Will NWN's Q1 2025 EPS beat forecasts?

**Northwest Natural Gas (NWN) is likely to meet or slightly exceed EPS forecasts for Q1 2025.** Here's a detailed analysis:

1. **Current Estimates**: The estimated EPS for NWN in Q1 2025 is $2.09. This is the forecast that investors are currently basing their expectations on.
2. **Historical Performance**: NWN's historical performance shows that the company's earnings have fluctuated. For instance, in Q4 2024, the company missed earnings and revenue estimates. However, in Q3 2023, the company's earnings surpassed estimates.

3. **Recent News**: NWN has been involved in strategic growth and has made acquisitions, which could impact its financial performance. Additionally, the company's revenue for Q4 2024 was down 6.3% year-over-year, indicating a potential challenge in maintaining growth.
4. **Analyst Sentiments**: There are mixed revisions in earnings estimates, which suggests that analysts are not uniformly bullish or bearish on the stock. Daiwa Securities Group Inc. raised its holdings in NWN, indicating some confidence in the company's future. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. also acquired additional shares, which could be a positive signal.
5. **Market Conditions**: The overall market conditions and trends in the energy sector, which includes NWN's natural gas services, will play a crucial role in determining the company's performance. If there are any positive developments or changes in the market that could boost demand for natural gas, it might positively impact NWN's earnings.

In conclusion, while NWN has faced challenges in the past, such as missing earnings and revenue estimates, the company's strategic moves and the recent acquisitions suggest a proactive approach to growth. The mixed analyst sentiments and the need to consider broader market conditions indicate that NWN's Q1 2025 EPS might meet or slightly exceed forecasts, but the margin for surprise could be narrow.