10-QPeriod: Q3 FY2008

ENTERGY CORP /DE/ Quarterly Report for Q3 Ended Sep 30, 2008

Filed November 7, 2008For Securities:ETR

Summary

Entergy Corporation's third-quarter 2008 results show a decline in net income across its operating subsidiaries compared to the prior year. This decrease is primarily attributed to lower net revenues, increased operation and maintenance expenses, and higher taxes, with notable impacts from hurricanes Gustav and Ike causing significant storm restoration costs across multiple service territories. Entergy Arkansas experienced a reduction in net income due to lower net revenue and increased expenses, partially offset by favorable energy cost recovery riders. Entergy Gulf States Louisiana and Entergy Texas reported lower net income, largely influenced by the prior year's earnings which included operations now separated into Entergy Texas, as well as the impact of hurricanes. Entergy Louisiana and Entergy Mississippi also saw decreases in net income, impacted by lower net revenues and higher expenses, with Entergy Louisiana particularly affected by storm costs. Entergy New Orleans, however, reported an increase in net income due to lower operation and maintenance expenses. The company's liquidity and capital resources are being managed to address storm-related expenditures. Entergy is actively pursuing recovery of storm costs through regulatory mechanisms, insurance, and securitization. The company also issued $300 million in First Mortgage Bonds in July 2008 to fund various corporate purposes, including the Ouachita plant acquisition. Capital expenditures remain significant, particularly for storm damage restoration and ongoing infrastructure improvements. The company is also managing various regulatory proceedings and environmental compliance efforts, including updates on the Little Gypsy repowering project and the ongoing assessment of environmental regulations.

Financial Statements
Beta
Operating Expenses$3.21B
Operating Income$752.09M
Interest Expense$156.04M
Net Income$475.29M
EPS (Basic)$1.24
EPS (Diluted)$1.21
Shares Outstanding (Basic)380.76M
Shares Outstanding (Diluted)389.92M

Key Highlights

  • 1Net income for most Entergy subsidiaries declined year-over-year due to lower revenues and higher expenses, exacerbated by significant storm restoration costs from Hurricanes Gustav and Ike.
  • 2Entergy Arkansas reported lower net income, primarily due to decreased net revenue and increased expenses, though partially offset by favorable energy cost recovery riders.
  • 3Entergy Gulf States Louisiana and Entergy Texas' comparative results are impacted by the prior year including Entergy Texas' operations before its separation.
  • 4Entergy Louisiana and Entergy Mississippi also experienced reduced net income driven by lower revenues and higher operational costs.
  • 5Entergy New Orleans showed an increase in net income, mainly due to lower operation and maintenance expenses.
  • 6Significant storm restoration costs are being incurred due to Hurricanes Gustav and Ike, with Entergy actively pursuing recovery through regulatory mechanisms, insurance, and securitization.
  • 7The company issued $300 million in First Mortgage Bonds in July 2008, partly to fund the Ouachita plant acquisition.

Frequently Asked Questions

The primary reasons for the decrease in net income across most of Entergy's subsidiaries in the third quarter of 2008 were lower net revenues and increased operation and maintenance expenses. Additionally, significant storm restoration costs incurred due to Hurricanes Gustav and Ike have impacted the financial results.

Entergy is pursuing multiple avenues for recovering storm restoration costs, including accessing funded storm reserves, seeking federal and local cost recovery mechanisms, utilizing securitization, and filing for insurance reimbursements. The company is accumulating these costs as regulatory assets, expecting recovery through future rate mechanisms, although the success and timing of this recovery involve some risk.

A notable capital activity was the purchase of the Ouachita plant for $210 million by Entergy Arkansas in September 2008. Additionally, capital expenditures are being directed towards storm damage restoration and ongoing infrastructure improvements across various subsidiaries.

Entergy is involved in various regulatory proceedings, including those related to storm cost recovery, rate filings, environmental regulations (such as ozone non-attainment and regional haze), and specific projects like the Little Gypsy repowering. There are also ongoing legal challenges and appeals, particularly concerning rate decisions and environmental permits.