MDU Resources Becomes Part of North Plains Connector Utility Consortium
MDU Resources Joins North Plains Connector: MDU Resources has signed a non-binding memorandum of understanding to join the North Plains Connector utility consortium, committing to 150 megawatts of capacity on the HVDC transmission line project connecting Eastern and Western Interconnections.
Significance of the Project: The North Plains Connector project, which is expected to be operational by 2032, aims to enhance the reliability and resiliency of the electrical grid across multiple regional markets while creating over 800 jobs during construction.
Collaboration Among Utilities: MDU Resources is the seventh utility to join the consortium, which includes other major utilities like Puget Sound Energy and Portland General Electric, collectively addressing approximately 15% of their peak loads through this project.
Investment and Future Outlook: The multi-billion-dollar investment in Montana and North Dakota reflects a strategic move towards improving electrical infrastructure, with construction slated to begin in 2028, signaling a commitment to meet the growing demand for electricity.
Trade with 70% Backtested Accuracy
Analyst Views on POR
About POR
About the author

- Quarterly Dividend Announcement: Portland General Electric has declared a quarterly dividend of $0.525 per share, consistent with previous distributions, reflecting the company's stable cash flow and profitability, which enhances investor confidence.
- Yield Metrics: The forward yield of 3.89% provides relative attractiveness in the current market environment, potentially appealing to investors seeking stable income.
- Payment Schedule: The dividend is payable on April 15, with a record date of March 23 and an ex-dividend date also on March 23, ensuring shareholders receive timely returns, thereby increasing shareholder satisfaction.
- Investment Appeal: As a regulated utility with a narrow moat, Portland General Electric's integration of data centers and AI potential makes its shares particularly attractive in the current market, possibly driving future stock price appreciation.
- Quarterly Dividend Announcement: On February 13, 2026, the board of Portland General Electric declared a quarterly common stock dividend of $0.525 per share, indicating the company's stability in capital requirements and financial performance.
- Dividend Payout Ratio Target: The company aims for a long-term dividend payout ratio of 60% to 70%, reflecting its commitment to shareholder returns and confidence in future cash flows.
- Dividend Payment Schedule: The dividend is set to be paid on or before April 15, 2026, to shareholders of record as of March 23, 2026, ensuring timely returns for investors and enhancing their confidence in the company.
- Company Background and Social Responsibility: Since 1889, Portland General Electric has served nearly 960,000 customers, and in 2025, employees and retirees volunteered over 18,300 hours to more than 400 nonprofits, showcasing the company's commitment to community engagement and social responsibility.
- Quarterly Dividend Announcement: On February 13, 2026, Portland General Electric's board declared a quarterly common stock dividend of $0.525 per share, reflecting the company's stability in capital requirements and financial performance, which is expected to bolster investor confidence.
- Dividend Payout Ratio Target: The company aims for a long-term dividend payout ratio of 60% to 70%, a strategy that not only demonstrates a commitment to shareholder returns but also indicates robust financial management, helping to attract more investors.
- Dividend Payment Schedule: The quarterly dividend is set to be paid on or before April 15, 2026, to shareholders of record as of March 23, 2026, ensuring timely returns for shareholders and further enhancing the company's market reputation.
- Company Background and Social Responsibility: Since its founding in 1889, Portland General Electric has served nearly 960,000 customers, and in 2025, employees and retirees volunteered over 18,300 hours and donated more than $5 million to over 400 nonprofit organizations, showcasing its commitment to community economic growth and sustainability.
- Earnings Call Announcement: Portland General Electric plans to host an analyst conference call on February 20, 2026, at 11 a.m. ET to review its Q4 and full-year 2025 financial results, which is expected to positively impact investor sentiment.
- Earnings Release Timing: The company will release its Q4 and full-year 2025 earnings summary before U.S. financial markets open, demonstrating its commitment to transparency and investor communication, potentially boosting market confidence.
- Executive Participation: The call will be hosted by CEO Maria Pope, CFO Joe Trpik, and Investor Relations Manager Nick White, reflecting the company's leadership's commitment to financial performance and investor engagement.
- Sustainability Commitment: Portland General Electric aims to reduce emissions from its retail power supply by 80% by 2030 and achieve 100% clean power by 2040, showcasing its strategic commitment to sustainability, which may attract environmentally conscious investors.

- Earnings Release Schedule: Portland General Electric plans to host an analyst conference call on February 20, 2026, at 11 a.m. ET to review its Q4 and full-year 2025 financial results, with earnings expected to be released before U.S. market open, aiming to enhance investor transparency and confidence in the company's performance.
- Executive Participation: The call will feature insights from President and CEO Maria Pope, CFO Joe Trpik, and Investor Relations Manager Nick White, ensuring that investors receive direct interpretations of financial results and future outlooks from top management, thereby enhancing communication effectiveness.
- Webcast and Replay: Investors can access the live conference via Portland General Electric's investor website, with a replay available at 2 p.m. ET on the same day, facilitating access to key information for those unable to attend live, thus improving information accessibility and transparency.
- Company Background: Since its establishment in 1889, Portland General Electric has served over 950,000 customers and is committed to reducing emissions from its retail power supply by 80% by 2030, having been ranked as the top utility in the 2024 Forrester U.S. Customer Experience Index, showcasing its leadership in the clean energy transition.
Data Center Demand Surge: Texas is experiencing a significant increase in data center demand driven by the AI boom, with over 220 gigawatts of projects seeking to connect to the electric grid by 2030, primarily from data centers.
Speculative Projects and Infrastructure Concerns: Many of these projects are speculative, leading to concerns about overbuilding infrastructure that may not be needed, which could result in financial losses for investors if demand forecasts are inflated.
Legislative Measures: New Texas legislation requires developers to demonstrate project viability and pay substantial fees for initial studies, aiming to filter out speculative projects and provide a clearer picture of actual demand.
Market Structure and Price Stability: Texas's market structure mitigates the risk of excessive generation capacity compared to other regions, with electricity prices remaining relatively stable despite rising demand, unlike states served by PJM Interconnection where prices have surged.








