Entergy Corporation (NYSE:ETR) reported fourth-quarter 2017 adjusted earnings of 76 cents per share, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 42 cents by 81%. Moreover, the number improved 145.2% from the year-ago quarter’s figure of 31 cents.
On a GAAP basis, the company reported a loss of $2.66 per share compared with a loss of $9.88 a year ago. The difference between GAAP and operating earnings in the reported quarter was due to the effect of special items.
Entergy Corporation Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise
Entergy Corporation Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise | Entergy Corporation Quote
In 2017, Entergy reported adjusted earnings of $7.20 per share, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $6.91 by 4.2%. Moreover, the number rose 1.3% from the year-ago figure of $7.11.
Segment Results
Utility, Parent & Other: The segment’s quarterly earnings were 41 cents per share compared with 35 cents in the prior-year quarter.
Entergy Wholesale Commodities (EWC): The segment reported operating earnings of 35 cents per share compared with loss of 4 cents in the year-ago quarter.
Highlights of the Release
Interest expenses were $662 million in 2017, down 0.6% from $666 million in the prior year.
In 2017, total retail customers served by the company increased 0.6% to nearly 2.9 million.
Financial Highlights
As of Dec 31, 2017, the company had cash and cash equivalents of $781 million compared with $1,188 million as of Dec 31, 2016.
Total debt, as of Dec 31, 2017, was $16.7 billion compared with $15.3 billion as of Dec 31, 2016.
For 2017, the company generated cash from operating activities of $2,624 million, down $2,999 million from the prior-year quarter.
Guidance
For 2018, Entergy issued operational earnings guidance per share in the band of $6.25-$6.85.
The Utility, Parent & Other adjusted earnings are expected in the range of $4.50-$4.90 per share.
Zacks Rank
Entergy carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
Recent Peer Releases
Duke Energy (NYSE:DUK) reported fourth-quarter 2017 adjusted earnings of 94 cents per share, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 91 cents by 3.3%.
PG&E Corporation’s (NYSE:PCG) adjusted operating earnings per share of 63 cents in fourth-quarter 2017 missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 69 cents by 8.7%.
CenterPoint Energy, Inc. (NYSE:CNP) reported fourth-quarter 2017 adjusted earnings of 33 cents per share, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 30 cents by 10%.
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CenterPoint Energy, Inc. (CNP): Free Stock Analysis Report
Entergy Corporation (ETR): Free Stock Analysis Report
Duke Energy Corporation (DUK): Free Stock Analysis Report
Pacific Gas & Electric Co. (PCG): Free Stock Analysis Report
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