Attached files

file filename
8-K - 8-K - ENTERGY CORP /DE/a00315.htm
EX-99.3 - EXHIBIT 99.3 - ENTERGY CORP /DE/a00315993.htm
EX-99.1 - EXHIBIT 99.1 - ENTERGY CORP /DE/a00315991.htm


 
Entergy
639 Loyola Avenue
New Orleans, LA 70113
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
News
Release

Date:
Feb. 5, 2015
 
 
 
 
For Release:
Immediately
 
 
 
 
Contact:
Shona Sabnis (Media)
(504) 576-4238
ssabnis@entergy.com
Paula Waters (Investor Relations)
(504) 576-4380
pwater1@entergy.com

Exhibit 99.2
Entergy Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year Earnings,
Initiates 2015 Operational Earnings Guidance

Highlights: deployment of capital plan, sales growth to maintain rate advantage,
progress at Indian Point

New Orleans, La. - Entergy Corporation (NYSE: ETR) today reported fourth quarter 2014 as-reported earnings of $120.1 million, or 66 cents per share, compared with $146.9 million, or 82 cents per share, for fourth quarter 2013. On an operational basis, Entergy’s fourth quarter 2014 earnings were $135.3 million, or 75 cents per share, compared with $179.3 million, or $1.00 per share, in fourth quarter 2013. For the year, Entergy’s as-reported earnings were $940.7 million, or $5.22 per share, and operational earnings were $1,050 million, or $5.83 per share. These results compare with 2013 as-reported earnings of $711.9 million, or $3.99 per share, and operational earnings of $957.1 million, or $5.36 per share.
“Entergy delivered on its plan in 2014,” said Chairman and CEO Leo Denault. “At the Utility, we began the deployment of our capital program via the proposed purchase of the Union Power Station and the start of commercial operations at Ninemile 6, the Utility’s first self-build





plant in three decades. We resolved two important rate cases, in Mississippi and Texas. And we did all this while keeping our rates low - about 20 percent below the national average across all classes. At EWC, we improved plant operations and made progress in resolving uncertainty at Indian Point. And our risk management and hedging activities delivered substantial value for our owners, particularly during periods of market volatility. As a result, we realized operational EPS growth of nearly nine percent, well above original guidance. Importantly, we also captured a top-quartile position on total shareholder return.”
He continued, “This year, despite some challenges, we can say with confidence that the fundamentals of our business are strong. We have a compelling capital plan to strengthen our operations, and to meet a very real opportunity. We fully expect to continue to deliver on this plan in 2015, and years to come.”

Consolidated Earnings - Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Measures
Fourth Quarter and Year-to-Date 2014 vs. 2013
(Per share in U.S. $)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fourth Quarter
Year-to-Date
 
2014
2013
Change
2014
2013
Change
As-Reported Earnings
0.66
0.82
(0.16)
5.22
3.99
1.23
Less Special Items
(0.09)
(0.18)
0.09
(0.61)
(1.37)
0.76
Operational Earnings
0.75
1.00
(0.25)
5.83
5.36
0.47
*GAAP refers to United States generally accepted accounting principles.
Operational Earnings Highlights for Fourth Quarter 2014
Utility results were lower driven by increased non-fuel operation and maintenance expense, a higher effective income tax rate and an asset write-off; these decreases were partially offset by higher net revenue.
EWC earnings decreased due to a fourth quarter 2013 gain on sale of the District Energy business and lower other income; these items were partially offset by higher net revenue.
Parent & Other results improved due primarily to fourth quarter 2013 income tax expense associated with the EWC gain on sale.







Other business highlights include the following:
Entergy initiated 2015 operational EPS guidance at $5.10 to $5.90, including updated assumptions for lower northeast power prices and effective income tax rates.
The Utility announced two major investments - the Union combined cycle gas turbine plant and the Lake Charles Transmission Project.
Ninemile 6, a 560 MW CCGT was place in service on December 24th. The project was completed under budget and ahead of schedule.
A New York State appellate court ruled that Indian Point is grandfathered under the state’s Coastal Management Program; New York State Department of State’s motion for reargument or appeal is pending.
A teleconference will be held at 9 a.m. CST on Thursday, Feb. 5, 2015, to discuss Entergy’s fourth quarter 2014 earnings announcement and the company’s financial performance. The teleconference may be accessed by visiting Entergy’s website at www.entergy.com or by dialing (855) 893-9849, conference ID 62430843, no more than 15 minutes prior to the start of the call. The presentation slides are also posted to Entergy’s website concurrent with this release, which was issued before market open on the day of the call. A replay of the teleconference will be available on Entergy’s website at www.entergy.com and by telephone. The telephone replay will be available through Feb. 12, 2015, by dialing (855) 859-2056, conference ID 62430843. This release and presentation slides are also available on the Entergy Investor Relations mobile web app at enter.gy.ir.
Utility
In fourth quarter 2014, Utility earnings were $109.3 million, or 60 cents per share, on an as-reported basis and $110.8 million, or 61 cents per share, on an operational basis, compared to $161.2 million, or 90 cents per share, on an as-reported basis and $153.7 million, or 86 cents per share, on an operational basis for fourth quarter 2013. The quarter-over-quarter decrease in





operational EPS was driven by higher non-fuel O&M, a higher effective income tax rate and an asset write-off, partially offset by increased net revenue. Fourth quarter 2014 results included a write-off stemming from some regulatory uncertainty regarding the Waterford 3 steam generator replacement prudence review. That issue is still pending before the Louisiana Public Service Commission.
Non-fuel O&M was higher quarter-over-quarter reflecting increased nuclear and fossil generation spending, a portion of which was related to quarterly timing variances. Midcontinent Independent System Operator, Inc. regional transmission organization administration fees, energy efficiency spending and storm reserve accruals were also higher (these items had offsets in net revenue). These expense increases were partially offset by lower compensation and benefits expenses.
Utility net revenue was higher than the same quarter in the prior year. The effect of rate adjustments and weather-adjusted sales growth contributed to the increase. A portion of the variance attributable to rate adjustments was offset in other line items outside of net revenue, including non-fuel O&M. Weather had a positive effect in both periods, but was less favorable in fourth quarter 2014 than fourth quarter 2013.
Billed retail sales increased 2.4 percent on a weather-adjusted basis. The increase was attributable largely to 6.7 percent growth in the industrial customer class. The large chemicals segment drove approximately one-third of total industrial growth, due largely to the expansion of a chlor-alkali customer. Petroleum refining also saw solid quarter-over-quarter growth. Small industrials also contributed to the increase.
Residential sales in fourth quarter 2014, on a weather-adjusted basis, decreased 1.4 percent compared to fourth quarter 2013. Commercial and governmental sales, on a weather-adjusted basis, increased 0.3 percent and 0.5 percent, respectively, quarter over quarter. Industrial sales in the fourth quarter increased 6.7 percent compared to the same quarter of 2013.





For the year 2014, the Utility earned $829.1 million, or $4.60 per share, on an as-reported basis and $836.7 million, or $4.64 per share on an operational basis, compared to $828.9 million, or $4.64 per share, on an as-reported basis and $857.8 million, or $4.80 per share, on an operational basis in 2013. There were several key drivers for the year-over-year decrease. The effective income tax rate for the Utility was higher due largely to income tax items in 2013. Non-fuel O&M also increased in 2014 versus 2013. In addition to the Waterford 3 write-off noted above, third quarter 2014 results included a regulatory charge related to the settlement of Entergy Mississippi, Inc.’s general rate case. Higher interest and decommissioning expenses also contributed to the decline.
These decreases were partially offset by higher net revenue due largely to price and sales growth, including the effects of weather. A portion of the price variance was offset in other line items outside of net revenue, including non-fuel O&M.
For the year, billed retail sales increased 2.3 percent on a weather-adjusted basis. The increase was attributable largely to 5.0 percent growth in the industrial customer class. Three segments - chemicals, petroleum refining and pulp and paper - provided nearly 60 percent of the year’s total industrial growth. The increases mostly came from existing customers, including expansions and the effects of outages. New customers accounted for approximately 7 percent of the total industrial increase.

Entergy Wholesale Commodities
EWC as-reported results were $57.1 million, or 31 cents per share, on an as-reported basis and $70.9 million, or 39 cents per share, on an operational basis for fourth quarter 2014, compared to fourth quarter 2013 as-reported earnings of $42.1 million, or 24 cents per share, and operational earnings of $85.6 million, or 48 cents per share. The decrease in operational earnings was driven by lower other income. Fourth quarter 2013 and 2014 results included realized decommissioning





trust earnings, which are directly reinvested into the trust funds; the benefit in fourth quarter 2014 was less than the benefit in 2013.
This decrease was partially offset by higher operational adjusted earnings before interest, income taxes, depreciation and amortization, and interest and investment income excluding decommissioning expense, and other than temporary impairment losses on decommissioning trust fund assets.
For the year, EWC earnings were $292.3 million, or $1.62 per share, on an as-reported basis and $394.1 million, or $2.19 per share, on an operational basis, compared to as-reported earnings of $42.9 million, or 24 cents per share, and operational earnings of $262.7 million, or $1.47 per share, in 2013. The year-over-year increase in operational earnings was driven by higher operational adjusted EBITDA. Higher depreciation and decommissioning expenses, a higher effective income tax rate and lower other income provided a partial offset.
EWC operational adjusted EBITDA was $183 million in fourth quarter 2014, compared to $133 million in the same period a year ago. The quarter-over-quarter increase was due to higher net revenue partially offset by the gain on sale of the District Energy business in fourth quarter 2013.
The higher EWC net revenue reflected a 20 percent higher realized price for EWC’s nuclear fleet, at $53 per MWh in fourth quarter 2014 compared to $44 per MWh in the prior period. The higher realized price was driven largely by mark-to-market activity, which was negative last year and positive in the current quarter. Quarter-over quarter, lower energy pricing and higher capacity pricing netted to a slight negative. Partially offsetting the price variance was lower nuclear production. The nuclear capacity factor decreased to 95 percent in the current quarter from 97 percent a year ago due to planned activities including the ramp-down of the Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Station and seven refueling outage days at the James A. FitzPatrick Nuclear Power Plant compared to no refueling outages in fourth quarter 2013.





For the year, EWC operational adjusted EBITDA was $950 million compared to $553 million in 2013. Drivers for the year-over-year increase included higher net revenue and lower non-fuel O&M. Partially offsetting was the 2013 gain on sale of District Energy.
Net revenue in 2014 versus 2013 reflected benefits from EWC’s asymmetric hedging strategy and focus on operational improvements. Energy and capacity pricing were higher, including significantly higher realized wholesale energy prices in first quarter 2014. Mark-to-market revenues from hedging activity also contributed. Nuclear volume also increased with a 91 percent capacity factor for the year compared to 89 percent in 2013, driven by approximately 90 fewer forced outage days, partially offset by an increase in refueling outage days and the planned ramp down for VY.
Parent & Other
Parent & Other reported a loss of $46.3 million, or 25 cents per share, on an as-reported and operational basis for fourth quarter 2014 compared to a fourth quarter 2013 as-reported loss of $56.3 million, or 32 cents per share, and an operational loss of $60.0 million, or 34 cents per share. The period-over-period increase in operational results was due to income tax expense on the fourth quarter 2013 EWC District Energy sale.
For the year, Parent & Other reported a loss of $180.8 million, or $1.00 per share, on an as-reported and an operational basis in 2014. This compared to a loss of $159.9 million, or 89 cents per share, on an as-reported basis and a loss of $163.5 million, or 91 cents per share on an operational basis in 2013. The year-over-year decrease in operational results was due largely to higher income tax expense, offset by the prior year tax on the EWC District Energy sale noted above. Effects of some intercompany transactions also contributed to the decrease.
Earnings Guidance
Entergy is initiating 2015 operational earnings guidance in the range of $5.10 to $5.90 per share.





Entergy Corporation 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 nearly 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 $12 billion and approximately 13,000 employees.
Additional information regarding Entergy’s quarterly and annual results of operations, regulatory proceedings and other matters is available in Entergy’s investor news release dated Feb. 5, 2015, a copy of which has been filed today with the SEC on Form 8-K, and Entergy’s quarterly presentation slides. These are available on Entergy’s Investor Relations website at www.entergy.com/investor_relations and on Entergy’s Investor Relations mobile web app at enter.gy.ir.
-30-

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

In this news release, and from time to time, Entergy Corporation makes certain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements include, among other things, Entergy’s 2015 operational earnings guidance and other statements of Entergy’s plans, beliefs or expectations included in this news release. Except to the extent required by the federal securities laws, Entergy undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in such forward-looking statements, including (a) those factors discussed elsewhere in this news release and in Entergy’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, any subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Entergy’s other reports and filings made under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; (b) uncertainties associated with rate proceedings, formula rate plans and other cost recovery mechanisms; (c) uncertainties associated with efforts to remediate the effects of major storms and recover related restoration costs; (d) nuclear plant relicensing, operating and regulatory risks, including any changes resulting from the nuclear crisis in Japan following its catastrophic earthquake and tsunami; (e) changes in decommissioning trust fund values or earnings or in the timing or cost of decommissioning VY or any of Entergy’s other nuclear plant sites; (f) legislative and regulatory actions and risks and uncertainties associated with claims or litigation by or against Entergy and its subsidiaries; (g) risks and uncertainties associated with strategic transactions that Entergy or its subsidiaries may undertake, including the proposed acquisition of the Union Power Station in El Dorado, Arkansas and the proposed combination of Entergy Louisiana and Entergy Gulf States Louisiana, including the risk that any such transaction may not be completed as and when expected and the risk that the anticipated benefits of the transaction may not be realized, and (h) economic conditions and conditions in commodity and capital markets during the periods covered by the forward-looking statements.













Appendix A provides a reconciliation of GAAP consolidated as-reported earnings to non-GAAP consolidated operational earnings.

Table 1: Consolidated Earnings - Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Measures
Fourth Quarter and Year-to-Date 2014 vs. 2013
(Per share in U.S. $)
 
Fourth Quarter
Year-to-Date
 
2014
2013
Change
2014
2013
Change
As-Reported
 
 
 
 
 
 
Utility
0.60
0.90
(0.30)
4.60
4.64
(0.04)
Entergy Wholesale Commodities
0.31
0.24
0.07
1.62
0.24
1.38
Parent & Other
(0.25)
(0.32)
0.07
(1.00)
(0.89)
(0.11)
  Consolidated As-Reported Earnings
0.66
0.82
(0.16)
5.22
3.99
1.23
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Less Special Items
 
 
 
 
 
 
Utility
(0.01)
0.04
(0.05)
(0.04)
(0.16)
0.12
Entergy Wholesale Commodities
(0.08)
(0.24)
0.16
(0.57)
(1.23)
0.66
Parent & Other
0
0.02
(0.02)
0
0.02
(0.02)
  Consolidated Special Items
(0.09)
(0.18)
0.09
(0.61)
(1.37)
0.76
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operational
 
 
 
 
 
 
Utility
0.61
0.86
(0.25)
4.64
4.80
(0.16)
Entergy Wholesale Commodities
0.39
0.48
(0.09)
2.19
1.47
0.72
Parent & Other
(0.25)
(0.34)
0.09
(1.00)
(0.91)
(0.09)
  Consolidated Operational Earnings
0.75
1.00
(0.25)
5.83
5.36
0.47
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


Appendix B provides a reconciliation of Entergy Wholesale Commodities GAAP net income to non-GAAP operational adjusted EBITDA.

Appendix B: Entergy Wholesale Commodities Operational Adjusted EBITDA - Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Measures
Fourth Quarter and Year-to-Date 2014 vs. 2013
($ in millions)
 
Fourth Quarter
Year-to-Date
 
2014
2013
Change
2014
2013
Change
Net income
58
42
16
295
43
252
Add back: interest expense
5
5
 
17
16
1
Add back: income tax expense
36
(12)
48
177
(77)
254
Add back: depreciation and amortization
63
61
2
276
216
60
Subtract: interest and investment income
37
66
(29)
114
138
(24)
Add back: decommissioning expense
38
33
5
142
125
17
Adjusted EBITDA
162
63
99
792
185
607
Add back: special item for HCM implementation expenses (pre-tax)
1
19
(18)
3
24
(21)
Add back: special item resulting from the decision to close VY (pre-tax)
20
52
(32)
154
343
(189)
Operational adjusted EBITDA
183
133
50
950
553
397
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Totals may not foot due to rounding














Entergy Corporation
Consolidated Income Statement
Three Months Ended Dec. 31
(in thousands)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2014
 
2013
 
(unaudited)
Operating Revenues:
 
 
 
     Electric
$
2,167,542

 
$
2,111,070

     Natural gas
40,067

 
41,039

     Competitive businesses
623,709

 
539,797

                      Total
2,831,318

 
2,691,906

Operating Expenses:
 
 
 
    Operation and maintenance:
 
 
 
         Fuel, fuel-related expenses, and gas purchased for resale
625,747

 
627,624

         Purchased power
357,783

 
302,914

         Nuclear refueling outage expenses
69,987

 
64,861

         Other operation and maintenance
917,946

 
894,027

     Asset write-off, impairments, and related charges
11,980

 
50,032

     Decommissioning
71,203

 
62,762

     Taxes other than income taxes
137,667

 
147,416

     Depreciation and amortization
326,093

 
337,503

     Other regulatory charges (credits) - net
(6,762
)
 
22,683

                      Total
2,511,644

 
2,509,822

Gain on sale of investment

 
43,569

Operating Income
319,674

 
225,653

Other Income (Deductions):
 
 
 
     Allowance for equity funds used during construction
18,148

 
19,378

     Interest and investment income
38,646

 
97,023

     Miscellaneous - net
(8,991
)
 
(22,876
)
                      Total
47,803

 
93,525

Interest Expense:
 
 
 
     Interest expense
169,724

 
163,114

     Allowance for borrowed funds used during construction
(9,377
)
 
(7,068
)
                      Total
160,347

 
156,046

Income Before Income Taxes
207,130

 
163,132

Income Taxes
82,124

 
11,780

Consolidated Net Income
125,006

 
151,352

Preferred Dividend Requirements of Subsidiaries
4,879

 
4,423

Net Income Attributable to Entergy Corporation
$
120,127

 
$
146,929

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Earnings Per Average Common Share
 
 
 
     Basic
$0.67

 
$0.82

     Diluted
$0.66

 
$0.82

 
 
 
 
Average Number of Common Shares Outstanding - Basic
180,245,555

 
178,332,416

Average Number of Common Shares Outstanding - Diluted
181,603,441

 
178,751,436








Entergy Corporation
Consolidated Income Statement
Twelve Months Ended Dec. 31
(in thousands)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2014
 
2013
 
(unaudited)
Operating Revenues:
 
 
 
     Electric
$
9,591,902

 
$
8,942,360

     Natural gas
181,794

 
154,353

     Competitive businesses
2,721,225

 
2,294,234

                      Total
12,494,921

 
11,390,947

Operating Expenses:
 
 
 
    Operation and maintenance:
 
 
 
         Fuel, fuel-related expenses, and gas purchased for resale
2,632,558

 
2,445,818

         Purchased power
1,915,414

 
1,554,332

         Nuclear refueling outage expenses
267,679

 
256,801

         Other operation and maintenance
3,310,536

 
3,331,934

     Asset write-off, impairments, and related charges
179,752

 
341,537

     Decommissioning
272,621

 
242,104

     Taxes other than income taxes
604,606

 
600,350

     Depreciation and amortization
1,318,638

 
1,261,044

     Other regulatory charges (credits) - net
(13,772
)
 
45,597

                      Total
10,488,032

 
10,079,517

Gain on sale of investment

 
43,569

Operating Income
2,006,889

 
1,354,999

Other Income (Deductions):
 
 
 
     Allowance for equity funds used during construction
64,802

 
66,053

     Interest and investment income
147,686

 
199,300

     Miscellaneous - net
(42,016
)
 
(59,762
)
                      Total
170,472

 
205,591

Interest Expense:
 
 
 
     Interest expense
661,083

 
629,537

     Allowance for borrowed funds used during construction
(33,576
)
 
(25,500
)
                      Total
627,507

 
604,037

Income Before Income Taxes
1,549,854

 
956,553

Income Taxes
589,597

 
225,981

Consolidated Net Income
960,257

 
730,572

Preferred Dividend Requirements of Subsidiaries
19,536

 
18,670

Net Income Attributable to Entergy Corporation
$
940,721

 
$
711,902

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Earnings Per Average Common Share
 
 
 
     Basic
$5.24

 
$3.99

     Diluted
$5.22

 
$3.99

 
 
 
 
Average Number of Common Shares Outstanding - Basic
179,506,151

 
178,211,192

Average Number of Common Shares Outstanding - Diluted
180,296,885

 
178,570,400








Entergy Corporation
Utility Electric Energy Sales & Customers
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Three Months Ended Dec. 31
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2014
 
2013
 
%
 Change
 
%
Weather-Adjusted
 
 
(Millions of kWh)
 
 
 
 
Electric Energy Sales:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Residential
 
7,770
 
8,089
 
(3.9)
 
(1.4)
Commercial
 
6,984
 
7,049
 
(0.9)
 
0.3
Governmental
 
599
 
598
 
0.2
 
0.5
Industrial
 
11,087
 
10,389
 
6.7
 
6.7
    Total to Ultimate Customers
 
26,440
 
26,125
 
1.2
 
2.4
Wholesale
 
3,105
 
1,133
 
174.1
 
 
    Total Sales
 
29,545
 
27,258
 
8.4
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Twelve Months Ended Dec. 31
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2014
 
2013
 
%
 Change
 
%
Weather-Adjusted
 
 
(Millions of kWh)
 
 
 
 
Electric Energy Sales:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Residential
 
35,932
 
35,169
 
2.2
 
0.1
Commercial
 
28,827
 
28,547
 
1.0
 
1.2
Governmental
 
2,428
 
2,412
 
0.7
 
0.7
Industrial
 
43,723
 
41,653
 
5.0
 
5.0
    Total to Ultimate Customers
 
110,910
 
107,781
 
2.9
 
2.3
Wholesale
 
9,462
 
3,020
 
213.3
 
 
    Total Sales
 
120,372
 
110,801
 
8.6
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Dec. 31
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2014
 
2013
 
%
Change
 
 
Electric Customers (End of period):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Residential
 
2,409,732
 
2,395,267
 
0.6
 
 
Commercial
 
345,008
 
341,972
 
0.9
 
 
Governmental
 
17,373
 
17,168
 
1.2
 
 
Industrial
 
46,177
 
45,789
 
0.8
 
 
    Total Ultimate Customers
 
2,818,290
 
2,800,196
 
0.6
 
 
Wholesale
 
10
 
44
 
(77.3)
 
 
    Total Customers
 
2,818,300
 
2,800,240
 
0.6