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Significant Accounting Policies | 12 Months Ended
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Dec. 31, 2025
Accounting Policies [Abstract] |
Significant Accounting Policies | Significant Accounting Policies New accounting standards The following table provides a brief description of the accounting pronouncements applicable to us and the potential impact on our audited consolidated financial statements and/or disclosures:
Standard | Description | Standard Effective Date | Impact on financial statements/disclosures
Recently issued ASU’s not yet adopted
ASU 2024-03 - Disaggregation of Income Statement Expenses | In November 2024, the FASB issued guidance on modifying the disclosure requirements to improve the disclosures for a public entity’s expenses and address requests from investors for more detailed information about the types of expenses in commonly presented expense captions. The guidance is to be applied either on a prospective basis to the financial statements issued for reporting periods after the effective date or on a retrospective basis to the financial statements to all prior periods presented in the financial statements. Early adoption is permitted. | Annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2026 and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2027. | We are currently evaluating the impact the guidance will have on our disclosures for the year ended December 31, 2027 and interim periods for fiscal year 2028.
ASU 2025-05 - Measurement of Credit Losses for Accounts Receivable and Contract Assets | In July 2025, the FASB issued guidance to provide a practical expedient for all entities related to the estimation of expected credit losses for current accounts receivable and current contract assets that arise from transactions accounted for under ASC 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers. | Annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2025 and interim reporting periods within those annual reporting periods on a prospective basis. Early adoption is permitted and should be applied on a prospective basis. | We are currently evaluating the impact the guidance will have on our financial statements and related disclosures.
Standard | Description | Standard Effective Date | Impact on financial statements/disclosures
ASU 2025-06 - Targeted Improvements to the Accounting for Internal-Use Software | In September 2025, the FASB issued guidance to provide targeted improvements to the accounting for internal-use software which is intended to modernize the recognition and capitalization framework to reflect current software development practices. Under this guidance, eligible software development costs will begin capitalization when management has authorized and committed to funding the software project, and it is probable that the project will be completed and the software will be used to perform the function intended. | Annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2027 and interim reporting periods within those annual reporting periods. Early adoption is permitted as of the beginning of an annual reporting period. | We are currently evaluating the impact this guidance will have on our financial statements and disclosures.
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash We consider all highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less, when purchased, to be cash and cash equivalents. Restricted cash represents deposits held by our captive insurance company that is required by state insurance regulations to remain in the captive insurance company. Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at December 31 was comprised of:
| 2025 |  | 2024
| (In thousands)
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 73,821 |  | $ | 236,799
Restricted cash | 49,597 |  | 44,335
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash | $ | 123,418 |  | $ | 281,134
Business combinations For all business combinations, we preliminarily allocate the purchase price of the acquisitions to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on their estimated fair values as of the acquisition dates and are considered provisional until final fair values are determined, or the measurement period has passed. We expect to record adjustments as we accumulate the information needed to estimate the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed, including working capital balances, estimated fair value of identifiable intangible assets, property, plant and equipment, total consideration and goodwill. The excess of the purchase price over the aggregate fair value is recorded as goodwill. We calculated the fair value of the assets acquired in 2025 and 2024 using a market or cost approach (or a combination of both). Fair values for some of the assets were determined based on Level 3 inputs including estimated future cash flows, discount rates, growth rates, sales projections, retention rates and terminal values, all of which required significant management judgment and are susceptible to change. The final fair value of the net assets acquired may result in adjustments to the assets and liabilities, including goodwill, and will be made as soon as practical, but no later than 12 months from the respective acquisition dates. Any subsequent measurement period adjustments are not expected to have a material impact on our results of operations. Revenue recognition Revenue is recognized when a performance obligation is satisfied by transferring control over a product or service to a customer. We are considered an agent for certain taxes collected from customers. As such, we present revenues net of these taxes at the time of sale to be remitted to governmental authorities, including sales and use taxes. We generate revenue from contracting services and construction materials sales. We focus on the vertical integration of our contracting services with our construction materials to support the aggregate-based product lines. We provide contracting services to a customer when a contract has been approved by both the customer and a representative of Knife River, obligating a service to be provided in exchange for the consideration identified in the contract. The nature of the services provided generally include integrating a set of services and related construction materials into a single project to create a distinct bundle of goods and services, which we have determined are generally a single performance obligation. We determine the transaction price to include the fixed consideration required pursuant to the original contract price together with any additional consideration, to which we expect to be entitled to, associated with executed change orders plus the estimate of variable consideration to which we expect to be entitled, subject to the constraint discussed below. The nature of our contracts gives rise to several types of variable consideration. Examples of variable consideration include: liquidated damages; performance bonuses or incentives and penalties; claims; unpriced change orders; and index pricing. The variable amounts usually arise upon achievement of certain performance metrics or change in project scope. We estimate the amount of revenue to be recognized on variable consideration using the most likely amount method, which best predicts the most likely amount of consideration we expect to be entitled to or expect to incur. Assumptions as to the occurrence of future events and the likelihood and amount of variable consideration are made during the contract performance period. Estimates of variable consideration and determination of whether to include estimated amounts in the transaction price are based largely on the assessment of anticipated performance and all information (historical, current and forecasted) that is reasonably available to management. We only include variable consideration in the estimated transaction price to the extent it is probable that a significant reversal of cumulative revenue recognized will not occur or when the uncertainty associated with the variable consideration is resolved. Changes in circumstances could impact management’s estimates made in determining the value of variable consideration recorded. When determining if the variable consideration is constrained, we consider if factors exist that could increase the likelihood or the magnitude of a potential reversal of revenue. We update our estimate of the transaction price each reporting period and the effect of variable consideration on the transaction price is recognized as an adjustment to revenue on a cumulative catch-up basis. Contracting services revenue is recognized over time using an input method based on the cost-to-cost measure of progress on a project. We have determined this method to be appropriate for measuring revenue because the costs incurred have been determined to represent the best indication of the overall progress toward the transfer of such goods or services promised to a customer. Under the cost-to-cost measure of progress, the costs incurred are compared with total estimated costs of a performance obligation. Revenues are recorded proportionately to the costs incurred. The percentage of completion is determined on a performance obligation basis. We also sell construction materials to external customers and internal customers. The contract for material sales is the use of a sales order or an invoice, which includes the pricing and payment terms. All material contracts contain a single performance obligation for the delivery of a single distinct product or a distinct separately identifiable bundle of products and services. Revenue is recognized at a point in time when the performance obligation has been satisfied with the delivery of the products or services. The warranties associated with the sales are those consistent with a standard warranty that the product meets certain specifications for quality or those required by law. For most contracts, amounts billed to customers are due within 30 days of receipt. There are no material obligations for returns, refunds or other similar obligations. Receivables and allowance for expected credit losses Receivables consist primarily of trade and contract receivables from the sale of goods and services net of expected credit losses. A majority of our receivables are due in 30 days or less. The total balance of receivables past due 90 days or more was $15.3 million and $14.3 million at December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively. Receivables, net consisted of the following at December 31:
| 2025 |  | 2024
| (In thousands)
Trade receivables | $ | 155,836 |  |  | $ | 134,480 |
Contract receivables | 127,383 |  |  | 137,105 |
Receivables, gross | 283,219 |  |  | 271,585 |
Less expected credit loss | 5,189 |  |  | 4,345 |
Receivables, net | $ | 278,030 |  |  | $ | 267,240 |
Our expected credit losses are determined through a review using historical credit loss experience, changes in asset specific characteristics, current conditions and reasonable and supportable future forecasts, among other specific account data, and is performed at least quarterly. We develop and document our methodology to determine our allowance for expected credit losses. Risk characteristics we use may include customer mix, knowledge of customers and general economic conditions of the various local economies, among others. Specific account balances are written off when management determines the amounts to be uncollectible. Management has reviewed the balance reserved through the allowance for expected credit losses and believes it is reasonable. Details of our expected credit losses were as follows:
|  |  | West |  | Mountain |  | Central |  | Energy Services |  | Total
|  | (In thousands)
At December 31, 2023 |  |  | $ | 3,057 |  |  | $ | 2,293 |  |  | $ | 718 |  |  | $ | 100 |  |  | $ | 6,168 |
Current expected credit loss provision |  |  | 417 |  |  | 35 |  |  | 575 |  |  | 72 |  |  | 1,099 |
Less write-offs charged against the allowance |  |  | 996 |  |  | 1,548 |  |  | 372 |  |  | 6 |  |  | 2,922 |
At December 31, 2024 |  |  | $ | 2,478 |  |  | $ | 780 |  |  | $ | 921 |  |  | $ | 166 |  |  | $ | 4,345 |
Current expected credit loss provision |  |  | 422 |  |  | 436 |  |  | 752 |  |  | 835 |  |  | 2,445 |
Less write-offs charged against the allowance |  |  | 495 |  |  | 942 |  |  | 71 |  |  | 93 |  |  | 1,601 |
At December 31, 2025 |  |  | $ | 2,405 |  |  | $ | 274 |  |  | $ | 1,602 |  |  | $ | 908 |  |  | $ | 5,189 |
Inventories Inventories at December 31 consisted of:
| 2025 |  | 2024
| (In thousands)
Finished products | $ | 304,281 |  |  | $ | 252,563 |
Raw materials | 91,069 |  |  | 91,334 |
Supplies and parts | 40,364 |  |  | 36,439 |
Total | $ | 435,714 |  |  | $ | 380,336 |
Inventories are valued at the lower of cost or net realizable value using the average cost method. Inventories include production costs incurred as part of our aggregate mining activities. These inventoriable production costs include all mining and processing costs associated with the production of aggregates. Stripping costs incurred during the production phase, which represent costs of removing overburden and waste materials to access mineral deposits, are a component of inventoriable production costs. Property, plant and equipment Additions to property, plant and equipment are recorded at cost. Gains or losses resulting from the retirement or disposal of assets are recognized as a component of operating income. Generally, property, plant and equipment are depreciated on a straight-line basis over the average useful lives of the assets with the exception of large marine equipment, which is computed using units-of-production. Aggregate mining development costs are capitalized and classified as land improvements and depreciated over the lower of the estimated life of the reserves or the life of the associated improvement. We begin capitalizing development costs at a point when reserves are determined to be proven or probable and economically mineable. Capitalization of these costs ceases when production commences. The cost of acquiring reserves in connection with a business combination are valued at fair value. Aggregate reserves, from both owned and leased mining sites, are a component within property, plant and equipment and are depleted using the units-of-production method. We use proven and probable aggregate reserves as the denominator in our units-of production calculation. Exploration costs are expensed as incurred in cost of revenue and production costs are capitalized to inventory. Capitalized interest The interest cost on capital projects is capitalized and included in the cost of the project. Capitalization commences in the pre-acquisition or construction stage of the project and continues until the project is substantially complete and ready for its intended use. When no debt is incurred specifically for a project, interest is capitalized using the weighted average cost of our outstanding borrowings. For the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024, the amount we capitalized into net property, plant and equipment on the Consolidated Balance Sheet was immaterial. Impairment of long-lived assets, excluding goodwill We review the carrying values of our long-lived assets, including mining and related assets, whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that such carrying values may not be recoverable. We test long-lived assets for impairment at a level significantly lower than that of goodwill impairment testing. Long-lived assets or groups of assets that are evaluated for impairment at the lowest level of largely independent identifiable cash flows at an individual operation or group of operations collectively serving a local market. The determination of whether an impairment has occurred is based on an estimate of undiscounted future cash flows attributable to the assets, compared to the carrying value of the assets. If impairment has occurred, the amount of the impairment recognized is determined by estimating the fair value of the assets and recording a loss if the carrying value is greater than the fair value. No impairment losses were recorded in 2025 or 2024. During the year ended December 31, 2023, we recognized non-cash asset impairments of $5.8 million as a result of certain aggregate sites no longer being economically feasible to mine and having no remaining value. Goodwill Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of identifiable net tangible and intangible assets acquired in a business combination. Goodwill is required to be tested for impairment annually, which we complete in the fourth quarter, or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that goodwill may be impaired. We have determined the reporting units for our goodwill impairment test are our operating segments along with the Prestress component of the West operating segment as they each constitute a business for which discrete financial information is available and for which management regularly reviews the operating results. For more information on our operating segments, see Note 15. Goodwill impairment, if any, is measured by comparing the fair value of each reporting unit to its carrying value. If the fair value of a reporting unit exceeds its carrying value, the goodwill of the reporting unit is not impaired. If the carrying value of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value, we must record an impairment loss for the amount that the carrying value of the reporting unit, including goodwill, exceeds the fair value of the reporting unit. For the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024 and 2023, there were no impairment losses recorded. Our annual goodwill impairment test was performed in the fourth quarter of 2025 and determined the fair value of each of our reporting units substantially exceeded the carrying value as of October 31, 2025. We use a weighted average combination of both an income approach and a market approach to estimate the fair value of our reporting units for our goodwill impairment analysis. Determining the fair value of a reporting unit requires judgment and the use of significant estimates, which include assumptions about our future revenue, profitability and cash flows, amount and timing of estimated capital expenditures, inflation rates, weighted average cost of capital, operational plans, and current and future economic conditions, among others. We believe the estimates and assumptions used in our impairment assessments are reasonable and based on available market information. Investments Our investments include the cash surrender value of life insurance policies and insurance contracts. We measure our investment in the insurance contracts at fair value with any unrealized gains and losses recorded on the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Government Assistance We account for government assistance received for capital projects by reducing the cost of the project by the amount of assistance received. We record government assistance received as taxable income and write-up the tax basis of the asset to include the amount of the assistance received. Government assistance received for the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024 and 2023, was not material. Joint Ventures We account for unconsolidated joint ventures using either the equity method or proportionate consolidation. As of December 31, 2025, we held interests of 25 percent and 33 percent in joint ventures formed primarily for the purpose of pooling resources on construction contracts. Proportionate consolidation is used for joint ventures that include unincorporated legal entities and activities of the joint venture which are construction-related. For those joint ventures accounted for under proportionate consolidation, only our pro rata share of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses are included in the Consolidated Balance Sheets and Consolidated Statements of Operations. For those joint ventures accounted for using proportionate consolidation, we recorded in our Consolidated Statements of Operations revenue of $514,000, $0 and $4.9 million for the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024 and 2023, respectively. Also for the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024 and 2023, we reported operating losses of $10,000, $3,000 and $1.9 million, respectively. We had interest in assets from these joint ventures of $50,000 for 2025 and $45,000 for both 2024 and 2023. For joint ventures accounted for under the equity method, our investment balances for the joint ventures are included in Investments in the Consolidated Balance Sheets and our pro rata share of net income is included in Other income in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Our investments in equity method joint ventures were a net asset of $2.1 million, $1.9 million and $68,000 for December 31, 2025, 2024 and 2023, respectively. In 2025, 2024 and 2023, we recognized income from equity method joint ventures of $199,000, $279,000 and $55,000, respectively. Leases The recognition of leases requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the lease classification and the assets and liabilities recorded. The accuracy of lease assets and liabilities reported on the audited Consolidated Financial Statements depends on, among other things, management’s estimates of interest rates used to discount the lease assets and liabilities to their present value, as well as the lease terms based on the unique facts and circumstances of each lease. Lease liabilities and their corresponding right-of-use assets are recorded based on the present value of lease payments over the expected lease term. We recognize leases with an original lease term of 12 months or less in income on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease and do not recognize a corresponding right-of-use asset or lease liability. We determine the lease term based on the non-cancelable and cancelable periods in each contract. The non-cancelable period consists of the term of the contract that is legally enforceable and cannot be canceled by either party without incurring a significant penalty. The cancelable period is determined by various factors that are based on who has the right to cancel a contract. If only the lessor has the right to cancel the contract, we will assume the contract will continue. If the lessee is the only party that has the right to cancel the contract, we look to asset, entity and market-based factors. If both the lessor and the lessee have the right to cancel the contract, we assume the contract will not continue. The discount rate used to calculate the present value of the lease liabilities is based upon the implied rate within each contract. If the rate is unknown or cannot be determined, we use an incremental borrowing rate, which is determined by the length of the contract, asset class and our borrowing rates, as of the commencement date of the contract. Insurance Our wholly-owned captive insurance company, Spring Creek Insurance Company, which is subject to applicable insurance rules and regulations, insures our exposure related to workers’ compensation, general liability and automobile liability on a primary basis. We also purchase excess coverage from unrelated insurance carriers and obtain third-party coverage for other forms of insurance including, but not limited to, excess liability, contractor’s pollution liability, marine liability, directors and officers liability and employment practices liability. Spring Creek Insurance Company establishes a reserve for estimated ultimate losses on reported claims and those incurred but not yet reported utilizing actuarial projections. The reserves are classified within other accrued liabilities or noncurrent liabilities - other on the Consolidated Balance Sheets based on projections of when the estimated loss will be paid. The estimates that are utilized to record potential losses on claims are inherently subjective, and actual claims could differ from amounts recorded, which could result in increased or decreased expense in future periods. Additionally, we maintain a self-insurance reserve for health insurance programs offered to eligible employees, included within other accrued liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The reserve includes an estimate for losses on reported claims as well as for amounts incurred but not yet reported, based on historical trends. Asset retirement obligations We record the fair value of a liability for an asset retirement obligation in the period in which it is incurred. When the liability is initially recorded, we capitalize a cost by increasing the carrying amount of the related long-lived asset. Over time, the liability is accreted to its present value each period and the capitalized cost is depreciated over the useful life of the related asset. Upon settlement of the liability, we either settle the obligation for the recorded amount or incur a gain or loss. Net income per share Basic net income per share is computed by dividing net income by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the applicable period. Diluted net income per share is computed by dividing net income by the total of the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the applicable period, plus the effect of non-vested performance and restricted stock units. Basic and diluted net income per share are calculated as follows, based on a reconciliation of the weighted-average common shares outstanding on a basic and diluted basis:
Years ended December 31, | 2025 |  | 2024 |  | 2023
| (In thousands, except per share amounts)
Net income | $ | 157,074 |  |  | $ | 201,678 |  |  | $ | 182,872 |
Weighted average common shares outstanding - basic | 56,653 |  |  | 56,607 |  |  | 56,568 |
Effect of dilutive performance and restricted stock units | 242 |  |  | 237 |  |  | 100 |
Weighted average common shares outstanding - diluted | 56,895 |  |  | 56,844 |  |  | 56,668 |
Shares excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share | 34 |  |  | — |  |  | — |
Net income per share - basic | $ | 2.77 |  |  | $ | 3.56 |  |  | $ | 3.23 |
Net income per share - diluted | $ | 2.76 |  |  | $ | 3.55 |  |  | $ | 3.23 |
Stock-based compensation We determine compensation expense for stock-based compensation awards based on the estimated fair values at the grant date and recognize the related compensation expense over the vesting period. We use the straight-line amortization method to recognize compensation expense related to restricted stock units, which only has a service condition. This method recognizes stock compensation expense on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period for the entire award. We recognize compensation expense related to performance awards that vest based on performance metrics and service conditions on a straight-line basis over the service period. Inception-to-date expense is adjusted based upon the determination of the potential achievement of the performance target at each reporting date. We recognize compensation expense related to performance awards with market-based performance metrics on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period. Forfeitures are recognized as they occur, and expenses are adjusted on a cumulative catch-up basis at the time of any forfeitures. Prior to the Separation, key employees participated in various stock-based compensation plans authorized and managed by MDU Resources. All awards granted under the plans were based on MDU Resources’ common shares, however, we recognized the expense for our participants in our financial statements. At the time of the Separation, each outstanding MDU Resources’ time-vested restricted stock unit and performance share awards held by a Knife River employee was converted into Knife River time-vested restricted stock units. The converted awards continue to vest over the original vesting period, which is generally three years from the grant date. All performance share awards that were converted at the time of the Separation were first adjusted using a combined performance factor based on MDU Resources’ actual performance as of December 31, 2022. The number of restricted stock units was determined by taking the closing per share price of MDU Resources on May 31, 2023, and dividing by the closing per share price of Knife River on June 1, 2023. The ratio used to convert the MDU Resources’ stock-based compensation awards was designed to preserve the aggregate intrinsic value of the award immediately after the Separation when compared to the aggregate intrinsic value of the award immediately prior to the Separation. The existing unvested stock-based awards issued through MDU Resources’ stock-based compensation plans were modified in connection with the Separation to maintain an equivalent value immediately before and after Separation. Incremental fair value for unvested awards has been recorded over the remaining vesting periods. Income taxes Knife River and its subsidiaries file consolidated federal income tax returns and combined and separate state income tax returns. Pursuant to the tax sharing agreement that exists between Knife River and its subsidiaries, federal income taxes paid by Knife River, as parent of the consolidated group, are allocated to the individual subsidiaries based on separate company computations of tax. However, all income tax expense is reported within the Corporate Services segment. We make a similar allocation for state income taxes paid in connection with combined state filings. We provide deferred federal and state income taxes on all temporary differences between the book and tax basis of our assets and liabilities by using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which the differences are expected to reverse. The effect of a change in tax rates on deferred tax assets and liabilities is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. We record uncertain tax positions in accordance with accounting guidance on accounting for income taxes on the basis of a two-step process in which (1) we determine whether it is more-likely-than-not that the tax position will be sustained on the basis of the technical merits of the position and (2) for those tax positions that meet the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold, we recognize the largest amount of the tax benefit that is more than 50 percent likely to be realized upon ultimate settlement with the related tax authority. Tax positions that do not meet the more-likely-than-not criteria are reflected as a tax liability. We recognize interest and penalties accrued related to unrecognized tax benefits in income taxes.

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