Middlesex Water Company Reports Second Quarter 2025 Earnings

Rhea-AI Summary

Middlesex Water Company (NASDAQ:MSEX) reported Q2 2025 financial results with diluted EPS of $0.60, up from $0.59 in Q2 2024. Operating revenues increased to $49.3 million, while net income reached $10.8 million.

Key highlights include: $51 million invested in infrastructure during H1 2025 (55% of 2025 capital budget), approval of Delaware rate case with $5.5 million annual revenue increase, and filing of New Jersey rate case seeking $24.9 million revenue increase. The company declared a quarterly dividend of $0.34 per share, marking 52 consecutive years of dividend increases.

Year-to-date net income decreased to $20.3 million from $21.3 million, with diluted EPS of $1.13, primarily due to one-time recovery effects and weather-related consumption decline.

Positive

• Delaware PSC approved $5.5 million annual revenue increase with 9.5% ROE
• Filed New Jersey rate case seeking $24.9 million revenue increase
• Invested $51 million in infrastructure improvements (55% of 2025 budget)
• 52 consecutive years of dividend increases
• Q2 net income increased to $10.8 million from $10.5 million YoY

Negative

• YTD net income decreased to $20.3 million from $21.3 million
• Operating expenses increased $1.6 million in Q2 due to higher production costs
• Lower consumption due to unfavorable weather conditions
• Higher variable production costs from weather-driven lower water quality

Insights

Financial Analyst

Middlesex Water posted modest earnings growth with strong infrastructure investment and favorable regulatory outcomes supporting future growth.

Middlesex Water Company's Q2 2025 results show modest financial improvement with diluted EPS increasing to $0.60 from $0.59 year-over-year. Revenue edged up slightly to $49.3 million (+0.4%) despite consumption challenges from unfavorable weather. The company has demonstrated disciplined capital deployment, investing $51 million in infrastructure during H1 2025, representing 55% of their annual $93 million capital budget.

The regulatory environment appears supportive, with a constructive outcome in Delaware resulting in a $5.5 million increase in annual operating revenues based on a 9.5% authorized return on equity. Additionally, the New Jersey petition requesting a $24.9 million (19.3%) increase in annual base revenues positions the company for potential future revenue growth.

Operationally, the 4.7% increase in operating expenses to $35.4 million is concerning, driven by higher production costs from weather-related water quality issues, increased labor costs, and higher depreciation. This expense growth outpaced revenue growth, creating margin pressure. For the six-month period, the year-over-year net income decline of $1.0 million was largely attributable to a one-time recovery in Q1 2024 of $4.3 million (net of tax).

The company's dividend history remains a bright spot, with the declared $0.34 quarterly dividend representing 52 consecutive years of dividend increases. This demonstrates management's commitment to shareholder returns while balancing infrastructure investment needs. The approval of DSIC and RESIC programs should provide more predictable revenue streams for qualifying capital investments going forward, supporting both infrastructure improvements and financial stability.

• Diluted earnings per share (“EPS”) of $0.60
• Invested $51 million in water and wastewater utility infrastructure during the first half of 2025, or approximately 55% of the 2025 capital budget
• Constructive outcome of the general base rate case in Delaware
• Declared $0.34 common stock cash dividend

ISELIN, N.J., July 31, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Middlesex Water Company (“Middlesex” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ: MSEX) today announced financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2025.

“We appreciate the dedication and commitment of the Delaware Public Service Commission Staff and the Public Advocate during a comprehensive review process of our general rate case,” said Nadine Leslie, Chair, President and Chief Executive Officer of Middlesex Water Company. “The constructive outcome of the general rate case in Delaware supports our selective and sustainable growth pillar and the ability to continue making prudent investments in our Tidewater System to provide safe and reliable water utility service to our customers and the communities we serve at affordable rates.” 

Second Quarter 2025 Results

Middlesex reported net income of $10.8 million and diluted EPS of $0.60, compared to net income of $10.5 million and diluted EPS of $0.59 for the same quarter in 2025. The increase is attributable to rate increases, customer growth, and higher income tax benefits associated with increased capital investment deduction on tangible property, offset by lower consumption driven by unfavorable weather.

Operating revenues for the quarter ended June 30, 2025, were $49.3 million, up $0.2 million, compared to $49.1 million for the same quarter last year. The increase is attributable to rate increases and customer growth, offset by lower consumption driven by unfavorable weather.

Operating expenses for the quarter ended June 30, 2025, were $35.4 million, up approximately $1.6 million, compared to $33.8 million for the same quarter last year. The increase is primarily driven by higher variable production costs from weather-driven lower water quality, higher labor cost due to wage and employee headcount increases and higher depreciation.

Year-to-Date Results

Net income for the six months ended June 30, 2025, was $20.3 million, a $1.0 million decrease when compared to the same period in 2024. Diluted earnings per share were $1.13 and $1.18 for the six months ended June 30, 2025, and 2024, respectively. 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 and lower consumption driven by unfavorable weather, offset by rate increases and customer growth.

Operating revenues for the six months ended June 30, 2025, were $93.6 million, an increase of approximately $4.0 million over the same period in 2024. Operating revenues increased $3.1 million in the Middlesex System and $1.2 million in the Tidewater system, largely driven by rate increases and customer growth, offset by lower consumption driven by unfavorable weather and $0.4 million of lower supplemental contract services revenue in our non-regulated businesses.

Operating expenses for the six months ended June 30, 2025, increased $3.7 million over the same period in 2024, primarily due to higher variable production costs from weather-driven lower water quality, 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

Middlesex invested approximately $51 million to upgrade, replace and enhance the resiliency of its water and wastewater utility infrastructure during the first half of 2025, or approximately 55% of its planned 2025 annual investment of $93 million.

In July 2025, the Delaware Public Service Commission (“DEPSC”) approved the settlement agreement between Tidewater Utilities, Inc., DEPSC Staff and the Division of the Public Advocate in our general base rate application, with new rates effective July 3, 2025. The DEPSC order approved an increase in our annual operating revenues by $5.5 million based on an authorized return on common equity of 9.5% and a common equity ratio of 53.50%.

In June 2025, our New Jersey regulated utilities filed a joint petition with the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (“NJBPU”) requesting an increase in annual base revenues by approximately $24.9 million, or 19.3% to recover approximately $100 million of prudently incurred investments made to comply with environmental regulations and to continue to provide safe and reliable water and wastewater service to their customers. In addition, in July 2025, our New Jersey regulated utilities filed a Distribution System Improvement Charge (“DSIC”) and a Resiliency and Environmental System Improvement Charge (“RESIC”) Foundational Filing with the NJBPU for the three-year period ending October 2028. Under the combined DSIC and RESIC programs, our New Jersey regulated utilities submit semi-annual surcharge filings to the NJBPU for qualifying capital investments completed every six-months to be recovered up to $11.4 million or 7.5% of total annual revenues of the June 2025 base rate joint petition¹.  

Dividend Declared

  
On July 23, 2025, the Company’s Board of Directors declared a third quarter cash dividend of $0.34 per common share. Dividends on common shares will be paid on September 2, 2025, to shareholders of record as of August 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 (“Middlesex”) 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 June 30,						Six Months Ended June 30,
				2025			2024			2025			2024
Operating Revenues			$49,323			$49,146			$93,624			$89,670
Operating Expenses:
	Operations and Maintenance			23,066			21,825			44,175			42,290
	Depreciation			6,703			6,305			13,230			11,701
	Other Taxes			5,642			5,701			10,750			10,499
		Total Operating Expenses		35,411			33,831			68,155			64,490
Operating Income				13,912			15,315			25,469			25,180
Other Income:
	Allowance for Funds Used During Construction			413			257			786			433
	Other Income, net			1,485			2,399			2,910			7,588
Total Other Income, net				1,898			2,656			3,696			8,021
Interest Charges				3,623			4,041			6,336			7,310
Income before Income Taxes				12,187			13,930			22,829			25,891
Income Taxes				1,409			3,384			2,571			4,663
Net Income				10,778			10,546			20,258			21,228
Preferred Stock Dividend Requirements				19			30			41			60
Earnings Applicable to Common Stock			$10,759			$10,516			$20,217			$21,168
Earnings per share of Common Stock:
	Basic		$0.60			$0.59			$1.13			$1.19
	Diluted		$0.60			$0.59			$1.13			$1.18
Average Number of
	Common Shares Outstanding:
	Basic			17,962			17,829			17,926			17,824
	Diluted			17,993			17,944			17,957			17,939

FAQ

What was Middlesex Water's (MSEX) EPS for Q2 2025?

Middlesex Water reported diluted earnings per share of $0.60 for Q2 2025, compared to $0.59 in Q2 2024.

How much revenue increase did MSEX receive in the Delaware rate case?

The Delaware Public Service Commission approved a $5.5 million annual revenue increase for Tidewater Utilities, with new rates effective July 3, 2025.

What is the amount of MSEX's Q3 2025 dividend?

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

How much did Middlesex Water invest in infrastructure during H1 2025?

The company invested $51 million in water and wastewater utility infrastructure during the first half of 2025, representing approximately 55% of its planned 2025 annual investment of $93 million.

What rate increase is MSEX seeking in New Jersey?

Middlesex Water filed a petition with the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities requesting a $24.9 million (19.3%) increase in annual base revenues to recover approximately $100 million of investments.