Essential Utilities Q4 2023 Earnings Report
Key Takeaways
Essential Utilities reported a decrease in revenues for the fourth quarter of 2023. However, the company's net income and earnings per share increased compared to the same quarter in the previous year. The company also provided 2024 guidance for earnings per share and capital investments.
Net income for Q4 2023 was $135.4 million, compared to $114.9 million for the same quarter in 2022.
Earnings per share were $0.50 for Q4 2023, compared to $0.44 in the fourth quarter of 2022.
Revenues for Q4 2023 were $479.4 million compared to $705.4 million in the fourth quarter of 2022.
Operations and maintenance expenses decreased to $157.0 million for Q4 2023 compared to $184.7 million in the fourth quarter of 2022.
Essential Utilities
Essential Utilities
Forward Guidance
Essential Utilities initiated 2024 annual earnings per share guidance range of $1.96 to $2.00 and capital investment guidance of $7.2 billion from 2024 through 2028.
Positive Outlook
- Initiating 2024 annual earnings per share guidance range of $1.96 to $2.00
- Initiating capital investment guidance of $7.2 billion from 2024 through 2028
- Company expects to invest between $1.3 to $1.4 billion in needed infrastructure investments in 2024
- Company reaffirms its commitment to substantially reduce Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions by 2035
- Company reaffirms its commitment to providing finished water that will meet the EPA timelines and standards.
Challenges Ahead
- Company will refrain from providing a multi-year earnings per share guidance range until the conclusion of base rate cases
- Decrease in revenues for the year were primarily due to lower purchased gas costs and unfavorable weather
- Lower regulated natural gas segment and regulated water segment volumes
- Guidance is subject to risks and uncertainties
- Essential Utilities does not guarantee future results of any kind.