Entergy Corporation (NYSE: ETR), owner of the Vermont Yankee nuclear power plant in Vernon, today indicated that it expects first quarter 2013 as-reported earnings of approximately $0.89 per share and operational earnings of approximately $0.93 per share. Results for first quarter 2012 were a loss of $0.86 per share on an as-reported basis and earnings of $0.44 per share on an operational basis. Entergy also affirmed previously issued operational earnings guidance for 2013.
As-reported results are prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) and are comprised of operational earnings (described below) and special items. Special items were recorded for:
an impairment in connection with the Vermont Yankee nuclear plant in first quarter 2012 and
expenses associated with the proposed spin-off and merger of Entergy's electric transmission business with ITC Holdings Corp. in the first quarters of 2012 and 2013.
The increase in first quarter 2013 earnings was driven by higher results at Utility and Entergy Wholesale Commodities, which was partially offset by lower results at Parent and Other.
Utility
The increase in Utility first quarter 2013 operational earnings was driven by higher net revenue and lower income tax expense. The improvement in Utility net revenue reflected pricing adjustments due primarily to nuclear and combined cycle natural gas-fired generation investments in 2012. These resources provide clean and efficient generation for the benefit of customers. Both periods had negative weather effects. However, weather in first quarter 2013 was not as mild as the comparable year period, resulting in an increase in as-reported retail volume, which was also reflected in the higher net revenue.
The lower income tax expense was driven by a prior period item. First quarter 2012 income tax expense included a non-cash adjustment to write off a regulatory asset for income taxes to appropriately align the financial accounting treatment with the regulatory treatment of income taxes for certain items.
Partially offsetting these items were increases in non-fuel operation and maintenance and depreciation expenses.
Entergy Wholesale Commodities
The quarter-over-quarter increase in earnings at Entergy Wholesale Commodities was due to an increase in net revenue driven by higher nuclear energy and capacity pricing. Partially offsetting was an increase in nuclear refueling and unplanned outage days. Refueling days at the Indian Point 3 and Vermont Yankee nuclear plants totaled 50 days in the current quarter, compared to 27 refueling days at Indian Point 2 in first quarter 2012.
Parent & Other
Parent & Other's operational results declined during the quarter due to several individually insignificant items.
Earnings Guidance
Entergy affirmed its previously issued 2013 operational earnings guidance to be in the range of $4.60 to $5.40 per share. The revised 2013 as-reported guidance of $4.56 to $5.36 per share reflects the first quarter special item for expenses associated with the proposed spin-off and merger of the transmission business with ITC noted above. The as-reported guidance range will be updated throughout the year as these transaction-related expenses are incurred.
Entergy will report first quarter earnings results before the market opens on Thursday, April 25, 2013, and host a teleconference at 10 a.m. CT that day to discuss the earnings announcement. The teleconference may be accessed by dialing (719) 457-2080, confirmation code 9708842, no more than 15 minutes prior to the start of the call. The call and presentation slides can also be accessed via Entergy's website atwww.entergy.com. A replay of the teleconference will be available for seven days thereafter by dialing (719) 457-0820, confirmation code 9708842.
Entergy Corporation, which celebrates its 100th birthday this year, is an integrated energy company engaged primarily in electric power production and retail distribution operations. Entergy owns and operates power plants with approximately 30,000 megawatts of electric generating capacity, including more than 10,000 megawatts of nuclear power, making it one of the nation's leading nuclear generators. Entergy delivers electricity to 2.8 million utility customers in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas. Entergy has annual revenues of more than $10 billion and approximately 15,000 employees.
NEW ORLEANS, April 18, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Entergy Corporation