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Dec 31, 2022

Black Hills Q4 2022 Earnings Report

Black Hills reported earnings within its guidance range and achieved excellent operational performance for the year.

Key Takeaways

Black Hills Corp. reported a net income available for common stock of $72.5 million, with an EPS of $1.11 for Q4 2022. The company's full-year EPS increased by 6% compared to 2021, driven by new rates, strong demand, customer growth, and wholesale energy sales. However, the company revised its 2023 EPS guidance due to macroeconomic challenges.

New winter peak loads were recorded at all three electric utilities in December.

The company's 2023-2027 capital investment forecast is $3.5 billion.

Revised 2023 EPS guidance range is $3.65 to $3.85.

The long-term EPS growth target is 4% to 6% off the 2023 base.

Total Revenue
$791M
Previous year: $563M
+40.7%
EPS
$1.11
Previous year: $1.11
+0.0%
Gross Profit
-$451M
Previous year: -$258M
+74.9%
Cash and Equivalents
$21.4M
Previous year: $8.92M
+139.9%
Free Cash Flow
-$47.5M
Previous year: -$99.4M
-52.2%
Total Assets
$9.62B
Previous year: $9.13B
+5.3%

Black Hills

Black Hills

Black Hills Revenue by Segment

Forward Guidance

Black Hills revised its guidance for 2023 earnings per share available for common stock to be in the range of $3.65 to $3.85, from $4.00 to $4.20. The revision was driven by a rapid shift in macroeconomic factors.

Positive Outlook

  • Normal weather conditions within our utility service territories including temperatures, precipitation levels and wind conditions
  • Normal operations and weather conditions for planned construction, maintenance and/or capital investment projects
  • Constructive and timely outcomes of utility regulatory dockets
  • No significant unplanned outages at any of our generating facilities
  • Production tax credits of approximately $20 million associated with wind generation assets

Challenges Ahead

  • Elevated natural gas price volatility
  • Elevated natural gas demand driven by Winter Storm Elliot in December 2022
  • Higher interest rates
  • Inflationary pressures on expenses
  • Anticipates additional carrying costs throughout 2023 due to the extended nature of cost recovery mechanisms with a higher financing cost environment

Revenue & Expenses

Visualization of income flow from segment revenue to net income