Middlesex Water Company Reports First Quarter 2025 Earnings

Rhea-AI Summary

Middlesex Water Company (NASDAQ: MSEX) reported first quarter 2025 financial results with diluted EPS of $0.53, down from $0.59 in Q1 2024. Net income was $9.5 million, compared to $10.7 million in the previous year. Operating revenue increased to $44.3 million, up $3.8 million year-over-year, driven by rate increases, higher consumption, and customer growth.

The company completed the acquisition of Ocean View water utility assets in Delaware for $4.6 million, adding approximately 900 customers. Middlesex invested $19 million in infrastructure improvements during Q1 2025 and plans to invest $93 million throughout 2025. The Board declared a quarterly dividend of $0.34 per share, marking 52 consecutive years of dividend increases.

Positive

• Operating revenue increased by $3.8 million to $44.3 million (+9.4% YoY)
• Successful acquisition of Ocean View water utility assets for $4.6 million, adding 900 customers
• Filed DSIC rate application expected to generate $1.9 million in annual revenues
• Continued 52-year streak of consecutive dividend increases
• Substantial infrastructure investment with $19 million in Q1 and $93 million planned for 2025

Negative

• Net income decreased to $9.5 million from $10.7 million YoY (-11.2%)
• Diluted EPS declined to $0.53 from $0.59 YoY (-10.2%)
• Operating expenses increased by $2.0 million to $32.7 million (+6.5%)
• Lower supplemental contract services revenue in non-regulated businesses

Insights

Utilities Financial Analyst

Middlesex Water shows revenue growth despite EPS decline, with strategic acquisition and continued infrastructure investment supporting long-term stability.

Middlesex Water Company's Q1 2025 results reveal a complex but generally sound financial picture. The company reported diluted EPS of $0.53, down from $0.59 in Q1 2024, representing a 10.2% year-over-year decline. However, this comparison is significantly skewed by a $4.3 million one-time recovery (net of tax) in Q1 2024 related to previously incurred costs at their Park Avenue treatment plant.

Looking at the underlying performance, operating revenue increased by 9.4% to $44.3 million, driven by rate increases, higher consumption, and customer growth. This strong revenue growth demonstrates the effectiveness of Middlesex's core regulated utility strategy. The Middlesex system contributed $3.4 million of this increase, with Tidewater adding another $0.6 million.

Operating expenses rose 6.5% to $32.7 million, primarily due to higher production costs and increased weather-related main break activity. While rising costs are a concern, the increase remains below the revenue growth rate, suggesting sound operational management.

The completed acquisition of Ocean View water utility assets for $4.6 million adds approximately 900 customers, but has particular strategic value since Middlesex has been supplying water to this system since 2008. This acquisition exemplifies the company's "selective and sustainable growth" approach by integrating a system they already operationally support.

The company's infrastructure investment strategy is robust, with $19 million invested in Q1 and plans for $93 million throughout 2025. The Distribution System Improvement Charge (DSIC) regulatory mechanism is particularly valuable, allowing for timely infrastructure cost recovery between full rate cases. The third DSIC application is expected to generate $1.9 million in annual revenues starting June 2025, in addition to $1.1 million from previous filings.

For income-focused investors, Middlesex maintained its 52-year streak of annual dividend increases with a quarterly dividend of $0.34 per share. This exceptional dividend history places Middlesex among an elite group of dividend aristocrats and demonstrates the long-term stability of its regulated utility business model.

• Diluted earnings per share (“EPS”) of $0.53
  
  
• Completed the acquisition of Ocean View water utility assets in Delaware
  
  
• Declared $0.34 common stock cash dividend
  
  
• Invested $19 million in water and wastewater utility infrastructure

ISELIN, N.J., May 01, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Middlesex Water Company (“Middlesex” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ: MSEX) today announced financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2025.

“We are excited to welcome Ocean View residents as our customers,” said Nadine Leslie, President and Chief Executive Officer of Middlesex Water Company. “With the completion of the Ocean View acquisition, we are demonstrating our focus on selective and sustainable growth and continuing our mission of delivering clean and reliable drinking water for more customers.”

First Quarter 2025 Results

Middlesex reported net income of $9.5 million and diluted EPS of $0.53, compared to net income of $10.7 million and diluted EPS of $0.59 for the same quarter in 2024. The decrease is attributable to the one-time recovery in the first quarter 2024 of previously incurred depreciation, operating and carrying costs of $4.3 million (net of tax) associated with the construction and operation of the water treatment facilities at Middlesex’s Park Avenue water treatment plant, offset by rate increases, customer growth and wholesale customer consumption in the first quarter 2025.

Operating revenue for the quarter ended March 31, 2025, was $44.3 million, up $3.8 million, compared to $40.5 million for the same quarter last year. Revenues increased $3.4 million in the Middlesex system and $0.6 million in the Tidewater Utilities, Inc. system, largely driven by rate increases, higher consumption and customer growth, partially offset by $0.2 million of lower supplemental contract services revenue in our non-regulated businesses.

Operating expenses for the quarter ended March 31, 2025, were $32.7 million, up approximately $2.0 million, compared to $30.7 million for the same quarter last year. The increase is primarily driven by higher variable production costs, increased weather-driven main break activity and the one-time recovery in 2024 of previously incurred depreciation expense and water treatment operating costs at Middlesex’s Park Avenue water treatment plant.

Selective and Sustainable Growth

In April 2025, Tidewater successfully completed the acquisition of the water utility assets of Ocean View for approximately $4.6 million. Ocean View serves approximately 900 customers in Sussex County, Delaware, who have been receiving water supply from Tidewater since the system was constructed in 2008.

Middlesex filed a third Distribution System Improvement Charge (“DSIC”) rate application that is expected to result in $1.9 million of annual revenues starting June 2025, in addition to the existing $1.1 million of annual revenues from the first and second DSIC filings. The DSICs filed will recover costs associated with additional infrastructure investment that supports the resiliency of the New Jersey system.

In the first quarter 2025, Middlesex invested approximately $19 million to upgrade, replace and enhance the resiliency of its water and wastewater utility infrastructure. The Company plans to invest approximately $93 million in 2025.

Annual Meeting and Dividend Declared

Middlesex will hold its Annual Meeting on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. EDT. Shareholders may obtain instructions to access the meeting by visiting www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/MSEX2025 and entering the 16-digit control number listed on their Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials or proxy card.

On April 25, 2025, the Company’s Board of Directors declared a second quarter cash dividend of $0.34 per common share. Dividends on common shares will be paid on June 2, 2025, to shareholders of record as of May 15, 2025. The Company has paid cash dividends continually since 1912 and has increased the dividends received by shareholders each calendar year for 52 consecutive years.

About Middlesex Water Company

Middlesex Water Company (NASDAQ: MSEX) is one of the nation’s premier investor-owned water and wastewater utilities. Established in 1897, Middlesex is a trusted provider of life-sustaining services to more than half a million people in New Jersey and Delaware. The company focuses on employee engagement, operational excellence, superior customer experience, investment in infrastructure, and selective and sustainable growth to deliver value to our customers, investors, and the communities we serve.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of U.S. federal securities laws reflecting the current beliefs or expectations of Middlesex Water Company “MSEX” or the “Company” regarding its future performance, its financial condition, its strategic plans and cash flows, its results of operations as well as any other statements that do not directly relate to any historical or current facts. These statements reflect the Company’s current views and information currently available. This information is based on estimates, assumptions, and analysis that the Company believes, as of the date hereof, provide a reasonable basis for the information contained herein. Forward-looking statements can generally be identified by the use of forward-looking words such as “outlook,” “believes,” “expects,” “potential,” “continues,” “may,” “will,” “should,” “seeks,” “approximately,” “predicts,” “intends,” “plans,” “estimates,” “anticipates,” “foresees,” or the negative of those words or other comparable terminology. The Company intends that these statements be covered by the safe harbors created under those laws. Actual results, performance or achievements may differ materially from forward-looking statements, and the assumptions on which forward-looking statements are based. There can be no assurance that the information contained herein is reflective of future performance, and investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements as a predictor of future performance. Unless otherwise specified, all information contained in this press release speaks only as of the date hereof. The Company undertakes no duty to update or revise the information contained herein, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Media Contact:
Brian Hague, Vice President of Communications & Corporate Affairs
bhague@middlesexwater.com
(732) 638-7549

Investor Relations Contact:
Jennifer Ketschke, Director of Treasury and Investor Relations
jketschke@middlesexwater.com
(732) 638-7523

MIDDLESEX WATER COMPANY CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (Unaudited) (In thousands except per share amounts)
	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2025				2024
Operating Revenues	$	44,301			$	40,524
Operating Expenses:
Operations and Maintenance		21,109				20,465
Depreciation		6,527				5,396
Other Taxes		5,108				4,798
Total Operating Expenses		32,744				30,659
Operating Income		11,557				9,865
Other Income:
Allowance for Funds Used During Construction		372				176
Other Income (Expense), net		1,425				5,189
Total Other Income, net		1,797				5,365
Interest Charges		2,713				3,269
Income before Income Taxes		10,641				11,961
Income Taxes		1,162				1,279
Net Income		9,479				10,682
Preferred Stock Dividend Requirements		22				30
Earnings Applicable to Common Stock	$	9,457			$	10,652
Earnings per share of Common Stock:
Basic	$	0.53			$	0.60
Diluted	$	0.53			$	0.59
Average Number of Common Shares Outstanding:
Basic		17,890				17,819
Diluted		17,951				17,934

FAQ

What was Middlesex Water's (MSEX) earnings per share in Q1 2025?

Middlesex Water reported diluted earnings per share (EPS) of $0.53 in Q1 2025, compared to $0.59 in Q1 2024.

How much did Middlesex Water (MSEX) pay for the Ocean View acquisition?

Middlesex Water's subsidiary Tidewater completed the acquisition of Ocean View water utility assets for approximately $4.6 million, adding about 900 customers in Sussex County, Delaware.

What is Middlesex Water's (MSEX) quarterly dividend for Q2 2025?

Middlesex Water declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.34 per common share, payable on June 2, 2025, to shareholders of record as of May 15, 2025.

How much does Middlesex Water (MSEX) plan to invest in infrastructure in 2025?

Middlesex Water plans to invest approximately $93 million in infrastructure improvements throughout 2025, with $19 million already invested in Q1.

What was Middlesex Water's (MSEX) revenue in Q1 2025?

Middlesex Water reported operating revenue of $44.3 million for Q1 2025, an increase of $3.8 million from $40.5 million in Q1 2024.