Back to top

Image: Bigstock

Dominion Resources (D) Beats on Q2 Earnings, Lags Revenues

Read MoreHide Full Article

Dominion Energy Inc. (D - Free Report) reported second-quarter 2017 operating earnings of 67 per share, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 66 by a penny. Earnings were within management’s guidance range of 60–70 cents per share.

However, operating earnings decreased 5.6% from 71 cents earned a year ago. The year-over-year increase is primarily due to reduction of Cove Point import contract revenues and the absence of a farm-out transaction.

GAAP earnings were 62 cents per share compared with 73 cents in the year-ago quarter. The difference between GAAP and operating earnings was due to transition and integration costs associated with the Dominion Energy Questar combination.

Dominion Energy Inc. Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise

 

Dominion Energy Inc. Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise | Dominion Energy Inc. Quote

 

Total Revenue

Dominion’s total revenue came in at $2,811 million, lagging the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2,865 million by 1.9%. However, quarterly revenues were up 8.3% year over year.

Highlights of the Release

Total operating expenses increased 8.7% year over year to $1,976 million primarily due to a surge in purchased gas prices and other operation and maintenance expenses.

Interest and related charges in the reported quarter were $308 million, up 28.9% from the year-ago quarter.

In the reported quarter, Dominion Virginia Power’s electric customer base increased by 25,140 from the prior-year quarter.  Total electricity sales volumes improved 3.8% to 19,641 Gigawatt per hour (Gwh).

Financial Update

Dominion exited second-quarter 2017 with cash and cash equivalents of $260 million, down from $261 million as of Dec 31 2016.

Long-term debt as of Jun 30, 2017 was $30.15 billion compared with $30.23 billion at the end of 2016.

Cash from operating activities in the first half of  2017 was $2.35 billion, up 16.9% from $2.01 billion in the year-ago period.

Looking Ahead

In third-quarter 2017, Dominion expects to generate operating earnings of 95 cents to $1.15 per share compared with $1.14 earned in third-quarter 2016.

For the full year, Dominion reiterated its earnings guidance in the range of $3.40–$3.90 per share.

Our View

Dominion reported mixed results in the second quarter. Earnings beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate while total revenue lagged the same.

Dominion’s Greensville County Power Station and Cove Point Liquefaction project are proceeding on time and budget. These are likely to boost the company’s performance over the long term.  However, lower solar investment tax credit could hurt its earnings in the near term.

Dominion Resources has a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell).
 
You can see the the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.


Peer Releases

American Electric Power Co., Inc. (AEP - Free Report) reported second-quarter 2017 operating earnings of 75 cents per share, lagging the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 82 cents by 8.5%.

NextEra Energy, Inc. (NEE - Free Report) reported second-quarter 2017 adjusted earnings of $1.86 per share, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.76 by 5.7%. Reported earnings were also up 11.4% year over year.

WEC Energy Group (WEC - Free Report) reported second-quarter 2017 adjusted earnings of 63 cents per share, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 59 cents by 6.8% and the year-ago figure of 57 cents by 10.5%.

More Stock News: Tech Opportunity Worth $386 Billion in 2017

From driverless cars to artificial intelligence, we've seen an unsurpassed growth of high-tech products in recent months. Yesterday's science-fiction is becoming today's reality. Despite all the innovation, there is a single component no tech company can survive without. Demand for this critical device will reach $387 billion this year alone, and it's likely to grow even faster in the future.

Zacks has released a brand-new Special Report to help you take advantage of this exciting investment opportunity. Most importantly, it reveals 4 stocks with massive profit potential.

See these stocks now>>

Published in