10-KPeriod: FY2011

EDISON INTERNATIONAL Annual Report, Year Ended Dec 31, 2011

Filed February 29, 2012For Securities:EIX

Summary

Edison International's 2011 Form 10-K details a complex operating landscape with its primary subsidiary, Southern California Edison (SCE), a regulated electric utility, and Edison Mission Group (EMG), a competitive power generation business. SCE continues to be a stable contributor, focusing on infrastructure upgrades and regulatory compliance, including a significant capital investment program for transmission and distribution. EMG, however, faced significant challenges in 2011, marked by substantial asset impairments at its coal-fired plants (Homer City, Fisk, Crawford, and Waukegan) due to declining power prices, increasing operating costs, and stricter environmental regulations. These impairments, totaling over $1 billion, significantly impacted Edison International's overall net income, leading to a net loss attributable to common shareholders. Investors should note the contrasting performance of the two segments. SCE's regulated nature provides a degree of revenue stability, supported by CPUC and FERC rate adjustments. In contrast, EMG's merchant power generation business is highly susceptible to market volatility, fuel costs, and environmental compliance expenses. The company's liquidity for EMG is strained, with upcoming debt maturities and the ongoing need for significant capital expenditures for environmental retrofits, prompting considerations of asset sales or restructurings. The company's ongoing capital expenditure plans are substantial for both segments, particularly for SCE's grid modernization and EMG's environmental compliance efforts, which will require significant funding from operations, debt, and potentially equity markets.

Financial Statements
Beta
Revenue$10.59B
Operating Expenses$8.53B
Operating Income$2.06B
Interest Expense$485.00M
Net Income$22.00M
EPS (Basic)$-0.11
EPS (Diluted)$-0.11
Shares Outstanding (Basic)326.00M
Shares Outstanding (Diluted)329.00M

Key Highlights

  • 1Edison International reported a net loss attributable to common shareholders of $(37) million for 2011, a significant decline from a net income of $1,256 million in 2010, primarily due to substantial asset impairments within the Edison Mission Group (EMG) segment.
  • 2The utility segment, Southern California Edison (SCE), demonstrated resilience with its core earnings increasing primarily due to rate base growth and ongoing infrastructure investment programs.
  • 3EMG incurred significant asset impairment charges totaling $1.09 billion after-tax in Q4 2011, primarily related to its coal-fired power plants (Homer City, Fisk, Crawford, Waukegan) due to market and regulatory pressures, leading to a significant loss for the EMG segment.
  • 4SCE's capital investment program for 2012-2014 is projected to be between $11.8 billion and $13.2 billion, focusing on transmission and distribution system upgrades, including renewable energy integration.
  • 5EMG's financial and liquidity position is strained, with significant debt maturities and liquidity challenges, leading the company to explore various options including asset sales or restructurings to manage its financial obligations, particularly in light of expected continued losses in 2012.
  • 6Environmental regulations continue to pose significant challenges and potential costs for both SCE and EMG, particularly for EMG's coal-fired plants, impacting their operational viability and requiring substantial capital for compliance.

Frequently Asked Questions

The primary driver of the net loss attributable to common shareholders in 2011 was the substantial asset impairment charges of over $1 billion recorded by the Edison Mission Group (EMG) segment. These impairments were largely due to declining power prices, increasing operating costs, and the anticipated costs of complying with environmental regulations at its coal-fired power plants.

SCE, the regulated utility segment, performed relatively steadily, with core earnings increasing primarily due to rate base growth and investments in its infrastructure. In contrast, EMG, the competitive power generation segment, faced significant financial difficulties, including substantial asset impairments and a strained liquidity position, leading to a large loss for the segment.

Edison International has significant capital expenditure plans. For SCE, the forecast for 2012-2014 is between $11.8 billion and $13.2 billion, focusing on transmission and distribution system upgrades, including renewable energy integration. EMG's capital expenditures are primarily focused on environmental compliance for its coal-fired plants, though future investments are contingent on market conditions and financing.

Key risks include the extensive government regulation across both segments, particularly for SCE's utility operations and EMG's power generation. Environmental regulations pose significant ongoing and potential future costs. EMG also faces substantial market risks in its merchant power generation business due to price volatility and competition, alongside liquidity challenges related to debt maturities and environmental compliance costs.