Otter Tail Corporation (Nasdaq: OTTR) today announced financial
results for the quarter ended September 30, 2023.
SUMMARY
Compared to the quarter ended September 30, 2022:
- Consolidated operating revenues decreased 7% to $358
million.
- Consolidated net income increased 9% to $92 million.
- Diluted earnings per share increased 9% to $2.19 per
share.
CEO OVERVIEW
“Otter Tail Corporation, through the combined efforts of our
employees and our diversified business model, delivered record
setting quarterly earnings,” said President and CEO Chuck
MacFarlane. Electric segment earnings were flat with the third
quarter of 2022. Our Manufacturing segment produced earnings growth
of 20 percent due to increased sales volumes and profit margins.
Plastics segment earnings increased 6 percent primarily due to
stronger operating margins as our sales price to resin spreads have
improved compared to the third quarter of 2022.
“In August 2023, our 49 MW Hoot Lake Solar facility became fully
operational. The project was completed and placed in service on
time and on budget. Hoot Lake Solar was constructed on and near the
retired Hoot Lake coal plant property in Fergus Falls, Minnesota
and is the third largest operating solar site based on generation
capacity in the state of Minnesota. With the completion of Hoot
Lake Solar, we expect nearly 40 percent of Otter Tail Power’s owned
and contracted energy generation will come from renewable
resources.
“Otter Tail Power Company will file a request with the North
Dakota Public Service Commission on November 2, 2023, for an
increase in general rates in North Dakota. This request is largely
driven by increases in our operating costs over the six years since
our last rate case filing. We are proposing to increase net
revenues by approximately $17 million, or 8.4 percent. Even with
this increase, Otter Tail Power Company will continue to have some
of the lowest rates in the country.
“We are increasing our 2023 diluted earnings per share guidance
to a range of $6.76 to $6.96 from our previous range of $5.70 to
$6.00. The increase in our guidance is primarily driven by stronger
than expected Plastics segment earnings and revised expectations
for the fourth quarter of the year.
“Our long-term focus remains unchanged - executing our strategy
to grow our businesses and achieve operational, commercial and
talent excellence to strengthen our position in the markets we
serve. We believe our businesses are well-positioned to achieve
these objectives and to deliver on our financial targets, including
producing over the long-term a compounded annual growth rate in
earnings per share of 5 to 7 percent based on an earnings mix of
approximately 65 percent from our Electric segment and 35 percent
from our Manufacturing and Plastics segments.”
QUARTERLY DIVIDEND
On October 30, 2023, the corporation’s Board of Directors
declared a quarterly common stock dividend of $0.4375 per share.
This dividend is payable December 8, 2023 to shareholders of record
on November 15, 2023.
CASH FLOWS AND LIQUIDITY
Our consolidated cash provided by operating activities for the
nine months ended September 30, 2023 was $318.5 million compared to
$288.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2022. The
increase was primarily due to the absence of a pension plan
contribution in 2023 due to the plan's funded status, whereas a
$20.0 million discretionary contribution was made in February 2022,
and the timing of customer collections of forecasted fuel costs
that will be adjusted in future periods. Increases to operating
cash flows were partially offset by lower earnings. Investing
activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 included
capital expenditures of $229.8 million, primarily related to
capital investments within our Electric segment including the
purchase of the Ashtabula III wind farm for $50.6 million and
investments in our Hoot Lake Solar facility and wind repowering
projects. Financing activities for the nine months ended September
30, 2023 included net proceeds from short-term borrowings of $43.3
million at Otter Tail Power and dividend payments of $54.8
million.
As of September 30, 2023, we had $170.0 million and $108.9
million of available liquidity under our Otter Tail Corporation and
Otter Tail Power Credit Agreements, respectively, along with $189.2
million of available cash and cash equivalents, for total available
liquidity of $468.1 million.
SEGMENT PERFORMANCE
Electric Segment
Three Months Ended September
30,
($ in thousands)
2023
2022
Change
% Change
Operating Revenues
$
130,326
$
142,747
$
(12,421
)
(8.7
)%
Net Income
24,565
24,847
(282
)
(1.1
)
Retail MWh Sales
1,300,324
1,275,051
25,273
2.0
%
Heating Degree Days
3
22
(19
)
(86.4
)
Cooling Degree Days
317
376
(59
)
(15.7
)
The following table shows heating degree days (HDDs) and cooling
degree days (CDDs) as a percent of normal.
Three Months Ended September
30,
2023
2022
HDDs
6.3
%
43.1
%
CDDs
92.2
%
108.4
%
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 in 2023 and 2022.
2023 vs Normal
2023 vs 2022
2022 vs Normal
Effect on Diluted Earnings Per Share
$
(0.01
)
$
(0.02
)
$
0.01
Operating Revenues decreased $12.4 million primarily due
to a $13.2 million decrease in fuel recovery revenues, a decrease
in wholesale revenues, and the impact of unfavorable weather,
partially offset by increased renewable rider revenue and higher
commercial and industrial sales in North Dakota. The decrease in
fuel recovery revenues was primarily due to lower purchased power
and fuel costs arising from decreased market energy costs and
natural gas prices. Wholesale revenues decreased due to a decrease
in wholesale electric prices driven by decreased fuel costs.
Renewable rider revenue increases included recovery of costs
related to the Ashtabula III wind farm and our Hoot Lake Solar
project.
Net Income decreased $0.3 million primarily due to the
impact of unfavorable weather, increased depreciation expense, and
increased operating and maintenance expenses, driven by higher
labor costs and strategic spending initiatives, partially offset by
increased rider revenue, increased commercial and industrial sales,
and lower pension costs.
Manufacturing Segment
Three Months Ended September
30,
(in thousands)
2023
2022
$ Change
% Change
Operating Revenues
$
100,678
$
98,767
$
1,911
1.9
%
Net Income
7,446
6,219
1,227
19.7
Operating Revenues increased $1.9 million primarily due
to an 8% increase in sales volumes at BTD Manufacturing driven by
end market demand in the construction, recreational vehicle and
power generation segments and incremental volumes from additional
work with existing customers. Operating revenues also benefited
from sales price increases implemented in response to labor and
non-steel material cost inflation. Sales price increases and sales
volume growth were partially offset by decreased steel prices,
resulting in a 4% decrease in material costs, which are passed
through to customers. Operating revenues at T.O. Plastics decreased
primarily due to decreased sales volumes of horticulture products,
as order and delivery lead times have normalized, and customers are
working to reduce their inventory levels and return to more normal
seasonal fluctuations.
Net Income increased $1.2 million primarily due to
increased sales volumes and profit margins, as well as an increase
in research and development tax credits at BTD, partially offset by
decreased sales volumes at T.O. Plastics.
Plastics Segment
Three Months Ended September
30,
(in thousands)
2023
2022
$ Change
% Change
Operating Revenues
$
127,052
$
142,342
$
(15,290
)
(10.7
)%
Net Income
59,162
55,982
3,180
5.7
Operating Revenues decreased $15.3 million primarily due
to an 11% decrease in sales prices compared to the same period last
year. Sales prices have continued to decrease in the current year;
however, they continue to remain elevated compared to pre-2021
levels. Sales volumes in the third quarter of 2023 were consistent
with sales volumes during the same period last year.
Net Income increased $3.2 million primarily due to
increased profit margins as our sales price to resin spreads
improved compared to the third quarter of 2022. Resin and sales
prices continued to decrease in the current year; however, the
magnitude of sales price decreases was less than resin price
declines. PVC resin and other input material costs decreased 39%
compared to the same period last year as supply conditions
improved, causing resin prices to decline over the last twelve
months.
Corporate
Three Months Ended September
30,
(in thousands)
2023
2022
$ Change
% Change
Net Income (Loss)
$
801
$
(2,809
)
$
3,610
n/m
Net Income (Loss) at our corporate cost center increased
primarily due to decreased employee benefit expenses, including
decreases in our employee health insurance claim costs and
increased investment income earned on our short-term cash
equivalent investments.
2023 BUSINESS OUTLOOK
We are increasing our 2023 diluted earnings per share range to
$6.76 to $6.96. We expect our earnings mix in 2023, 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. This anticipated mix deviates from our long-term
expected earnings mix of approximately 65% Electric/35%
non-electric as our Plastics segment continues to produce elevated
earnings.
The segment components of our 2023 diluted earnings per share
guidance compared with actual earnings for 2022 are as follows:
2022 EPS by
Segment
2023 EPS Guidance July
31, 2023
2023 EPS Guidance
October 30, 2023
Low
High
Low
High
Electric
$
1.91
$
2.00
$
2.04
$
2.01
$
2.04
Manufacturing
0.50
0.47
0.51
0.49
0.52
Plastics
4.66
3.40
3.59
4.34
4.45
Corporate
(0.29
)
(0.17
)
(0.14
)
(0.08
)
(0.05
)
Total
$
6.78
$
5.70
$
6.00
$
6.76
$
6.96
Return on Equity
25.6
%
18.4
%
19.2
%
21.4
%
21.9
%
The following items contributed to our revised 2023 earnings
guidance:
Electric Segment - We are tightening our range of
expected earnings from our July 31, 2023 guidance and continue to
expect our Electric segment to produce earnings growth of 6% over
2022.
Manufacturing Segment - We are increasing our
Manufacturing segment guidance based on:
- The strength of third quarter earnings as sales volumes, margin
improvement and tax credits drove earnings growth at BTD.
- Backlog for the manufacturing companies as of September 30,
2023 was approximately $107 million, compared with $141 million one
year ago.
Plastics Segment - We are increasing our Plastics segment
guidance based on:
- Continued strength in our product sales prices and related
margins. While sales prices and margins have begun to recede from
historic highs, the rate of decline continues to be slower than our
previous expectations.
- Increased sales volume expectations as distributor inventory
destocking is generally complete and demand has rebounded in
advance of the seasonal decline anticipated in the latter part of
the fourth quarter.
Corporate Costs - We are decreasing our Corporate cost
guidance based on the following:
- The results in the third quarter of 2023 were better than
expected due to higher balances of invested cash, higher yields on
our cash investments and lower employee healthcare costs.
- Increased earnings on our cash balance investments over the
remainder of the year due to a higher balance of invested funds and
a higher yield.
CONFERENCE CALL AND WEBCAST
The corporation will host a live webcast on Tuesday, October 31,
2023, at 10:00 a.m. CDT 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,” “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 2023 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, 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, cyber
security threats or data breaches, the impact of government
legislation and regulation including foreign trade policy and
environmental, health and safety laws and regulations, the impact
of climate change including compliance with legislative and
regulatory changes to address climate change, expectations
regarding regulatory proceedings, 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)
2023
2022
2023
2022
Operating Revenues
Electric
$
130,326
$
142,747
$
395,997
$
404,112
Product Sales
227,730
241,109
638,856
754,688
Total Operating Revenues
358,056
383,856
1,034,853
1,158,800
Operating Expenses
Electric Production Fuel
19,603
24,972
45,928
54,538
Electric Purchased Power
10,895
19,913
57,932
64,604
Electric Operating and Maintenance
Expense
43,534
39,799
134,604
126,460
Cost of Products Sold (excluding
depreciation)
118,303
139,361
351,330
443,586
Other Nonelectric Expenses
15,863
16,524
51,433
50,981
Depreciation and Amortization
24,548
22,716
72,636
69,829
Electric Property Taxes
4,194
4,438
13,151
13,304
Total Operating Expenses
236,940
267,723
727,014
823,302
Operating Income
121,116
116,133
307,839
335,498
Other Income and (Expense)
Interest Expense
(9,175
)
(9,259
)
(28,285
)
(27,198
)
Nonservice Components of Postretirement
Benefits
2,289
52
7,122
824
Other Income (Expense), net
2,471
(174
)
7,841
(802
)
Income Before Income Taxes
116,701
106,752
294,517
308,322
Income Tax Expense
24,727
22,513
58,093
66,143
Net Income
$
91,974
$
84,239
$
236,424
$
242,179
Weighted-Average Common Shares
Outstanding:
Basic
41,680
41,600
41,663
41,582
Diluted
42,058
41,974
42,028
41,930
Earnings Per Share:
Basic
$
2.21
$
2.02
$
5.67
$
5.82
Diluted
$
2.19
$
2.01
$
5.63
$
5.78
OTTER TAIL CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(unaudited)
September 30,
December 31,
(in thousands)
2023
2022
Assets
Current Assets
Cash and Cash Equivalents
$
189,214
$
118,996
Receivables, net of allowance for credit
losses
193,175
144,393
Inventories
142,007
145,952
Regulatory Assets
17,041
24,999
Other Current Assets
15,313
18,412
Total Current Assets
556,750
452,752
Noncurrent Assets
Investments
59,322
54,845
Property, Plant and Equipment, net of
accumulated depreciation
2,387,260
2,212,717
Regulatory Assets
89,491
94,655
Intangible Assets, net of accumulated
amortization
7,118
7,943
Goodwill
37,572
37,572
Other Noncurrent Assets
49,956
41,177
Total Noncurrent Assets
2,630,719
2,448,909
Total Assets
$
3,187,469
$
2,901,661
Liabilities and Shareholders'
Equity
Current Liabilities
Short-Term Debt
$
51,495
$
8,204
Accounts Payable
103,118
104,400
Accrued Salaries and Wages
32,227
32,327
Accrued Taxes
50,495
19,340
Regulatory Liabilities
32,285
17,300
Other Current Liabilities
40,413
56,065
Total Current Liabilities
310,033
237,636
Noncurrent Liabilities and Deferred
Credits
Pensions Benefit Liability
33,083
33,210
Other Postretirement Benefits
Liability
26,101
46,977
Regulatory Liabilities
275,809
244,497
Deferred Income Taxes
234,787
221,302
Deferred Tax Credits
15,358
15,916
Other Noncurrent Liabilities
65,371
60,985
Total Noncurrent Liabilities and Deferred
Credits
650,509
622,887
Commitments and Contingencies
Capitalization
Long-Term Debt
823,998
823,821
Shareholders’ Equity
Common Shares
208,553
208,156
Additional Paid-In Capital
426,358
423,034
Retained Earnings
766,844
585,212
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
1,174
915
Total Shareholders' Equity
1,402,929
1,217,317
Total Capitalization
2,226,927
2,041,138
Total Liabilities and Shareholders'
Equity
$
3,187,469
$
2,901,661
OTTER TAIL CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(unaudited)
Nine Months Ended September
30,
(in thousands)
2023
2022
Operating Activities
Net Income
$
236,424
$
242,179
Adjustments to Reconcile Net Income to Net
Cash Provided by Operating Activities:
Depreciation and Amortization
72,636
69,829
Deferred Tax Credits
(558
)
(558
)
Deferred Income Taxes
10,800
23,648
Discretionary Contribution to Pension
Plan
—
(20,000
)
Investment (Gains) Losses
(3,734
)
5,406
Stock Compensation Expense
6,975
6,141
Other, net
(164
)
(867
)
Change in Operating Assets and
Liabilities:
Receivables
(48,782
)
(18,845
)
Inventories
4,873
3,632
Regulatory Assets
8,387
170
Other Assets
3,899
1,789
Accounts Payable
(511
)
(10,681
)
Accrued and Other Liabilities
13,858
(13,970
)
Regulatory Liabilities
21,601
(1,208
)
Pension and Other Postretirement
Benefits
(7,209
)
1,308
Net Cash Provided by Operating
Activities
318,495
287,973
Investing Activities
Capital Expenditures
(229,849
)
(123,227
)
Proceeds from Disposal of Noncurrent
Assets
4,746
3,803
Purchases of Investments and Other
Assets
(6,915
)
(8,132
)
Net Cash Used in Investing
Activities
(232,018
)
(127,556
)
Financing Activities
Net Borrowings (Repayments) on Short-Term
Debt
43,292
(91,163
)
Proceeds from Issuance of Long-Term
Debt
—
90,000
Payments for Retirement of Long-Term
Debt
—
(30,000
)
Dividends Paid
(54,792
)
(51,564
)
Payments for Shares Withheld for Employee
Tax Obligations
(3,088
)
(2,942
)
Other, net
(1,671
)
(3,298
)
Net Cash Used in Financing
Activities
(16,259
)
(88,967
)
Net Change in Cash and Cash
Equivalents
70,218
71,450
Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning
of Period
118,996
1,537
Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of
Period
$
189,214
$
72,987
OTTER TAIL CORPORATION
SEGMENT RESULTS (unaudited)
Three Months Ended September
30,
Nine Months Ended September
30,
(in thousands)
2023
2022
2023
2022
Operating Revenues
Electric
$
130,326
$
142,747
$
395,997
$
404,112
Manufacturing
100,678
98,767
309,936
306,921
Plastics
127,052
142,342
328,920
447,767
Total Operating Revenues
$
358,056
$
383,856
$
1,034,853
$
1,158,800
Operating Income (Loss)
Electric
$
33,142
$
35,956
$
88,427
$
90,765
Manufacturing
8,829
8,380
26,657
25,017
Plastics
80,119
75,801
200,836
231,223
Corporate
(974
)
(4,004
)
(8,081
)
(11,507
)
Total Operating Income
$
121,116
$
116,133
$
307,839
$
335,498
Net Income (Loss)
Electric
$
24,565
$
24,847
$
67,420
$
62,938
Manufacturing
7,446
6,219
20,276
17,858
Plastics
59,162
55,982
148,240
170,788
Corporate
801
(2,809
)
488
(9,405
)
Total Net Income
$
91,974
$
84,239
$
236,424
$
242,179
View source
version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231030022518/en/
Media Contact: Stephanie Hoff, Director of Corporate
Communications, (218) 739-8535 Investor Contact: Beth Osman,
Manager of Investor Relations, (701) 451-3571
Otter Tail (NASDAQ:OTTR)
Gráfico Histórico do Ativo
De Dez 2024 até Jan 2025
Otter Tail (NASDAQ:OTTR)
Gráfico Histórico do Ativo
De Jan 2024 até Jan 2025