10-QPeriod: Q3 FY2003

CHEVRON CORP Quarterly Report for Q3 Ended Sep 30, 2003

Filed November 12, 2003For Securities:CVX

Summary

ChevronTexaco Corporation reported strong financial performance for the nine months ended September 30, 2003, with net income of $5.5 billion, a significant increase from $228 million in the prior-year period. This turnaround was driven by higher crude oil and natural gas prices, improved refining margins, and a substantial gain from the exchange of its investment in Dynegy preferred stock. The company's Exploration and Production segment saw robust earnings growth, benefiting from favorable commodity prices, while the Refining, Marketing, and Transportation segment recovered from depressed levels in the previous year. Despite the overall positive results, the company incurred several special charges, including asset impairments and restructuring costs. The successful resolution of its Dynegy preferred stock investment provided a notable boost to current earnings. ChevronTexaco also continued to focus on capital discipline, with capital expenditures decreasing year-over-year, and demonstrated a commitment to returning value to shareholders through consistent dividend payments. The company's financial health remains solid, supported by strong operating cash flows and a reduction in debt levels.

Key Highlights

  • 1Net income for the nine months ended September 30, 2003, was $5.5 billion, a substantial increase from $228 million in the same period of 2002.
  • 2Third-quarter 2003 net income was $1.975 billion, a significant turnaround from a net loss of $904 million in the third quarter of 2002.
  • 3A gain of $365 million was recorded in the third quarter of 2003 related to the exchange of the company's investment in Dynegy convertible preferred stock for cash and other securities.
  • 4Earnings in the Exploration and Production segment benefited significantly from higher crude oil and natural gas prices, with average liquids realization up 30% year-to-date and natural gas realization nearly doubling.
  • 5Refining, Marketing, and Transportation segment earnings improved due to a recovery in refined-product margins worldwide.
  • 6Capital expenditures for the first nine months of 2003 decreased to $5.1 billion from $6.6 billion in the prior year's comparable period.
  • 7The company paid $2.3 billion in dividends to common stockholders during the first nine months of 2003.

Frequently Asked Questions

The significant increase in net income was driven by a combination of factors, including substantially higher crude oil and natural gas prices, improved refining margins, and a notable $365 million gain recognized in the third quarter of 2003 from the exchange of the company's investment in Dynegy preferred stock for cash and other securities. The prior year's results were negatively impacted by significant special charges.

The company's investment in Dynegy had a significant impact. In the third quarter of 2003, ChevronTexaco exchanged its Dynegy Series B Preferred Stock, resulting in a $365 million gain recorded in income. Additionally, the company recorded $170 million directly to Retained Earnings, representing its share of a gain recorded by Dynegy, which positively impacted earnings per share.

The company incurred several special items. In the third quarter of 2003, these included net gains from asset dispositions ($82 million) offset by charges for asset impairments ($215 million), environmental remediation accruals ($132 million), and restructuring and reorganization costs ($86 million). The prior year's third quarter included substantial charges related to the Dynegy investment ($1.549 billion), asset impairments, and merger-related expenses.

Capital expenditures have become more focused. For the first nine months of 2003, capital expenditures decreased to $5.1 billion from $6.6 billion in the same period of 2002. This reflects a continued emphasis on capital discipline and a strategic shift, with a significant portion of the 2003 expenditures allocated to international exploration and production projects (56% of the total).