Otter Tail Corporation (Nasdaq: OTTR) today announced financial
results for the quarter ended September 30, 2024.
SUMMARY
- Midpoint of 2024 earnings guidance increased $0.15 to $7.07 per
share.
- Diluted earnings per share decreased 7% to $2.03 per share
compared to the third quarter of 2023.
- Return on equity of 20% over the trailing twelve months.
CEO OVERVIEW
“Our team members continue to perform well as they navigate
changing market conditions,” said President and CEO Chuck
MacFarlane. “While third quarter earnings were lower than the same
time last year, electric segment earnings increased 16 percent, or
$4 million, primarily due to the impact of interim rates in North
Dakota and the financial impact of a Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission ruling on transmission owner returns on equity. Plastics
segment earnings decreased 8 percent, or $5 million, as the sales
prices of PVC pipe continue to decline. The manufacturing segment
is experiencing demand related headwinds across several of its end
markets, resulting in a decrease in earnings of 71 percent, or $5
million, due to lower sales volumes. Year to date earnings are
ahead of last year by 4 percent and support the increase to our
2024 earnings guidance.
“Otter Tail Power continues to execute on its significant rate
base growth plan, which includes investments to support safe,
reliable, increasingly clean and affordable electric service for
our customers. Our wind repowering project remains on schedule and
we expect to finish the equipment upgrades at the first of four
owned wind energy centers later this year. We look forward to
completing this project in its entirety next year as it will
increase the efficiency of these wind sites while simultaneously
lowering customer bills through increased output and available tax
credits.
“Our Manufacturing segment continues to face softening end
market demand. We continue to take action to tightly manage costs
and mitigate the impact of lower sales volumes. Despite this
near-term softness, the longer term fundamentals of the segment
remain strong. Our expansion project in Georgia is progressing well
and we anticipate occupying the new space later this year. We look
forward to bringing this additional capacity online in early 2025
to better serve our customers in the southeast.
“Despite Plastics segment earnings decreasing from the same time
last year, the segment continues to perform better than
anticipated, capitalizing on customer sales volume growth. Sales
prices of PVC pipe continue to decline but at a slower rate than
expected. The first phase of our expansion project at Vinyltech in
Arizona is nearly complete and we anticipate adding large diameter
PVC pipe production capability at this location later this
year.
“Our diversified business model continues to serve us and our
stakeholders well as it generates incremental earnings and cash
flow for us to fund our rate base growth plan without any equity
needs. As of September 30, 2024, our total available liquidity was
$544 million.
“We are increasing and tightening our 2024 diluted earnings per
share guidance to a range of $6.97 to $7.17 from our previous range
of $6.77 to $7.07.”
QUARTERLY DIVIDEND
On November 4, 2024, the corporation’s Board of Directors
declared a quarterly common stock dividend of $0.4675 per share.
This dividend is payable December 10, 2024 to shareholders of
record on November 15, 2024.
CASH FLOWS AND LIQUIDITY
Our consolidated cash provided by operating activities for the
nine months ended September 30, 2024 was $322.8 million compared to
$318.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023, with
the increase primarily due to increased earnings from our Plastics
segment, partially offset by increased working capital at our
Manufacturing segment.
Investing activities for the nine months ended September 30,
2024 included capital expenditures of $259.8 million and a $50.1
investment in long-term marketable securities. Capital expenditures
during the period were largely within our Electric segment,
including investments in our wind repowering and advanced metering
projects, and also included continued investments in our facility
expansion projects in Arizona and Georgia. Financing activities for
the nine months ended September 30, 2024 included the issuance of
$120.0 million of long-term debt at Otter Tail Power; the proceeds
of which were used to repay short-term borrowings, fund capital
investments, and support operating activities. Financing activities
for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 also included net
short-term borrowings of $14.0 million and dividend payments of
$58.7 million.
As of September 30, 2024, we had $170.0 million and $93.8
million of available liquidity under our Otter Tail Corporation and
Otter Tail Power Credit Agreements, respectively, along with $280.0
million of available cash and cash equivalents, for total available
liquidity of $543.8 million.
SEGMENT PERFORMANCE
Electric Segment
Three Months Ended September
30,
($ in thousands)
2024
2023
Change
% Change
Operating Revenues
$
130,380
$
130,326
$
54
—
%
Net Income
28,530
24,565
3,965
16.1
Retail MWh Sales
1,304,446
1,300,324
4,122
0.3
%
Heating Degree Days
2
3
(1
)
(33.3
)
Cooling Degree Days
378
317
61
19.2
The following table shows heating degree days (HDDs) and cooling
degree days (CDDs) as a percent of normal.
Three Months Ended September
30,
2024
2023
HDDs
4.7
%
6.3
%
CDDs
111.5
%
92.2
%
The following table summarizes the estimated effect on diluted
earnings per share of the difference in retail kilowatt-hour (kwh)
sales under actual weather conditions and expected retail kwh sales
under normal weather conditions for the three months ended
September 30, 2024 and 2023.
2024 vs Normal
2024 vs 2023
2023 vs Normal
Effect on Diluted Earnings Per Share
$
0.01
$
0.02
$
(0.01
)
Operating Revenues increased $0.1 million compared to the
same period last year. Increases in retail and transmission revenue
were largely offset by decreased fuel recovery revenues. Retail
revenue increased due to an interim rate increase in North Dakota
in connection with our current rate case and the impact of
favorable weather. Transmission revenue increased due to a
reduction in our estimated refund liability in connection with an
order issued by FERC regarding a contested matter related to the
allowed ROE during certain prior periods, which resulted in an
additional nonrecurring revenue in the current period. Fuel
recovery revenues decreased due to a decrease in generation from
our coal-fired and natural gas facilities, thus lowering fuel
consumption, as well as decreased market energy costs.
Net Income increased $4.0 million primarily due to the
impact of favorable weather, interim rates in North Dakota, and the
reduction of an estimated refund, as described above, as well as a
decrease in property taxes in North Dakota, partially offset by
increased depreciation and interest expense.
Manufacturing Segment
Three Months Ended September
30,
(in thousands)
2024
2023
$ Change
% Change
Operating Revenues
$
79,896
$
100,678
$
(20,782
)
(20.6
)%
Net Income
2,174
7,446
(5,272
)
(70.8
)
Operating Revenues decreased $20.8 million primarily due
to a 13% decrease in sales volumes, with declines experienced
primarily in the recreational vehicle, agriculture, construction,
and lawn and garden end markets. Sales volumes have softened due to
lower end market demand and inventory management efforts by
manufacturers and dealers. A 37% decline in scrap metal revenues,
largely driven by lower production volumes, and a 6% decrease in
steel costs, which are passed through to customers, also
contributed to the decrease in operating revenues.
Net Income decreased $5.3 million primarily due to lower
sales volumes and lower scrap metal sales, as described above, as
well as a decrease in margins at both our contract metal fabricator
and our plastics thermoforming manufacturer. Decreased profit
margins were driven by the mix of products sold in the current
period compared to the same period last year, and reduced
leveraging of fixed manufacturing costs resulting from decreased
production and sales volumes.
Plastics Segment
Three Months Ended September
30,
(in thousands)
2024
2023
$ Change
% Change
Operating Revenues
$
127,757
$
127,052
$
705
0.6
%
Net Income
54,479
59,162
(4,683
)
(7.9
)
Operating Revenues increased $0.7 million as a 13%
increase in sales volumes, driven by continued customer sales
volume growth and distributor and end market demand, was largely
offset by continued declining sales prices. Sales prices have
steadily declined throughout the year and decreased 11% compared to
the same period last year.
Net Income decreased $4.7 million primarily due to
decreased sales prices, as described above, and increased general
and administrative expenses.
Corporate
Three Months Ended September
30,
(in thousands)
2024
2023
$ Change
% Change
Net Income
$
296
$
801
$
(505
)
(63.0
)%
Net Income decreased $0.5 million primarily due to
increased insurance and employee benefit expenses, partially offset
by increased investment income earned on our short- and long-term
investments, as well as gains on our corporate-owned life insurance
policies.
2024 BUSINESS OUTLOOK
We are increasing our 2024 diluted earnings per share range to
$6.97 to $7.17. We expect our earnings mix in 2024, based on our
updated guidance, to be approximately 30% from our Electric segment
and 70% from our Manufacturing and Plastics segments, net of
corporate costs.
The segment components of our 2024 diluted earnings per share
guidance compared with actual earnings for 2023 are as follows:
2024 EPS Guidance
2024 EPS Guidance
2023 EPS
by Segment
August 5, 2024
November 4, 2024
Low
High
Low
High
Electric
$
2.01
$
2.13
$
2.17
$
2.13
$
2.17
Manufacturing
0.51
0.36
0.40
0.30
0.34
Plastics
4.47
4.35
4.54
4.61
4.70
Corporate
0.01
(0.07
)
(0.04
)
(0.07
)
(0.04
)
Total
$
7.00
$
6.77
$
7.07
$
6.97
$
7.17
Return on Equity
22.1
%
18.3
%
19.0
%
18.8
%
19.3
%
The following items contribute to our revised 2024 earnings
guidance:
Electric Segment - We are maintaining our guidance,
expecting earnings to increase 7% over 2023.
Manufacturing Segment - We are decreasing our segment
earnings guidance based on:
- Anticipated lower sales volumes in the fourth quarter as demand
continues to soften across most end markets and manufacturers
tightly manage inventories through year-end, and
- Product pricing pressures and lower scrap revenues within our
metal fabrication business, partially offset by reduced operating
costs as we align our production costs with the current demand
environment.
Plastics Segment - We are increasing our segment earnings
guidance based on:
- Better than expected financial results in the third quarter of
2024, and
- A slower decline in product sales prices than previously
expected and increased sales volumes in the fourth quarter of
2024.
Corporate Costs - We are maintaining our corporate cost
guidance.
CONFERENCE CALL AND WEBCAST
The corporation will host a live webcast on Tuesday, November 5,
2024, at 10:00 a.m. CT to discuss its financial and operating
performance.
The presentation will be posted on our website before the
webcast. To access the live webcast, go to
www.ottertail.com/presentations and select “Webcast.” Please allow
time prior to the call to visit the site and download any software
needed to listen in. An archived copy of the webcast will be
available on our website shortly after the call.
If you are interested in asking a question during the live
webcast, visit and follow the link provided in the press release
announcing the upcoming conference call.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Except for historical information contained here, the statements
in this release are forward-looking and made pursuant to the safe
harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act
of 1995. The words “anticipate,” “believe,” “can,” “could,”
“estimate,” “expect,” “future,” “goal,” “intend,” “likely,” “may,”
“outlook,” “plan,” “possible,” “potential,” “predict,” “probable,”
“projected,” “should,” “target,” “will,” “would” and similar words
and expressions are intended to identify forward-looking
statements. Such statements are based upon the current beliefs and
expectations of management. Forward-looking statements made herein,
which may include statements regarding 2024 earnings and earnings
per share, long-term earnings, earnings per share growth and
earnings mix, anticipated levels of energy generation from
renewable resources, anticipated reductions in carbon dioxide
emissions, future investments and capital expenditures, rate base
levels and rate base growth, future raw materials costs, future raw
materials availability and supply constraints, future operating
revenues and operating results, and expectations regarding
regulatory proceedings, as well as other assumptions and
statements, involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that
may cause our actual results in current or future periods to differ
materially from the forecasted assumptions and expected results.
The Company’s risks and uncertainties include, among other things,
uncertainty of future investments and capital expenditures; rate
base levels and rate base growth; risks associated with energy
markets; the availability and pricing of resource materials;
inflationary cost pressures; attracting and maintaining a qualified
and stable workforce; changing macroeconomic and industry
conditions that impact the demand for our products, pricing and
margin; long-term investment risk; seasonal weather patterns and
extreme weather events; counterparty credit risk; future business
volumes with key customers; reductions in our credit ratings; our
ability to access capital markets on favorable terms; assumptions
and costs relating to funding our employee benefit plans; our
subsidiaries’ ability to make dividend payments; cybersecurity
threats or data breaches; the impact of government legislation and
regulation including foreign trade policy and environmental; health
and safety laws and regulations; changes in tax laws and
regulations; the impact of climate change including compliance with
legislative and regulatory changes to address climate change;
expectations regarding regulatory proceedings, including state
utility commission approval of resource plans, assigned service
areas, the siting and construction of major facilities, capital
structure, and allowed customer rates; actual and threatened claims
or litigation; and operational and economic risks associated with
our electric generating and manufacturing facilities. These and
other risks are more fully described in our filings with the
Securities and Exchange Commission, including our most recently
filed Annual Report on Form 10-K, as updated in subsequently filed
Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, as applicable. Forward-looking
statements speak only as of the date they are made, and we
expressly disclaim any obligation to update any forward-looking
information.
Category: Earnings
About the Corporation: Otter Tail Corporation, a member
of the S&P SmallCap 600 Index, has interests in diversified
operations that include an electric utility and manufacturing
businesses. Otter Tail Corporation stock trades on the Nasdaq
Global Select Market under the symbol OTTR. The latest investor and
corporate information is available at www.ottertail.com.
Corporate offices are in Fergus Falls, Minnesota, and Fargo, North
Dakota.
OTTER TAIL CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(unaudited)
Three Months Ended September
30,
Nine Months Ended September
30,
(in thousands, except per-share
amounts)
2024
2023
2024
2023
Operating Revenues
Electric
$
130,380
$
130,326
$
384,696
$
395,997
Product Sales
207,653
227,730
642,741
638,856
Total Operating Revenues
338,033
358,056
1,027,437
1,034,853
Operating Expenses
Electric Production Fuel
14,991
19,603
45,009
45,928
Electric Purchased Power
10,735
10,895
42,507
57,932
Electric Operating and Maintenance
Expense
43,737
43,534
136,367
134,604
Cost of Products Sold (excluding
depreciation)
111,444
118,303
342,962
351,330
Nonelectric Selling, General, and
Administrative Expenses
18,829
15,863
55,896
51,433
Depreciation and Amortization
27,051
24,548
79,579
72,636
Electric Property Taxes
3,705
4,194
11,691
13,151
Total Operating Expenses
230,492
236,940
714,011
727,014
Operating Income
107,541
121,116
313,426
307,839
Other Income and (Expense)
Interest Expense
(11,173
)
(9,175
)
(31,225
)
(28,285
)
Nonservice Components of Postretirement
Benefits
2,367
2,289
7,197
7,122
Other Income (Expense), net
5,421
2,471
14,491
7,841
Income Before Income Taxes
104,156
116,701
303,889
294,517
Income Tax Expense
18,677
24,727
57,077
58,093
Net Income
$
85,479
$
91,974
$
246,812
$
236,424
Weighted-Average Common Shares
Outstanding:
Basic
41,800
41,680
41,770
41,663
Diluted
42,081
42,058
42,068
42,028
Earnings Per Share:
Basic
$
2.04
$
2.21
$
5.91
$
5.67
Diluted
$
2.03
$
2.19
$
5.87
$
5.63
OTTER TAIL CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(unaudited)
September 30,
December 31,
(in thousands)
2024
2023
Assets
Current Assets
Cash and Cash Equivalents
$
280,020
$
230,373
Receivables, net of allowance for credit
losses
186,273
157,143
Inventories
153,233
149,701
Regulatory Assets
7,860
16,127
Other Current Assets
22,927
16,826
Total Current Assets
650,313
570,170
Noncurrent Assets
Investments
121,421
62,516
Property, Plant and Equipment, net of
accumulated depreciation
2,604,869
2,418,375
Regulatory Assets
95,537
95,715
Intangible Assets, net of accumulated
amortization
6,018
6,843
Goodwill
37,572
37,572
Other Noncurrent Assets
51,009
51,377
Total Noncurrent Assets
2,916,426
2,672,398
Total Assets
$
3,566,739
$
3,242,568
Liabilities and Shareholders'
Equity
Current Liabilities
Short-Term Debt
$
67,401
$
81,422
Accounts Payable
88,885
94,428
Accrued Salaries and Wages
31,320
38,134
Accrued Taxes
29,150
26,590
Regulatory Liabilities
43,685
25,408
Other Current Liabilities
39,149
43,775
Total Current Liabilities
299,590
309,757
Noncurrent Liabilities and Deferred
Credits
Pension Benefit Liability
32,388
33,101
Other Postretirement Benefits
Liability
28,074
27,676
Regulatory Liabilities
282,997
276,547
Deferred Income Taxes
251,105
237,273
Deferred Tax Credits
14,613
15,172
Other Noncurrent Liabilities
80,978
75,977
Total Noncurrent Liabilities and Deferred
Credits
690,155
665,746
Commitments and Contingencies
Capitalization
Long-Term Debt
943,663
824,059
Shareholders’ Equity
Common Shares
209,140
208,553
Additional Paid-In Capital
427,751
426,963
Retained Earnings
994,461
806,342
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
1,979
1,148
Total Shareholders' Equity
1,633,331
1,443,006
Total Capitalization
2,576,994
2,267,065
Total Liabilities and Shareholders'
Equity
$
3,566,739
$
3,242,568
OTTER TAIL CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(unaudited)
Nine Months Ended September
30,
(in thousands)
2024
2023
Operating Activities
Net Income
$
246,812
$
236,424
Adjustments to Reconcile Net Income to Net
Cash Provided by Operating Activities:
Depreciation and Amortization
79,579
72,636
Deferred Tax Credits
(559
)
(558
)
Deferred Income Taxes
8,840
10,800
Investment Gains
(5,259
)
(3,734
)
Stock Compensation Expense
8,082
6,975
Other, net
(2,167
)
(164
)
Change in Operating Assets and
Liabilities:
Receivables
(29,130
)
(48,782
)
Inventories
(2,198
)
4,873
Regulatory Assets
7,209
8,387
Other Assets
(2,785
)
3,899
Accounts Payable
3,180
(511
)
Accrued and Other Liabilities
(5,745
)
13,858
Regulatory Liabilities
24,083
21,601
Pension and Other Postretirement
Benefits
(7,167
)
(7,209
)
Net Cash Provided by Operating
Activities
322,775
318,495
Investing Activities
Capital Expenditures
(259,750
)
(229,849
)
Proceeds from Disposal of Noncurrent
Assets
6,684
4,746
Purchases of Investments and Other
Assets
(59,100
)
(6,915
)
Net Cash Used in Investing
Activities
(312,166
)
(232,018
)
Financing Activities
Net (Repayments) Borrowings on Short-Term
Debt
(14,021
)
43,292
Proceeds from Issuance of Long-Term
Debt
120,000
—
Dividends Paid
(58,693
)
(54,792
)
Payments for Shares Withheld for Employee
Tax Obligations
(6,457
)
(3,088
)
Other, net
(1,791
)
(1,671
)
Net Cash Provided by (Used in)
Financing Activities
39,038
(16,259
)
Net Change in Cash and Cash
Equivalents
49,647
70,218
Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning
of Period
230,373
118,996
Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of
Period
$
280,020
$
189,214
OTTER TAIL CORPORATION
SEGMENT RESULTS (unaudited)
Three Months Ended September
30,
Nine Months Ended September
30,
(in thousands)
2024
2023
2024
2023
Operating Revenues
Electric
$
130,380
$
130,326
$
384,696
$
395,997
Manufacturing
79,896
100,678
275,961
309,936
Plastics
127,757
127,052
366,780
328,920
Total Operating Revenues
$
338,033
$
358,056
$
1,027,437
$
1,034,853
Operating Income (Loss)
Electric
$
36,471
$
33,142
$
88,108
$
88,427
Manufacturing
2,683
8,829
19,699
26,657
Plastics
73,745
80,119
219,136
200,836
Corporate
(5,358
)
(974
)
(13,517
)
(8,081
)
Total Operating Income
$
107,541
$
121,116
$
313,426
$
307,839
Net Income
Electric
$
28,530
$
24,565
$
69,486
$
67,420
Manufacturing
2,174
7,446
14,271
20,276
Plastics
54,479
59,162
161,829
148,240
Corporate
296
801
1,226
488
Total Net Income
$
85,479
$
91,974
$
246,812
$
236,424
View source
version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241104293379/en/
Media Contact: Stephanie Hoff, Director of Corporate
Communications, (218) 739-8535 Investor Contact: Beth Eiken,
Manager of Investor Relations, (701) 451-3571
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