PPL Corporation (NYSE:PPL) PPL reported fourth-quarter 2020 adjusted earnings per share of 59 cents, which missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 61 cents by 3.3%. However, the bottom line improved 4% year over year.
On a GAAP basis, the company generated earnings per share of 38 cents compared with 48 cents in the year-ago quarter.
Total Revenues
PPL Corp. posted revenues of $1,929 million for the fourth quarter, which dipped 1.3% year over year.
Operational Highlights
PPL Corp.’s total operating expenses fell 2.9% year over year to $1,225 million for the reported quarter.
The company reported operating income of $704 million, up 1.6% from the prior-year quarter.
Interest expenses were up 1.2% to $251 million from the year-ago quarter’s $248 million.
Segment Results
U.K. Regulated: Adjusted earnings dipped 2.9% from the prior-year quarter to 34 cents per share.
Kentucky Regulated: Adjusted earnings were 11 cents per share, up 10% from the year-ago figure.
Pennsylvania Regulated: Adjusted earnings of 16 cents per share were in line with the prior-year number.
Corporate and Other: The segment reported a loss of 2 cents for the quarter, narrower than a loss of 4 cents in the prior-year quarter.
Financial Position
As of Dec 31, 2020, the company had cash and cash equivalents of $708 million compared with $815 million on Dec 31, 2019.
Long-term debt (excluding debts due within a year) was $21,553 million as of Dec 31 compared with $20,721 million at 2019 end.
Net cash provided by operating activities in 2020 was $2,746 million compared with $2,427 million in 2019.
Zacks Rank
Currently, PPL Corp. carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
Other Utility Releases
NextEra Energy (NYSE:NEE), Inc. NEE reported fourth-quarter 2020 adjusted earnings of 40 cents per share, which beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 39 cents by 2.6%.
Xcel Energy Inc (NASDAQ:XEL). XEL posted fourth-quarter 2020 operating earnings of 54 cents per share, matching the Zacks Consensus Estimate.
WEC Energy Group (NYSE:WEC) WEC delivered fourth-quarter 2020 earnings per share of 76 cents, topping the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 74 cents by 2.7%.
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