Middlesex Water Company reports Q3 2025 results, with a diluted EPS of $0.77 and a 5.88% dividend increase.
Quiver AI Summary
Middlesex Water Company announced its third-quarter financial results for 2025, reporting a net income of $14 million and diluted earnings per share (EPS) of $0.77, a slight decrease from the previous year. The company invested $72 million in water and wastewater infrastructure, significantly contributing to its growth strategy. Additionally, Middlesex executed an asset purchase agreement for the Pinewood Acres water utility assets in Delaware and declared a cash dividend of $0.36 per share, marking a 5.88% increase. Despite lower operating revenues due to decreased water consumption attributed to unfavorable weather, the company attributed some revenue growth to rate increases and expanding its customer base. Overall, year-to-date results showed a slight decline in net income compared to the previous year, primarily due to one-time recoveries in the prior period and increased costs associated with weather-related issues.
Potential Positives
- Diluted earnings per share (EPS) of $0.77 demonstrates ongoing profitability, albeit a slight decrease from the previous year.
- The company invested $72 million in water and wastewater utility infrastructure, signifying a strong commitment to improving service quality and operational resilience.
- The declaration of a cash dividend of $0.36 per share, reflecting a 5.88% increase, marks the 53rd consecutive year of dividend increases, highlighting the company's stable financial performance and shareholder value focus.
- The execution of an asset purchase agreement to acquire Pinewood Acres water utility assets aligns with the company's growth strategy and expansion efforts in service areas.
Potential Negatives
- Net income decreased in both the third quarter and year-to-date results compared to the same periods in 2024, indicating potential struggles in maintaining profitability.
- Operating revenues for the third quarter decreased by $1.0 million year-over-year, pointing to declining consumption partially due to unfavorable weather, which may raise concerns about demand stability.
- Despite capital investments and acquisitions, the lower consumption rates driven by weather conditions could indicate vulnerabilities in the company's revenue streams and overall growth strategy.
FAQ
What was Middlesex Water Company's diluted EPS for Q3 2025?
Middlesex Water Company reported a diluted EPS of $0.77 for Q3 2025.
How much did Middlesex invest in infrastructure in 2025?
The company invested approximately $72 million in water and wastewater utility infrastructure during the nine months ended September 30, 2025.
What is the cash dividend declared by Middlesex for Q4 2025?
Middlesex declared a cash dividend of $0.36 per common share for Q4 2025, representing a 5.88% increase.
Which water utility assets did Middlesex agree to acquire?
Middlesex Water Company executed an asset purchase agreement to acquire Pinewood Acres water utility assets in Delaware.
What were the operating revenues for Middlesex in Q3 2025?
The operating revenues for Middlesex Water Company in Q3 2025 were $54.1 million, a decrease from $55.1 million in Q3 2024.
Disclaimer: This is an AI-generated summary of a press release distributed by GlobeNewswire. The model used to summarize this release may make mistakes. See the full release here.
$MSEX Insider Trading Activity
$MSEX insiders have traded $MSEX stock on the open market 1 times in the past 6 months. Of those trades, 0 have been purchases and 1 have been sales.
Here’s a breakdown of recent trading of $MSEX stock by insiders over the last 6 months:
- WALTER G REINHARD sold 702 shares for an estimated $40,273
To track insider transactions, check out Quiver Quantitative's insider trading dashboard.
$MSEX Hedge Fund Activity
We have seen 112 institutional investors add shares of $MSEX stock to their portfolio, and 83 decrease their positions in their most recent quarter.
Here are some of the largest recent moves:
- AMUNDI removed 119,762 shares (-100.0%) from their portfolio in Q2 2025, for an estimated $6,488,705
- STATE STREET CORP removed 111,041 shares (-13.8%) from their portfolio in Q2 2025, for an estimated $6,016,201
- DARK FOREST CAPITAL MANAGEMENT LP removed 52,371 shares (-100.0%) from their portfolio in Q2 2025, for an estimated $2,837,460
- GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP INC added 50,912 shares (+26.7%) to their portfolio in Q2 2025, for an estimated $2,758,412
- FIRST TRUST ADVISORS LP removed 44,825 shares (-6.3%) from their portfolio in Q2 2025, for an estimated $2,428,618
- CRAMER ROSENTHAL MCGLYNN LLC removed 38,277 shares (-25.7%) from their portfolio in Q2 2025, for an estimated $2,073,847
- MILLENNIUM MANAGEMENT LLC removed 37,166 shares (-68.4%) from their portfolio in Q2 2025, for an estimated $2,013,653
To track hedge funds' stock portfolios, check out Quiver Quantitative's institutional holdings dashboard.
$MSEX Analyst Ratings
Wall Street analysts have issued reports on $MSEX in the last several months. We have seen 1 firms issue buy ratings on the stock, and 0 firms issue sell ratings.
Here are some recent analyst ratings:
- Janney Montgomery Scott issued a "Buy" rating on 05/12/2025
To track analyst ratings and price targets for $MSEX, check out Quiver Quantitative's $MSEX forecast page.
Full Release
- Diluted earnings per share (“EPS”) of $0.77
- Invested $72 million in water and wastewater utility infrastructure during the nine months ended September 30, 2025, or approximately 77% of the 2025 capital budget
- Declared $0.36 common stock cash dividend, a 5.88% increase
- Executed the asset purchase agreement to acquire Pinewood Acres water utility assets in Delaware
ISELIN, N.J., Oct. 31, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Middlesex Water Company (“Middlesex” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ: MSEX) today announced financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2025.
“We continue to focus on our selective and sustainable growth pillar, and we are pleased to announce the execution of an asset purchase agreement to acquire the water utility asset of Pinewoods Acres in Delaware," said Nadine Leslie, Chair, President and Chief Executive Officer of Middlesex Water Company. "This acquisition aligns with our MWC2030 strategy to bring our high standards of operational excellence, safety, and water quality to a broader customer base.”
Third Quarter 2025 Results
Middlesex reported net income of $14.0 million and diluted EPS of $0.77, compared to net income of $14.3 million and diluted EPS of $0.80 for the same quarter in 2024.
Operating revenues for the quarter ended September 30, 2025, were $54.1 million, a decrease of $1.0 million, compared to $55.1 million for the same quarter last year. The decrease is attributable to lower consumption driven by unfavorable weather partially offset by rate increases and customer growth.
Operating expenses for the quarter ended September 30, 2025, were $36.4 million, a decrease of approximately $1.2 million, compared to $37.6 million for the same quarter last year. The decrease is primarily driven by higher capitalizable costs and lower legal, financial and regulatory costs, partially offset by higher variable production costs from weather-driven lower water quality and higher depreciation.
Year-to-Date Results
Net income for the nine months ended September 30, 2025 was $34.2 million, a $1.3 million decrease when compared to the same period in 2024. Diluted earnings per share were $1.90 and $1.98 for the nine months ended September 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 nine months ended September 30, 2025, were $147.7 million, an increase of approximately $2.9 million over the same period in 2024. Operating revenues increased $1.8 million in the Middlesex System and $1.4 million in the Tidewater System, largely driven by rate increases and customer growth, partially offset by lower consumption driven by unfavorable weather and a $0.3 million decrease primarily due to lower supplemental contract services revenue in our non-regulated businesses.
Operating expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2025, increased $2.5 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 higher depreciation expense due to higher average utility plant in service 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 $72 million to upgrade, replace and enhance the resiliency of its water and wastewater utility infrastructure during the nine months ended September 30, 2025, or approximately 77% of its planned 2025 annual investment of $93 million.
In October 2025, Middlesex filed a fourth Distribution System Improvement Charge ("DSIC") rate application that is expected to result in $0.9 million of annual revenues, which is in addition to the existing $2.3 million of annual revenues from previous DSIC filings.
In October 2025, Tidewater Utilities, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Middlesex, filed an application with the Delaware Public Service Commission for approval of the purchase of Pinewood Acres water utility assets for $0.2 million. Pinewood Acres serves approximately 350 customers in Kent County, Delaware.
Dividend Declared, Announced 5.88% Increase
As previously announced on October 24, 2025, the Company’s Board of Directors declared a fourth quarter cash dividend of $0.36 per common share, a 5.88% increase from the $0.34 per share dividend last declared in July 2025. This increase raises the annual dividend rate to $1.44 from $1.36 per share of common stock and marks Middlesex's 53rd consecutive year of dividend increases. The dividend at the new rate is payable December 1, 2025 to shareholders of record as of November 17, 2025. Middlesex has paid cash dividends in varying amounts continually since 1912.
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
[email protected]
(732) 638-7549
Investor Relations Contact:
Jennifer Ketschke, Director of Treasury and Investor Relations
[email protected]
(732) 638-7523
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MIDDLESEX WATER COMPANY
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (Unaudited) (In thousands except per share amounts) |
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Three Months Ended
September 30, |
Nine Months Ended
September 30, |
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| 2025 | 2024 | 2025 | 2024 | ||||||||||||
| Operating Revenues | $ | 54,091 | $ | 55,100 | $ | 147,715 | $ | 144,770 | |||||||
| Operating Expenses: | |||||||||||||||
| Operations and Maintenance | 23,738 | 25,359 | 67,913 | 67,649 | |||||||||||
| Depreciation | 6,941 | 6,309 | 20,171 | 18,010 | |||||||||||
| Other Taxes | 5,709 | 5,931 | 16,460 | 16,430 | |||||||||||
| Total Operating Expenses | 36,388 | 37,599 | 104,544 | 102,089 | |||||||||||
| Operating Income | 17,703 | 17,501 | 43,171 | 42,681 | |||||||||||
| Other Income (Expense): | |||||||||||||||
| Allowance for Funds Used During Construction | 432 | 354 | 1,218 | 787 | |||||||||||
| Other Income (Expense), net | 1,454 | 1,614 | 4,364 | 9,202 | |||||||||||
| Total Other Income, net | 1,886 | 1,968 | 5,582 | 9,989 | |||||||||||
| Interest Charges | 4,200 | 3,411 | 10,535 | 10,721 | |||||||||||
| Income before Income Taxes | 15,389 | 16,058 | 38,218 | 41,949 | |||||||||||
| Income Taxes | 1,431 | 1,739 | 4,001 | 6,402 | |||||||||||
| Net Income | 13,958 | 14,319 | 34,217 | 35,547 | |||||||||||
| Preferred Stock Dividend Requirements | 18 | 29 | 59 | 89 | |||||||||||
| Earnings Applicable to Common Stock | $ | 13,940 | $ | 14,290 | $ | 34,158 | $ | 35,458 | |||||||
| Earnings per share of Common Stock: | |||||||||||||||
| Basic | $ | 0.77 | $ | 0.80 | $ | 1.90 | $ | 1.99 | |||||||
| Diluted | $ | 0.77 | $ | 0.80 | $ | 1.90 | $ | 1.98 | |||||||
| Average Number of Common Shares Outstanding: | |||||||||||||||
| Basic | 18,123 | 17,838 | 17,992 | 17,828 | |||||||||||
| Diluted | 18,154 | 17,952 | 18,023 | 17,943 | |||||||||||