Q4 2024 Earnings Summary
Metric | YoY Change | Reason |
---|---|---|
Total Revenue | Increased from ~$1,743M in Q3 2024 to $1,989M in Q4 2024 | Total Revenue grew by approximately $246 million compared to the prior quarter, reflecting a recovery from earlier declines driven by unfavorable weather and lower electric/gas sales in Q3 2023. The upward trend seen in Q3 2024 appears to have continued, with improved consumer demand and favorable rate adjustments contributing to the recovery. |
Operating Income (EBIT) | Increased from $367M in Q3 2024 to $425M in Q4 2024 | Operating Income grew by about $58 million over the previous quarter, largely thanks to constructive regulatory outcomes, ongoing cost management, and rate increases that had already boosted earnings in Q3, where improvements of $96 million YoY were attributed to these factors. |
Net Income | Increased slightly from $251M in Q3 2024 to $255M in Q4 2024 | Net Income improvement was steady, building on higher operating income (as seen in Q3 2024 where net income rose $77 million YoY from $174M to $251M) while partially offset by increased financing costs. Strategic factors—such as better performance in rate cases and operational efficiencies—continued to underpin profitability. |
Diluted EPS | Increased from $0.84 in Q3 2024 to $0.87 in Q4 2024 | Diluted EPS improved by $0.03, continuing the momentum from earlier gains seen from $0.60 in Q3 2023 to $0.84 in Q3 2024. The improvement is linked to favorable regulatory outcomes, solid performance at NorthStar Clean Energy, and beneficial weather patterns that have enhanced revenue per share. |
Interest Expense | Elevated at $180M in Q4 2024 versus lower historical levels (e.g., $106M in Q3 2023) | The $180 million in interest expense indicates an increase in financing costs compared to prior periods. This escalation is reflective of increased debt obligations and higher interest charges encountered during previous quarters, where similar trends were observed, albeit at lower levels. |
Net Change in Cash | Declined by $70M in Q4 2024 | The net change in cash saw a decline of $70 million, driven by higher cash outflows in investing activities (including capital expenditures) that outweighed robust operating cash flows. This mirrors earlier patterns where operating gains were offset by significant investments and changes in financing flows. |
Cash and Cash Equivalents | Reduced to $103M in Q4 2024 | Ending Q4 2024 with $103 million in cash and cash equivalents marks a noticeable decrease from end-of-Q3 2024 levels (around $412 million). This reduction reflects increased investments and adjusted financing activities that have drawn down the liquidity, following earlier quarter dynamics. |
Shareholders’ Equity | Stood at $8,006M in Q4 2024 | Shareholders' Equity at $8,006 million reflects the cumulative impact of net income contributions and stockholder transactions seen in earlier periods (e.g., a $591 million boost in Q3 2023), partially offset by dividend payments. This indicates a deliberate capital allocation strategy, balancing retained earnings with shareholder returns. |
Long-Term Debt | Increased to $15,866M in Q4 2024 | The reported Long-Term Debt of $15,866 million shows a continued net increase over previous periods—building on earlier activity (such as the $800 million convertible note issuance and first mortgage bonds transactions in Q3 periods). These financing efforts underscore the company's strategy to support capital investments and operational funding, despite partial retirements. |