ROANOKE, Va., Feb. 10, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- RGC Resources, Inc. (NASDAQ:RGCO) announced consolidated Company earnings of $5,269,689, or $0.51 per share, for the first quarter ended December 31, 2024, compared to $5,019,992, or $0.50 per share, for the fiscal quarter ended December 31, 2023. Higher utility margin reflected the new base rates that went into effect July 1, 2024 and was offset by lower equity earnings from unconsolidated affiliate and higher interest expense.
Roanoke Gas continued investing in utility infrastructure to enhance system reliability and deliver gas to new customers, driving both higher margins and earnings. CEO Paul Nester stated, "Colder weather in December and strong usage by our largest transportation customer also contributed to a higher quarterly performance. The Company's equity earnings from its investment in the MVP were $854,213 in the first quarter ended December 31, 2024, as the pipeline is in operation, compared to $1,467,835 in the first quarter ended December 31, 2023, which corresponded to the Company's share of Allowance for Funds Used During Construction (AFUDC) during the construction phase."
RGC Resources, Inc. provides energy and related products and services to customers in Virginia through its operating subsidiaries Roanoke Gas Company and RGC Midstream, LLC.
Utility margin is a non-GAAP measure defined as utility revenues less cost of gas. Management considers this non-GAAP measure to provide useful information to both management and investors for purpose of such comparability and in evaluating operating performance, but it should be considered in addition to results prepared in accordance with GAAP and should not be considered a substitute for, or superior to, GAAP results.
The statements in this release that are not historical facts constitute "forward-looking statements" made pursuant to the safe harbor provision of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 that involve risks and uncertainties. In order to comply with the terms of the safe harbor, the Company notes that a variety of factors could cause the Company's actual results and experience to differ materially from any expectations expressed in the Company's forward-looking statements, regarding inflation, customer growth, infrastructure investment and margins. These risks and uncertainties include gas prices and supply, geopolitical considerations, MVP operation, along with risks included under Item 1-A in the Company's fiscal 2024 Form 10-K. Forward-looking statements reflect the Company's current expectations only as of the date they are made. The Company assumes no duty to update these statements should expectations change or actual results differ from current expectations except as required by applicable laws and regulations.
Past performance is not necessarily a predictor of future results.
Summary financial statements for the first quarter are as follows:
| RGC Resources, Inc. and Subsidiaries Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (Unaudited) | ||||||
| Three Months Ended December 31, | ||||||
| 2024 | 2023 | |||||
| Operating revenues | $ | 27,289,486 | $ | 24,419,352 | ||
| Operating expenses | 19,961,465 | 17,767,315 | ||||
| Operating income | 7,328,021 | 6,652,037 | ||||
| Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliate | 854,213 | 1,467,835 | ||||
| Other income, net | 473,336 | 120,786 | ||||
| Interest expense | 1,779,930 | 1,636,273 | ||||
| Income before income taxes | 6,875,640 | 6,604,385 | ||||
| Income tax expense | 1,605,951 | 1,584,393 | ||||
| Net income | $ | 5,269,689 | $ | 5,019,992 | ||
| Net earnings per share of common stock: | ||||||
| Basic | $ | 0.51 | $ | 0.50 | ||
| Diluted | $ | 0.51 | $ | 0.50 | ||
| Cash dividends per common share | $ | 0.2075 | $ | 0.2000 | ||
| Weighted average number of common shares outstanding: | ||||||
| Basic | 10,259,717 | 10,029,243 | ||||
| Diluted | 10,263,997 | 10,031,354 | ||||
| Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) | ||||||
| December 31, | ||||||
| Assets | 2024 | 2023 | ||||
| Current assets | $ | 35,920,737 | $ | 34,769,875 | ||
| Utility property, net | 265,540,721 | 250,343,833 | ||||
| Other non-current assets | 33,711,014 | 29,589,527 | ||||
| Total Assets | $ | 335,172,472 | $ | 314,703,235 | ||
| Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity | ||||||
| Current liabilities | $ | 64,324,575 | $ | 64,196,722 | ||
| Long-term debt, net | 111,336,132 | 102,461,196 | ||||
| Deferred credits and other non-current liabilities | 47,750,676 | 44,500,714 | ||||
| Total Liabilities | 223,411,383 | 211,158,632 | ||||
| Stockholders' Equity | 111,761,089 | 103,544,603 | ||||
| Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity | $ | 335,172,472 | $ | 314,703,235 | ||
| Contact: | Timothy J. Mulvaney |
| Vice President, Treasurer and CFO | |
| Telephone: | (540) 777-3997 |
