Eversource Energy (NYSE:ES) reported fourth-quarter 2017 operating earnings of 75 cents per share, missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 76 cents by 1.3%. Earnings improved 4.2% year over year.
Total Revenues
Eversource’s fourth-quarter revenues of $1,895.5 million surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1,826 million by 3.8% and improved 6.7% from the year-ago figure of $1,776.6 million.
Highlights of the Release
In the reported quarter, total electric distribution improved 1.1% year over year to 12,815 gigawatt hours and natural gas distribution increased 4.7% to 31,340 million cubic feet of gas.
Operating expenses increased nearly 7.9% from the prior-year quarter to $1,444.7 million, primarily owing to higher expenses incurred for purchased power, fuel and transmission.
Operating income was up 2.9% to $450.8 million and interest expenses were in line year over year at $102.3 million.
Net income in the reported quarter was $237.4 million, up 3.6% from the year-ago quarter.
Segmental Performance
Electric Distribution and Generation: The segment’s earnings were up 27.6% to $104 million primarily due to a lower effective tax rate in 2017, and lower non-tracked operations and maintenance expenses in 2017.
Electric Transmission: This segment’s earnings declined 1.8% year over year to $102.3 million. Results in 2016 benefited from a settlement related to the recovery of $27.5 million of pre-tax merger-related costs through electric transmission rates.
Natural Gas Distribution: The segment’s earnings declined 1.2% to $102.3 million. The year-over-year decline was primarily due to higher depreciation, operation and maintenance, and property tax expense.
Eversource Parent & Other Companies: The segment earned $5.6 million, lower than the year-ago quarter’s earnings of $17.7 million.
Guidance
Eversource Energy issued 2018 guided earnings per share in the range of $3.20-$3.30. Long-term earnings growth is projected in the range of 5-7% annually through 2021, using 2017 earnings of $3.11 per share as the base.
Zacks Rank
Eversource carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).
You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
Other Releases
WEC Energy Group (NYSE:WEC) reported fourth-quarter 2017 operating earnings of 71 cents per share, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 67 cents by 5.97%.
NextEra Energy (NYSE:NEE) reported fourth-quarter 2017 adjusted earnings of $1.25 per share, missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.31 by 4.58%.
FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE:FE) reported fourth-quarter 2017 operating earnings of 71 cents per share, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 69 cents by 2.9%.
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WEC Energy Group, Inc. (WEC): Free Stock Analysis Report
NextEra Energy, Inc. (NEE): Free Stock Analysis Report
FirstEnergy Corporation (FE): Free Stock Analysis Report
Eversource Energy (ES): Free Stock Analysis Report
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Zacks Investment Research