NextEra Energy (NEE) Misses on Q2 Earnings as Expenses Mount
NextEra Energy, Inc. (NEE) announced second-quarter 2014 adjusted earnings of $1.43 per share, missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.45 by 1.4%. On a year-over-year basis, earnings decreased around 2.1% primarily due to higher total operating expenses and an increase in the shares count.
On a GAAP basis, NextEra Energy recorded earnings of $1.12 per share compared with $1.44 per share a year ago. The variance between adjusted and GAAP earnings, during the quarter, was due to a 33 cent impact from unrealized mark-to-market loss from non-qualifying hedges and a 2 cent gain associated with Spain Solar projects.
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Total Revenue
In the second quarter, NextEra Energy’s operating revenues was $4,029 million, in line with the Zacks Consensus Estimate. Quarterly revenues increased 5.1% from $3,833 million a year ago.
Segmental Results
Florida Power & Light Company (FPL): In the second quarter, the segment reported revenues of $2,889 million, up 7.2% from the year-ago figure. This was primarily driven by an increase in retail sales due to a combination of customer growth and higher average sales price.
NextEra Energy Resources (:NEER): Segmental revenues were $1,036 million, down around 1% year over year. The downside was primarily due to restructuring and transaction costs as well as a non-cash income tax charge related to structuring Canadian assets, and a scheduled refueling outage at Seabrook Station Nuclear Power Plant.
Corporate and Other: The segment’s quarterly revenues were $104 million compared with $91 million a year ago.
Operational Update
In the quarter under review, NextEra Energy’s total operating expenses shot up 7.9% year over year to $3,078 million. This was primarily due to higher fuel, purchased power and interchange expenses as well as depreciation and amortization expenses.
Total operating income edged down around 3.1% to $951 million from $981 million a year ago.
The company’s interest expenses in the second quarter were $305 million versus $266 million in the prior-year quarter.
Business Update
NextEra Energy has completed the initial public offering of NextEra Energy Partners, LP (NEP).
Financial Update
NextEra Energy had cash and cash equivalents of $0.62 billion as of Jun 30, 2014, up from $0.44 billion as of Dec 31, 2013.
Long-term debts as of Jun 30, 2014 were $25.0 billion versus around $24.0 billion as of Dec 31, 2013.
NextEra Energy’s cash flow from operating activities during the first half of 2014 was $2.45 billion compared with $2.25 billion in the year-ago period.
Guidance
NextEra Energy revised its 2014 adjusted earnings projection to $5.15–$5.35 per share from the earlier range of $5.05–$5.45 per share.
For 2016, the company reiterated its earnings guidance in the range of $5.50–$6.00 per share.
NextEra Energy’s earnings estimates are in line with its projected annual compounded growth rate of 5%–7% through 2016, taking 2012 as the base year.
At the Peers
American Electric Power Company Inc. (AEP) reported second-quarter 2014 operating earnings of 80 cents per share, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 75 cents by 6.7%.
CMS Energy Corporation (CMS) reported second-quarter 2014 earnings per share of 30 cents, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 26 cents by 15.4%.
Zacks Rank
NextEra Energy currently has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).
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