NRG Energy, Inc. NRG reported earnings of 90 cents in the fourth quarter of 2016, as against the Zacks Consensus Estimate of a loss of 10 cents. Reported earnings were also up 60.7% from the year-ago quarter figure of 56 cents.
Revenues
NRG Energy's quarterly operating revenues of $2,819 million lagged the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $3,096 million by 9% and were down 9.1% from $3,102 million reported in the fourth quarter of 2015.
Full-year 2016 revenues were $12,351 million, missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $13,440 million by 8.1% and down 15.8% year over year.
Highlights of the Release
Total operating costs and expenses in the quarter declined 6.4% to $895 million from $956 million a year ago.
The company’s adjusted EBITDA was $492 million in the fourth quarter of 2016, down 15.5% from $582 million a year ago.
The company incurred interest expenses of $1,061 million in 2016, down 5.9% from $1,128 million a year ago.
Financial Condition
As of Dec 31, 2016, NRG Energy had cash and cash equivalents of $1,973 million, compared with $1,518 million as of Dec 31, 2015.
The company’s long-term debt and capital leases (excluding current portion) were $18,006 million as of Dec 31, 2016, compared with $18,983 million as of Dec 31, 2015.
In 2016, NRG Energy’s net cash from operating activities was $2,072 million, up 58.3% from $1,309 million in the prior-year period.
Capital expenditure in 2016 was $1,244 million, down 3% from $1,283 million in the year-ago period.
Guidance
For 2017, NRG Energy reiterated its adjusted EBITDA and free cash flow (before growth investments) guidance in a range of $2,700–$2,900 million and $800–$1,000 million, respectively.
Peer Releases
American Electric Power Co., Inc. AEP reported fourth-quarter 2016 operating earnings of 67 cents per share, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 55 cents by 21.8%.
NextEra Energy, Inc. NEE reported fourth-quarter 2016 adjusted earnings of $1.21 per share, missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.29 by 6.2%. Reported earnings were, however, up 3.4% year over year.
WEC Energy Group WEC reported fourth-quarter 2016 adjusted earnings of 61 cents per share, a penny below both the Zacks Consensus Estimate and the year-ago figure.
Zacks Rank
NRG Energy currently has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
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