CenterPoint Energy, Inc. (NYSE:CNP) reported fourth-quarter 2019 adjusted earnings of 45 cents per share, which exceeded the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 37 cents by 21.6%. The bottom line also jumped 25% from the year-ago quarter’s 36 cents.
The company’s GAAP earnings came in at 25 cents per share compared with the 18 cents registered in the prior-year quarter.
For 2019, CenterPoint Energy posted adjusted earnings of $1.79 per share, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.69 by 5.9%. Full-year earnings also improved 11.9% from the year-earlier tally of $1.60.
Revenues
CenterPoint Energy’s total revenues in the quarter were $3,230 million, which lagged the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $3,897 million by 17.1%. However, the reported figure came in 6.4% higher than the prior year’s $3,036 million.
Increased contributions from both utility segments fueled top-line growth.
For 2019, the company’s total revenues of $12,301 million missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $12,890 million by 4.6%. The top line, however, came in 16.2% higher than the $10,589 million registered in 2018.
Operational Results
Total expenses during the fourth quarter flared up 2.1% to $2,928 million.
The company’s operating income surged 80.8% to $302 million from the $167 million registered in the year-ago period.
Interest and other finance charges increased to $139 million from the prior year’s $102 million.
Segment Results
The Electric Transmission & Distribution segment reported operating income of $102 million in the fourth quarter compared with the $100 million witnessed in the year-ago quarter.
The Natural Gas Distribution segment registered operating income of $167 million compared with the year-ago quarter’s $100 million.
The Energy Services segment incurred operating loss of $32 million compared with the operating loss of $27 million posted in the year-earlier period.
The Infrastructure Services segment recorded operating income of $45 million compared with the $95 million witnessed in the prior-year quarter.
The Other Operations segment incurred operating loss of $6 million, flat year on year.
CenterPoint Energy, Inc. Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise
Financial Condition
As of Dec 31, 2019, CenterPoint Energy had cash and cash equivalents of $241 million, down significantly from $4,231 million as of Dec 31, 2018.
Total long-term debt was $14,244 million as of Dec 31, 2019, compared with $8,682 million as of Dec 31, 2018.
At the end of 2019, the company’s net cash from operating activities was $1.638 million, up from the previous year’s $2,136 million.
Further, CenterPoint Energy’s total capital expenditure summed $2,580 million in 2019, up from the $1,720 million witnessed last year.
2020 Guidance
CenterPoint Energy has issued its 2020 earnings guidance. The company currently expects to generate earnings of $1.10-$1.20 per diluted share, excluding certain impacts associated in relation to its merger with Vectren. Its Midstream Investments EPS projected range is 23-28 cents.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for ongoing-year earnings is pegged at $1.58, which lies above the mid-point of the company’s guided range.
Zacks Rank
CenterPoint Energy currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
Recent Utility Releases
CMS Energy (NYSE:CMS) reported fourth-quarter 2019 adjusted earnings per share (EPS) of 68 cents, considerably up 70% from the year-ago quarter reported figure of 40 cents. The bottom line, however, missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 69 cents.
NextEra Energy (NYSE:NEE) posted adjusted earnings of $1.44 per share for the December-end quarter, lagging the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.54 by 6.5%.
Dominion Energy (NYSE:D) delivered operating earnings of $1.18 per share for the final quarter of 2019, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.16 by 1.7%.
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