Northwest Natural Gas Co logo

Northwest Natural Gas Co(NWN)

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EXPLORE ADVISORIES AND THEIR HISTORY
QUALITY SIGNAL
1-STAR RATING
PASS
LAST CLOSE
$49.87
10/23/2026
(24-hour delay)

Advisory History & Simulated Performance *

*as per simulation (see disclosures)
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  • 1M
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  • BUY Advisory
  • SELL Advisory (Profit)
  • SELL Advisory (Loss)
  • Profit
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Upturn Stock price based on last close iconStock price based on last close
Simulated performance—not actual client returns. Excludes advisory subscription fees, trading commissions, and taxes, which would reduce returns. Results depend on calculation assumptions and do not guarantee future outcomes. See Disclosures for full methodology, assumptions, and limitations.

Advisory Performance History (Simulated)Advisory Performance History info

Simulated performance—not actual client returns. Excludes advisory subscription fees, trading commissions, and taxes, which would reduce returns. Results depend on calculation assumptions and do not guarantee future outcomes. See Disclosures for full methodology, assumptions, and limitations.

Upturn Advisory & Investor View for NWN

10/23/2026: NWN (1-star) is currently NOT-A-BUY. Pass it for now.

Northwest Natural Gas Company is a regulated utility primarily serving the Pacific Northwest, recognized for its stable, long-term operational history and consistent dividend payouts. The company is actively diversifying its revenue by expanding into the water and wastewater utility sector, which serves as its primary growth narrative. Its main strengths include a regulated franchise and a commitment to income, though it faces long-term risks from decarbonization mandates and regional electrification trends. The stock is best suited for income-focused and conservative investors seeking defensive exposure. Key developments to monitor include the success of water asset integration and the company's progress in renewable natural gas initiatives.

How to Read the Upturn Advisory

The Upturn Star Rating and the current BUY, SELL, or PASS advisory are generated by Upturn’s AI advisory engine based on proprietary signal analysis, price behavior, advisory history, and historical signal performance.

Company fundamentals, valuation, risks, and news provide supporting context about the business.

Investor Fit

Investor styleFitWhy
Growth investorWeak fitNWN is a slow-growth utility focused on stability rather than aggressive capital appreciation.
Momentum investorWeak fitThe stock typically exhibits low beta and steady price action rather than high-momentum breakouts.
Value investorMixed fitValuation is often linked to interest rate cycles, providing opportunities for value-oriented income investors.
Dividend investorStrong fitThe company has a long history of paying and increasing dividends, making it suitable for income-focused portfolios.
Low-risk investorStrong fitAs a regulated utility, it offers relatively lower volatility and predictable cash flows compared to cyclical sectors.

Risk Profile

Risk factorLevelWhy it matters
Price volatilityLowUtilities are generally less volatile than the broader market due to their defensive nature.
Valuation riskMediumUtility stocks can face pressure when market interest rates rise, impacting their relative valuation.
Competition risk (electrification)MediumThe transition to electric heating poses a long-term threat to natural gas demand.
Business qualityStrongThe company benefits from a protected, regulated utility franchise.
Dividend incomeStrongReliable dividend payouts are a core feature of the investment thesis.
Execution riskMediumIntegrating new water utility acquisitions successfully is critical for long-term growth.

Price Behavior

Rolling Over
PRICE PATH

Rolling Over

The price momentum is slowing down and beginning to turn downward.

Smooth
PRICE STABILITY

Smooth

The stock has moved along a generally orderly path with only modest fluctuations.

Analysis of Past Performance

Type Stock
Historic Profit -5.18%
Avg. Invested days 53
Today’s Advisory PASS
Upturn Advisory Rating upturn star rating icon
Upturn Advisory Performance Upturn Advisory Performance icon 2.0
Stock Returns Performance Upturn Returns Performance icon 1.0
Upturn Profits based on simulation icon Profits based on simulation
Upturn last close icon Last Close 10/23/2026

Upturn Scorecard

Upturn Star Rating

★★★★★
NWN receives a 3-star rating, supported by solid company fundamentals. The rating is constrained by weak price momentum.

Company Fundamentals

★★★★★
NWN has solid overall fundamentals (4 stars), with moderate financial health, solid growth momentum, and solid ownership. In FY2025 versus FY2024, strong earnings growth (+43.7%) and solid revenue growth (+11.8%) are partially offset by weak cash generation (FCF margin -15.3%), soft profitability (net margin 8.8%), very low insider ownership of 0.61%.

Financial Health Rating

★★★★★
NWN's financial health is supported by solid efficiency, including operating-expense and cost-of-revenue discipline (opex 8.2% of revenue). Liquidity is soft (2 stars), which helps explain the 3-star overall score.

Growth Momentum Score

★★★★★
Earnings growth is NWN's strongest growth driver at +43.7% FY2025 versus FY2024 (strong, 5 stars). By comparison, revenue growth (+11.8%, solid) is also solid, while free-cash-flow growth (-1.9%, slightly negative) holds the profile back, so recent growth is not broad-based across the business.

Ownership

★★★★★
Institutional ownership is 83.6% and approximately 99.4% of outstanding shares are publicly tradable, supporting liquidity and institutional participation. Insider ownership is only 0.61%, which materially reduces the ownership score.

Top 5 Institutional Investors

BlackRock Inc 15.94%
Vanguard Portfolio Management, LLC 6.50%
Vanguard Capital Management, LLC 4.51%
State Street Corp 4.11%
Vaughan Nelson Scarbrgh & Mccullough LP 3.47%

Unit Economics (Per $1K Revenue)

★★★★★
NWN generates approximately $396 of gross profit, $314 of operating income, and $-153 of free cash flow for every $1,000 of revenue. Based on FY2025 results. Weak margins and weak cash conversion support a 3-star rating, while capital efficiency is soft.

Economic Dimensions

★★★★★
Effective Tax Rate: 26.74%

Quantitative Style Profile

★★★★★
NWN has a liquid, relatively low-volatility profile. Weak momentum is the primary drawback.

Style Classification

Quality Focused

Value-OrientedLow VolatilitySmall / Mid Cap RiskShort Squeeze RiskHighly Liquid / Institution-Friendly

Key Highlights

Company Size Mid-Cap Stock
Market Capitalization 2.10B USD
Price to earnings Ratio 16.57
1Y Target Price 55.33
Price to earnings Ratio 16.57
1Y Target Price 55.33
Volume (30-day avg) 284.7K shares
Beta 0.39
52 Weeks Range 43.15 - 54.92
Updated Date 10/23/2026
52 Weeks Range 43.15 - 54.92
Updated Date 10/23/2026
Dividends yield (FY) 3.94%
Basic EPS (TTM) 3.01

How Company Makes Money

Business areaWhat it includesRetail investor read
Natural Gas DistributionDelivering natural gas to residential and commercial customers in the Pacific Northwest.This is the primary revenue engine, backed by regulated rates.
Water and WastewaterOperations of acquired local water and wastewater utility systems.A growth-oriented segment aiming to diversify the company's utility footprint.

Analyzing Revenue: Products, Geography and Growth

Revenue by Products

Product revenue - Year on Year

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Valuation

Trailing PE 16.57
Forward PE 15.15
Enterprise Value 4.17B
Price to Sales(TTM) 1.62
Enterprise Value 4.17B
Price to Sales(TTM) 1.62
Enterprise Value to Revenue 3.37
Enterprise Value to EBITDA 9.93
Shares Outstanding 42.09M
Shares Floating 41.85M
Shares Outstanding 42.09M
Shares Floating 41.85M
Percent Insiders 0.61
Percent Institutions 83.56

Financial Metrics

🧭 Investment Snapshot

Total Revenue (Scale)

Information icon Total money earned from selling products or services before any costs. It is needed to understand the scale of the business and its ability to generate income.

Net Income (Profit)

Information icon Final profit after all expenses, interest, and taxes are deducted. It is needed to determine the overall profitability available to shareholders.

Free Cash Flow (Cash Strength)

Information icon Cash remaining after operating activities and capital expenditures, showing cash available for growth. It is needed to evaluate the company’s ability to invest, pay dividends, or reduce debt.

📈 Growth & Strength

Operating Income (Core Profit)

Information icon Profit from core operations after deducting all operating expenses. It is needed to measure how efficiently the company runs its primary business activities.

EBITDA (Cash Earnings)

Information icon Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization, indicating operating cash potential. It is needed to compare operating performance across companies without accounting or financing differences.

Gross Profit (Unit Profitability)

Information icon Revenue minus cost of revenue, showing profit after direct production costs. It is needed to evaluate core business profitability before overhead expenses.

🛡️ Financial Safety

Cash (Liquidity Buffer)

Information icon Total cash and cash equivalents on hand. It is needed to evaluate immediate liquidity and financial flexibility.

Total Debt (Leverage Risk)

Information icon Total debt including both short-term and long-term components. It is needed to assess the company’s leverage and financial risk.

Net Working Capital (Short-Term Health)

Information icon Current assets minus current liabilities, indicating short-term liquidity strength. It is needed to assess whether the company can meet its short-term obligations.

🧱 Balance Sheet Strength

Stockholder Equity (Net Worth)

Information icon Total equity value held by shareholders. It is needed to understand the net worth of the company from the owners’ perspective.

Total Assets (Asset Base)

Information icon The full value of everything the company owns, including cash, inventory, equipment, and investments. It is needed to understand the resource base used to generate revenue.

Income Before Tax (Pre-Tax Earnings)

Information icon Income before provision for income taxes. It is needed to analyze profitability independent of tax structures.

⚙️ Cost & Drag Factors

Cost of Revenue (Production Cost)

Information icon Direct costs required to produce and deliver the products or services sold. It is needed to assess efficiency in production and service delivery.

Total Operating Expenses (Operating Cost)

Information icon Indirect costs of running the business such as salaries, marketing, and administration. It is needed to understand how much it costs to sustain ongoing business operations.

Income Tax Expense (Tax Drag)

Information icon Amount of taxes paid or payable to the government. It is needed to evaluate the impact of taxation on overall profitability.

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