CMS Energy (CMS) Tops Q1 Earnings Estimates, Keeps '17 View

Jackson, MI-based CMS Energy Corporation (NYSE:CMS) reported first-quarter 2017 adjusted earnings per share of 71 cents, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 65 cents by 9.2%. Quarterly earnings also improved 20.3% from the year-ago figure of 59 cents.

Operational Performance

In the quarter under review, CMS Energy’s operating revenues came in at $1,829 million, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1,820 million by nearly 0.5%. On a year-over-year basis too, revenues improved 1.6% from $1,801 million.

The company’s operating expenses dropped 2.3% to $1,441 million during the quarter.

Operating income during the first quarter was $388 million, up 19% from $326 million a year ago.

CMS Energy’s interest charges were $107 million, up merely 0.9% from $106 million in the year-ago period.

Financial Condition

CMS Energy had cash and cash equivalents of $433 million as of Mar 31, 2017, up from $235 million as of Dec 31, 2016.

As of Mar 31, 2017, total debt, capital leases and financing obligations stood at $9,717 million, up from $9,706 million as of Dec 31, 2016.

At the end of the first quarter, cash from operating activities was $646 million, compared with $632 million in the year-ago period.

Guidance

CMS Energy reaffirmed its 2017 adjusted earnings per share guidance in the range of $2.14–$2.18. Adjusted earnings are still expected to grow year over year in the range of 6–8% in 2017.

Zacks Rank

CMS Energy currently has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

Peer Earnings Review

Public Service Enterprise Group Inc. (NYSE:PEG) or PSEG reported first-quarter 2017 adjusted operating earnings of 92 cents per share, which exceeded the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 84 cents by 9.5%. Revenues of $2,592 million in the reported quarter surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 1.1%.

Entergy Corporation (NYSE:ETR) reported first-quarter 2017 operational earnings of 99 cents per share, lagging the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.06 by 6.6%. It reported total revenue of $2,588.5 million, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2,566 million by 0.9%.

NextEra Energy, Inc. (NYSE:NEE) reported first-quarter 2017 adjusted earnings of $1.75 per share, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.56 by 12.2%. Operating revenues totaled $3,972 million that surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $3,943 million by nearly 0.7%.

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