10-QPeriod: Q3 FY2020

EDISON INTERNATIONAL Quarterly Report for Q3 Ended Sep 30, 2020

Filed October 27, 2020For Securities:EIX

Summary

Edison International (EIX) reported a net loss of $288 million, or $0.76 per diluted share, for the third quarter of 2020, a significant decline compared to a net income of $471 million in the same period of the prior year. This downturn was primarily driven by substantial non-core losses, particularly from wildfire-related claims and expenses. Southern California Edison (SCE) also incurred a net loss of $218 million for the quarter, a reversal from a net income of $534 million in the prior year, largely due to the same wildfire-related charges. Despite the net loss, core earnings for Edison International were $632 million for the quarter, an increase from $519 million in Q3 2019, reflecting improved operational performance in the core business. SCE's core earnings also saw a modest increase to $656 million from $551 million in the prior year, driven by higher CPUC-related revenue and lower wildfire mitigation expenses due to regulatory deferrals, partially offset by increased operation and maintenance expenses. Investors should note the significant impact of wildfire liabilities, which continue to weigh on the company's reported net results, though legislative efforts like AB 1054 aim to mitigate future risks.

Financial Statements
Beta
Revenue$4.64B
Operating Expenses$5.02B
Operating Income-$379.00M
Interest Expense$222.00M
Net Income-$242.00M
EPS (Basic)$-0.76
EPS (Diluted)$-0.76
Shares Outstanding (Basic)378.00M
Shares Outstanding (Diluted)378.00M

Key Highlights

  • 1Edison International reported a net loss of $288 million for Q3 2020, a significant decrease from a net income of $471 million in Q3 2019, primarily due to substantial wildfire-related charges.
  • 2Southern California Edison (SCE) also experienced a net loss of $218 million for the quarter, reversing a net income of $534 million in the prior year, largely due to the same wildfire claims.
  • 3Core earnings for Edison International increased to $632 million from $519 million year-over-year, indicating improved performance in core operations.
  • 4SCE's core earnings rose to $656 million from $551 million, driven by higher CPUC-related revenue and lower wildfire mitigation deferral expenses.
  • 5The company recorded a significant charge of $1.3 billion related to the 2017/2018 Wildfire/Mudslide Events, with a net charge to earnings of $1.2 billion after expected recoveries.
  • 6Total estimated liabilities for the 2017/2018 Wildfire/Mudslide Events stood at $5.8 billion as of September 30, 2020, including fixed payments and estimated future losses.
  • 7The company maintains a $1.0 billion wildfire-specific insurance coverage for the period July 1, 2020, to June 30, 2021.

Frequently Asked Questions

The substantial decrease in net income for Edison International and SCE is primarily due to significant non-core items, most notably a charge of $1.2 billion ($874 million after-tax) related to the 2017/2018 Wildfire/Mudslide Events. This charge reflects updated estimates of potential losses from these events, including recent settlements.

As of September 30, 2020, Edison International and SCE reported estimated liabilities of $5.8 billion related to the 2017/2018 Wildfire/Mudslide Events. This includes $1.2 billion in fixed payments from executed settlements and $4.6 billion in estimated losses for remaining claims. The company is seeking to recover uninsured costs through electric rates, but the probability of recovery for CPUC-jurisdictional costs remains uncertain due to regulatory prudency standards.

Despite the net loss, the company's core earnings showed improvement. Edison International's core earnings increased to $632 million from $519 million in the prior year quarter, and SCE's core earnings rose to $656 million from $551 million. This improvement is attributed to higher CPUC-related revenue and lower wildfire mitigation expenses, indicating that the underlying operational business is performing more strongly.

SCE has taken steps to manage liquidity, including bringing forward debt issuances to provide financing flexibility. As of September 30, 2020, SCE had approximately $2.2 billion available under its $3.0 billion revolving credit facility. Edison International also has access to a $1.5 billion revolving credit facility. The company expects to fund its cash requirements through operating cash flows, capital market financings, and equity contributions from Edison International Parent, as needed, while working to maintain investment-grade credit ratings.