PG&E Corporation Reports First Quarter Earnings; Reaffirms Guidance
May 06 2009 - 8:03AM
PR Newswire (US)
- Net income after dividends on preferred stock reported under GAAP
was $241 million, or $0.65 per share. SAN FRANCISCO, May 6
/PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- PG&E Corporation's (NYSE: PCG) net
income after dividends on preferred stock (also called "income
available for common shareholders") was $241 million, or $0.65 per
share, in the first quarter ended March 31, 2009, as reported in
accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). In
the same period last year, net income after dividends on preferred
stock was $224 million, or $0.62 per share. On a non-GAAP basis,
PG&E Corporation's earnings from operations were $246 million,
or $0.66 per share, in the first quarter of 2009. In the same
period last year, earnings from operations were $224 million, or
$0.62 per share. The quarter-over-quarter increase in earnings from
operations primarily reflects higher authorized revenues associated
with additional capital investments in Pacific Gas and Electric
Company's (Utility) core infrastructure and lower storm-related
costs, partially offset by expenses due to a rise in uncollectible
customer debt, severances associated with the consolidation of
regional facilities, and several other miscellaneous items. "We
continue to demonstrate solid earnings growth as we execute on our
operational plans and move forward with important capital
investments in PG&E's system," said Peter A. Darbee, Chairman,
CEO and President of PG&E Corporation. "The company remains on
track with its multi-year financial outlook, focusing on
operational excellence, and delivering for our customers." Earnings
Guidance PG&E Corporation reaffirms its previous guidance for
earnings from operations in the range of $3.15-$3.25 per share for
2009, $3.35-$3.50 per share for 2010, and $3.65-$3.85 per share for
2011. Guidance is based on various assumptions, including that the
Utility maintains a ratemaking capital structure of 52 percent
equity and a weighted authorized return on equity of 11.45 percent,
while growing its asset base, earning incentive revenues for energy
efficiency achievements, and realizing cost-savings from
operational changes and efficiencies in amounts consistent with
ranges provided at the company's February 2009 Investor Conference.
Guidance for 2009 excludes three anticipated items impacting
comparability forecasted to total between $0.05 and $0.11 per
share. The three items are: the projected costs of accelerating
natural gas system integrity surveys and associated maintenance
work; the recovery of approximately $47 million in costs incurred
in connection with California Public Utilities Commission
(CPUC)-mandated efforts to determine the market value of the
Utility's hydroelectric generation facilities in 2000 and 2001; and
forecasted tax refunds expected to be approved later this year.
When added to earnings per share (EPS) guidance on an earnings from
operations basis, the net effect of these items impacting
comparability results in 2009 GAAP EPS guidance of $3.20 to $3.36.
PG&E Corporation reports historical financial results and bases
guidance on "earnings from operations" in order to provide a
measure that allows investors to compare the underlying financial
performance of the business from one period to another, exclusive
of items that do not reflect the normal course of operations.
Earnings from operations are not a substitute or alternative for
net income after dividends on preferred stock presented in
accordance with GAAP (see the accompanying financial tables for a
reconciliation of results and guidance based on earnings from
operations to results and guidance calculated in accordance with
GAAP). Supplemental Financial Information: -- In addition to the
financial information accompanying this release, an expanded
package of supplemental financial and operational information for
the quarter will be furnished to the Securities and Exchange
Commission and also will be available shortly on PG&E
Corporation's website (http://www.pgecorp.com/). Conference Call
with the Financial Community to Discuss First Quarter Results: --
Today's call at 11:30 a.m. Eastern time is open to the public on a
listen-only basis via webcast. Please visit http://www.pgecorp.com/
for more information and instructions for accessing the webcast.
The call will be archived on the website. Also, a toll-free replay
will be accessible shortly after the live call through 9:00 p.m.
Eastern time, on May 13, 2009, by dialing 866-415-9493.
International callers may dial 585-419-6446. This press release and
the tables contain forward-looking statements regarding
management's guidance for PG&E Corporation's 2009, 2010 and
2011 earnings per share from operations that are based on current
expectations and various assumptions that management believes are
reasonable. These statements and assumptions are necessarily
subject to various risks and uncertainties, the realization or
resolution of which may be outside of management's control. Actual
results may differ materially. Factors that could cause actual
results to differ materially include: -- the Utility's ability to
manage capital expenditures and its operating and maintenance
expenses within authorized levels; -- the outcome of pending and
future regulatory proceedings and whether the Utility is able to
timely recover its costs through rates; -- the adequacy and price
of electricity and natural gas supplies, and the ability of the
Utility to manage and respond to the volatility of the electricity
and natural gas markets, including the ability of the Utility and
its counterparties to post or return collateral; -- the effect of
weather, storms, earthquakes, fires, floods, disease, other natural
disasters, explosions, accidents, mechanical breakdowns, disruption
of information technology or computer systems, acts of terrorism,
and other events or hazards on the Utility's facilities and
operations, its customers, and third parties on which the Utility
relies; -- the potential impacts of climate change on the Utility's
electricity and natural gas businesses; -- changes in customer
demand for electricity and natural gas resulting from unanticipated
population growth or decline, general economic and financial market
conditions, changes in technology, including the development of
alternative energy sources, or other reasons; -- operating
performance of the Diablo Canyon Power Plant ("Diablo Canyon"), the
availability of nuclear fuel, the occurrence of unplanned outages
at Diablo Canyon, or the temporary or permanent cessation of
operations at Diablo Canyon; -- whether the Utility can maintain
the cost savings that it has recognized from operating efficiencies
that it has achieved and identify and successfully implement
additional sustainable cost-saving measures; -- whether the Utility
incurs substantial expense to improve the safety and reliability of
its electric and natural gas systems; -- whether the Utility
achieves CPUC energy efficiency targets and recognizes any
incentives that the Utility may earn in a timely manner; -- the
impact of changes in federal or state laws, or their
interpretation, on energy policy and the regulation of utilities
and their holding companies; -- the impact of changing wholesale
electric or gas market rules, including new rules of the California
Independent System Operator to restructure the California wholesale
electricity market; -- how the CPUC administers the conditions
imposed on PG&E Corporation when it became the Utility's
holding company; -- the extent to which PG&E Corporation or the
Utility incurs costs and liabilities in connection with litigation
that are not recoverable through rates, from insurance, or from
other third parties; -- the ability of PG&E Corporation, the
Utility, and counterparties to access capital markets and other
sources of credit in a timely manner on acceptable terms,
especially given the recent deteriorating conditions in the economy
and financial markets; -- the impact of environmental laws and
regulations and the costs of compliance and remediation; -- the
effect of municipalization, direct access, community choice
aggregation, or other forms of bypass; -- the outcome of federal or
state tax audits and the impact of changes in federal or state tax
laws, policies, or regulations; and -- the other factors and risks
discussed in PG&E Corporation's and the Utility's 2008 Annual
Report on Form 10-K and other reports filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
PG&E Corporation Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income
(in millions, except per share amounts)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Unaudited) ------------------ Three Months Ended March 31,
------------------ 2009 2008 ------ ------ Operating Revenues
Electric $2,426 $2,514 Natural gas 1,005 1,219 ------ ------ Total
operating revenues 3,431 3,733 ------ ------ Operating Expenses
Cost of electricity 883 1,027 Cost of natural gas 557 775 Operating
and maintenance 1,059 1,036 Depreciation, amortization, and
decommissioning 419 402 ------ ------ Total operating expenses
2,918 3,240 ------ ------ Operating Income 513 493 Interest income
9 26 Interest expense (181) (187) Other income, net 18 5 ------
------ Income Before Income Taxes 359 337 Income tax provision 115
110 ------ ------ Net Income 244 227 Preferred dividend requirement
of subsidiary 3 3 --- --- Income Available for Common Shareholders
$241 $224 ====== ====== Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding,
Basic 364 355 ====== ====== Weighted Average Common Shares
Outstanding, Diluted 366 356 ====== ====== Net Earnings Per Common
Share, Basic $0.65 $0.62 ====== ====== Net Earnings Per Common
Share, Diluted $0.65 $0.62 ====== ====== Dividends Declared Per
Common Share $0.42 $0.39 ====== ======
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Reconciliation of PG&E Corporation's Earnings from Operations
to Consolidated Income Available for Common Shareholders in
Accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP)
First Quarter, 2009 vs. 2008 (in millions, except per share
amounts)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Three months ended March 31, ----------------------------- Earnings
per Common Share Earnings (Diluted) 2009 2008 2009 2008 ------
------ ------ ------ PG&E Corporation Earnings from Operations
(1) $246 $224 $0.66 $0.62 ------ ------ ------ ------ Items
Impacting Comparability (2) Accelerated work on gas system (5) -
(0.01) - ------ ------ ------ ------ PG&E Corporation Earnings
on a GAAP basis $241 $224 $0.65 $0.62 ====== ====== ====== ======
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. "Earnings from operations" is not calculated in accordance with
GAAP and excludes items impacting comparability as described in
Note (2) below. 2. Items impacting comparability reconcile earnings
from operations with consolidated Income Available for Common
Shareholders as reported in accordance with GAAP. For the three
month period ended March 31, 2009, PG&E Corporation recognized
$5 million, after-tax, for costs to perform accelerated system-wide
gas integrity surveys and associated remedial work.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Reconciliation of Pacific Gas and Electric Company's Earnings from
Operations to Consolidated Income Available for Common Shareholders
in Accordance with GAAP First Quarter, 2009 vs. 2008 (in millions)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Three months ended March 31, --------------------------- Earnings
------------ ------------ 2009 2008 ------------ ------------
Pacific Gas and Electric Company Earnings from Operations (1) $241
$233 ------------ ------------ Items Impacting Comparability (2)
Accelerated work on gas system (5) - ------------ ------------
Pacific Gas and Electric Company Earnings on a GAAP basis $236 $233
============ ============
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. "Earnings from operations" is not calculated in accordance with
GAAP and excludes items impacting comparability as described in
Note (2) below. 2. Items impacting comparability reconcile earnings
from operations with consolidated Income Available for Common
Shareholders as reported in accordance with GAAP. For the three
month period ended March 31, 2009, Pacific Gas and Electric Company
recognized $5 million, after-tax, for costs to perform accelerated
system-wide gas integrity surveys and associated remedial work.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
PG&E Corporation Earnings per Common Share from Operations
First Quarter, 2009 vs. 2008 ($/Share, Diluted)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Q1 2008 EPS from Operations (1) $0.62 Increase in rate base
revenues 0.07 Storm and outage expenses (2) 0.07 Uncollectible
expense, net (0.02) Increase in shares outstanding (0.02) Nuclear
refueling outage (0.01) Severance (0.01) Miscellaneous items (0.04)
------- Q1 2009 EPS from Operations (1) $0.66 ======= 1. For a
reconciliation of EPS from operations to EPS on a GAAP basis, see
table titled Reconciliation of PG&E Corporation's Earnings from
Operations to Consolidated Income Available for Common Shareholders
in Accordance with GAAP. 2. Costs incurred due to storms and
outages in 2008 with no similar costs in 2009.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
PG&E Corporation EPS Guidance
------------------------------------------------------------------------
2009 EPS Guidance Low High ------- ------- EPS Guidance on an
Earnings from Operations Basis $3.15 $3.25 Estimated Items
Impacting Comparability (1) Tax refunds (2) 0.13 0.16 Recovery of
hydro divestiture costs (3) 0.07 0.07 Accelerated work on gas
system (4) (0.15) (0.12) ------- ------- Estimated EPS on a GAAP
Basis $3.20 $3.36 ======= ======= 2010 EPS Guidance Low High
------- ------- EPS Guidance on an Earnings from Operations Basis
$3.35 $3.50 ------- ------- Estimated Items Impacting Comparability
- - ------- ------- Estimated EPS on a GAAP Basis $3.35 $3.50
======= ======= 2011 EPS Guidance Low High ------- ------- EPS
Guidance on an Earnings from Operations Basis $3.65 $3.85 Estimated
Items Impacting Comparability - - ------- ------- Estimated EPS on
a GAAP Basis $3.65 $3.85 ======= =======
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. Items impacting comparability reconcile earnings from operations
with consolidated income available for common shareholders in
accordance with GAAP. 2. Tentative agreement to resolve federal tax
refund claims related to tax years 1998 and 1999. 3. On April 16,
2009, the CPUC authorized recovery of costs incurred in connection
with efforts to determine the market value of hydroelectric
generation facilities. Amount will be recorded in 2Q 2009. 4.
Forecast costs to perform accelerated system-wide gas integrity
surveys and associated remedial work.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Management's guidance for PG&E Corporation's 2009, 2010, and
2011 EPS from operations constitute forward-looking statements that
are based on current expectations and various assumptions which
management believes are reasonable. These statements and
assumptions are necessarily subject to various risk and
uncertainties, the realization or resolution of which may be
outside of management's control. Actual results may differ
materially. For a discussion of the factors that could cause actual
results to differ materially see the factors listed in the attached
press release and the discussion of risk factors in PG&E
Corporation and Pacific Gas and Electric Company's 2008 Annual
Report on Form 10-K and other reports filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission. DATASOURCE: PG&E Corporation CONTACT:
Corporate Relations of PG&E Corporation, 1-800-743-6397,
WEBSITE: http://www.pgecorp.com/ Web Site: http://www.pgecorp.com/
Copyright