MIDDLESEX WATER CO 10-Q

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures of Market Risk We are exposed to market risk associated with changes in interest rates and commodity prices. The Company is subject to the risk of fluctuating interest rates in the normal course of business. Our policy is to manage interest rates through the use of fixed rate long-term debt and, to a lesser extent, short-term debt. The Company’s interest rate risk related to existing fixed rate, long-term debt is not material due to the term of the majority of our First Mortgage Bonds, which have final maturity dates ranging from 2026 to 2059. Over the next twelve months, approximately $7.6 million of existing long-term debt instruments will mature. Applying a hypothetical change in the rate of interest charged by 10% on those borrowings would not have a material effect on our earnings. Fixed rate long-term debt and variable rate short-term debt agreements were not entered into for trading purposes. Our risks associated with commodity price increases for chemicals, electricity and other commodities are reduced through contractual arrangements and the ability to recover price increases through rates. Non-performance by these commodity suppliers could have a material adverse impact on our results of operations, financial position and cash flows. We are exposed to credit risk for both our Regulated and Non-Regulated business segments. Our Regulated operations serve residential, commercial, industrial and municipal customers while our Non-Regulated operations engage in business activities with developers, government entities and other customers. Our primary credit risk is exposure to customer default on contractual obligations and the associated loss that may be incurred due to the non-payment of customer accounts receivable balances. Our credit risk is managed through established credit and collection policies which are in compliance with applicable regulatory requirements and involve monitoring of customer exposure and the use of credit risk mitigation measures such as letters of credit or prepayment arrangements. Our credit portfolio is diversified with no significant customer or industry concentrations. In addition, our Regulated businesses are generally able to recover all prudently incurred costs including uncollectible customer accounts receivable expenses and collection costs through customers’ rates. The Company's retirement benefit plan assets are exposed to the market prices variations of debt and equity securities. Changes to the Company's retirement benefit plan asset values can impact the Company's retirement benefit plan expense, funded status and future minimum funding requirements. Our exposure to market price risk in our retirement benefit plan assets is managed through our ability to recover retirement benefit plan costs through customer rates. There were no 27 Table of Contents material changes to our primary market risk exposures or how such exposures are managed in 2025 nor are there expected to be in the future.