10-QPeriod: Q2 FY2018

ENTERGY CORP /DE/ Quarterly Report for Q2 Ended Jun 30, 2018

Filed August 7, 2018For Securities:ETR

Summary

Entergy Corporation, through its subsidiaries, reported mixed financial results for the second quarter and first six months of 2018 compared to the prior year. Overall net income saw increases, largely driven by a lower effective income tax rate, particularly benefiting from an IRS audit settlement and adjustments related to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. However, increased operation and maintenance expenses, especially in fossil and nuclear generation, alongside higher depreciation and amortization, partially offset these gains. Revenue trends varied across subsidiaries, with some experiencing growth due to increased customer usage and favorable weather, while others saw declines or flat performance. Significant regulatory activities, including formula rate plan filings, storm cost recovery updates, and the potential impact of internal restructuring, are ongoing and will influence future financial performance. Liquidity remains adequate, with subsidiaries managing cash flows effectively through operating, investing, and financing activities, including intercompany money pool arrangements.

Financial Statements
Beta
Revenue$2.67B
Operating Expenses$2.58B
Operating Income$91.60M
Interest Expense$192.31M
Net Income$248.86M
EPS (Basic)$0.68
EPS (Diluted)$0.67
Shares Outstanding (Basic)361.65M
Shares Outstanding (Diluted)365.97M

Key Highlights

  • 1Net income increased across most subsidiaries, primarily attributed to a lower effective income tax rate due to an IRS audit settlement and the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.
  • 2Operating revenues showed mixed performance across subsidiaries, with some benefiting from increased customer usage and favorable weather, while others experienced declines or stability.
  • 3Operation and maintenance expenses, particularly in fossil and nuclear generation, saw increases across several subsidiaries due to higher outage work and labor costs.
  • 4Significant regulatory developments are ongoing, including formula rate plan updates, storm cost recovery adjustments, and internal restructuring efforts, which will impact future earnings.
  • 5Capital expenditures for utility plant additions continue, with decreases noted in certain construction categories across various subsidiaries.
  • 6Liquidity appears to be managed effectively, with subsidiaries utilizing operating cash flows, money pool arrangements, and financing activities to meet their obligations.
  • 7System Energy Resources, Inc. is facing complaints regarding its return on equity and sale-leaseback transaction, which could impact future revenue and costs.

Frequently Asked Questions

The primary driver for the reported net income increases across most Entergy subsidiaries is a lower effective income tax rate. This reduction is largely due to an IRS audit settlement for prior tax years and the impacts of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017.

Regulatory activities had a mixed impact. The return of excess accumulated deferred income taxes to customers led to reductions in net revenue but was offset by reduced income tax expense, thus having no net effect on income. Several subsidiaries are also navigating formula rate plan filings, storm cost recovery updates, and internal restructuring, which are key to future revenue and cost recovery.

Key expense increases impacting profitability include higher operation and maintenance (O&M) expenses, particularly in fossil-fueled and nuclear generation, attributed to increased scope of work during plant outages and higher labor costs. Depreciation and amortization expenses also increased due to additions to plant in service.

Yes, System Energy Resources, Inc. is involved in regulatory proceedings with the FERC concerning its return on equity and a sale-leaseback transaction for Grand Gulf. These proceedings could lead to rate reductions or refunds, impacting System Energy's future financial performance and potentially affecting its utility customers.