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Jun 30, 2020
Otter Tail Q2 2020 Earnings Report
Second quarter earnings increased due to increased earnings in the Electric segment and effective cost management.
Key Takeaways
Otter Tail Corporation announced an increase in earnings per share for the second quarter of 2020, driven by the Electric segment's performance. The corporation is increasing its 2020 earnings per share guidance range to $2.10-$2.30 from $2.00-$2.25.
Consolidated net income and diluted earnings per share were $17.0 million and $0.42 per share, respectively, compared with $15.4 million and $0.39 per share for the second quarter of 2019.
Consolidated operating revenues decreased 15.9% to $192.8 million compared with $229.2 million for the second quarter of 2019, mostly due to a $27.5 million decrease in Manufacturing segment revenue.
The corporation is increasing its 2020 earnings per share guidance range to $2.10-$2.30 from $2.00-$2.25 announced May 5, 2020.
The corporation maintains its long-term earnings per share growth rate target of 5% to 7% off a 2019 base.
Otter Tail
Otter Tail
Forward Guidance
The corporation is raising its 2020 overall diluted earnings per share guidance range based on our first half financial results and updated view of the anticipated effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on our operating companies. We now expect our 2020 diluted earnings per share to be in the range of $2.10 to $2.30.
Positive Outlook
- Strong first half performance in our Plastics segment along with continued favorable business conditions in this segment expected through the rest of 2020.
- The impact of COVID-19 on our Electric segment has been less than previously expected.
- Capital spending on the Merricourt and Astoria Station rate base projects of $177 million and $81 million, respectively, in 2020.
- Increased revenues related to $25 million in anticipated capital spending for self-funded generator interconnection agreements.
- The April 2020 decision by the Minnesota Supreme Court in Otter Tail Power Company’s favor related to the excess return earned on Federal Energy Regulatory Commission jurisdiction transmission lines.
Challenges Ahead
- The impact of unfavorable weather during the first half of 2020 and anticipated normal weather for the remaining months of 2020.
- Reductions in commercial and industrial demand related to the negative impacts of COVID-19 as some customers in our jurisdictions have had to either completely shut down operations or curtail operations given reduced demands for their products and services.
- We also expect to incur increased costs for bad debts, personal protective equipment and the loss of late fee revenue.
- Increased expenses caused in large part by a decrease in the discount rate used for the pension plan and a lower rate used for our long-term rate of return.
- Manufacturing segment earnings will be lower than 2019, driven by the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.