Summary
Dominion Energy, Inc. (D) filed an 8-K on September 30, 2020, providing key updates regarding its stock repurchase program and 2020 operating earnings guidance, alongside significant progress on the divestiture of its Gas Transmission & Storage segment to Berkshire Hathaway Energy Company (BHE). The company announced it has completed approximately $500 million in open market repurchases and entered into a $1.5 billion accelerated share repurchase program, aiming for total repurchases of at least $3 billion by early 2021. This initiative signals management's confidence and commitment to returning value to shareholders. Furthermore, Dominion Energy expects its 2020 operating earnings per share, normalized for weather, to fall within the upper half of its previously revised guidance range of $3.37 to $3.60, reaffirming its financial outlook and dividend guidance. Crucially, Dominion Energy provided an updated timeline for the sale of its Gas Transmission & Storage assets to BHE. The company anticipates closing the main portion of the transaction, excluding certain remaining assets, around November 1, 2020. This closing will involve approximately $2.7 billion in cash proceeds and the transfer of roughly $5.3 billion in existing indebtedness to BHE. A subsequent agreement for the transfer of remaining assets is expected in early 2021, bringing in an additional $1.3 billion in cash and transferring about $430 million in related debt. This strategic divestiture is a significant step in refocusing the company's operations.
Key Highlights
- 1Dominion Energy expects its 2020 operating earnings per share to be in the top half of its $3.37-$3.60 guidance range.
- 2The company affirmed all other 2020 earnings and dividend guidance.
- 3Approximately $500 million in open market stock repurchases have been completed.
- 4A $1.5 billion accelerated share repurchase program is underway and expected to conclude in December 2020.
- 5Total share repurchases are expected to be at least $3 billion by early 2021.
- 6The sale of the Gas Transmission & Storage segment to Berkshire Hathaway Energy (BHE) is expected to close around November 1, 2020 (excluding certain assets).
- 7The initial closing of the BHE transaction is expected to yield approximately $2.7 billion in cash and transfer $5.3 billion in debt.