SR Spire Inc

ST. LOUIS, May 1, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Spire Inc. (NYSE: SR) today reported results for its fiscal 2024 second quarter ended March 31. Highlights include:

• Net income of $204.3 million ($3.58 per share) compared to $179.2 million ($3.33 per share) a year ago
• Net economic earnings* (NEE) of $196.6 million ($3.45 per share) compared to $199.2 million ($3.70 per share) a year ago
• Reaffirmed fiscal 2024 net economic earnings guidance range of $4.25–$4.45 per share

For fiscal 2024 second quarter, Spire reported consolidated net economic earnings per share of $3.45 compared to $3.70 a year ago. Gas Utility earnings grew as new rates were offset, in part, by lower weather-driven usage in Missouri and higher interest expense. Gas Marketing and Midstream earnings were solid compared to very favorable market conditions in the prior year that did not recur.

"Despite a warmer than normal winter and higher interest costs, we continue to expect to meet our full year earnings target," said Steve Lindsey, president and chief executive officer of Spire. "We are making progress on our robust capital expenditure plan, and looking ahead, we remain focused on execution of our growth strategy and operational excellence in all of our businesses. This positions us well to continue providing safe, reliable and affordable natural gas to our customers."

The earnings per share comparison includes higher weighted-average shares outstanding resulting from the issuance of 2.7 million shares in March 2024 related to the conversion of the equity units and 1.7 million shares in December 2023 related to the settlement of forward shares under the at-the-market equity program.

NEE excludes from net income, as applicable, the impacts of fair value accounting and timing adjustments associated with energy-related transactions, the impacts of acquisition, divestiture and restructuring activities, and the largely non-cash impacts of other non-recurring or unusual items such as impairments and certain regulatory, legislative, or GAAP standard-setting actions.

Gas Utility

The Gas Utility segment reported fiscal 2024 second quarter NEE of $188.0 million, an increase from $183.9 million in the prior year reflecting higher earnings at Spire Alabama partially offset by lower Spire Missouri earnings.

Contribution margin increased $18.4 million primarily due to the benefit of rates implemented in early January 2024 at Spire Alabama, Spire Missouri ISRS revenues and increased Spire Alabama usage net of weather mitigation. These favorable items were partially offset by lower Spire Missouri weather-driven usage net of weather mitigation.

Operation and maintenance expense of $121.6 million was $2.3 million higher than a year ago due to higher employee related costs partially offset by lower operational and third-party spend.

Depreciation and amortization expense increased $5.2 million from last year, reflecting increased capital investment. Interest expense also increased $2.8 million to $38.3 million primarily due to higher short-term and long-term rates.

Gas Marketing

The Gas Marketing segment reported fiscal 2024 second quarter NEE of $15.5 million, compared to $21.8 million in the prior year. Fiscal 2024 results benefitted from volatility early in the quarter; results from prior year reflected very favorable market conditions that did not recur this year.

Midstream

The Midstream segment reported fiscal 2024 second quarter NEE of $3.8 million compared to $4.2 million in the year-ago period. The quarter-over-quarter decrease reflects solid results compared to very favorable market conditions in the prior year that did not recur. A portion of the value created this Winter is expected to be recognized in the second half of fiscal 2024. The results also include the earnings of MoGas and Salt Plains as a result of acquisitions over the last twelve months.

Other

Spire's other activities reported a loss on an NEE basis of $10.7 million, consistent with last year, as lower corporate costs were offset by higher interest expense.

For the first six months of fiscal 2024, Spire reported consolidated net income of $289.4 million ($5.14 per diluted share) compared to prior-year net income of $270.2 million ($4.99 per diluted share). Net economic earnings were $279.3 million ($4.96 per share) compared to NEE of $284.3 million ($5.26 per share) last year. The results reflect growth at the Gas Utility segment, which was more than offset by reduced commodity and basis volatility in the current year for the Gas Marketing and Midstream segments compared to very favorable market conditions in the prior year. The earnings per share comparison includes higher weighted-average shares outstanding in the current period.

Gas Utility

For the first six months of fiscal 2024, Gas Utility reported NEE of $263.8 million, up from $246.8 million in the prior year. The higher earnings reflect a strong performance across all utilities.

Contribution margin increased $41.2 million, due to the benefit of rates at Spire Missouri and Spire Alabama, Spire Missouri ISRS revenues and higher Spire Alabama usage net of weather mitigation. These favorable items were partially offset by lower Spire Missouri weather-driven usage net of weather mitigation.

Operation and maintenance expense of $238.3 million was $0.9 million lower than a year ago due to lower operational spend, partially offset by higher employee-related costs.

Depreciation and amortization expense increased $9.7 million from last year, reflecting increased capital investment. Interest expense also increased $9.7 million.

Gas Marketing

Gas Marketing NEE was $22.7 million, compared to $47.5 million in the prior year as very favorable market conditions in the prior year did not recur.

Midstream

Midstream NEE was $6.2 million compared to $8.0 million in the year-ago period. The year-over-year decrease reflects solid results compared to very favorable market conditions in the prior year that did not recur. The results also include the earnings of MoGas and Salt Plains as a result of acquisitions over the last twelve months.

Other

Spire's other activities reported a loss on an NEE basis of $13.4 million for the first six months of fiscal 2024 compared to a loss of $18.0 million a year ago, reflecting the settlement of an interest rate hedge in the current period, partially offset by higher corporate costs and interest expense.

Guidance and Outlook

Spire continues to expect fiscal 2024 NEE to be in a range of $4.25–$4.45 per share. We remain confident in our ability to grow long-term NEE per share 5–7% driven by expected 7–8% annual utility rate base growth, reflecting our robust capital investment plan.

Our 10-year $7.3 billion capital investment target through fiscal 2033 is driven by increasing investment in infrastructure upgrades and new business in the Gas Utility segment. Expected capital expenditures for fiscal 2024 has increased from $765 million to $800 million.

Conference Call and Webcast

Spire will host a conference call and webcast today to discuss its fiscal 2024 second quarter financial results. To access the call, please dial the applicable number approximately 5–10 minutes in advance.

The webcast can be accessed at Investors.SpireEnergy.com under Events & Presentations. A replay of the call will be available at 10 a.m. CT (11 a.m. ET) on May 1 until June 1, 2024, by dialing 877-344-7529 (U.S.), 855‑669-9658 (Canada), or 412-317-0088 (international). The replay access code is 8194130.

About Spire

At Spire Inc. (NYSE: SR) we believe energy exists to help make people's lives better. It's a simple idea, but one that's at the heart of our company. Every day we serve 1.7 million homes and businesses making us one of the largest publicly traded natural gas companies in the country. We help families and business owners fuel their daily lives through our gas utilities serving Alabama, Mississippi and Missouri. Our natural gas-related businesses include Spire Marketing and Spire Midstream. We are committed to transforming our business through growing organically, investing in infrastructure, and advancing through innovation. Learn more at SpireEnergy.com.

Forward-Looking Information and Non-GAAP Measures

This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Spire's future operating results may be affected by various uncertainties and risk factors, many of which are beyond the Company's control, including weather conditions, economic factors, the competitive environment, governmental and regulatory policy and action, and risks associated with acquisitions. More complete descriptions and listings of these uncertainties and risk factors can be found in the Company's annual (Form 10-K) and quarterly (Form 10-Q) filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

This news release includes the non-GAAP financial measures of "net economic earnings," "net economic earnings per share," and "contribution margin." Management also uses these non-GAAP measures internally when evaluating the Company's performance and results of operations. Net economic earnings exclude from net income, as applicable, the impacts of fair value accounting and timing adjustments associated with energy-related transactions, the impacts of acquisition, divestiture and restructuring activities and the largely non-cash impacts of impairments and other non-recurring or unusual items such as certain regulatory, legislative, or GAAP standard-setting actions. The fair value and timing adjustments, which primarily impact the Gas Marketing segment, include net unrealized gains and losses on energy-related derivatives resulting from the current changes in the fair value of financial and physical transactions prior to their completion and settlement, lower of cost or market inventory adjustments, and realized gains and losses on economic hedges prior to the sale of the physical commodity. Management believes that excluding these items provides a useful representation of the economic impact of actual settled transactions and overall results of ongoing operations. Contribution margin adjusts revenues to remove the costs that are directly passed on to customers and collected through revenues, which are the wholesale cost of natural gas and gross receipts taxes. These internal non-GAAP operating metrics should not be considered as an alternative to, or more meaningful than, GAAP measures such as operating income, net income, or earnings per share.