The AES Corporation’s AES second-quarter 2015 adjusted earnings per share of 25 cents missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 31 cents by 19.35%. Quarterly earnings decreased 10.7% from the year-ago level of 28 cents.
The company’s lower profits were due to the timing of planned maintenance at certain businesses, a stronger U.S. dollar, lower demand and contracting strategy in Brazil, as well as the net impact of 2 cents from the reversal of liabilities in Brazil and Europe. These were offset by improved hydrology in Panama and Colombia, capital allocations and an adjusted effective tax rate of 30% in 2015 versus 40% in 2014.
GAAP earnings were 10 cents in the quarter, down 50% from 20 cents in second-quarter 2014 due to higher debt extinguishment expense of 11 cents related to costs incurred to retire and refinance near-term debt maturities.
Highlights of the Release
AES Corp. generated total revenue of $3,858 million in the second quarter, lagging the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $4,340 million by 11.1%. Quarterly revenues were also down 10.5% year over year.
In the reported quarter, total cost of sales was $3,104 million, down 11.1% year over year. General and administrative expenses were $50 million, down 3.8% from $52 million in second-quarter 2014. Operating income was down 7.9% to $754 million.
Interest expenses in the reported quarter were $310 million, down 4% from $323 million in the year-ago quarter.
Financial Condition
AES Corp. reported cash and cash equivalents of $1,022 million as of Jun 30, 2015, compared with $1,539 million as of Dec 31, 2014. Non-recourse debt was $13,750 million as of Jun 30, 2015, up from $13,618 million as of Dec 31, 2014.
In the first six months of 2015, cash from operating activities was $590 million compared with $453 million a year ago. Total capital expenditure in the period was $1,168 million, up from $908 million a year ago.
Proportional free cash flow, a non-GAAP measure, was $327 million in the first half of 2015, up from $176 million in the year-ago period.
Year to date, the company has repurchased 26 million shares for $335 million. The company is left with approximately $88 million under its existing share repurchase authorization at 2015 end.
Guidance
AES Corp. maintained its adjusted earnings guidance for 2015 in the range of $1.25−$1.35 per share. The guidance assumes an expected impact of 7 cents per share from poor hydrology in Brazil.
The company maintained its 2015 proportional free cash flow guidance in the range of $1,000−$1,350 million and operating cash flow guidance in the range of $1,900–$2,700 million.
Zacks Rank
Currently, AES Corp. carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). Some better-ranked stocks in the utility space include Empresa Nacional de Electricidad S.A. EOC and Enersis S.A. ENI, both sporting a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), and American Electric Power Co., Inc. AEP, holding a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy).
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