8-KEarnings & ResultsExhibits & Filings

FIRSTENERGY CORP 8-K Report, Financial Results (Jul 23, 2020)

Filed July 23, 2020For Securities:FE

Summary

FirstEnergy Corp. (FE) filed an 8-K on July 23, 2020, to announce its financial results for the second quarter and first half of 2020, and to provide updated guidance for the full year 2020. The company affirmed its previous GAAP and operating (non-GAAP) earnings guidance for the full year 2020. Additionally, FirstEnergy issued a forecast for its third quarter 2020 earnings, both on a GAAP and operating basis. The filing emphasizes the use of non-GAAP financial measures, specifically 'Operating earnings' and 'Operating earnings per share,' which exclude 'special items.' The company clarifies that these non-GAAP measures are used to provide a clearer view of ongoing operational trends by excluding charges or benefits deemed not indicative of core activities. These measures are presented to complement, not replace, GAAP figures and are used by management for performance evaluation and decision-making. Investors should note that the reconciliation of these non-GAAP measures to their GAAP equivalents is provided within the accompanying press release and financial highlights document. While specific financial figures for the second quarter and year-to-date are detailed in the referenced exhibits, the core message of this filing is the reaffirmation of full-year guidance and the provision of a Q3 outlook. Investors are encouraged to review the attached exhibits for detailed performance metrics and reconciliations. The filing also includes standard forward-looking statements, cautioning about various risks and uncertainties that could impact future results, including the ongoing impact of COVID-19, the investigation into Ohio House Bill 6, and operational and regulatory challenges.

Key Highlights

  • 1FirstEnergy affirmed its full-year 2020 GAAP and operating earnings guidance.
  • 2The company provided a third quarter 2020 earnings forecast, both on a GAAP and operating basis.
  • 3The filing utilizes and defines non-GAAP financial measures, specifically 'Operating earnings' and 'Operating earnings per share,' which exclude 'special items.'
  • 4These non-GAAP measures are presented to offer a more consistent view of the company's ongoing operational performance.
  • 5Reconciliations of non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable GAAP measures are included in the referenced exhibits (Press Release and 2Q 2020 Strategic and Financial Highlights).
  • 6The company includes a comprehensive list of forward-looking statements and associated risks and uncertainties.

Frequently Asked Questions

The primary purpose of this 8-K filing is to announce FirstEnergy Corp.'s financial results for the three and six months ended June 30, 2020, to reaffirm its full-year 2020 earnings guidance (both GAAP and operating non-GAAP), and to provide its third quarter 2020 earnings forecast.

'Operating earnings' (and 'Operating earnings per share') are non-GAAP financial measures used by FirstEnergy. They exclude 'special items' such as charges or benefits that management believes are not indicative of ongoing core business trends. The company uses these measures to provide investors with a clearer, more comparable view of its operational performance over time.

Detailed financial results for the second quarter and first half of 2020, as well as reconciliations of non-GAAP financial measures to GAAP, are provided in the exhibits attached to this 8-K: the Press Release (Exhibit 99.1) and the 2Q 2020 Strategic and Financial Highlights (Exhibit 99.2).

The filing highlights several risks and uncertainties, including the ongoing impact of COVID-19 on operations and finances, risks associated with the investigation into Ohio House Bill 6, environmental liabilities, execution of strategic goals, regulatory and legislative developments, economic and weather conditions, customer demand, cyber security threats, and access to capital markets.