Public Service Enterprise Group Inc. PEG or PSEG reported third-quarter 2017 adjusted operating earnings of 82 cents per share, which missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 84 cents by 2.4%. The bottom line also declined 6.8% on a year-over-year basis.
Excluding one–time adjustments, the company reported quarterly earnings of 78 cents per share compared with 64 cents in the third-quarter 2016.
Total Revenue
Revenues of $2,263 million in the quarter missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2,545 million by 11.1%. Also, the figure declined 7.6% from the year-ago figure of $2,450 million.
During the reported quarter, electric sales volume declined 8.3% to 11,735 million kilowatt-hours, while gas sales volume decreased 44.2% to 481 million therms.
For electric sales, results reflected a 4.7% drop in the commercial and industrial sector, 13.9% decline in residential sector, 4.8% fall in street lighting and 9.5% drop in interdepartmental sector.
Total gas sales volume in the reported quarter declined on 57.1% drop in non-firm sales volume of gas and 4.2% decline in firm sales volume of gas.
Highlights of the Release
During the third quarter, the company reported operating income of $693 million up from $577 million in the year-ago quarter. Total operating expenses were $1,570 million, down 16.2% from the year-ago quarter figure.
Interest expenses in the reported quarter were $100 million compared with $99 million in the year-ago quarter.
Public Service Enterprise Group Incorporated Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise
Public Service Enterprise Group Incorporated Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise | Public Service Enterprise Group Incorporated Quote
Segment Performance
PSE&G: Segment earnings were $246 million, down from $255 million in the prior-year quarter. Quarterly results reflect PSE&G’s expanded investment in electric and gas transmission and distribution facilities.
PSEG Power: The segment earnings were $158 million compared with $170 million a year ago. The downturn was due to a decline in energy prices and the effect of cooler-than-normal weather on demand and output.
PSEG Enterprise/Other: The segment earnings were $13 million compared with $19 million in the third quarter of 2016.
Financial Update
As of Sep 30, cash and cash equivalents were $278 million compared with $423 million as of Dec 31, 2016.
Long-term debt as of Sep 30 was $12,524 million, up from the 2016-end level of $11,395 million.
Public Service Enterprise Group generated $2,734 million in cash from operations in the nine months, down from the year-ago figure of $2,761.
2017 Guidance
The company maintained its 2017 guidance. Earnings are still projected in the range of $2.80-$3.00.
PSE&G’s operating earnings are anticipated in the band of $945-$985 million. The company also reiterated its PSEG Power operating earnings guidance in $435-$510 million range.
Additionally, PSEG Enterprise/Other’s operating earnings expectations are reaffirmed at $35 million.
Zacks Rank
Public Service Enterprise Group holds a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
Recent Peer Releases
Entergy Corporation ETR reported third-quarter 2017 operational earnings of $2.35 per share beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.24 by 4.9%. The reported number also improved 1.7% from the year-ago figure.
DTE Energy Company DTE reported third-quarter 2017 operating earnings per share (EPS) of $1.48 missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.53 by 3.3%. Operating earnings also declined 24.5% from the year-ago figure of $1.96.
American Electric Power Co., Inc. AEP reported third-quarter 2017 operating EPS of $1.10 missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.19 by 7.6%. The bottom line also declined 15.4% from $1.30 reported a year ago.
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