1.1 million in Q4 2023[26] - The average cost of electric fuel and purchased power per kWh decreased to $0.021 in Q4 2024 from $0.027 in Q4 2023[27] - The average cost of natural gas per dk increased to $6.04 in Q4 2024 from $5.65 in Q4 2023[29] Asset and Equity Position - Total assets as of December 31, 2024, were $7,039 million, with total equity of $2,691 million and total debt of $2,293 million[42] - The book value per common share was $13.19, while the market price per common share was $18.02, reflecting a market value of 136.6% of book value[42] Corporate Actions - MDU Resources completed the spinoff of Everus Construction Group on October 31, 2024, reporting related results as discontinued operations[9] - The company completed the separations of Knife River and Everus into independent publicly-traded companies, impacting historical results shown in discontinued operations[36]

Core Insights - MDU Resources Group Inc. reported strong financial results for 2024, driven by regulated growth and key infrastructure projects following the spinoff of Everus Construction Group [1][2][7] Financial Performance - Net income for 2024 was $281.1 million, a decrease from $414.7 million in 2023 [2][7] - Earnings per share (diluted) dropped to $1.37 from $2.03 year-over-year [2][7] - Income from continuing operations was $181.1 million, down from $330.1 million in 2023 [2][7] - Adjusted income from continuing operations increased to $184.4 million from $150.8 million [2][7] Segment Performance Electric Utility Segment - Electric utility earnings rose by 4.5% year-over-year to $74.8 million [8][27] - Rate relief contributed an additional $7.1 million in revenue [8] - The segment faced challenges from lower volumes due to cooler weather and higher operational expenses [4][27] Natural Gas Distribution Segment - The natural gas distribution segment reported stable performance with net income of $29.4 million in Q4 2024, down from $30.5 million in Q4 2023 [30][31] - Higher retail sales volumes increased by 4.0%, primarily in residential and commercial sectors [30] - Rate relief in North Dakota and South Dakota supported revenue growth despite higher operational costs [30][31] Pipeline Segment - The pipeline segment achieved record annual results with net income of $68.0 million, a 45% increase from $46.9 million in 2023 [34] - Transportation volumes increased by 8.1% year-over-year, driven by new projects [7][34] - The segment benefited from strategic expansion projects and new Federal Energy Regulatory Commission approved rates [6][34] Regulatory Updates - Rate relief actions in North Dakota, South Dakota, and Montana contributed significantly to revenue increases [8][30] - The North Dakota Public Service Commission approved a settlement for an annual revenue increase of $9.4 million effective December 1, 2024 [8] Future Guidance - For 2025, the company expects earnings per share in the range of $0.88 to $0.98 [11] - Planned capital investment for 2025 is $533 million, with a long-term growth target of 7% to 8% on utility rate base [11][19]

Core Insights - MDU Resources (MDU) and Atmos Energy (ATO) are being compared for value investment opportunities, with MDU currently showing stronger potential for value investors [1][3]. Valuation Metrics - MDU has a forward P/E ratio of 17.87, while ATO has a forward P/E of 19.67, indicating MDU may be undervalued compared to ATO [5]. - MDU's PEG ratio is 2.62, compared to ATO's PEG ratio of 2.77, suggesting MDU has a more favorable earnings growth outlook relative to its valuation [5]. - MDU's P/B ratio is 1.17, while ATO's P/B ratio is 1.80, further supporting MDU's position as a more attractive investment based on valuation metrics [6]. Analyst Outlook - MDU has a Zacks Rank of 1 (Strong Buy) due to impressive earnings estimate revision activity, while ATO has a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy), indicating a more favorable analyst outlook for MDU [3][7]. - MDU's overall Value grade is B, whereas ATO's Value grade is D, reinforcing the conclusion that MDU is the superior option for value investors at this time [6][7].

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BISMARCK, N.D., Jan. 16, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- MDU Resources Group, Inc. (NYSE: MDU) will webcast its year-end 2024 earnings conference call at 2 p.m. ET Feb. 6. The company will release its year-end results before U.S. financial markets open that day. The webcast can be accessed at www.mdu.com under the "Investors" heading. Select "Events & Presentations," and click "Year-End 2024 Earnings Conference Call." After the conclusion of the webcast, a replay will be available at the same location. About MDU Resou ...

Core Viewpoint - MDU Resources (MDU) is currently viewed as a more attractive investment option compared to Atmos Energy (ATO) for value investors based on earnings estimate revisions and valuation metrics [3][7]. Valuation Metrics - MDU has a forward P/E ratio of 18.11, while ATO has a forward P/E of 19.25 [5]. - MDU's PEG ratio is 2.66, compared to ATO's PEG ratio of 2.75, indicating MDU's expected earnings growth is more favorable [5]. - MDU's P/B ratio stands at 1.18, whereas ATO's P/B ratio is 1.77, suggesting MDU is more undervalued relative to its book value [6]. Analyst Outlook - MDU has a Zacks Rank of 1 (Strong Buy), indicating a more positive analyst outlook due to stronger earnings estimate revision activity compared to ATO, which has a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy) [3][7]. Value Grades - MDU has a Value grade of B, while ATO has a Value grade of D, reflecting MDU's more attractive valuation metrics [6].

BISMARCK, N.D., Nov. 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- MDU Resources Group, Inc. (NYSE: MDU) announced today that it plans to make capital investments totaling $3.1 billion from 2025 through 2029, a 15% increase from 2024-2028. "Our planned $3.1 billion capital investment from 2025 through 2029 reflects our commitment to providing safe and reliable service to our electric, natural gas and pipeline customers," said Nicole Kivisto, MDU Resources president and CEO. "By increasing our investments in electric and natural ...

BISMARCK, N.D., Nov. 14, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- MDU Resources Group, Inc. (NYSE: MDU) today announced that its board of directors has elected Vernon A. Dosch as a director, effective Nov. 15, 2024. Dosch, a respected leader with more than 45 years of expertise in the electric utility and broadband industries, brings a deep commitment to community and industry advancement. "We are excited to welcome Vern to our board," said Dennis W. Johnson, chair of the board. "His dedication to industry innovation, communit ...

BISMARCK, N.D., Nov. 14, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The board of directors of MDU Resources Group, Inc. (NYSE: MDU) today declared a quarterly dividend on the company's common stock of 13 cents per share, unchanged from the previous quarter. The board continues to target a long-term dividend payout ratio of 60% to 70% of regulated energy delivery earnings. The dividend is payable on Jan. 1, 2025 to stockholders of record as of Dec.12, 2024. About MDU Resources MDU Resources Group, Inc., a member of the S&P SmallC ...

MDU Resources Group Inc. (MDU) reported third-quarter 2024 operating earnings per share (EPS) of 32 cents, which surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 31 cents by 3.23%. The bottom line improved 10.3% year over year. GAAP EPS was 32 cents compared with 37 cents in the prior-year period. Stay up-to-date with all quarterly releases: See Zacks Earnings Calendar. Total Revenues of MDU Total operating revenues improved 4.5% to $1.05 billion from $1 billion in the comparable period of 2023. Operating revenues ...