10-QPeriod: Q1 FY2016

CONSOLIDATED EDISON INC Quarterly Report for Q1 Ended Mar 31, 2016

Filed May 6, 2016For Securities:ED

Summary

Consolidated Edison, Inc. (Con Edison) reported its first-quarter 2016 results, showing a year-over-year decrease in net income. The primary driver for this decline was a $60 million negative impact attributed to factors such as unusually warm weather affecting steam revenues and increased operations and maintenance expenses, partially offset by favorable rate plan adjustments. While the core utility businesses (CECONY and O&R) demonstrated stable performance with net income contributing the vast majority of the consolidated earnings, the competitive energy businesses experienced a net loss, largely due to mark-to-market losses and retail electric supply business impacts. Despite the quarterly dip in earnings, Con Edison continues to execute its long-term strategy focused on shareholder value through dividend growth, supported by investments in regulated utilities and contracted assets. The company is actively expanding its investments in renewable energy and transmission infrastructure, including a significant planned acquisition in a gas pipeline and storage joint venture, which has led to an upward revision of its 2016 capital expenditure forecast. The company's financial health remains solid, with strong coverage ratios and a stable common equity ratio, indicating continued operational resilience.

Financial Statements
Beta
Revenue$3.16B
Operating Expenses$2.51B
Operating Income$642.00M
Interest Expense$163.00M
Net Income$310.00M
EPS (Basic)$1.05
EPS (Diluted)$1.05
Shares Outstanding (Basic)293.70M
Shares Outstanding (Diluted)294.80M

Key Highlights

  • 1Consolidated net income for Q1 2016 decreased to $310 million from $370 million in Q1 2015, a decline of approximately 16.2%, primarily driven by weather impacts and higher expenses.
  • 2CECONY, the principal subsidiary, generated $310 million in net income, a decrease from $348 million in the prior year, impacted by unusually warm weather affecting steam revenues.
  • 3The competitive energy businesses reported a net loss of $30 million in Q1 2016, a significant deterioration from a net income of $2 million in Q1 2015, largely due to $38 million in after-tax mark-to-market losses and $33 million in losses from the retail electric supply business.
  • 4Con Edison increased its 2016 capital expenditure forecast to $5,867 million, up from $4,892 million, to accommodate the planned acquisition of a 50% equity interest in a gas pipeline and storage joint venture.
  • 5The company's financial stability is supported by a consistent ratio of earnings to fixed charges, which remained strong at 3.64 for Con Edison and 4.09 for CECONY in Q1 2016.
  • 6Con Edison is actively investing in renewable energy, with its development subsidiary owning or constructing over 984 MW (AC) of solar and wind projects.
  • 7The company is also expanding its transmission infrastructure investments through Con Edison Transmission, notably agreeing to acquire a 50% interest in a significant gas pipeline and storage business.

Frequently Asked Questions

The primary reasons for the decrease in net income were unusually warm weather negatively impacting steam revenues by $35 million, higher other operations and maintenance expenses, and increased depreciation and property taxes. These were partially offset by favorable changes in rate plans.

The competitive energy businesses reported a net loss of $30 million in Q1 2016. This was largely due to $38 million in after-tax mark-to-market losses within Con Edison Solutions and Con Edison Energy, and $33 million in losses related to the retail electric supply business.

Con Edison is increasing its 2016 capital expenditure forecast significantly to $5.87 billion. Key investments include renewable energy projects, electric and gas transmission infrastructure, and the planned acquisition of a 50% equity interest in a gas pipeline and storage joint venture for $975 million. The company plans to fund these through internally generated funds and the issuance of equity and debt.

Con Edison's strategy is to provide shareholder value through continued dividend growth, supported by earnings growth from its regulated utilities and contracted assets. While the Q1 2016 net income was lower year-over-year due to specific factors, the company's core utility operations remain strong, and its ongoing investments in infrastructure and renewables are designed to support long-term earnings growth and dividend sustainability.