Ameren Corporation (NYSE:AEE) reported first-quarter 2018 earnings of 62 cents per share from continuing operations, which surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 58 cents by 6.9%. The bottom line also surged 47.6% year over year, primarily driven by higher Ameren Missouri electric service rates and Ameren Missouri electric retail sales.
Total Revenues
Total revenues of $1,585 million in the quarter were up 4.6% year over year owing to higher electric and natural gas sales volumes.
Highlights of the Release
Ameren’s total electricity sales volumes in the quarter increased 3.5% to 19,849 million kilowatt hours (kWh) from 19,174 million kWh in the prior-year quarter. Gas volumes improved 20.3% to 77 million dekatherms.
Total operating expenses came in at $1,312 million, up 3.1% year over year.
Interest expenses were $101 million compared with $99 million in the year ago quarter.
Financial Condition
Ameren reported cash and cash equivalents of $30 million as of Mar 31, 2018 compared with $10 million at 2017-end.
As of Mar 31, 2018, long-term debt totaled $6,766 million compared with $7,094 million as of Dec 31, 2017.
As of Mar 31, 2018, cash from operating activities amounted to $258 million compared with $331 million in the prior-year period.
Guidance
Ameren continues to expect its 2018 earnings per share in the range of $2.95-$3.15.
Zacks Rank
Ameren carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
Recent Utility Releases
Exelon Corporation’s (NYSE:EXC) first-quarter 2018 operating earnings of 96 cents per share beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 93 cents by 3.2%. Quarterly earnings were 50% higher than the year-ago figure of 44 cents.
American Electric Power Co., Inc. (NYSE:AEP) reported first-quarter 2018 adjusted earnings per share (EPS) of 96 cents, missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1 by 4%.
NextEra Energy, Inc. (NYSE:NEE) reported first-quarter 2018 adjusted earnings of $1.94 per share, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.78 by 8.9%.
The Hottest Tech Mega-Trend of All
Last year, it generated $8 billion in global revenues. By 2020, it's predicted to blast through the roof to $47 billion. Famed investor Mark Cuban says it will produce "the world's first trillionaires," but that should still leave plenty of money for regular investors who make the right trades early.
See Zacks' 3 Best Stocks to Play This Trend >>
Ameren Corporation (AEE): Free Stock Analysis Report
American Electric Power Company, Inc. (AEP): Free Stock Analysis Report
Exelon Corporation (EXC): Free Stock Analysis Report
NextEra Energy, Inc. (NEE): Free Stock Analysis Report
Original post
Zacks Investment Research