Unitil (NYSE:UTL) Stock

Unitil

Unitil Corp is a holding company, through its subsidiaries it is engaged in the local distribution of electricity and natural gas throughout its service territories in the states of New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and Maine. The Company has two operating and reportable segments: Utility Electric Operations and Utility Gas Operations. Majority of revenue is gained from Electric Segment.

News

Offerings

Unitil Corp Files For Stock Shelf; Size Not Disclosed

Unitil (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/UTL#NYSE">UTL</a>) reported quarterly earnings of $1.74 per share which missed the analyst consensus estimate of $1.75 by 0.57 percent. This is a 2.96 percent increase over earnings of $1.69 per share from the same period last year. The company reported quarterly sales of $170.80 million which missed the analyst consensus estimate of $193.03 million by 11.52 percent. This is a 4.42 percent decrease over sales of $178.70 million the same period last year.

Earnings

Earnings Misses

CORRECTION: Unitil Q1 Adj. EPS $1.74 Misses $1.75 Estimate, Sales $170.80M Miss $193.03M Estimate

Unitil To Acquire Aquarion Water Company of Massachusetts For $100M

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Earnings Scheduled For May 6, 2025

Unitil (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/UTL#NYSE">UTL</a>) will release its quarterly earnings report on Tuesday, 2025-05-06. Here's a brief overview for investors ahead of the announcement.
Analysts anticipate Unitil to report an earnings per share (EPS) of $1.75.
The announcement from Unitil is eagerly anticipated, with investors seeking news of surpassing estimates and favorable guidance for the next quarter.
It's worth noting for new investors that guidance can be a key determinant of stock price movements.
<h3>Past Earnings Performance</h3>
During the last quarter, the company reported an EPS beat by $0.02, leading to a 2.5% increase in the share price on the subsequent day.
Here's a look at Unitil's past performance and the resulting price change:

<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Quarter</th>
<th>Q4 2024</th>
<th>Q3 2024</th>
<th>Q2 2024</th>
<th>Q1 2024</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>EPS Estimate</td>
<td>0.95</td>
<td>0.08</td>
<td>0.29</td>
<td>1.59</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>EPS Actual</td>
<td>0.97</td>
<td>0.02</td>
<td>0.27</td>
<td>1.69</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Price Change %</td>
<td>3.0%</td>
<td>-1.0%</td>
<td>-0.0%</td>
<td>0.0%</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2025/1746460938_0.png" alt="eps graph" />
<h3>Market Performance of Unitil's Stock</h3>
Shares of Unitil were trading at $59.02 as of May 02. Over the last 52-week period, shares are up 10.19%. Given that these returns are generally positive, long-term shareholders should be satisfied going into this earnings release. 
<h3>Analyst Opinions on Unitil</h3>
Understanding market sentiments and expectations within the industry is crucial for investors. This analysis delves into the latest insights on Unitil.
The consensus rating for Unitil is Neutral, derived from 1 analyst ratings. An average one-year price target of $55.0 implies a potential 6.81% downside.
<h3>Comparing Ratings with Peers</h3>
This comparison focuses on the analyst ratings and average 1-year price targets of NorthWestern Energy Group, Black Hills and NiSource, three major players in the industry, shedding light on their relative performance expectations and market positioning.
<ul>
<li>Analysts currently favor an Outperform trajectory for NorthWestern Energy Group, with an average 1-year price target of $60.25, suggesting a potential 2.08% upside.</li>
<li>Analysts currently favor an Neutral trajectory for Black Hills, with an average 1-year price target of $66.0, suggesting a potential 11.83% upside.</li>
<li>Analysts currently favor an Outperform trajectory for NiSource, with an average 1-year price target of $43.33, suggesting a potential 26.58% downside.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Insights: Peer Analysis</h3>
The peer analysis summary offers a detailed examination of key metrics for NorthWestern Energy Group, Black Hills and NiSource, providing valuable insights into their respective standings within the industry and their market positions and comparative performance.

<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Company</th>
<th>Consensus</th>
<th>Revenue Growth</th>
<th>Gross Profit</th>
<th>Return on Equity</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Unitil</td>
<td>Neutral</td>
<td>-1.62%</td>
<td>$56.40M</td>
<td>3.08%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>NorthWestern Energy Group</td>
<td>Outperform</td>
<td>-1.83%</td>
<td>$271.72M</td>
<td>2.67%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Black Hills</td>
<td>Neutral</td>
<td>0.91%</td>
<td>$248.80M</td>
<td>2.82%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>NiSource</td>
<td>Outperform</td>
<td>11.66%</td>
<td>$789.50M</td>
<td>2.61%</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

Key Takeaway:
Unitil ranks at the bottom for Revenue Growth among its peers. It is in the middle for Gross Profit. For Return on Equity, it is at the top among its peers.
<h3>Get to Know Unitil Better</h3>
Unitil Corp is a holding company, through its subsidiaries it is engaged in the local distribution of electricity and natural gas throughout its service territories in the states of New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and Maine. The Company has two operating and reportable segments: Utility Electric Operations and Utility Gas Operations. Majority of revenue is gained from Electric Segment.
<h3>Unitil's Economic Impact: An Analysis</h3>
Market Capitalization: Indicating a reduced size compared to industry averages, the company's market capitalization poses unique challenges.
Revenue Growth: Unitil's revenue growth over a period of 3 months has faced challenges. As of 31 December, 2024, the company experienced a revenue decline of approximately -1.62%. This indicates a decrease in the company's top-line earnings. As compared to competitors, the company encountered difficulties, with a growth rate lower than the average among peers in the Utilities sector.
Net Margin: Unitil's net margin lags behind industry averages, suggesting challenges in maintaining strong profitability. With a net margin of 12.24%, the company may face hurdles in effective cost management.
Return on Equity (ROE): Unitil's financial strength is reflected in its exceptional ROE, which exceeds industry averages. With a remarkable ROE of 3.08%, the company showcases efficient use of equity capital and strong financial health.
Return on Assets (ROA): Unitil's ROA excels beyond industry benchmarks, reaching 0.88%. This signifies efficient management of assets and strong financial health.
Debt Management: Unitil's debt-to-equity ratio is below industry norms, indicating a sound financial structure with a ratio of 1.48.
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/UTL/earnings">To track all earnings releases for Unitil visit their earnings calendar on our site.</a>
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

What to Expect from Unitil's Earnings

Unitil Corporation (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/UTL#NYSE">UTL</a>) (<a href="https://www.globenewswire.com/Tracker?data=6T8weIIMXOMy9ESiwisCpUhV1MAqXdDIFcwiLUSeKhzF-8E9KBHqeK2-704uYWwp3JaYPgZ9KdAaDePgWbEw5w==">unitil.com</a>) today announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Maine Natural Gas Company ("Maine Natural") from Avangrid Enterprises, Inc., for $86.0 million on a debt-free basis, subject to adjustment for closing working capital and transaction expenses. Upon closing of the transaction, which is expected to occur by the end of 2025, Maine Natural will become a wholly owned subsidiary of Unitil. The transaction is subject to approval by the Maine Public Utilities Commission.
Maine Natural Gas Company commenced operations in 1999 and serves approximately 6,300 residential and commercial natural gas customers in nine communities in the Greater Portland region of Maine, as well as the capital city of Augusta. Maine Natural's gas system includes approximately 230 miles of distribution mains, providing opportunities for continued customer growth. Maine Natural is estimated to have approximately $69.0 million of rate base as of December 31, 2024. Customer growth over the most recent five-year period averaged 4.4% annually.
Maine Natural serves communities that are geographically contiguous with Unitil's existing service areas in the Greater Portland region, an attractive and densely populated region of Maine. In combination with the Company's most recent acquisition of Bangor Natural Gas Company, Unitil will serve communities representing over 40% of Maine's total population. The transaction is expected to be earnings accretive over the long-term, supporting Unitil's long-term earnings per share growth of 5% to 7%.

Unitil to Acquire Maine Natural Gas for $86M, Expanding Presence in Greater Portland

Guggenheim analyst Shahriar Pourreza reiterates Unitil (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/UTL#NYSE">UTL</a>) with a Neutral and maintains $55 price target.

Price Target

Reiteration

Analyst Ratings

Guggenheim Reiterates Neutral on Unitil, Maintains $55 Price Target

Unitil FY24 Adjusted EPS $2.97, Up $0.15 From 2023

<h3>Companies Reporting Before The Bell</h3>
• Hain Celestial Group (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HAIN#NASDAQ">HAIN</a>) is likely to report quarterly earnings at $0.12 per share on revenue of $431.01 million. 
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• Edgewell Personal Care (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/EPC#NYSE">EPC</a>) is projected to report quarterly earnings at $0.12 per share on revenue of $480.16 million. 
• McDonald's (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MCD#NYSE">MCD</a>) is estimated to report quarterly earnings at $2.86 per share on revenue of $6.48 billion. 
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• Rockwell Automation (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ROK#NYSE">ROK</a>) is likely to report quarterly earnings at $1.67 per share on revenue of $1.88 billion. 
• PowerFleet (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AIOT#NASDAQ">AIOT</a>) is estimated to report quarterly earnings at $0.05 per share on revenue of $99.43 million. 
• ON Semiconductor (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ON#NASDAQ">ON</a>) is expected to report quarterly earnings at $0.98 per share on revenue of $1.76 billion. 
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• Loews (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/L#NYSE">L</a>) is expected to report earnings for its fourth quarter. 
• CNA Financial (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CNA#NYSE">CNA</a>) is expected to report quarterly earnings at $1.21 per share on revenue of $3.62 billion. 
• ORIX (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/IX#NYSE">IX</a>) is estimated to report earnings for its third quarter. 
<h3>Companies Reporting After The Bell</h3>
• Arch Capital Group (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ACGL#NASDAQ">ACGL</a>) is expected to report quarterly earnings at $1.80 per share on revenue of $3.95 billion. 
• RCI Hospitality Hldgs (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/RICK#NASDAQ">RICK</a>) is projected to report quarterly earnings at $0.00 per share on revenue of $81.82 million. 
• Ark Restaurants (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ARKR#NASDAQ">ARKR</a>) is expected to report earnings for its first quarter. 
• Compass Minerals Intl (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CMP#NYSE">CMP</a>) is projected to report earnings for its first quarter. 
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• Quipt Home Medical (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/QIPT#NASDAQ">QIPT</a>) is likely to report earnings for its first quarter. 
• RGC Resources (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/RGCO#NASDAQ">RGCO</a>) is projected to report quarterly earnings at $0.50 per share on revenue of $26.00 million. 
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• CoreCivic (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CXW#NYSE">CXW</a>) is estimated to report quarterly earnings at $0.30 per share on revenue of $465.17 million. 
• NGL Energy Partners (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NGL#NYSE">NGL</a>) is estimated to report quarterly earnings at $0.13 per share on revenue of $1.72 billion. 
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• Astera Labs (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ALAB#NASDAQ">ALAB</a>) is projected to report quarterly earnings at $0.26 per share on revenue of $127.91 million. 
• Inspire Medical Systems (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/INSP#NYSE">INSP</a>) is estimated to report quarterly earnings at $0.72 per share on revenue of $232.90 million. 
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• Brixmor Property Group (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BRX#NYSE">BRX</a>) is projected to report earnings for its fourth quarter. 
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This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

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Earnings Scheduled For February 10, 2025

Dividends

Unitil Increases Annual Dividend From $1.70 To $1.80

Unitil (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/UTL#NYSE">UTL</a>) reported quarterly earnings of $0.02 per share which missed the analyst consensus estimate of $0.08 by 75 percent. The company reported quarterly sales of $92.900 million which missed the analyst consensus estimate of $116.000 million by 19.91 percent. This is a 10.59 percent decrease over sales of $103.900 million the same period last year.

Unitil Q3 2024 Adj. EPS $0.02 Misses $0.08 Estimate, Sales $92.900M Miss $116.000M Estimate

Getting big returns from financial portfolios, whether through stocks, bonds, ETFs, other securities, or a combination of all, is an investor&#39;s dream. But for income investors, generating consistent cash flow from each of your liquid investments is your primary focus.
Cash flow can come from bond interest, interest from other types of investments, and of course, dividends. A dividend is that coveted distribution of a company&#39;s earnings paid out to shareholders, and investors often view it by its dividend yield, a metric that measures the dividend as a percent of the current stock price. Many academic studies show that dividends account for significant portions of long-term returns, with dividend contributions exceeding one-third of total returns in many cases.
<h2>Unitil in Focus</h2>
Headquartered in Hampton, Unitil (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/utl#NYSE">UTL</a>) is a Utilities stock that has seen a price change of 13.54% so far this year. The utility is paying out a dividend of $0.43 per share at the moment, with a dividend yield of 2.85% compared to the Utility - Electric Power industry&#39;s yield of 3.24% and the S&amp;P 500&#39;s yield of 1.52%.
Taking a look at the company&#39;s dividend growth, its current annualized dividend of $1.70 is up 4.9% from last year. In the past five-year period, Unitil has increased its dividend 5 times on a year-over-year basis for an average annual increase of 2.77%. Any future dividend growth will depend on both earnings growth and the company&#39;s payout ratio; a payout ratio is the proportion of a firm&#39;s annual earnings per share that it pays out as a dividend. Unitil&#39;s current payout ratio is 56%. This means it paid out 56% of its trailing 12-month EPS as dividend.
Looking at this fiscal year, UTL expects solid earnings growth. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2024 is $2.92 per share, representing a year-over-year earnings growth rate of 3.55%.
<h2>Bottom Line</h2>
Investors like dividends for many reasons; they greatly improve stock investing profits, decrease overall portfolio risk, and carry tax advantages, among others. It&#39;s important to keep in mind that not all companies provide a quarterly payout.
High-growth firms or tech start-ups, for example, rarely provide their shareholders a dividend, while larger, more established companies that have more secure profits are often seen as the best dividend options. Income investors have to be mindful of the fact that high-yielding stocks tend to struggle during periods of rising interest rates. With that in mind, UTL is a compelling investment opportunity. Not only is it a strong dividend play, but the stock currently sits at a Zacks Rank of 3 (Hold).
<a href="https://www.zacks.com/stock/news/2343529/why-unitil-utl-is-a-great-dividend-stock-right-now?cid=CS-BENZ-FT-tale_of_the_tape|yseop_template_5-2343529">To read this article on Zacks.com click here.</a>

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Why Unitil Is A Great Dividend Stock Right Now

Unitil (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/UTL#NYSE">UTL</a>) reported quarterly earnings of $0.27 per share which missed the analyst consensus estimate of $0.29 by 6.9 percent. This is a 8 percent increase over earnings of $0.25 per share from the same period last year. The company reported quarterly sales of $95.700 million which beat the analyst consensus estimate of $94.000 million by 1.81 percent. This is a 7.45 percent decrease over sales of $103.400 million the same period last year.

Earnings Beats

Unitil Q2 2024 GAAP EPS $0.27 Misses $0.29 Estimate, Sales $95.700M Beat $94.000M Estimate

Unitil Corporation (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/UTL#NYSE">UTL</a>) (<a href="https://www.globenewswire.com/Tracker?data=VWa0YZW55JwrScJhPCzEPuEts70kqJjRFnusGiFJyDLUbSyTbaDViL4ZsEDcXnfQ1KD8bUdTdmFF5rcNTd-y5g==" target="_blank">unitil.com</a>) today announced that Unitil has agreed to purchase Bangor Natural Gas Company (&quot;Bangor&quot;) from PHC Utilities, Inc., a subsidiary of Hope Utilities, Inc., for&nbsp;$70.9 million&nbsp;on a debt-free basis, subject to customary adjustments for closing working capital and transaction expenses.&nbsp;&nbsp; Bangor&#39;s enterprise value represents a multiple of approximately 1.2 times its rate base (based on its estimated rate base as of December 31, 2023). Upon the closing of the transaction, which is expected to occur by the end of the&nbsp;first quarter&nbsp;of 2025, Bangor will become a wholly owned subsidiary of Unitil.&nbsp;&nbsp; The transaction is subject to approval by the Maine Public Utilities Commission as well as other conditions to closing. 
&nbsp;
&quot;Bangor Natural Gas Company is a great complement to our current natural gas distribution operations in Maine,&quot; said Thomas P. Meissner, Jr., Unitil&#39;s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. &quot;Bangor brings a strong management team that is committed to providing safe, clean, reliable, and affordable energy to customers. We share their dedication to serving communities in Maine by providing responsive, high-quality service through locally-managed operations.&quot;
Bangor Natural Gas Company, which commenced operations in 1998, is a natural gas distribution company serving approximately 8,500 customers. Bangor owns and operates approximately 351 miles of distribution pipelines and nine miles of transmission pipelines.
Unitil plans to finance this transaction with a balanced mix of equity and debt to maintain its strong balance sheet, and has obtained committed debt financing from Scotiabank to fund the purchase price.

Unitil to Purchase Bangor Natural Gas Company from Hope Utilities For $70.9M

Unitil (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/UTL#NYSE">UTL</a>) reported quarterly earnings of $1.69 per share which beat the analyst consensus estimate of $1.64 by 3.05 percent. This is a 11.92 percent increase over earnings of $1.51 per share from the same period last year. The company reported quarterly sales of $178.700 million which missed the analyst consensus estimate of $212.649 million by 15.97 percent. This is a 18.85 percent decrease over sales of $220.200 million the same period last year.

Unitil Q1 2024 GAAP EPS $1.69 Beats $1.64 Estimate, Sales $178.700M Miss $212.649M Estimate

Unitil (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/UTL#NYSE">UTL</a>) reported quarterly earnings of $0.97 per share which beat the analyst consensus estimate of $0.95 by 2.11 percent. The company reported quarterly sales of $129.60 million which missed the analyst consensus estimate of $156.25 million by 17.06 percent. This is a 19.75 percent decrease over sales of $161.50 million the same period last year.

Unitil Q4 2023 GAAP EPS $0.97 Beats $0.95 Estimate, Sales $129.60M Miss $156.25M Estimate

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Earnings Scheduled For February 13, 2024

Unitil (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/UTL#NYSE">UTL</a>) is set to give its latest quarterly earnings report on Tuesday, 2024-02-13. Here's what investors need to know before the announcement.
Analysts estimate that Unitil will report an earnings per share (EPS) of $0.93. 
Unitil bulls will hope to hear the company announce they've not only beaten that estimate, but also to provide positive guidance, or forecasted growth, for the next quarter.
New investors should note that it is sometimes not an earnings beat or miss that most affects the price of a stock, but the guidance (or forecast).
<h3>Past Earnings Performance</h3>
Last quarter the company beat EPS by $0.03, which was followed by a 1.07% drop in the share price the next day.
Here's a look at Unitil's past performance and the resulting price change:

<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Quarter</th>
<th>Q3 2023</th>
<th>Q2 2023</th>
<th>Q1 2023</th>
<th>Q4 2022</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>EPS Estimate</td>
<td>0.06</td>
<td>0.27</td>
<td>1.45</td>
<td>0.90</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>EPS Actual</td>
<td>0.09</td>
<td>0.25</td>
<td>1.51</td>
<td>0.91</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Price Change %</td>
<td>-1.07%</td>
<td>0.14%</td>
<td>-0.16%</td>
<td>4.74%</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1707760906_0.png" alt="eps graph" />
<h3>Stock Performance</h3>
Shares of Unitil were trading at $48.57 as of February 09. Over the last 52-week period, shares are down 3.87%. Given that these returns are generally negative, long-term shareholders are likely bearish going into this earnings release. 
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/UTL/earnings">To track all earnings releases for Unitil visit their earnings calendar on our site.</a>
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

Preview: Unitil's Earnings

Today&#39;s action increased the Company&#39;s annualized dividend by&nbsp;$0.08, to&nbsp;$1.70&nbsp;per share. Also today, the Board declared the&nbsp;first quarter&nbsp;common stock dividend of&nbsp;$0.425&nbsp;per share, payable February 29, 2024, to shareholders of record on February 14, 2024.

Unitil Board Raises Quarterly Dividend On Common Stock From $0.405 To $0.425 Per Share

Unitil (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/UTL#NYSE">UTL</a>) reported quarterly earnings of $0.09 per share which beat the analyst consensus estimate of $0.06 by 50 percent. This is a 200 percent increase over earnings of $0.03 per share from the same period last year. The company reported quarterly sales of $103.90 million which missed the analyst consensus estimate of $116.00 million by 10.43 percent. This is a 5.72 percent decrease over sales of $110.20 million the same period last year.

Unitil Q3 EPS $0.09 Beats $0.06 Estimate, Sales $103.90M Miss $116.00M Estimate

Press Releases

Unitil Schedules Fourth Quarter 2024 Earnings Release and Conference Call

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