10-QPeriod: Q1 FY2015

SEMPRA Quarterly Report for Q1 Ended Mar 31, 2015

Filed May 5, 2015For Securities:SRESREA

Summary

Sempra Energy (SRE) reported a strong first quarter for 2015, with net income increasing significantly to $458 million, up from $266 million in the prior year's first quarter. This growth was largely driven by the California Utilities, particularly SoCalGas, which benefited from a regulatory change called 'seasonalization' that shifts revenue recognition to the first and fourth quarters, leading to a substantial quarter-over-quarter earnings increase. SDG&E also showed improved performance due to higher authorized base operations and lower operating costs. The company's overall revenues decreased slightly to $2.68 billion, primarily due to lower natural gas revenues reflecting lower commodity prices. However, effective cost management across segments, including lower operation and maintenance expenses at SDG&E and reduced natural gas costs, helped offset the revenue decline and contribute to the earnings growth. Sempra Energy's liquidity remains strong with substantial available credit facilities. The company also made progress on its strategic initiatives, including investments in international and U.S. gas and power projects, and sale of certain assets like the Mesquite Power plant, which is expected to yield a gain in the second quarter.

Financial Highlights

49 data points
Beta

Revenue

$2.68B

Net Income

$437.00M

16.3% Net Margin

EPS (Diluted)

$0.87

Total Assets

$39.55B

Cash & Equivalents

$377.00M

Free Cash Flow

$31.00M

Financial Statements
Beta
Revenue$2.68B
Interest Expense$134.00M
Net Income$437.00M
EPS (Basic)$0.88
EPS (Diluted)$0.87
Shares Outstanding (Basic)495.40M
Shares Outstanding (Diluted)502.40M

Key Highlights

  • 1Net income surged to $458 million for Q1 2015, a significant increase from $266 million in Q1 2014, driven by improved operational performance and regulatory adjustments.
  • 2SoCalGas experienced a substantial earnings boost ($113 million incremental earnings) due to the adoption of seasonal revenue recognition for core natural gas customers, shifting earnings recognition to Q1 and Q4.
  • 3SDG&E's earnings increased by $48 million year-over-year, primarily due to higher authorized base operating margins, lower operating costs, and a reduced loss related to the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station (SONGS) closure.
  • 4Total revenues saw a slight decrease to $2.68 billion from $2.79 billion, mainly due to lower natural gas commodity prices impacting revenues across various segments.
  • 5Operation and maintenance expenses decreased across key segments, notably at SDG&E ($35 million decrease), reflecting effective cost management.
  • 6Sempra Energy maintains strong liquidity with $3.3 billion in available unused credit across its facilities, complemented by operational cash flows.
  • 7The company continued its strategic asset management, having sold the remaining block of the Mesquite Power plant in April 2015, with an expected gain to be recognized in Q2 2015.

Frequently Asked Questions

The primary driver for the substantial increase in net income to $458 million from $266 million in the prior year's quarter was the improved performance of the California Utilities. SoCalGas, in particular, saw a significant boost due to a regulatory change ('seasonalization') that shifted revenue recognition to the first and fourth quarters, substantially increasing its reported earnings for the period. SDG&E also contributed positively with higher authorized earnings and lower operating costs.

The adoption of seasonal revenue recognition for SoCalGas' core natural gas customers, effective January 1, 2015, resulted in higher revenue and earnings being recognized in the first and fourth quarters compared to previous ratable recognition. For the first quarter of 2015, this led to an incremental $113 million in earnings for SoCalGas, significantly contributing to Sempra Energy's overall net income increase. This change impacts quarterly comparisons but does not alter full-year results.

SDG&E's reported loss from the SONGS plant closure was reduced in the first quarter of 2015 due to regulatory approval of a compliance filing related to the authorized recovery of its investment. This reduction in loss contributed positively to SDG&E's earnings. The company has recorded a regulatory asset for costs expected to be recovered in rates, subject to future regulatory approval.

Sempra Energy maintains strong liquidity, with $3.3 billion in available unused credit facilities. This, combined with expected cash flows from operations, proceeds from asset sales (like the Mesquite Power plant), and potential debt issuances, is expected to be sufficient to fund capital expenditures, dividends, and other business needs. The company continues to monitor its capital structure and credit ratings.