Diversified energy company FirstEnergy Corporation FE announced second-quarter 2016 operating earnings of 56 cents per share, higher than both the Zacks Consensus Estimate and the prior-year figure of 53 cents by 5.7%.
On a GAAP basis, however, FirstEnergy reported a loss of $2.56 per share, compared to prior-year earnings of 44 cents.
The variance between GAAP and operating earnings figure was due to regulatory charges of a penny, asset impairment charges of $2.99,merger accounting related costs of a penny and mark-to-market adjustments of 11 cents.
Total Revenue
FirstEnergy generated total revenue of $3,401 million, slightly higher than the Zacks Consensus Estimate of than $3,384 million. However, revenues fell 1.9% from $3,465 million reported a year ago.
Revenues declined on account of lower electric distribution deliveries, a decline in transmission revenues and decreased revenues from Competitive energy services.
Highlights of the Release
Total electric sales decreased by 587 thousand megawatt-hours (MWh), or 1.7% year over year. Residential sales declined by 183 thousand MWh (1.5%), while commercial sales were down by 62 thousand MWh (0.6%). The decline was attributable to the use of more energy-efficient products. Impact of weather was mostly flat year over year. Industrial sales fell by 342 thousand MWh (2.7%) as lower usage for steel and coal mining activity more than offset growth in the shale gas space.
For the second quarter, FirstEnergy incurred operating expenses of $2,783 million, down 3% from $2,867 million a year ago.
FIRSTENERGY CP Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise
FIRSTENERGY CP Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise | FIRSTENERGY CP Quote
Financial Update
FirstEnergy's cash on hand as of Jun 30, 2016 was $199 million, up from $131 million as of Dec 31, 2015.
Cash from operating activities in the second quarter was $822 million, compared with $797 million a year ago.
Long-term debt and other long-term obligations as of Jun 30, 2016 were $18,348 million, compared with $19,099 million as of Dec 31, 2015.
Guidance
FirstEnergy has provided its operating earnings guidance for the third-quarter 2016 and full year in the range of 65–75 cents and $2.40–$2.60, respectively.
The utility has projected 2016 capital expenditure of $2,950 million and free cash outflow of $665–$765 million.
Upcoming Peer Releases
NiSource Inc. NI is slated to report second-quarter 2016 earnings on Aug 2. The Zacks Consensus Estimate stands at 6 cents.
NRG Energy, Inc. NRG is slated to report second-quarter 2016 earnings on Aug 9. The Zacks Consensus Estimate is breakeven results.