MDU RESOURCES GROUP INC (MDU)

Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

The Company generates, transmits and distributes electricity and provides natural gas distribution, transportation and storage services. Through a strategy focusing on its "CORE," the Company strives to deliver superior value and achieve industry-leading performance as a pure-play regulated energy delivery company, while pursuing organic growth opportunities. The Company's "CORE" strategy prioritizes customers and communities, operational excellence, returns focused initiatives and an employee driven culture.

Dividends The Company's board of directors established a long-term dividend payout ratio target of 60 percent to 70 percent of regulated energy delivery earnings. The Company has an 88-year history of uninterrupted dividend payments to stockholders and remains committed to paying a competitive dividend.

Market Trends The Company continues to manage the inflationary pressures experienced throughout the United States, including the impact that inflation, higher interest rates, changes in tariffs, commodity price volatility and supply chain disruptions may have on its business and customers and proactively looks for ways to lessen the impact to its business. For more information specific to each of the Company's businesses, see the following discussion in each business segment's Outlook section. For more information on the possible impacts, see Part I, Item 1A. Risk Factors in the 2025 Annual Report.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws. Other than statements of historical facts, all statements which address activities, events, or developments that the Company anticipates will or may occur in the future are based on underlying assumptions (many of which are based, in turn, upon further assumptions), including, but not limited to, statements identified by the words "anticipates," "estimates," "expects," "intends," "plans," and "predicts," in each case related to such things as growth estimates, stockholder value creation, the Company's "CORE" strategy, capital expenditures, financial guidance, trends, objectives, goals, dividend payout ratio targets, customer rates, regulatory approvals, sustainability, strategies and other such matters, are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based on many assumptions and factors, which are detailed in the Company's filings with the SEC.

While made in good faith, these forward-looking statements are based largely on the Company's expectations and judgments and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are unforeseeable and beyond the Company's control. For additional discussion regarding risks and uncertainties that may affect forward-looking statements, see Part I, Item 1A. Risk Factors in the 2025 Annual Report and subsequent filings with the SEC. Any changes in such assumptions or factors could produce significantly different results. Undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date they are made. Except as required by applicable law, the Company undertakes no obligation to update the forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

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Consolidated Earnings Overview

The following table summarizes the contribution to the consolidated income by each of the Company's business segments.

Three Months Ended June 30, 2026, Compared to Three Months Ended June 30, 2025 The Company's consolidated earnings increased $7.6 million. Drivers of the earnings increase include:

•The electric business earnings increase was largely the result of higher retail sales revenue, primarily from recovery mechanisms associated with renewable investments including Badger Wind Farm. Interim rates in Montana and new rates in Wyoming, along with higher retail sales volumes across all major customer classes, further drove the increase. The increase was partially offset by higher interest expense associated with debt issuances for recent capital investments, including Badger Wind Farm, as well as higher depreciation expense and operation and maintenance expense, primarily related to Badger Wind Farm.

•The natural gas distribution business reported a decreased seasonal loss, primarily driven by new rates in Idaho, Washington, Montana and Wyoming, as well as higher retail sales volumes across all customer classes. These impacts were partially offset by higher interest expense resulting from higher long-term debt balances.

•The earnings decrease at the pipeline business was driven by lower other income and higher depreciation and amortization expense from a growth project placed in service. These impacts were partially offset by continued customer demand for short-term natural gas transportation contracts and interruptible storage services, as well as contributions from previously constructed growth projects, including a contracted volume increase.

•Other experienced an increase in net income primarily due to income from discontinued operations associated with a $1.5 million tax benefit related to an election to change the tax method for certain strategic initiative costs. Other also reflects income tax adjustments related to the Company's annualized estimated tax rate.

Six Months Ended June 30, 2026, Compared to Six Months Ended June 30, 2025 The Company's consolidated earnings increased $6.4 million. Drivers of the earnings increase include:

•The electric business earnings increase was largely the result of higher retail sales revenue, primarily from recovery mechanisms associated with renewable investments including Badger Wind Farm. Interim rates in Montana and new rates in Wyoming further drove the increase. The increase was partially offset by higher interest expense associated with debt issuances for recent capital investments, including Badger Wind Farm, as well as higher depreciation expense and operation and maintenance expense, primarily related to Badger Wind Farm.

•The natural gas distribution business reported an increase in earnings, primarily driven by new rates in Washington, Idaho, Montana and Wyoming. The increase was partially offset by lower retail sales and electric generation transportation volumes due to warmer first quarter weather. Higher interest expense resulting from higher debt balances, lower other income, and higher operation and maintenance expense, primarily attributable to increased payroll-related costs, further offset the increase.

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•The decrease in earnings at the pipeline business was driven by lower other income. The business also incurred higher operation and maintenance expense, primarily attributable to higher payroll-related costs, materials, and consulting and legal costs associated with the business's recently filed rate case. Lower interruptible natural gas storage withdrawals and higher Montana property tax accruals also contributed to the decrease. These impacts were partially offset by continued customer demand for short-term natural gas transportation contracts, as well as contributions from previously constructed growth projects, including a contracted volume increase.

•Other experienced an increase in net income primarily due to income from discontinued operations associated with a $1.5 million tax benefit related to an election to change the tax method for certain strategic initiative costs. Other also reflects income tax adjustments related to the Company's annualized estimated tax rate.

A discussion of key financial data from the Company's business segments follows.

Business Segment Financial and Operating Data

The following sections include key financial and operating data for each of the Company's business segments. Also included are highlights on key growth strategies, projections and certain assumptions for the Company and its subsidiaries and other matters of the Company's business segments.

For information pertinent to various commitments and contingencies, see the Condensed Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. For a summary of the Company's business segments, see Note 14 of the Condensed Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

Electric and Natural Gas Distribution

Strategy and challenges The electric and natural gas distribution segments provide electric and natural gas distribution services to customers, as discussed in Note 14. Both segments strive to be top performing utilities and provide safe, reliable, competitively priced and environmentally responsible energy services to customers. The segments are focused on cultivating organic growth while managing operating costs and monitoring opportunities for these segments to retain, grow and expand their customer base through extensions of existing operations, including building and upgrading electric generation, transmission and distribution, and natural gas systems. The continued efforts to create operational improvements and efficiencies across both segments promotes the Company's business integration strategy. The primary factors that impact the results of these segments are the ability to earn authorized rates of return; weather; climate change laws, regulations and initiatives; competitive factors in the energy industry; population growth; and economic conditions in the segments' service areas.

The electric and natural gas distribution segments are subject to extensive regulation in the jurisdictions where they conduct operations with respect to costs, timely recovery of investments and permitted returns on investment. The Company is focused on modernizing utility infrastructure to meet the varied energy needs of both its customers and communities while working to deliver safe, reliable, affordable and environmentally responsible energy. The segments continue to invest in facility upgrades to be in compliance with existing and known future regulations. To assist in the reduction of regulatory lag in obtaining revenue increases to align with increased investments, tracking mechanisms have been implemented in certain jurisdictions. The Company also seeks rate adjustments for operating costs and capital investments, as well as reasonable returns on investments not covered by tracking mechanisms. For more information on the Company's tracking mechanisms and recent rate cases, see Note 10 and the 2025 Annual Report.

These segments are also subject to extensive regulation related to certain operational and environmental compliance, cybersecurity, permit terms and system integrity. Both segme

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Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

The Company generates, transmits and distributes electricity and provides natural gas distribution, transportation and storage services. Through a strategy focusing on its "CORE," the Company strives to deliver superior value and achieve industry-leading performance as a pure-play regulated energy delivery company, while pursuing organic growth opportunities. The Company's "CORE" strategy prioritizes customers and communities, operational excellence, returns focused initiatives and an employee driven culture.

Strategic Initiatives On May 31, 2023, the Company completed the separation of Knife River, its construction materials and contracting business, resulting in Knife River becoming an independent, publicly-traded company. The Company's board of directors approved the distribution of approximately 90 percent of the issued and outstanding shares of Knife River to the Company's stockholders. Stockholders of the Company received one share of Knife River common stock for every four shares of the Company's common stock held on May 22, 2023, the record date for the distribution. The Company retained approximately 10 percent or 5.7 million shares of Knife River common stock immediately following the separation, which were disposed of in a tax-free exchange in November 2023. The separation of Knife River was a tax-free spinoff transaction to the Company's stockholders for U.S. federal income tax purposes, except for cash received in lieu of fractional shares.

On October 31, 2024, the Company completed the separation of Everus, its construction services business, resulting in Everus becoming an independent, publicly-traded company. The Company's board of directors approved the distribution of all the outstanding shares of Everus common stock to the Company's stockholders. Stockholders of the Company received one share of Everus common stock for every four shares of the Company's common stock held as of the close of business on October 21, 2024, the record date for the distribution. The separation of Everus was a tax-free spinoff transaction to the Company's stockholders for U.S. federal income tax purposes, except for cash received in lieu of fractional shares.

The Company incurred costs in connection with the strategic initiatives in 2023, 2024 and 2025, as noted in the Business Segment Financial and Operating Data section.

One Big Beautiful Bill Act On July 4, 2025, the reconciliation bill was enacted into law, extending key provisions of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act while scaling back clean energy tax incentives of the IRA. Changes in tax laws may affect recorded deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities or the Company's effective tax rates in the future. The Company has evaluated new legislation, and it does not expect a material impact to the consolidated financial statements or ongoing tax rate as a result of this legislation.

Market Trends The Company continues to manage the inflationary pressures experienced throughout the United States, including the impact that inflation, interest rates, changes in tariffs, commodity price volatility and supply chain disruptions may have on its business and customers and proactively looks for ways to lessen the impact to its business. The Company has observed supply chain improvements in lead times for certain commodities. The Company has experienced impacts related to the changes in tariffs and continues to navigate the current environment and monitor the future for impacts that could occur. For more information on possible impacts to the Company's businesses, see the Outlook for each segment below and Item 1A - Risk Factors.

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Part II

Consolidated Earnings Overview

The following table summarizes the contribution to the consolidated income by each of the Company's business segments.

The Company completed the separations of Knife River on May 31, 2023, its former construction materials and contracting segment, and of Everus on October 31, 2024, its former construction services segment, into new independent publicly-traded companies. As a result of these separations, the historical results of operations for Knife River and Everus are shown in discontinued operations, net of tax, except for allocated general corporate overhead costs of the Company, which did not meet the criteria for discontinued operations and are reflected in Other. Also included in discontinued operations are certain strategic initiative costs associated with the separations of Knife River and Everus. Other includes activity for Everus for ten months in 2024 compared to the full year in 2023 and Knife River activity for five months in 2023.

Results of Operations The Company's discussion and analysis for the year ended December 31, 2025 compared to 2024 is included herein. For discussion and analysis for the year ended December 31, 2024 compared to 2023 refer to Part II, Item 7. "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" in the Company's report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024, filed with the SEC on February 20, 2025.

2025 compared to 2024 The Company's consolidated earnings decreased $90.7 million primarily due to the absence of income from discontinued operations in 2025, partially offset by increased earnings at the natural gas distribution business.

•Earnings at the electric business were impacted by higher operation and maintenance expense, primarily increased payroll-related costs, contract services related to Coyote Station planned outage-related costs, software expense, which include certain costs associated with services provided under the Transition Services Agreement with Everus that are recovered in other income, and insurance expense. Partially offsetting the increased operation and maintenance expense were higher retail sales revenue and retail sales volumes, partially driven by a data center near Ellendale, North Dakota.

•Increased earnings at the natural gas distribution business was largely the result of higher retail sales revenue, driven largely by rate relief in Washington, Montana, South Dakota and Wyoming. The increase was partially offset by higher operation and maintenance expense, primarily higher insurance expense, payroll-related costs, and software expense, which include certain costs associated with services provided under the Transition Services Agreement with Everus that are recovered in other income.

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•The pipeline's slight earnings increase was driven by growth projects placed in service throughout 2024 and in late 2025 and customer demand for short-term firm natural gas transportation contracts. Higher use of the company's interruptible natural gas transportation services further drove the increase. The increase was partially offset by higher operation and maintenance expense primarily attributable to payroll-related costs. The increase was further offset by the absence of $1.5 million, net of tax proceeds received in 2024 from a customer settlement as well as the absence of a benefit from an adjustment related to the Company's effective state income tax rate change. The business also incurred higher depreciation expense due to growth projects placed in service, as previously discussed, and higher property taxes in Montana.

•Other was impacted by the absence of the income from discontinued operations in 2025. Partially offsetting the decrease was lower operation and maintenance expense, largely a result of corporate overhead costs classified as continuing operations allocated to the construction services business in 2024, which are not included in Other in 2025.

A discussion of key financial data from the Company's business segments follows.

Business Segment Financial and Operating Data

The following are key financial and operating data for each of the Company's business segments. Highlights of key growth strategies, projections and certain assumptions for the Company and its subsidiaries, and other matters concerning the Company's business segments are included below. Many of these highlighted points are "forward-looking statements." For more information, see Part I - Forward-Looking Statements. There is no assurance that the Company's projections, including estimates for growth and changes in earnings, will in fact be achieved. Please refer to assumptions contained in this section, as well as the various important factors listed in Item 1A - Risk Factors. Changes in such assumptions and factors could cause actual future results to differ materially from the Company's projections.

For information pertinent to various commitments and contingencies, see Item 8 - Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. For a summary of the Company's business segments, see Item 8 - Note 14.

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Part II

Electric and Natural Gas Distribution

Strategy and challenges The electric and natural gas distribution segments provide electric and natural gas distribution services to customers, as discussed in Item 1 - Business. Both segments strive to be top performing utilities and provide safe, reliable, competitively priced and environmentally responsible energy services to customers. The segments are focused on cultivating organic growth while managing operating costs and monitoring opportunities for these segments to retain, grow and expand their customer base through extensions of existing operations, including building and upgrading electric generation, transmission and distribution, and natural gas systems. The continued efforts to create operational improvements and efficiencies across both segments promotes the Company's business integration strategy. The primary factors that impact the results of these segments are the ability to earn authorized rates of return; weather; climate change laws, regulations and initiatives; competitive factors in the energy industry; population growth; and economic conditions in the segments' service areas.

The electric and natural gas distribution segments are subject to extensive regulation in the jurisdictions where they conduct operations with respect to costs, timely recovery of investments and permitted returns on investment. The Company is focused on modernizing utility infrastructure to meet the varied energy needs of both its customers and communities while working to deliver safe, reliable, affordable and environmentally responsible energy. The segments continue to invest in facility upgrades to be in compliance with existing and known future regulations. To assist in the reduction of regulatory lag in obtaining revenue increases to align with increased investments, tracking mechanisms have been implemented in certain jurisdictions. The Company also seeks rate adjustments for operating costs

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