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43.77 (1y: -6%)
Market Cap 1.18 B P/E(ttm) 20.70
Enterprise Value 2 B P/B 1.61
NWN- NYSE (USA)
Northwest Natural Gas
  • Currently 1/5
Business Predictability Rank: 1-Star (On Watch)
Back Testing Results:
Average gain of all 1-Star stocks: 1.1% per year.
% of Stocks that are in still loss if held for 10yrs: 45%.
Read more:
What is Predictability Rank?
Performances of real portfolio
Top Ranked Predictable Companies
$43.77
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GuruFocus Financial Strength Rank measures how strong a companyย’s financial situation is. It is based on these factors

1. The debt burden that the company has as measured by its Interest coverage (current year).
2. Debt to revenue ratio. The lower, the better
3. Altman Z-score.

A company ranks high with financial strength is likely to withstand any business slowdowns and recessions.

Financial Strength : 5/10

vs
industry		 vs
history
Cash to Debt 0.01
NWN's Cash to Debt is ranked lower than
89% of the 366 Companies
in the Global Utilities - Regulated Gas industry.

( Industry Median: 0.19 vs. NWN: 0.01 )
NWN' s 10-Year Cash to Debt Range
Min: 0.01   Max: 0.03
Current: 0.01
0.01
0.03
Equity to Asset 0.26
NWN's Equity to Asset is ranked lower than
62% of the 366 Companies
in the Global Utilities - Regulated Gas industry.

( Industry Median: 0.31 vs. NWN: 0.26 )
NWN' s 10-Year Equity to Asset Range
Min: 0.26   Max: 0.53
Current: 0.26
0.26
0.53
Interest Coverage 3.3
NWN's Interest Coverage is ranked higher than
57% of the 366 Companies
in the Global Utilities - Regulated Gas industry.

( Industry Median: 2.70 vs. NWN: 3.3 )
NWN' s 10-Year Interest Coverage Range
Min: 3   Max: 4
Current: 3.3
3
4
F-Score: 5
Z-Score: 0.85
GuruFocus Profitability Rank ranks how profitable a company is and how likely the companyย’s business will stay that way. It is based on these factors:

1. Operating Margin
2. Trend of the Operating Margin (5-year average). The company with an uptrend profit margin has a higher rank.
ย•ย•3. Consistency of the profitability
4. Piotroski F-Score
5. Predictability Rankย•

The maximum rank is 10. A rank of 7 or higher means a higher profitability and may stay that way. A rank of 3 or lower indicates that the company has had trouble to make a profit.

Profitability Rank is not directly related to the Financial Strength Rank. But if a company is consistently profitable, its financial strength will be stronger.

Profitability & Growth : 5/10

vs
industry		 vs
history
Operating margin (%) 19.50
NWN's Operating margin (%) is ranked higher than
74% of the 366 Companies
in the Global Utilities - Regulated Gas industry.

( Industry Median: 11.00 vs. NWN: 19.50 )
NWN' s 10-Year Operating margin (%) Range
Min: 13.5   Max: 20.8
Current: 19.5
13.5
20.8
Net-margin (%) 8.2
NWN's Net-margin (%) is ranked higher than
57% of the 366 Companies
in the Global Utilities - Regulated Gas industry.

( Industry Median: 7.00 vs. NWN: 8.2 )
NWN' s 10-Year Net-margin (%) Range
Min: 6.3   Max: 9.9
Current: 8.2
6.3
9.9
ROE (%) 8.2
NWN's ROE (%) is ranked higher than
58% of the 366 Companies
in the Global Utilities - Regulated Gas industry.

( Industry Median: 7.40 vs. NWN: 8.2 )
NWN' s 10-Year ROE (%) Range
Min: 6   Max: 12.5
Current: 8.2
6
12.5
ROA (%) 2.1
NWN's ROA (%) is ranked lower than
61% of the 366 Companies
in the Global Utilities - Regulated Gas industry.

( Industry Median: 2.60 vs. NWN: 2.1 )
NWN' s 10-Year ROA (%) Range
Min: 2.1   Max: 3.9
Current: 2.1
2.1
3.9
ROC (Joel Greenblatt) (%) 6.90
NWN's ROC (Joel Greenblatt) (%) is ranked lower than
55% of the 366 Companies
in the Global Utilities - Regulated Gas industry.

( Industry Median: 7.40 vs. NWN: 6.90 )
NWN' s 10-Year ROC (Joel Greenblatt) (%) Range
Min: 6.9   Max: 12.4
Current: 6.9
6.9
12.4
Revenue Growth (%) -8.1
NWN's Revenue Growth (%) is ranked lower than
89% of the 366 Companies
in the Global Utilities - Regulated Gas industry.

( Industry Median: 0.00 vs. NWN: -8.1 )
NWN' s 10-Year Revenue Growth (%) Range
Min: -8.1   Max: 11.8
Current: -8.1
-8.1
11.8
EBITDA Growth (%) -1
NWN's EBITDA Growth (%) is ranked lower than
80% of the 366 Companies
in the Global Utilities - Regulated Gas industry.

( Industry Median: 0.00 vs. NWN: -1 )
NWN' s 10-Year EBITDA Growth (%) Range
Min: -1   Max: 15
Current: -1
-1
15
EPS Growth (%) -5.9
NWN's EPS Growth (%) is ranked lower than
85% of the 366 Companies
in the Global Utilities - Regulated Gas industry.

( Industry Median: 0.00 vs. NWN: -5.9 )
NWN' s 10-Year EPS Growth (%) Range
Min: -5.9   Max: 10.4
Current: -5.9
-5.9
10.4
ยป NWN's 10-Y Financials

Financials


Revenue & Net Income
Cash & Debt
Oprt. Cash Flow & Free Cash Flow

» Details

Guru Trades
Q2 2012

NWN Guru Trades in Q2 2012

Steven Cohen 4,511 sh (New)
Jim Simons 59,900 sh (+1030.19%)
Ken Fisher 277,927 sh (-13.86%)
Joel Greenblatt 8,029 sh (-51.97%)
» More
Q3 2012

NWN Guru Trades in Q3 2012

Steven Cohen Sold Out
Joel Greenblatt Sold Out
Ken Fisher 276,587 sh (-0.48%)
Jim Simons 37,700 sh (-37.06%)
» More
Q4 2012

NWN Guru Trades in Q4 2012

Ken Fisher 265,843 sh (-3.88%)
Jim Simons 26,200 sh (-30.5%)
» More
Q1 2013

NWN Guru Trades in Q1 2013

Jim Simons Sold Out
Ken Fisher 264,822 sh (-0.38%)
» More
» Details

Insider Trades

Latest Guru Trades with NWN

GuruDate Trades Impact to Portfolio Price Range * (?) Current Price Change from Average Current Shares
Joel Greenblatt 2012-09-30 Sold Out 0.03%$46.88 - $49.84 $ 43.77-10%0
Joel Greenblatt 2012-06-30 Reduce -51.97%0.03%$44.24 - $48.14 $ 43.77-5%8029
Joel Greenblatt 2012-03-31 New Buy0.07%$44.85 - $49.28 $ 43.77-1%16715
Mario Gabelli 2011-03-31 Sold Out $44.02 - $48.47 $ 43.77-5%0
Mario Gabelli 2010-12-31 Add 240%0.01%$44.77 - $50.64 $ 43.77-10%85000
Mario Gabelli 2010-09-30 New Buy0.01%$43.28 - $49 $ 43.77-5%25000
Premium More recent guru trades are included for Premium Members only!!

Ratios

vs
industry		 vs
history
P/E(ttm) 20.70
NWN's P/E(ttm) is ranked lower than
63% of the 320 Companies
in the Global Utilities - Regulated Gas industry.

( Industry Median: 18.30 vs. NWN: 20.70 )
NWN' s 10-Year P/E(ttm) Range
Min: 9.34   Max: 22.18
Current: 20.7
9.34
22.18
P/B 1.61
NWN's P/B is ranked lower than
52% of the 356 Companies
in the Global Utilities - Regulated Gas industry.

( Industry Median: 1.60 vs. NWN: 1.61 )
NWN' s 10-Year P/B Range
Min: 0.85   Max: 2.36
Current: 1.61
0.85
2.36
P/S 1.71
NWN's P/S is ranked lower than
56% of the 365 Companies
in the Global Utilities - Regulated Gas industry.

( Industry Median: 1.47 vs. NWN: 1.71 )
NWN' s 10-Year P/S Range
Min: 0.93   Max: 1.78
Current: 1.71
0.93
1.78
PFCF 45.12
NWN's PFCF is ranked lower than
73% of the 222 Companies
in the Global Utilities - Regulated Gas industry.

( Industry Median: 20.44 vs. NWN: 45.12 )
NWN' s 10-Year PFCF Range
Min: 3.14   Max: 163.4
Current: 45.12
3.14
163.4
EV-to-EBIT 14.51
NWN's EV-to-EBIT is ranked higher than
55% of the 321 Companies
in the Global Utilities - Regulated Gas industry.

( Industry Median: 15.90 vs. NWN: 14.51 )
NWN' s 10-Year EV-to-EBIT Range
Min: 7.1   Max: 14.9
Current: 14.51
7.1
14.9
Shiller P/E 16.23
NWN's Shiller P/E is ranked lower than
100% of the Companies
in the Global Utilities - Regulated Gas industry.

( Industry Median: vs. NWN: 16.23 )
NWN' s 10-Year Shiller P/E Range
Min: 14.94   Max: 23.5
Current: 16.23
14.94
23.5

Dividend & Buy Back

vs
industry		 vs
history
Dividend Yield 4.14
NWN's Dividend Yield is ranked higher than
79% of the 366 Companies
in the Global Utilities - Regulated Gas industry.

( Industry Median: 2.20 vs. NWN: 4.14 )
NWN' s 10-Year Dividend Yield Range
Min: 2.71   Max: 6.62
Current: 4.14
2.71
6.62
Dividend Payout 0.8
NWN's Dividend Payout is ranked lower than
84% of the 241 Companies
in the Global Utilities - Regulated Gas industry.

( Industry Median: 0.52 vs. NWN: 0.8 )
NWN' s 10-Year Dividend Payout Range
Min: 0.52   Max: 0.81
Current: 0.8
0.52
0.81
Dividend growth (3y) 2.8
NWN's Dividend growth (3y) is ranked higher than
81% of the 366 Companies
in the Global Utilities - Regulated Gas industry.

( Industry Median: 0.00 vs. NWN: 2.8 )
NWN' s 10-Year Dividend growth (3y) Range
Min: 0.6   Max: 3.9
Current: 2.8
0.6
3.9
Yield on cost (5-Year) 5.06
NWN's Yield on cost (5-Year) is ranked higher than
83% of the 366 Companies
in the Global Utilities - Regulated Gas industry.

( Industry Median: 1.95 vs. NWN: 5.06 )
NWN' s 10-Year Yield on cost (5-Year) Range
Min: 3.34   Max: 8.17
Current: 5.06
3.34
8.17
Share Buyback Rate -0.3
NWN's Share Buyback Rate is ranked lower than
55% of the 366 Companies
in the Global Utilities - Regulated Gas industry.

( Industry Median: -0.10 vs. NWN: -0.3 )
NWN' s 10-Year Share Buyback Rate Range
Min: 1   Max: -2.1
Current: -0.3

Valuation & Return

vs
industry		 vs
history
Price/Net Current Asset Value 26.1
NWN's Price/Net Current Asset Value is ranked lower than
66% of the 277 Companies
in the Global Utilities - Regulated Gas industry.

( Industry Median: 14.70 vs. NWN: 26.1 )
NWN' s 10-Year Price/Net Current Asset Value Range
Min: 8   Max: 26.3
Current: 26.1
8
26.3
Price/Tangible Book 1.6
NWN's Price/Tangible Book is ranked higher than
60% of the 335 Companies
in the Global Utilities - Regulated Gas industry.

( Industry Median: 1.80 vs. NWN: 1.6 )
NWN' s 10-Year Price/Tangible Book Range
Min: 0.9   Max: 2.2
Current: 1.6
0.9
2.2
Price/DCF (Projected) 1.4
NWN's Price/DCF (Projected) is ranked higher than
60% of the 164 Companies
in the Global Utilities - Regulated Gas industry.

( Industry Median: 2.00 vs. NWN: 1.4 )
NWN' s 10-Year Price/DCF (Projected) Range
Min: 0.9   Max: 2.7
Current: 1.4
0.9
2.7
Price/Median PS Value 1.3
NWN's Price/Median PS Value is ranked lower than
77% of the 353 Companies
in the Global Utilities - Regulated Gas industry.

( Industry Median: 1.10 vs. NWN: 1.3 )
NWN' s 10-Year Price/Median PS Value Range
Min: 0.8   Max: 1.3
Current: 1.3
0.8
1.3
Price/Graham Number 1.2
NWN's Price/Graham Number is ranked higher than
55% of the 297 Companies
in the Global Utilities - Regulated Gas industry.

( Industry Median: 1.30 vs. NWN: 1.2 )
NWN' s 10-Year Price/Graham Number Range
Min: 0.8   Max: 1.3
Current: 1.2
0.8
1.3
Earnings Yield (Greenblatt) 6.90
NWN's Earnings Yield (Greenblatt) is ranked higher than
61% of the 366 Companies
in the Global Utilities - Regulated Gas industry.

( Industry Median: 5.50 vs. NWN: 6.90 )
NWN' s 10-Year Earnings Yield (Greenblatt) Range
Min: 6.7   Max: 14.1
Current: 6.9
6.7
14.1
Forward Rate of Return (Yacktman) 0.79
NWN's Forward Rate of Return (Yacktman) is ranked higher than
66% of the 366 Companies
in the Global Utilities - Regulated Gas industry.

( Industry Median: 0.00 vs. NWN: 0.79 )
NWN' s 10-Year Forward Rate of Return (Yacktman) Range
Min: 0.8   Max: 28.6
Current: 0.79
0.8
28.6

Business Description

Northwest Natural Gas was incorporated under the laws of Oregon in 1910. The Company operates in two main reportable business segments, Local Gas Distribution and Gas Storage. It is mainly engaged in the distribution of natural gas in Oregon and southwest Washington. It refers to this business segment as its local gas distribution segment or utility. Its local gas distribution segment involves building and maintaining a safe and reliable pipeline distribution system, purchasing gas from producers and marketers, contracting for the transportation of gas over pipelines from regional supply basins to its service territory, and reselling the gas to customers subject to rates and terms approved by the Oregon Public Utility Commission (OPUC) or by the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission (WUTC). Gas distribution also includes transporting gas owned by large customers from the interstate pipeline connection, or city gate, to the customers' facilities for a fee, also approved by the OPUC or WUTC. The Company's gas storage business segment includes natural gas storage services provided to interstate and intrastate customers in the Pacific Northwest using underground gas storage and pipeline facilities it owns and operates. It also uses an independent energy marketing company to provide asset optimization services for the utility under a contractual arrangement, the results of which are included in this business segment. It is currently in the process of developing a second underground gas storage facility and related pipeline in the Fresno, California area. The Company has non-utility investments and other business activities, which mainly consists of an equity method investment in a joint venture to build and operate an interstate gas transmission pipeline in Oregon. The Company has no direct competition in its service area from other natural gas distributors. However, for residential customers, it competes mainly with electricity, fuel oil and propane. It also competes with electricity and fuel oil for commercial applications. In the industrial market, it competes with all forms of energy, including competition from third-party sellers of natural gas commodity. The Company has properties and facilities that are subject to federal, state and local laws and regulations related to environmental matters. The Company's properties and facilities that are subject to federal, state and local laws and regulations related to environmental matters.
Company Website
SEC Reports
Industry: Utilities - Regulated Gas
Compare:SPH, HOKCY, TKGSF, PPAAY, NI
ยป More Articles for NWN

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