Northwest Natural Gas (NYSE:NWN) Issues Quarterly Earnings Results

Northwest Natural Gas (NYSE:NWN) released its earnings results on Friday. The utilities provider reported $1.39 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.36 by $0.03, FiscalAI reports. The company had revenue of $394.16 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $419.36 million. Northwest Natural Gas had a net margin of 7.94% and a return on equity of 8.30%. The company’s revenue was up 6.3% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $1.41 EPS. Northwest Natural Gas updated its FY 2026 guidance to 2.950-3.150 EPS.

Here are the key takeaways from Northwest Natural Gas’ conference call:

• Record adjusted EPS of $2.93 in 2025 (top of guidance) and 2026 EPS guidance of $2.95–$3.15; company reaffirms long‑term EPS growth target of 4%–6% (expected to rise to 5%–7% upon MX3 notice to proceed).
• Announced the MX3 gas storage expansion at Mist (4–5 BCF, ~ $300M capex) with FERC approval and signed 25‑year customer contracts (fixed 12.5% ROE, 50% equity); in service target end of 2029 and expected to be earnings‑accretive once notice to proceed (target by end of 2027).
• SiEnergy (Texas) delivered 18% organic customer growth in 2025, contributed ~11% of consolidated adj EPS, and now has ~250,000‑meter backlog (≈30% increase); company expects 15%–20% annual customer growth through 2030 and may pursue a Texas rate case.
• Company plans $2.6B–$2.9B of CapEx through 2030 (2026 capex $500M–$550M) and intends to fund primarily via operating cash, ~ $150M incremental long‑term debt in 2026, and $40M–$50M of ATM equity while maintaining investment‑grade ratings and ~$590M liquidity at year‑end 2025.
• Northwest Natural Water outperformed expectations, contributing $0.35/share (≈12% of adj EPS) in 2025, completed seven rate cases, and targets 2%–3% organic customer growth through 2030 with continued rate filings, greenfield opportunities, and a healthy acquisition pipeline.

Northwest Natural Gas Trading Up 5.6%

NYSE:NWN traded up $2.84 on Friday, reaching $53.11. The company’s stock had a trading volume of 600,178 shares, compared to its average volume of 293,223. Northwest Natural Gas has a 1-year low of $38.94 and a 1-year high of $53.48. The business’s 50-day moving average price is $47.78 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $45.86. The firm has a market cap of $2.20 billion, a PE ratio of 21.16 and a beta of 0.57. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.48, a quick ratio of 0.43 and a current ratio of 0.59.

Northwest Natural Gas Increases Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, February 13th. Investors of record on Friday, January 30th were paid a dividend of $1.97 per share. This represents a $7.88 annualized dividend and a yield of 14.8%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, January 30th. This is a boost from Northwest Natural Gas’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.49. Northwest Natural Gas’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 78.49%.

More Northwest Natural Gas News

Here are the key news stories impacting Northwest Natural Gas this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Q4 EPS beat — NWN reported $1.39 EPS vs. the consensus $1.36, showing continued profitability strength and helping drive the stock higher. Northwest Natural (NWN) Q4 Earnings Surpass Estimates
• Positive Sentiment: FY‑2026 EPS guidance provided at $2.950–$3.150, which sits around street expectations and reduces near‑term uncertainty about earnings growth — a catalyst cited in market writeups for the share move. Northwest Natural Gas (NYSE:NWN) Shares Rise on EPS Guidance Update
• Positive Sentiment: Company statement: NW Natural Holdings said it delivered record 2025 results across its businesses, supporting a constructive near‑term narrative around operational performance. NW Natural Holdings Delivers Record 2025 Results Across All Businesses
• Neutral Sentiment: Earnings call transcripts and management commentary are available for detail on rate cases, capex and margin drivers — useful for evaluating whether guidance is sustainable. Northwest Natural Holding Company (NWN) Q4 2025 Earnings Call Transcript
• Negative Sentiment: Revenue missed expectations — $394.2M reported vs. ~$419M consensus — which could raise questions about volume or commodity pass‑throughs and partially offsets the EPS beat. Northwest Natural Q4 release and materials

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of equities analysts have issued reports on NWN shares. BTIG Research reaffirmed a “buy” rating and issued a $55.00 price objective on shares of Northwest Natural Gas in a research note on Friday, January 30th. Stifel Nicolaus raised their price target on Northwest Natural Gas from $50.00 to $52.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Wednesday, November 12th. Finally, Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a “hold (c)” rating on shares of Northwest Natural Gas in a research note on Thursday, January 22nd. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and three have issued a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $51.33.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Northwest Natural Gas

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the business. Larson Financial Group LLC raised its holdings in Northwest Natural Gas by 104.3% during the 3rd quarter. Larson Financial Group LLC now owns 711 shares of the utilities provider’s stock worth $32,000 after buying an additional 363 shares during the period. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC increased its position in shares of Northwest Natural Gas by 77.4% during the second quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 807 shares of the utilities provider’s stock worth $32,000 after acquiring an additional 352 shares in the last quarter. Kemnay Advisory Services Inc. bought a new stake in Northwest Natural Gas in the 4th quarter valued at $70,000. Osaic Holdings Inc. lifted its position in Northwest Natural Gas by 29.4% in the 2nd quarter. Osaic Holdings Inc. now owns 2,013 shares of the utilities provider’s stock valued at $80,000 after acquiring an additional 457 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Tower Research Capital LLC TRC boosted its stake in Northwest Natural Gas by 523.2% in the 2nd quarter. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC now owns 4,269 shares of the utilities provider’s stock worth $170,000 after purchasing an additional 3,584 shares during the period. 75.13% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Northwest Natural Gas Company Profile

Northwest Natural Gas (NYSE: NWN), commonly known as NW Natural, is a publicly traded energy utility primarily engaged in the distribution of natural gas to residential, commercial and industrial customers. Headquartered in Portland, Oregon, the company operates an extensive pipeline network spanning thousands of miles across Oregon and southwest Washington. Its core business activities include gas procurement, system operation and maintenance, safety inspections and customer service support.

Dating back to the mid-19th century, Northwest Natural traces its origins to the Portland Gas Light Company, which first illuminated Portland streets with manufactured gas in 1859.