8-KOther Events

FIRSTENERGY CORP 8-K Report (Dec 3, 2002)

Filed December 3, 2002For Securities:FE

Summary

FirstEnergy Corp. (FE) has issued an 8-K filing on December 3, 2002, primarily to update its 2003 earnings guidance. The company now projects 2003 earnings per share (EPS) to be in the range of $3.35 to $3.55, a reduction from the previously guided $3.70 to $3.90. This downward revision is largely attributed to an anticipated increase in non-cash pension and other post-employment benefit costs, estimated to impact 2003 EPS by approximately $0.30. The company also cited reduced opportunities in the competitive energy services sector as a contributing factor to lowering its estimated annual EPS growth rate to 4-5% from 7-8%. Despite the EPS revision, FirstEnergy anticipates a significant increase in free cash flow for 2003, projecting $800 million compared to an estimated $300 million in 2002. This enhanced free cash flow is intended to support the company's aggressive debt-reduction efforts. The filing also addresses accounting changes related to pension liabilities and asset retirement obligations, noting that a minimum pension liability charge would not impact 2002 net income, and the adoption of SFAS No. 143 is expected to increase equity and potentially 2003 net income, though not yet reflected in the current guidance.

Key Highlights

  • 1Revised 2003 EPS guidance down to $3.35-$3.55 from $3.70-$3.90, primarily due to higher non-cash pension and post-employment benefit costs.
  • 2Anticipated rise in non-cash pension/post-employment benefit costs to reduce 2003 EPS by approximately $0.30.
  • 3Reduced 2003 EPS growth rate forecast to 4-5% from 7-8% due to benefit costs and competitive energy services sector challenges.
  • 4Projected increase in free cash flow to $800 million in 2003 from an estimated $300 million in 2002, to support debt reduction.
  • 5No expected cash contribution to pension plan in 2002 or 2003.
  • 6Potential non-cash, after-tax charge of approximately $330 million to equity for minimum pension liability if asset values remain unchanged.
  • 7Adoption of SFAS No. 143 is expected to increase equity by approximately $140 million and potentially boost 2003 net income by $0.50 per share (not included in current guidance).

Frequently Asked Questions

FirstEnergy has lowered its 2003 earnings guidance primarily due to an anticipated increase in non-cash pension and other post-employment benefit costs, which are estimated to reduce earnings per share by approximately $0.30. Additionally, reduced opportunities in the competitive energy services sector have contributed to the revision.

The company expects a significant increase in free cash flow for 2003, projecting $800 million compared to an estimated $300 million in 2002. This improved cash flow is earmarked to support FirstEnergy's aggressive debt-reduction program.

Yes, FirstEnergy will adopt Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 143, 'Asset Retirement Obligations,' on January 1, 2003. This is expected to increase common stockholders' equity by approximately $140 million and potentially boost 2003 net income by about $0.50 per share, although this impact is not yet factored into the current 2003 earnings guidance.

While FirstEnergy does not expect to make a cash contribution to its pension plan in 2002 or 2003, if the market value of pension plan assets remains unchanged by year-end 2002, the company would recognize a non-cash, after-tax charge of approximately $330 million to common stockholders' equity to recognize a minimum pension liability. This charge would not affect 2002 net income.