Northwest Natural Gas (NYSE:NWN) Stock Price Up 6.3% After Better-Than-Expected Earnings

Northwest Natural Gas Company (NYSE:NWN)’s share price was up 6.3% on Friday after the company announced better than expected quarterly earnings. The company traded as high as $53.44 and last traded at $53.44. Approximately 276,919 shares traded hands during trading, a decline of 3% from the average daily volume of 284,592 shares. The stock had previously closed at $50.27.

The utilities provider reported $1.39 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.36 by $0.03. Northwest Natural Gas had a net margin of 7.94% and a return on equity of 8.30%. The firm had revenue of $394.16 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $419.36 million. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $1.41 EPS. The business’s revenue for the quarter was up 6.3% compared to the same quarter last year. Northwest Natural Gas has set its FY 2026 guidance at 2.950-3.150 EPS.

Northwest Natural Gas Increases Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, February 13th. Shareholders of record on Friday, January 30th were paid a dividend of $1.97 per share. This represents a $7.88 annualized dividend and a yield of 14.8%. This is an increase from Northwest Natural Gas’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.49. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, January 30th. Northwest Natural Gas’s dividend payout ratio is presently 78.49%.

Key Northwest Natural Gas News

Here are the key news stories impacting Northwest Natural Gas this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Q4 EPS beat — NWN reported $1.39 EPS vs. the consensus $1.36, showing continued profitability strength and helping drive the stock higher. Northwest Natural (NWN) Q4 Earnings Surpass Estimates
• Positive Sentiment: FY‑2026 EPS guidance provided at $2.950–$3.150, which sits around street expectations and reduces near‑term uncertainty about earnings growth — a catalyst cited in market writeups for the share move. Northwest Natural Gas (NYSE:NWN) Shares Rise on EPS Guidance Update
• Positive Sentiment: Company statement: NW Natural Holdings said it delivered record 2025 results across its businesses, supporting a constructive near‑term narrative around operational performance. NW Natural Holdings Delivers Record 2025 Results Across All Businesses
• Neutral Sentiment: Earnings call transcripts and management commentary are available for detail on rate cases, capex and margin drivers — useful for evaluating whether guidance is sustainable. Northwest Natural Holding Company (NWN) Q4 2025 Earnings Call Transcript
• Negative Sentiment: Revenue missed expectations — $394.2M reported vs. ~$419M consensus — which could raise questions about volume or commodity pass‑throughs and partially offsets the EPS beat. Northwest Natural Q4 release and materials

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

NWN has been the topic of a number of research reports. Weiss Ratings reissued a “hold (c)” rating on shares of Northwest Natural Gas in a report on Thursday, January 22nd. Stifel Nicolaus lifted their price target on shares of Northwest Natural Gas from $50.00 to $52.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Wednesday, November 12th. Finally, BTIG Research restated a “buy” rating and issued a $55.00 price objective on shares of Northwest Natural Gas in a report on Friday, January 30th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and three have issued a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $51.33.

Institutional Trading of Northwest Natural Gas

Institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Aster Capital Management DIFC Ltd purchased a new position in shares of Northwest Natural Gas in the third quarter worth $26,000. Larson Financial Group LLC grew its holdings in Northwest Natural Gas by 104.3% in the 3rd quarter. Larson Financial Group LLC now owns 711 shares of the utilities provider’s stock worth $32,000 after acquiring an additional 363 shares during the last quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC increased its position in shares of Northwest Natural Gas by 77.4% in the second quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 807 shares of the utilities provider’s stock valued at $32,000 after acquiring an additional 352 shares during the period. Torren Management LLC bought a new position in shares of Northwest Natural Gas during the fourth quarter valued at about $41,000. Finally, Hantz Financial Services Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of Northwest Natural Gas by 44.3% during the second quarter. Hantz Financial Services Inc. now owns 1,143 shares of the utilities provider’s stock worth $45,000 after purchasing an additional 351 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 75.13% of the company’s stock.

Northwest Natural Gas Stock Up 5.6%

The company has a market capitalization of $2.20 billion, a P/E ratio of 19.10 and a beta of 0.57. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.48, a current ratio of 0.59 and a quick ratio of 0.43. The company has a 50 day moving average of $47.78 and a 200-day moving average of $45.89.

About Northwest Natural Gas

Northwest Natural Gas (NYSE: NWN), commonly known as NW Natural, is a publicly traded energy utility primarily engaged in the distribution of natural gas to residential, commercial and industrial customers. Headquartered in Portland, Oregon, the company operates an extensive pipeline network spanning thousands of miles across Oregon and southwest Washington. Its core business activities include gas procurement, system operation and maintenance, safety inspections and customer service support.

Dating back to the mid-19th century, Northwest Natural traces its origins to the Portland Gas Light Company, which first illuminated Portland streets with manufactured gas in 1859.