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Financial Fact:
Today’s EPS Names:
TSH, SYBT, MPX, More
Entergy Corporation (NYSE: ETR) expects fourth quarter 2012 as-reported earnings of approximately $1.65 per share and operational earnings of approximately $1.71 per share. Results for fourth quarter 2011 were $0.87 per share on an as-reported basis and $0.94 per share on an operational basis. Entergy also affirmed previously issued operational earnings guidance for 2013.
*** The Street is at Q4 EPS of 96 cents.
The increase in fourth quarter 2012 earnings was driven by higher results at Utility and Parent & Other, which was partially offset by lower earnings at Entergy Wholesale Commodities. As indicated below, income tax is cited as a quarter-over-quarter variance explanation in each of the disclosure segments. On an overall company basis, the most significant item quarter-over-quarter was a settlement with the Internal Revenue Service completed at the end of 2012. In conjunction with the terms of the IRS settlement of the 2004 – 2005 audit, a net earnings benefit of approximately $155 million was recorded in the fourth quarter of 2012.
Results in both the current and prior year periods reflected adjustments within the EWC and Parent & Other segments to improve the alignment of certain intercompany items and income tax activity. These adjustments had no effect on consolidated results.
Utility
The increase in Utility fourth quarter 2012 operational earnings reflected lower income tax expense, including the effect of the IRS settlement noted above. Higher net revenue also contributed to the Utility earnings improvement, driven by volume and price. Both periods had roughly similar negative weather effects. On a weather-adjusted basis, retail sales were higher, driven by growth in the residential and commercial segments. Partially offsetting these items was an increase in depreciation expense.
Entergy Wholesale Commodities
The quarter-over-quarter decrease in earnings at Entergy Wholesale Commodities was due to lower net revenue and increases in income tax and decommissioning expenses. EWC net revenue declined due to lower pricing for the nuclear fleet. Higher decommissioning expense was incurred this quarter versus the prior year due to the benefit from an adjustment to the decommissioning liability recorded in the fourth quarter of 2011 (associated with an updated decommissioning study).
Parent & Other
At Parent & Other, operational results improved during the quarter due to a decrease in income tax expense on Parent & Other activities that was partially offset by higher interest expense.
Earnings Guidance
Entergy affirmed its previously issued 2013 operational earnings guidance to be in the range of $4.60 to $5.40 per share. Entergy noted it currently expects to be in the lower half of the operational guidance range due to updated pension and post-retirement cost estimates, which included an approximate 75 basis point decrease in the discount rate assumption. As-reported earnings guidance for 2013 does not reflect potential future expenses for the proposed spin-merge of the transmission business with ITC. The as-reported guidance range will be updated throughout the year as these transaction-related expenses are incurred.
*** The Street sees FY13 EPS of $5.06.
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