Diversified energy company, FirstEnergy Corporation (NYSE:FE) reported second-quarter 2017 operating earnings of 61 cents per share, in line with the Zacks Consensus Estimate. Quarterly earnings were also up 8.9% year over year.
Moreover, the earnings remained in the guidance range of 55–65 cents per basic share provided by the company during first-quarter 2017.
On a GAAP basis, FirstEnergy reported earnings of 39 cents per share, significantly better than the prior-year loss of $2.56 per share.
FirstEnergy Corporation Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise
Total Revenue
FirstEnergy generated total revenue of $3,309 million in second-quarter 2017, missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $3,415 million by 3.10%.
Reported revenues were also down 2.7% from $3,401 million reported a year ago. The top line declined primarily due to lower capacity revenues from Competitive Energy Services.
Highlights of the Release
Total electric sales decreased by 361 thousand megawatt-hours (MWh), or 32.8% year over year. Residential sales declined by 541 thousand MWh, or 4.6% while commercial sales fell 159 thousand MWh, or 1.5%. Industrial sales improved by 449 thousand MWh or 3.6% primarily on account of higher usage by shale and steel customers.
For the second quarter, FirstEnergy incurred operating expenses of $2,911 million, down 51.2% from $5,969 million a year ago primarily owing to lower unit cost of fuel and cost of purchased power.
Operating income in the reported quarter was pegged at $690 million, up from $618 million in the prior-year quarter.
Financial Update
FirstEnergy's cash on hand as of Jun 30, 2017 was $114 million, down from $199 million as of Dec 31, 2016.
Long-term debt and other long-term obligations as of Jun 30, 2017 were $20,582 million compared with $18,192 million as of Dec 31, 2016.
Net cash provided from operating activities was $1,482 million during the first six months of 2017 compared with $1,472 million provided from operating activities during the first six months of 2016.
Guidance
FirstEnergy has provided operating earnings guidance for third-quarter and full-year 2017 in the range of 75–90 cents and $2.70–$3.00 per basic share, respectively.
Peer Releases
NextEra Energy, Inc. (NYSE:NEE) reported second-quarter 2017 operating earnings of $1.86 per share, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.76 by 5.68%.
DTE Energy Company (NYSE:DTE) reported second-quarter 2017 adjusted earnings of $1.07 per share, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 99 cents by 8.08%.
WEC Energy Group, Inc. (NYSE:WEC) reported second-quarter 2017 adjusted earnings of 63 cents per share, compared to the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 59 cents by 6.78%.
Zacks Rank
FirstEnergy currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
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