| Factor | Score | Distribution | Value | Avg | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Valuation | 32 | 28.3x | 17.3x | Bottom tier | |
Growth | 40 | 10.7% | 7.1% | Bottom tier | |
Quality | 49 | 5.0% | 4.5% | Around median | |
Safety | 34 | 6.0x | 2.6x | Bottom tier | |
Capital Return | 36 | 3.39% | 0.06% | Bottom tier | |
Momentum | 86 | 15.4% | -1.6% | Top tier | |
Sentiment | 74 | 5 | 3 | Top tier |
10-year US Treasury yield 4.96% as of 2026-10-22. Estimates computed from company data and analyst targets, not investment advice.
Ten ratios that matter, each compared against its sector median and average — so you can see whether a number is rich or cheap relative to peers in the same sector.
Northwestern Energy Group operates in the utilities sector, serving electricity loads in Montana and South Dakota and investing in generation and transmission to meet customer needs. The revenue drivers identified by the company include regulated base rates, electricity transmission revenue, and energy sales associated with Colstrip ownership interests, along with future opportunities to serve data centers and large loads. The company is executing a $3.2 billion capital plan for the period from 2026 to 2030, excluding potential additional investments in regional transmission or large loads.
In fiscal Q2 2026, Northwestern Energy Group recorded revenue of $392.6 million and net income of $25.0 million, representing a calculated net income margin of approximately 6.4%, while GAAP diluted earnings per share were $0.40. Adjusted earnings per share were $0.50, up $0.10 from the comparable quarter of fiscal 2025, after excluding $0.04 in merger costs and $0.05 in unrecovered Colstrip expenses, in addition to the impact of weather. The call did not provide a complete numerical breakdown of revenue by segment, but attributed the $0.38 per-share improvement in margin compared with the prior-year period to new Montana rates, sales from the Puget interest in Colstrip, and growth in transmission revenue.
During the first half of fiscal 2026, GAAP earnings per share were $1.43 compared with $1.60 in the comparable period, while adjusted earnings per share increased to $1.81 from $1.62. Management reaffirmed its fiscal 2026 earnings per share guidance range of $3.68 to $3.83 and maintained its long-term rate base and earnings per share growth targets of 4% to 6%. The company declared a dividend of $0.67 per share payable on September 1, 2026, with a record date of August 17, 2026, to align dividend timing with Black Hills Corporation and simplify the mechanics of completing the merger.
The average analyst price target is $68.5, within a relatively wide range of $62 to $75, while the highest target is very close to the 52-week range high of $75.18. The “Neutral” consensus reflects a balance between reaffirmed fiscal 2026 earnings per share guidance and the merger and large-load opportunities on one hand, and unrecovered Colstrip costs, incomplete Montana approval of the merger, and the lack of guaranteed data center contracts on the other; the available data do not include a valid price-to-earnings ratio for an additional comparison.
Figures in the text are as of 2026-08-31; the live price is shown at the top of the page.
Northwestern Energy Group recorded revenue of $392.6 million and net income of $25.0 million in fiscal Q2 2026, representing a calculated net income margin of approximately 6.4%. GAAP diluted earnings per share were $0.40, while adjusted earnings per share were $0.50. Adjusted earnings were $0.10 higher than in the comparable quarter of fiscal 2025. The improvement was driven by new Montana rates, sales from the Puget interest in Colstrip, and growth in transmission revenue, offset by higher operating, depreciation, and interest costs.
On July 30, 2026, management reaffirmed its fiscal 2026 earnings per share range of $3.68 to $3.83. GAAP earnings per share were $1.43 in the first half of fiscal 2026, compared with $1.60 in the comparable period. Adjusted earnings per share increased to $1.81 from $1.62. The company also maintained its long-term rate base and earnings per share growth target of 4% to 6%.
During fiscal Q2 2026, the transaction received approval from shareholders, FERC, and regulators in Nebraska and South Dakota. Approval from the Montana Public Service Commission remained required on July 30, 2026, after completion of the hearing and final briefs. Management estimated that a decision would be issued within 90 to 120 days of mid-July 2026, meaning between mid-October and mid-November 2026. If the merger is completed, management expects earnings per share growth of 5% to 7% for the combined entity.
Automated analysis for informational purposes only — not investment advice.
The company is focusing on the Quantica project with a load of 1.1 gigawatts, although a 7.2-gigawatt interconnection request appeared in project documents. On July 30, 2026, Brian Bird confirmed that the current operational focus is on 1.1 gigawatts, not achieving the full size of the interconnection request. Management expects, without guarantee, to reach energy service agreements with Quantica and Atlas before the end of 2026. Sabey was facing land acquisition issues, so management did not confirm whether its agreement could be completed before the end of 2026.
Increased Colstrip ownership added operating costs equivalent to $0.12 per share in fiscal Q2 2026. The adjusted earnings reconciliation included $0.05 per share of unrecovered Colstrip expenses, in addition to the impact of merger costs and weather. Management said the temporary allowance under the PCCAM tariff was insufficient to recover the operating and maintenance costs associated with the Avista interest. The company is evaluating the timing of a rate review to include the asset in base rates, while it expected the PCCAM filing to advance in fiscal Q4 2026 or near the end of 2026 and the beginning of 2027.
Operating risks include the non-recovery of some Colstrip costs and the impact of weather on demand and energy sales prices, after warm winter weather weighed on fiscal Q1 2026. Large loads also require transmission network expansions through projects such as the North Plains Connector, the Montana-to-Idaho line, Path 8, and Path 18, some of which are contingent on permits. Data center agreements with Quantica and Atlas remain uncertain, while Sabey faces land-related issues and the industry faces local objections concerning energy and water consumption. In addition, approval from the Montana Public Service Commission remained an incomplete condition for the merger with Black Hills Corporation on July 30, 2026.