Evergy, Inc. (NYSE:EVRG) reported fourth-quarter 2019 operating earnings of 32 cents per share, improving a whopping 300% from the year-ago-quarter’s 8 cents. The upside in earnings was buoyed by positive impact of Evergy Metro and Evergy Missouri West results.
Earnings per share in 2019 were $2.89 per share, which was near the upper end of the guided range of $2.80-$3.00.
Total Revenues
Evergy’s total revenues came in at $1,131.6 million, missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1,197.1 million by 5.5%. The top line also dropped 5.7% from the year-ago-quarter’s $1,200 million.
Evergy Inc. Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise
Evergy Inc. price-consensus-eps-surprise-chart | Evergy Inc. Quote
Highlights of the Release
Total operating expenses in the fourth quarter were $965.8 million, down 8% from the year-ago quarter’s $1,049.7 million owing to lower fuel and purchased power, along with operating and maintenance costs.
Interest and related charges in the reported quarter were $96.7 million, up 9.5% from the year-ago level.
In 2019, Evergy repurchased 29 million shares. Since the inception of the repurchase program, the company has bought back 45 million shares, as part of its 60-million share repurchase authorization.
Financial Update
Cash and cash equivalents as of Dec 31, 2019 were $23.2 million compared with $160.3 million in the corresponding period of 2018.
Long-term debt as of Dec 31, 2019 was $8,746.7 million compared with $6,636.3 million in the comparable period of 2018.
Cash from operating activities in 2019 was $1,749 million compared with $1,497.8 million in 2018.
Guidance
Evergy is increasing its five-year investment plan to $7.6 billion through 2024 versus the prior $6.1-billion five-year plan ending 2023.
Zacks Rank
Currently, Evergy has a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
Recent Releases
Covanta Holding Corp. (NYSE:CVA) reported fourth-quarter 2019 earnings of 9 cents per share, which beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 7 cents by 28.6%.
Clearway Energy Inc. (NYSE:CWEN) reported fourth-quarter 2019 loss of 6 cents per share against the Zacks Consensus Estimate of earnings of 39 cents.
NextEra Energy (NYSE:NEE) Partners LP’s (NYSE:NEP) fourth-quarter 2019 earnings of 50 cents per unit surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 44 cents by 13.6%.
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