RGC Resources, Inc. Reports Second Quarter Earnings


ROANOKE, Va., May 05, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- RGC Resources, Inc. (NASDAQ: RGCO) announced consolidated Company net loss of $24,494,429 or $2.89 per share for the quarter ended March 31, 2022. The net loss reflects an after-tax impairment charge of approximately $29,600,000 related to RGC Midstream, LLC’s investment in the Mountain Valley Pipeline, LLC. Underlying net income, a non-GAAP measure that excludes the impairment, was $5,077,546 or $0.60 per share, which compares to consolidated earnings of $4,767,478 or $0.58 per share for the quarter ended March 31, 2021. CEO Paul Nester stated, “The 6.5% underlying net income growth in the second quarter was driven by the strength of our core Roanoke Gas utility business. Operating income improved 5% in the quarter due to investment in infrastructure replacement programs, customer growth, and a large customer that has significantly increased their natural gas usage.” 

Net loss for the twelve months ending March 31, 2022 was $20,298,579 or $2.42 per share. Underlying net income for the same period was $9,273,396 or $1.11 compared to $10,368,023 or $1.27 per share for the twelve months ended March 31, 2021. The decline in underlying net income is due to the $3.5 million non-cash MVP AFUDC decline, net of a 14% increase in operating income. Nester attributed the operating income growth to strong utility margins. “The utility margin increase was favorably impacted by infrastructure replacement revenue, weather adjusted revenues and customer growth.”

RGC Resources, Inc. provides energy and related products and services to customers in Virginia through its operating subsidiaries Roanoke Gas Company and RGC Midstream, LLC.

Utility margins is a non-GAAP measure defined as utility revenues less cost of gas. Underlying net income removes the effect of the after-tax impairment charge from the results of operations to enhance the comparability of financial results between periods. Management considers these non-GAAP measures to provide useful information to both management and investors for purpose of such comparability and in evaluating operating performance, but they should be considered in addition to results prepared in accordance with GAAP and should not be considered a substitute for, or superior to, GAAP results.

Net income and underlying net income for the three months ended March 31, 2022 is not indicative of the results to be expected for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2022 as quarterly earnings are affected by the highly seasonal nature of the business and weather conditions generally result in greater earnings during the winter months.

The statements in this release that are not historical facts constitute “forward-looking statements” made pursuant to the safe harbor provision of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 that involve risks and uncertainties. In order to comply with the terms of the safe harbor, the Company notes that a variety of factors could cause the Company’s actual results and experience to differ materially from any expectations expressed in the Company’s forward-looking statements, including regarding customer growth, infrastructure investment and margins. These risks and uncertainties include gas prices and supply, geopolitical considerations and regulatory and legal challenges and those set forth in the Company’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2022. Forward-looking statements reflect the Company’s current expectations only as of the date they are made. The Company assumes no duty to update these statements should expectations change or actual results differ from current expectations except as required by applicable laws and regulations.

Past performance is not necessarily a predictor of future results.

Summary financial statements for the second quarter and twelve months are as follows:

 
RGC Resources, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income
(Unaudited)
         
  Three Months Ended Twelve Months Ended
  March 31, March 31,
   2022   2021   2022   2021
         
Operating revenues $29,529,683  $28,253,662  $80,196,863  $68,622,886
Operating expenses  22,086,295   21,154,236   65,277,556   55,505,486
Operating income  7,443,388   7,099,426   14,919,307   13,117,400
Equity in earnings (loss) of unconsolidated affiliate (445)  (3,797)  386,350   3,885,081
Impairment of unconsolidated affiliates (39,822,213)  -   (39,822,213)  -
Other income, net  344,510   287,548   961,521   778,335
Interest expense  1,103,844   1,007,764   4,232,992   4,003,273
Income (loss) before income taxes  (33,138,604)  6,375,413   (27,788,027)  13,777,543
Income tax expense (benefit)  (8,644,175)  1,607,935   (7,489,448)  3,409,520
         
Net income (loss) $(24,494,429) $4,767,478  $(20,298,579) $10,368,023
         
Net earnings (loss) per share of common stock:        
Basic $(2.89) $0.58  $(2.42) $1.27
Diluted $(2.89) $0.58  $(2.42) $1.27
         
Cash dividends per common share$0.195  $0.185  $0.760  $0.720
         
         
Reconciliation of GAAP net income to underlying net income:      
Net income (loss) as reported$(24,494,429)  $4,767,478  $(20,298,579)  $10,368,023
Impairment - net of income tax 29,571,975   -   29,571,975   -
Underlying net income $5,077,546  $4,767,478  $9,273,396  $10,368,023
         
Underlying earnings per share: basic and diluted$0.60  $0.58  $1.11  $1.27
         
         
         
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding:      
Basic  8,486,518   8,217,822   8,372,548   8,171,202
Diluted  8,486,518   8,230,650   8,372,548   8,185,332
         
         
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets  
(Unaudited)  
         
    March 31,  
Assets    2022   2021   
Current assets   $32,520,634  $16,563,212   
Utility plant, net    218,709,630   203,698,440   
Other assets    37,128,221   71,902,386   
         
Total Assets   $288,358,485  $292,164,038   
         
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity       
Current liabilities   $36,576,652  $20,775,066   
Long-term debt, net    104,841,078   120,770,429   
Deferred credits and other liabilities   41,478,026   53,043,935   
Total Liabilities    182,895,756   194,589,430   
Stockholders' Equity    105,462,729   97,574,608   
         
Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity  $288,358,485  $292,164,038   
         

Contact: Paul W. Nester
 President and CEO
Telephone: 540-777-3837