Upgrade to SI Premium - Free Trial

Black Hills Corp. Reports 2024 Second-Quarter Results and Reaffirms 2024 Earnings Guidance

July 31, 2024 4:15 PM

RAPID CITY, S.D., July 31, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Black Hills Corp. (NYSE: BKH) today announced financial results for the second quarter of 2024. Net income available for common stock and earnings per share for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024, compared to the three and six months ended June 30, 2023, were:

Three Months Ended June 30, Six Months Ended June 30,
2024 2023 2024 2023
(in millions, except per share amounts)
Net income available for common stock$22.8 $23.1 $150.6 $137.1
Earnings per share, Diluted$0.33 $0.35 $2.19 $2.06


Second quarter earnings were $0.33 per share compared to $0.35 per share in the second quarter of 2023. Financial results were driven by new rates and rider recovery and lower operating expenses, which offset the unfavorable impacts of mild weather and a prior year income tax benefit.

“Year-to-date earnings were up 6% compared to last year and we are reaffirming our earnings guidance for the year,” said Linn Evans, president and CEO of Black Hills Corp.

“We continue to deliver progress on our customer-focused strategy and are excited about powering Meta’s newest AI data center in Cheyenne, which we expect to begin serving in 2026. Our team continues to attract new data centers with our leading mission-critical reliability and innovative energy solutions, including our unique tariffs and capital-light energy procurement model.

“Regulatory activities continue to move forward to recover investments and costs critical to serving our customers safely and reliably. Our rate review for Arkansas Gas is advancing through its final stages, while rate reviews filed during the second quarter for Iowa Gas and Colorado Electric are on schedule.

“As we execute on our commitment to a reliable, cost-effective and cleaner energy future, we are delivering new resources to serve the growing needs of our customers and communities. In Colorado, we continue to pursue regulatory approval of our preferred portfolio of clean energy resources to reduce emissions 80% by 2030 as outlined in our Clean Energy Plan. In South Dakota, we plan to add 100 megawatts of utility-owned generation by 2026 to serve growing customer demand. Construction is on schedule for our 260-mile Ready Wyoming electric transmission line to enhance reliability, resiliency and energy market access,” concluded Evans.

SECOND-QUARTER 2024 HIGHLIGHTS AND UPDATES

Electric Utilities

Gas Utilities

Corporate and Other

2024 EARNINGS GUIDANCE

Black Hills affirms its guidance for 2024 earnings per share available for common stock to be in the range of $3.80 to $4.00 based on the follow assumptions:

CONFERENCE CALL AND WEBCAST

Black Hills will host a live conference call and webcast at 11 a.m. EDT on Thursday, Aug. 1, 2024, to discuss its financial and operating performance.

To access the live webcast and download a copy of the investor presentation, go to the “Investor Relations” section of the Black Hills website at www.blackhillscorp.com and click on “News and Events” and then “Events & Presentation.” The presentation will be posted on the website before the webcast. Listeners should allow at least five minutes for registering and accessing the presentation. For those unable to listen to the live broadcast, a replay will be available on the company’s website.

To ask a question during the live broadcast, users can access dial-in information and a personal identification number by registering for the event at https://register.vevent.com/register/BI127d514d8e3a423191cc495600c59aa6.

A listen-only webcast player and presentation slides can be accessed live at https://edge.media-server.com/mmc/p/j9weytyi with a replay of the event available for up to one year.


BLACK HILLS CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL RESULTS
(Minor differences may result due to rounding)
Three Months Ended June 30, Six Months Ended June 30,
2024 2023 2024 2023
(in millions)
Operating income:
Electric Utilities$46.3 $46.6 $110.9 $107.7
Gas Utilities 23.0 17.7 153.7 132.4
Corporate and Other 1.3 (0.8) (0.6) (1.7)
Operating income 70.6 63.5 264.0 238.4
Interest expense, net (42.6) (41.5) (86.7) (85.0)
Other income (expense), net 0.4 (1.5) (0.5) (0.9)
Income tax benefit (expense) (3.7) 6.1 (20.6) (8.6)
Net income 24.7 26.6 156.2 143.9
Net income attributable to non-controlling interest (1.9) (3.5) (5.6) (6.8)
Net income available for common stock$22.8 $23.1 $150.6 $137.1


Three Months Ended June 30, Six Months Ended June 30,
2024 2023 2024 2023
Weighted average common shares outstanding (in millions):
Basic 69.0 66.6 68.6 66.3
Diluted 69.0 66.7 68.7 66.4
Earnings per share:
Earnings Per Share, Basic$0.33 $0.35 $2.20 $2.07
Earnings Per Share, Diluted$0.33 $0.35 $2.19 $2.06


USE OF NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES

Gas and Electric Utility Margin

Gas and Electric Utility margin (revenue less cost of sales) is considered a non-GAAP financial measure due to the exclusion of operation and maintenance expenses, depreciation and amortization expenses, and property and production taxes from the measure. The presentation of Gas and Electric Utility margin is intended to supplement investors’ understanding of operating performance.

Electric Utility margin is calculated as operating revenue less cost of fuel and purchased power. Gas Utility margin is calculated as operating revenue less cost of gas sold. Our Gas and Electric Utility margin is impacted by the fluctuations in power purchases and natural gas and other fuel supply costs. However, while these fluctuating costs impact Gas and Electric Utility margin as a percentage of revenue, they only impact total Gas and Electric Utility margin if the costs cannot be passed through to customers.

Our Gas and Electric Utility margin measure may not be comparable to other companies’ Gas and Electric Utility margin measures. Furthermore, this measure is not intended to replace operating income as determined in accordance with GAAP as an indicator of operating performance.

SEGMENT PERFORMANCE SUMMARY

Operating results from our business segments for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024, and 2023, compared to the three and six months ended June 30, 2023, are discussed below.

Certain lines of business in which we operate are highly seasonal, and revenue from, and certain expenses for, such operations may fluctuate significantly between quarterly periods. Demand for electricity and natural gas is sensitive to seasonal cooling, heating and industrial load requirements. In particular, the normal peak usage season for our electric utilities is June through August while the normal peak usage season for our gas utilities is November through March. Significant earnings variances can be expected between the Gas Utilities segment’s peak and off-peak seasons. Due to this seasonal nature, our results of operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023 are not necessarily indicative of the results of operations to be expected for any other period or for the entire year.

All amounts are presented on a pre-tax basis unless otherwise indicated. Minor differences in amounts may result due to rounding.

Electric Utilities
Three Months Ended June 30, Variance Six Months Ended June 30, Variance
2024 2023 2024 vs. 2023 2024 2023 2024 vs. 2023
(in millions)
Revenue$205.1 $193.1 $12.0 $427.3 $411.8 $15.5
Cost of fuel and purchased power 45.9 36.4 9.5 100.8 91.8 9.0
Electric Utility margin (non-GAAP) 159.2 156.7 2.5 326.5 320.0 6.5
Operations and maintenance 68.1 65.4 2.7 125.5 122.8 2.7
Depreciation and amortization 35.5 35.8 (0.3) 70.8 70.9 (0.1)
Taxes - property and production 9.3 8.9 0.4 19.3 18.6 0.7
Operating income$46.3 $46.6 $(0.3) $110.9 $107.7 $3.2


Three Months Ended June 30, 2024, Compared with Three Months Ended June 30, 2023

Electric Utility margin increased as a result of:

(in millions)
Weather$2.4
New rates and rider recovery 2.3
Retail customer growth and usage 1.8
Integrated Generation (a) (4.4)
Other 0.4
$2.5

_________________
a) Primarily driven by decreased revenues due to unplanned outages at Wygen I and Pueblo Airport Generation #4-5.

Operations and maintenance expense increased primarily due to $1.9 million of higher outside services expenses driven by unplanned Integrated Generation outages and $1.2 million of higher insurance expense.

Depreciation and amortization was comparable to the same period in the prior year.

Taxes - property and production was comparable to the same period in the prior year.

Six Months Ended June 30, 2024, Compared with Six Months Ended June 30, 2023

Electric Utility margin increased as a result of:

(in millions)
New rates and rider recovery$10.5
Weather 1.2
Integrated Generation (a) (3.5)
Off-system excess energy sales (3.2)
Other 1.5
$6.5

_________________
a) Primarily driven by decreased revenues due to unplanned outages at Wygen I and Pueblo Airport Generation #4-5.


Operations and maintenance expense increased primarily due to a prior year one-time $7.7 million gain on the sale of Northern Iowa Windpower assets and $1.6 million of higher insurance expense partially offset by $3.2 million of lower employee-related expenses and $2.6 million of lower outside services expenses.

Depreciation and amortization was comparable to the same period in the prior year.

Taxes - property and production was comparable to the same period in the prior year.

Three Months Ended June 30, Six Months Ended June 30,
Operating Statistics2024 2023 2024 2023
Quantities Sold (GWh):
Retail Sales 1,424.8 1,340.8 2,913.2 2,737.2
Contract/Off-system/Power Marketing Wholesale 301.8 241.7 565.4 643.2
Total Regulated 1,726.6 1,582.5 3,478.6 3,380.4
Non-regulated 21.1 22.8 49.1 77.2
Total quantities sold 1,747.7 1,605.3 3,527.7 3,457.6
Contracted generated facilities availability by fuel type:
Coal 75.5% 92.0% 85.6% 92.4%
Natural gas and diesel oil 91.6% 93.5% 94.1% 93.9%
Wind 92.1% 93.0% 91.2% 93.4%
Total availability 87.1% 93.0% 91.3% 93.4%
Wind capacity factor 36.9% 34.4% 38.4% 41.2%


Three Months Ended June 30, Six Months Ended June 30,
Degree Days20242023 20242023
ActualVariance from NormalActualVariance from Normal ActualVariance from NormalActualVariance from Normal
Heating Degree Days757(13)%840(6)% 3,577(8)%3,9404%
Cooling Degree Days21925%75(60)% 21925%75(60)%


Gas Utilities
Three Months Ended June 30, Variance Six Months Ended June 30, Variance
2024 2023 2024 vs. 2023 2024 2023 2024 vs. 2023
(in millions)
Revenue$202.0 $222.7 $(20.7) $710.6 $929.6 $(219.0)
Cost of natural gas sold 61.3 85.0 (23.7) 323.2 555.9 (232.7)
Gas Utility margin (non-GAAP) 140.7 137.7 3.0 387.4 373.7 13.7
Operations and maintenance 79.3 84.0 (4.7) 157.9 171.2 (13.3)
Depreciation and amortization 31.1 28.8 2.3 61.5 55.3 6.2
Taxes - property and production 7.3 7.2 0.1 14.3 14.8 (0.5)
Operating income$23.0 $17.7 $5.3 $153.7 $132.4 $21.3


Three Months Ended June 30, 2024, Compared with Three Months Ended June 30, 2023

Gas Utility margin increased as a result of:

(in millions)
New rates and rider recovery$9.1
Retail customer growth and usage 0.9
Weather (6.2)
Mark-to-market on non-utility natural gas commodity contracts (0.5)
Other (0.3)
$3.0

Operations and maintenance expense decreased primarily due to lower employee-related expenses.

Depreciation and amortization increased primarily due to a higher asset base driven by current year and prior year capital expenditures.

Taxes - property and production was comparable to the same period in the prior year.

Six Months Ended June 30, 2024, Compared with Six Months Ended June 30, 2023

Gas Utility margin increased as a result of:

(in millions)
New rates and rider recovery$22.1
Mark-to-market on non-utility natural gas commodity contracts 3.2
Retail customer growth and usage 2.4
Weather (13.6)
Other (0.4)
$13.7


Operations and maintenance expense decreased primarily due to $11.5 million of lower employee-related expenses and $1.9 million of lower outside services expenses.

Depreciation and amortization increased primarily due to a higher asset base driven by current year and prior year capital expenditures.

Taxes - property and production was comparable to the same period in the prior year.

Three Months Ended June 30, Six Months Ended June 30,
Operating Statistics2024 2023 2024 2023
Quantities Sold and Transported (Dth in millions):
Distribution 12.6 13.1 54.3 58.0
Transport and Transmission 34.5 34.2 81.2 81.4
Total Quantities Sold 47.1 47.3 135.5 139.4


Three Months Ended June 30, Six Months Ended June 30,
20242023 20242023
ActualVariance from NormalActualVariance from Normal ActualVariance from NormalActualVariance from Normal
Heating Degree Days587(20)%674(10)% 3,452(10)%3,8701%


Corporate and Other

Corporate and Other represents certain unallocated expenses for administrative activities that support our reportable operating segments. Corporate and Other also includes business development activities that are not part of our operating segments and inter-segment eliminations.

Three Months Ended June 30, Variance Six Months Ended June 30, Variance
2024 2023 2024 vs. 2023 2024 2023 2024 vs. 2023
(in millions)
Operating income (loss)$1.3 $(0.8)$2.1 $(0.6)$(1.7)$1.1


Three Months Ended June 30, 2024, Compared with Three Months Ended June 30, 2023

Operating income was comparable to the same period in the prior year.

Six Months Ended June 30, 2024, Compared with Six Months Ended June 30, 2023

Operating income was comparable to the same period in the prior year.

Consolidated Interest Expense, Other Income and Income Tax Expense
Three Months Ended June 30, Variance Six Months Ended June 30, Variance
2024 2023 2024 vs. 2023 2024 2023 2024 vs. 2023
(in millions)
Interest expense, net$(42.6)$(41.5)$(1.1) $(86.7)$(85.0)$(1.7)
Other income (expense), net$0.4 $(1.5)$1.9 $(0.5)$(0.9)$0.4
Income tax benefit (expense)$(3.7)$6.1 $(9.8) $(20.6)$(8.6)$(12.0)


Three Months Ended June 30, 2024, Compared with Three Months Ended June 30, 2023

Interest expense, net was comparable to the same period in the prior year primarily due to higher interest rates on higher long-term debt balances mostly offset by increased interest income on higher cash and cash equivalents balances.

Other (expense), net was comparable to the same period in the prior year.

Income tax (expense) increased primarily due to higher pre-tax income and a higher effective tax rate. For the three months ended June 30, 2024, the effective tax rate was 13.0% compared to (29.8)% for the same period in 2023. The higher effective tax rate was primarily driven by a prior year $8.2 million tax benefit from a Nebraska income tax rate decrease.

Six Months Ended June 30, 2024, Compared with Six Months Ended June 30, 2023

Interest expense, net was comparable to the same period in the prior year primarily due to higher interest rates on higher long-term debt balances mostly offset by increased interest income on higher cash and cash equivalents balances.

Other (expense), net was comparable to the same period in the prior year.

Income tax (expense) increased primarily due to higher pre-tax income and a higher effective tax rate. For the six months ended June 30, 2024, the effective tax rate was 11.7% compared to 5.6% for the same period in 2023. The higher effective tax rate was primarily driven by a prior year $8.2 million tax benefit from a Nebraska income tax rate decrease.

ABOUT BLACK HILLS CORP.

Black Hills Corp. (NYSE: BKH) is a customer-focused, growth-oriented utility company with a tradition of improving life with energy and a vision to be the energy partner of choice. Based in Rapid City, South Dakota, the company serves 1.34 million natural gas and electric utility customers in eight states: Arkansas, Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, South Dakota and Wyoming. More information is available at www.blackhillscorp.com, www.blackhillscorp.com/corporateresponsibility and www.blackhillsenergy.com.

CAUTION REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This press release includes “forward-looking statements” as defined by the Securities and Exchange Commission. We make these forward-looking statements in reliance on the safe harbor protections provided under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, included in this press release that address activities, events or developments that we expect, believe or anticipate will or may occur in the future are forward-looking statements. This includes, without limitations, our 2024 earnings guidance. These forward-looking statements are based on assumptions which we believe are reasonable based on current expectations and projections about future events and industry conditions and trends affecting our business. However, whether actual results and developments will conform to our expectations and predictions is subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that, among other things, could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements, including without limitation, the risk factors described in Item 1A of Part I of our 2023 Annual Report on Form 10-K and other reports that we file with the SEC from time to time, and the following:

New factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements emerge from time-to-time, and it is not possible for us to predict all such factors, or the extent to which any such factor or combination of factors may cause actual results to differ from those contained in any forward-looking statement. We assume no obligation to update publicly any such forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.


CONSOLIDATING INCOME STATEMENTS
(Minor differences may result due to rounding)
Consolidating Income Statement
Three Months Ended June 30, 2024Electric Utilities Gas Utilities Corporate and Other Total
(in millions)
Revenue$205.1 $202.0 $(4.5)$402.6
Fuel, purchased power and cost of natural gas sold 45.9 61.3 (0.1) 107.1
Operations and maintenance 68.1 79.3 (5.7) 141.7
Depreciation and amortization 35.5 31.1 - 66.6
Taxes - property and production 9.3 7.3 - 16.6
Operating income (loss) 46.3 23.0 1.3 70.6
Interest expense, net (42.6)
Other income (expense), net 0.4
Income tax (expense) (3.7)
Net income 24.7
Net income attributable to non-controlling interest (1.9)
Net income available for common stock $22.8


Consolidating Income Statement
Three Months Ended June 30, 2023Electric Utilities Gas Utilities Corporate and Other Total
(in millions)
Revenue$193.1 $222.7 $(4.5)$411.3
Fuel, purchased power and cost of natural gas sold 36.4 85.0 (0.1) 121.3
Operations and maintenance 65.4 84.0 (3.6) 145.8
Depreciation and amortization 35.8 28.8 0.1 64.7
Taxes - property and production 8.9 7.2 (0.1) 16.0
Operating income (loss) 46.6 17.7 (0.8) 63.5
Interest expense, net (41.5)
Other income (expense), net (1.5)
Income tax benefit 6.1
Net income 26.6
Net income attributable to non-controlling interest (3.5)
Net income available for common stock $23.1


Consolidating Income Statement
Six Months Ended June 30, 2024Electric Utilities Gas Utilities Corporate and Other Total
(in millions)
Revenue$427.3 $710.6 $(8.9)$1,129.0
Fuel, purchased power and cost of natural gas sold 100.8 323.2 (0.3) 423.7
Operations and maintenance 125.5 157.9 (8.2) 275.2
Depreciation and amortization 70.8 61.5 0.2 132.5
Taxes - property and production 19.3 14.3 - 33.6
Operating income (loss) 110.9 153.7 (0.6) 264.0
Interest expense, net (86.7)
Other income (expense), net (0.5)
Income tax (expense) (20.6)
Net income 156.2
Net income attributable to non-controlling interest (5.6)
Net income available for common stock $150.6


Consolidating Income Statement
Six Months Ended June 30, 2023Electric Utilities Gas Utilities Corporate and Other Total
(in millions)
Revenue$411.8 $929.6 $(9.0)$1,332.4
Fuel, purchased power and cost of natural gas sold 91.8 555.9 (0.2) 647.5
Operations and maintenance 122.8 171.2 (7.3) 286.7
Depreciation and amortization 70.9 55.3 0.2 126.4
Taxes - property and production 18.6 14.8 - 33.4
Operating income (loss) 107.7 132.4 (1.7) 238.4
Interest expense, net (85.0)
Other income (expense), net (0.9)
Income tax (expense) (8.6)
Net income 143.9
Net income attributable to non-controlling interest (6.8)
Net income available for common stock $137.1


Investor Relations:
Sal Diaz
Phone605-399-5079
Email[email protected]
Media Contact:
24-hour Media Assistance888-242-3969

Primary Logo

Source: Black Hills Service Company, LLC

Categories

Globe Newswire Press Releases

Next Articles