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    NISOURCE (NI)

    NI Q2 2025: $2.2B CapEx Plan Underpins Data Center Expansion

    Reported on Aug 6, 2025 (Before Market Open)
    Pre-Earnings Price$42.90Last close (Aug 5, 2025)
    Post-Earnings Price$43.08Open (Aug 6, 2025)
    Price Change
    $0.18(+0.42%)
    • Strong Data Center Opportunity: Executives emphasized the huge demand for data centers in Northern Indiana and detailed a disciplined, multi-stream approach to secure new customer contracts, positioning the business for future revenue growth [Index 6].
    • Robust Capital Investment Plans: The Q&A highlighted an upcoming refresh of the base plan along with $2.2B in identified upside CapEx, underscoring their commitment to strategic infrastructure investments and operational flexibility [Index 7].
    • Timely Regulatory Approvals and Execution: With key regulatory milestones such as the GENCO declination order expected by Q3 2025 and clear affirmations of a 2025 event timeline, executives conveyed strong confidence in meeting near-term strategic targets and delivering on growth initiatives [Index 10].
    • Regulatory and Process Risks: The Genco declination process is still underway with an expected order in Q3 2025. Any delay or negative outcome in this regulatory process could hinder NiSource’s ability to secure and capitalize on new contracts, impacting near-term growth.
    • Contract Negotiation Uncertainty: The call highlighted that multiple parallel processes and negotiations are required for finalizing the Genco agreements. This complexity and the separation of processes could lead to execution challenges if contractual terms are not favorable or if negotiations stall.
    • Asset Life Extension and Cost Recovery Concerns: Ongoing discussions regarding cost recovery mechanisms for extending the life of assets such as Schaeffer reveal uncertainty. Unresolved recovery attributes could result in higher operating costs or lower profitability if regulatory adjustments are needed.
    MetricPeriodPrevious GuidanceCurrent GuidanceChange

    Adjusted EPS

    FY 2025

    $1.85 to $1.89

    Upper half of $1.85 to $1.89

    raised

    Adjusted EPS Growth

    FY 2025-2029

    6% to 8%

    6% to 8%

    no change

    Rate Base Growth

    FY 2025-2029

    8% to 10%

    8% to 10%

    no change

    FFO to Debt Ratio

    FY 2025-2029

    14% to 16%

    14% to 16%

    no change

    Capital Investment

    FY 2025-2029

    Over $19B with additional $2B upside

    $19.4B with over $2B upside

    raised

    TopicPrevious MentionsCurrent PeriodTrend

    Data Center Opportunities

    Q4 2024: Detailed development plans, site advantages, and load forecasts ; Q1 2025: Incremental investment, legislative support, and geographic scope

    Q2 2025: Emphasis on disciplined execution, regulatory process for Genco support, and careful counterparty engagement

    Consistently important, with increased focus on disciplined execution and regulatory clarity

    Genco/GENCO Initiatives

    Q4 2024: Described as a regulated filing to protect existing customers and segregate costs ; Q1 2025: Flexible structure supporting special contracts and risk-return dynamics

    Q2 2025: Discussion of application under review, settlement modification filing, and guidance principles for customer protection

    Stable focus, with enhanced emphasis on timing (Q3 order expectation) and settlement modifications

    Regulatory Approvals and Execution

    Q4 2024: Covered rate case settlements, declination filing for GENCO, and FERC aspects ; Q1 2025: Emphasis on legislative proposals (Senate Bill 103), rate cases, and settlements

    Q2 2025: Clear updates on Virginia and Indiana rate cases, and progress on IURC filings with transparent stakeholder engagement

    Consistent regulatory progress with stronger emphasis on final orders and clear execution in Q2 2025

    Capital Investment and Infrastructure Spending

    Q4 2024: Outlined a $19.4 billion base plan with incremental upside, and recovery through regulatory settlements ; Q1 2025: Focused on diversified investments, renewable projects, and supporting new technologies

    Q2 2025: Reaffirmed a $19.4 billion five‐year plan with additional incremental opportunities (e.g., data centers) and proactive financing steps

    Steady investment strategy with a slight shift toward highlighting new incremental opportunities and financing measures in Q2 2025

    Contract Negotiation and Project Execution Risks

    Q4 2024: Addressed through progress on LaPorte facility, GENCO framework, and expected timing of deal signings ; Q1 2025: Focus on Genco-enabled special contracts and flexible negotiation processes

    Q2 2025: Detailed ongoing complex negotiations for data center opportunities and parallel regulatory/contractual workstreams to mitigate risks

    Consistent risk management focus, with a deeper emphasis on parallel execution streams and negotiation complexities in Q2 2025

    Asset Life Extension and Cost Recovery Concerns

    Q4 2024: Indirect references via system hardening and cost recovery in rate case settlements ; Q1 2025: Discussed potential extension of Shafer and Michigan City plants with associated regulatory compacts

    Q2 2025: More explicit discussions on extending coal plant operations (e.g., Schaeffer) and exploring cost recovery mechanisms while aligning with state directives

    Increased emphasis on exploring extensions and cost recovery options in the current period compared to previous milder discussions

    Operational Efficiency Initiatives (Project Apollo)

    Q4 2024: Highlighted achievements with $77 million O&M savings, risk model enhancements, and safety improvements ; Q1 2025: Noted productivity gains (60,000+ hours saved) and stable O&M expense at $1.4B through AI-enhanced schedules

    Q2 2025: Mentioned as a key part of operational excellence alongside the Work and Asset Management program, supporting strong performance in NIPSCO and Columbia segments

    Consistently positive, with all periods reporting robust efficiency gains and cost savings, maintaining a steady improvement trajectory

    Labor Contract Renewal Risk

    Q1 2025: Provided expiration dates for NIPSCO (March 2026), Pennsylvania (August 2026), and Ohio (2026 renegotiation)

    Q2 2025: No mention of labor-related risks [N/A]

    Dropped from current discussion, despite prior disclosure in Q1 2025

    PPA Pricing Risk

    Q1 2025: Addressed by Michael Luhrs, explaining that PPA pricing is based on special contracts under the Genco structure

    Q2 2025: No discussion or mention of PPA pricing risk [N/A]

    Disappeared from current period discussions, indicating decreased focus on this risk

    1. Data Centers
      Q: How will data centers grow in NISCO territory?
      A: Management highlighted a disciplined, multi-stream approach to new data center contracts and capacity expansion in Northern Indiana, emphasizing separate regulatory and contractual processes that will be clarified soon.

    2. Plan Refresh
      Q: How to balance contracts and plan refresh?
      A: Leaders detailed that they are refreshing their long-term base plan while integrating $2.2B of upside CapEx, with a comprehensive update expected in Q3 as projects mature.

    3. Supply Strategy
      Q: How is capacity addressing load growth?
      A: Management expressed confidence in meeting load growth through strategic turbine placements and selective coal plant extensions per state guidelines, ensuring reliable capacity without harming margins.

    4. Genco Process
      Q: Do GEN contracts delay earnings impact?
      A: They clarified that the GEN declination process runs independently from ongoing contract negotiations, thereby preserving financial stability and avoiding near-term earnings disruptions.

    5. Genco Timeline
      Q: What are the next steps for GEN process?
      A: Management confirmed that final filings are due by Aug 8 and an order is anticipated by Q3, reinforcing their commitment to executing the initiative within 2025.

    Research analysts covering NISOURCE.