10-QPeriod: Q2 FY2015

FIRSTENERGY CORP Quarterly Report for Q2 Ended Jun 30, 2015

Filed July 30, 2015For Securities:FE

Summary

FirstEnergy Corp. reported a significant increase in net income for the three months ended June 30, 2015, reaching $187 million ($0.44 per share), a substantial improvement from $64 million ($0.16 per share) in the prior year's quarter. This growth was driven by a strong performance in the Competitive Energy Services (CES) segment, which saw a $107 million increase in operating results, and a $26 million rise in the Regulated Transmission segment. Despite a slight overall revenue decline of 1% to $3.465 billion, primarily due to a strategic reduction in weather-sensitive load within CES, the company managed to reduce total operating expenses by 9% to $2.911 billion. This was largely achieved through lower purchased power, transmission, and fuel expenses within the CES segment, which helped offset increased operating costs in the Regulated Distribution segment. The company's strategic focus remains on reinvesting in its Regulated Distribution and Transmission segments, evidenced by the ongoing 'Energizing the Future' transmission expansion plan, aimed at modernizing infrastructure and improving reliability. These regulated segments continue to benefit from rate increases and the transition to forward-looking rate structures. The CES segment is actively managing its risk by reducing exposure to volatile markets and focusing on higher-margin sales, positioning it for future upside while mitigating near-term challenges.

Financial Statements
Beta
Revenue$3.46B
Operating Expenses$2.91B
Operating Income$554.00M
Interest Expense$282.00M
Net Income$187.00M
EPS (Basic)$0.44
EPS (Diluted)$0.44
Shares Outstanding (Basic)422.00M
Shares Outstanding (Diluted)423.00M

Key Highlights

  • 1Net income for the second quarter of 2015 was $187 million, or $0.44 per share, a significant increase from $64 million, or $0.16 per share, in the same quarter of 2014.
  • 2The Competitive Energy Services (CES) segment showed substantial improvement with a $107 million increase in operating results, driven by higher capacity revenues and lower operating expenses.
  • 3Total revenues decreased by 1% to $3.465 billion due to a strategic reduction in weather-sensitive load within CES, partially offset by increased revenues in the Regulated Distribution and Transmission segments.
  • 4Total operating expenses decreased by 9% to $2.911 billion, primarily due to lower purchased power, transmission, and fuel expenses in CES.
  • 5The Regulated Transmission segment benefited from ATSI's transition to a forward-looking rate structure and increased cost of service and rate base recovery.
  • 6FirstEnergy continues its 'Energizing the Future' transmission expansion plan, investing in modernization and reliability of its regulated infrastructure.
  • 7The company is strategically repositioning its CES segment to reduce risk exposure to volatile markets and focus on higher-margin sales.

Frequently Asked Questions

The primary driver was the strong performance of the Competitive Energy Services (CES) segment, which saw a $107 million increase in operating results due to higher capacity revenues and reduced operating expenses. Additionally, the Regulated Transmission segment contributed positively with a $26 million increase.

Total revenues decreased by 1% primarily due to a strategic decision by the CES segment to reduce its exposure to weather-sensitive loads and optimize its hedging strategy, leading to lower contract sales. The CES segment is actively repositioning itself to focus on higher-margin sales and manage market risks more effectively.

FirstEnergy is prioritizing investments in its Regulated Distribution and Transmission segments, notably through the 'Energizing the Future' transmission expansion plan, which aims to modernize and enhance the reliability of its transmission infrastructure. This plan includes significant capital expenditures over several years.

FirstEnergy successfully reduced total operating expenses by 9%. This reduction was mainly achieved in the CES segment through lower purchased power, transmission, and fuel expenses, which were partially offset by increased operating costs in the Regulated Distribution segment related to rate increases and storm cost recovery.