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Dominion Energy (D) Tops Q4 Earnings, Issues 2018 Guidance

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Dominion Energy Inc. (D - Free Report) reported fourth-quarter 2017 operating earnings of 91 cents per share, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 88 cents by 3.4%. Earnings were within management’s guidance of 80 cents to $1.00 per share.

However, operating earnings decreased 8.1% from 99 cents reported a year ago. The decline was primarily due to lower contribution from its Power Generation segment.

GAAP earnings were $2.25 per share compared with 73 cents in the year-ago quarter. The difference between GAAP and operating earnings was due to a one-time tax benefit associated with the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.

Total Revenues

Dominion’s total revenues came in at $3,209 million, marginally beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $3,208 million. However, quarterly revenues were up 3.4% year over year.

Dominion Energy Inc. Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise
 

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

Highlights of the Release

Total operating expenses increased 5.7% year over year to $2,152 million primarily due higher purchased gas prices.

Interest and related charges in the reported quarter were $300 million, up 2.7% from the year-ago quarter.

In the reported quarter, Power Delivery’s electric customer base increased by 25,422 from the prior-year quarter. Electricity consumption volumes also improved 3.8% year over year to 20,278 GWh in the fourth quarter.

Financial Update

Total long-term debt as of Dec 31, 2017 was $30.91 billion compared with $30.23 billion at the end of 2016.

Cash from operating activities in 2017 was $4.56 billion, up 10.6% from $4.12 billion in 2016.

Outlook

In first-quarter 2018, Dominion expects operating earnings of 95 cents to $1.15 per share.

For the full year, Dominion expects earnings in the range of $3.80-$4.25 per share compared with $3.60 in 2017.
 
Zacks Rank

Dominion has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can seethe complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here..

Peer Releases

American Electric Power Co., Inc. (AEP - Free Report) reported fourth-quarter 2017 operating earnings of 85 cents per share, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 81 cents by 4.9%.

NextEra Energy, Inc. (NEE - Free Report) reported fourth-quarter 2017 adjusted earnings of $1.25 per share, lagging the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.31 by 4.6%.

Upcoming Release

WEC Energy Group (WEC - Free Report) is scheduled to report its fourth-quarter 2017 on Jan 31. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the quarter is pegged at 67 cents.

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