Southern Company reports second-quarter 2019 earnings

Southern Company today reported second-quarter 2019 earnings of $899 million, or 86 cents per share, compared with a loss of $154 million, or 15 cents per share, in the second quarter of 2018.  For the six months ended June 30, 2019, Southern Company reported earnings of $2.98 billion, or $2.86 per share, compared with earnings of $784 million, or 77 cents per share, for the same period in 2018. 

Excluding the items described in the "Net Income – Excluding Items" table below, Southern Company earned $833 million, or 80 cents per share, during the second quarter of 2019, compared with $815 million, or 80 cents per share, during the second quarter of 2018. For the six months ended June 30, 2019, excluding these items, Southern Company earned $1.56 billion, or $1.50 per share, compared with earnings of $1.71 billion, or $1.69 per share, for the same period in 2018.

NOTE: For more information regarding these non-GAAP adjustments, see the footnotes accompanying the Financial Highlights page of the earnings package.

Earnings drivers year-over-year for the second quarter 2019 were positively influenced by higher revenues associated with changes in rates and pricing, net of usage changes, as well as warmer than normal weather at Southern Company's regulated utilities. These impacts were partially offset by the impact of divested entities on earnings.

"We are very pleased with our financial and operational performance in the first half of 2019, as our premier, state-regulated electric and gas franchise operations continued to perform well in the second quarter," said Chairman, President and CEO Thomas A. Fanning. "In particular, our electrical system has proved to be very resilient in what has so far been a hot summer in the Southeast."

Second quarter 2019 operating revenues were $5.10 billion, compared with $5.63 billion for the second quarter of 2018, a decrease of 9.4 percent. For the six months ended June 30, 2019, operating revenues were $10.51 billion, compared with $12.00 billion for the corresponding period in 2018, a decrease of 12.4 percent. These decreases were primarily related to a reduction in revenue resulting from the sale of Gulf Power and other assets that are no longer affiliated with Southern Company.

Southern Company's second quarter earnings slides with supplemental financial information are available at http://investor.southerncompany.com.

Southern Company's financial analyst call will begin at 8 a.m. Eastern Time today, during which Fanning and Chief Financial Officer Andrew W. Evans will discuss earnings and provide a general business update. Investors, media and the public may listen to a live webcast of the call and view associated slides at http://investor.southerncompany.com/webcasts. A replay of the webcast will be available on the site for 12 months.

About Southern Company

Southern Company (NYSE: SO) is a leading energy company serving 9 million customers through its subsidiaries. The company provides clean, safe, reliable and affordable energy through electric operating companies in three states, natural gas distribution companies in four states, a competitive generation company serving wholesale customers across America, a leading distributed energy infrastructure company, a fiber optics network and telecommunications services. Southern Company brands are known for excellent customer service, high reliability and affordable prices below the national average. For more than a century, we have been building the future of energy and developing the full portfolio of energy resources, including carbon-free nuclear, advanced carbon capture technologies, natural gas, renewables, energy efficiency and storage technology. Through an industry-leading commitment to innovation and a low-carbon future, Southern Company and its subsidiaries develop the customized energy solutions our customers and communities require to drive growth and prosperity. Our uncompromising values ensure we put the needs of those we serve at the center of everything we do and govern our business to the benefit of our world. Our corporate culture and hiring practices have been recognized nationally by the U.S. Department of Defense, G.I. Jobs magazine, DiversityInc, Black Enterprise, Forbes and the Women's Choice Award. To learn more, visit www.southerncompany.com.

 

 

Southern Company
Financial Highlights

Notes

1. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018, dilution does not change basic earnings per share by more than 2 cents and is not material.
2. Earnings for the three months ended June 30, 2019 primarily include a $23 million pre-tax ($88 million after tax) gain on the sale of Southern Power Company's Plant Nacogdoches and a $32 million pre-tax and after-tax goodwill impairment charge in contemplation of the sale of the utility infrastructure services business unit at PowerSecure, Inc. Earnings for the six months ended June 30, 2019 also include a $2.5 billion pre-tax gain ($1.3 billion after tax) on the sale of Gulf Power Company. Earnings for the three months ended June 30, 2018 include: (i) a pre-tax loss of $36 million ($76 million after tax) associated with the sale of Pivotal Home Solutions; (ii) a $119 million pre-tax ($89 million after tax) impairment charge associated with the disposition of Plants Stanton and Oleander; and (iii) $17 million pre-tax ($11 million after tax) of other acquisition, disposition, and integration costs. Earnings for the six months ended June 30, 2018 also include a $42 million (pre tax and after tax) goodwill impairment charge associated with the Pivotal Home Solutions transaction and (ii) an additional $19 million pre tax ($14 million after tax) of other acquisition, disposition, and integration costs. Further impacts are expected to be recorded in 2019 in connection with the sales of Gulf Power Company and Plant Nacogdoches, as well as the pending sale of Plant Mankato. Further costs are also expected to continue to occur in connection with the integration of Southern Company Gas; however, the amount and duration of such expenditures is uncertain.
3. Earnings for the three and six months ended June 30, 2019 and for the six months ended June 30, 2018 include charges and associated legal expenses related to Mississippi Power Company's integrated coal gasification combined cycle facility project in Kemper County, Mississippi (Kemper IGCC). Earnings for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018 also include a $1.1 billion charge ($0.8 billion after tax) for an estimated probable loss on Georgia Power Company's construction of Plant Vogtle Units 3 and 4. All of these charges significantly impacted the presentation of earnings and earnings per share. Additional pre-tax closure costs, including mine reclamation, of up to $25 million for Mississippi Power Company's Kemper IGCC may occur through 2020. Mississippi Power Company is also currently evaluating its options regarding the final disposition of the carbon dioxide pipeline and is in discussions with the Department of Energy regarding property closeout and disposition, for which the related costs could be material. Further charges for Georgia Power Company's Plant Vogtle Units 3 and 4 may occur; however, the amount and timing of any such charges is uncertain.
4. Earnings for the three and six months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018 include the Wholesale Gas Services business of Southern Company Gas. Presenting earnings and earnings per share excluding Wholesale Gas Services provides investors with an additional measure of operating performance that excludes the volatility resulting from mark-to-market and lower of weighted average cost or current market price accounting adjustments.
5. Earnings for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018 include the settlement proceeds of Mississippi Power Company's claim for lost revenue resulting from the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. Further proceeds are not expected.
6. Earnings for the six months ended June 30, 2018 include additional net tax benefits as a result of implementing federal tax reform legislation, which was signed into law in December 2017. During 2018, Southern Company obtained and analyzed additional information that was not initially available or reported as provisional amounts at December 31, 2017. Additional adjustments are not expected.

 

Southern Company
Significant Factors Impacting EPS
Notes:

1. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018, dilution does not change basic earnings per share by more than 2 cents and is not material.
2. Earnings for the three months ended June 30, 2019 primarily include a $23 million pre-tax ($88 million after tax) gain on the sale of Southern Power Company's Plant Nacogdoches and a $32 million pre-tax and after-tax goodwill impairment charge in contemplation of the sale of the utility infrastructure services business unit at PowerSecure, Inc. Earnings for the six months ended June 30, 2019 also include a $2.5 billion pre-tax gain ($1.3 billion after tax) on the sale of Gulf Power Company. Earnings for the three months ended June 30, 2018 include: (i) a pre-tax loss of $36 million ($76 million after tax) associated with the sale of Pivotal Home Solutions; (ii) a $119 million pre-tax ($89 million after tax) impairment charge associated with the disposition of Plants Stanton and Oleander; and (iii) $17 million pre-tax ($11 million after tax) of other acquisition, disposition, and integration costs. Earnings for the six months ended June 30, 2018 also include a $42 million (pre tax and after tax) goodwill impairment charge associated with the Pivotal Home Solutions transaction and (ii) an additional $19 million pre tax ($14 million after tax) of other acquisition, disposition, and integration costs. Further impacts are expected to be recorded in 2019 in connection with the sales of Gulf Power Company and Plant Nacogdoches, as well as the pending sale of Plant Mankato. Further costs are also expected to continue to occur in connection with the integration of Southern Company Gas; however, the amount and duration of such expenditures is uncertain.
3. Earnings for the three and six months ended June 30, 2019 and for the six months ended June 30, 2018 include charges and associated legal expenses related to Mississippi Power Company's integrated coal gasification combined cycle facility project in Kemper County, Mississippi (Kemper IGCC). Earnings for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018 also include a $1.1 billion charge ($0.8 billion after tax) for an estimated probable loss on Georgia Power Company's construction of Plant Vogtle Units 3 and 4. All of these charges significantly impacted the presentation of earnings and earnings per share. Additional pre-tax closure costs, including mine reclamation, of up to $25 million for Mississippi Power Company's Kemper IGCC may occur through 2020. Mississippi Power Company is also currently evaluating its options regarding the final disposition of the carbon dioxide pipeline and is in discussions with the Department of Energy regarding property closeout and disposition, for which the related costs could be material. Further charges for Georgia Power Company's Plant Vogtle Units 3 and 4 may occur; however, the amount and timing of any such charges is uncertain.
4. Earnings for the three and six months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018 include the Wholesale Gas Services business of Southern Company Gas. Presenting earnings and earnings per share excluding Wholesale Gas Services provides investors with an additional measure of operating performance that excludes the volatility resulting from mark-to-market and lower of weighted average cost or current market price accounting adjustments.
5. Earnings for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018 include the settlement proceeds of Mississippi Power Company's claim for lost revenue resulting from the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. Further proceeds are not expected.
6. Earnings for the six months ended June 30, 2018 include additional net tax benefits as a result of implementing federal tax reform legislation, which was signed into law in December 2017. During 2018, Southern Company obtained and analyzed additional information that was not initially available or reported as provisional amounts at December 31, 2017. Additional adjustments are not expected.

Southern Company
EPS Earning Analysis
Three and Six Months Ended June 2019 vs. June 2018
Notes:

1. Earnings for the three months ended June 30, 2019 primarily include a $23 million pre-tax ($88 million after tax) gain on the sale of Southern Power Company's Plant Nacogdoches and a $32 million pre-tax and after-tax goodwill impairment charge in contemplation of the sale of the utility infrastructure services business unit at PowerSecure, Inc. Earnings for the six months ended June 30, 2019 also include a $2.5 billion pre-tax gain ($1.3 billion after tax) on the sale of Gulf Power Company. Earnings for the three months ended June 30, 2018 include: (i) a pre-tax loss of $36 million ($76 million after tax) associated with the sale of Pivotal Home Solutions; (ii) a $119 million pre-tax ($89 million after tax) impairment charge associated with the disposition of Plants Stanton and Oleander; and (iii) $17 million pre-tax ($11 million after tax) of other acquisition, disposition, and integration costs. Earnings for the six months ended June 30, 2018 also include a $42 million (pre tax and after tax) goodwill impairment charge associated with the Pivotal Home Solutions transaction and (ii) an additional $19 million pre tax ($14 million after tax) of other acquisition, disposition, and integration costs. Further impacts are expected to be recorded in 2019 in connection with the sales of Gulf Power Company and Plant Nacogdoches, as well as the pending sale of Plant Mankato. Further costs are also expected to continue to occur in connection with the integration of Southern Company Gas; however, the amount and duration of such expenditures is uncertain.
2. Earnings for the three and six months ended June 30, 2019 and for the six months ended June 30, 2018 include charges and associated legal expenses related to Mississippi Power Company's integrated coal gasification combined cycle facility project in Kemper County, Mississippi (Kemper IGCC). Earnings for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018 also include a $1.1 billion charge ($0.8 billion after tax) for an estimated probable loss on Georgia Power Company's construction of Plant Vogtle Units 3 and 4. All of these charges significantly impacted the presentation of earnings and earnings per share. Additional pre-tax closure costs, including mine reclamation, of up to $25 million for Mississippi Power Company's Kemper IGCC may occur through 2020. Mississippi Power Company is also currently evaluating its options regarding the final disposition of the carbon dioxide pipeline and is in discussions with the Department of Energy regarding property closeout and disposition, for which the related costs could be material. Further charges for Georgia Power Company's Plant Vogtle Units 3 and 4 may occur; however, the amount and timing of any such charges is uncertain.
3. Earnings for the three and six months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018 include the Wholesale Gas Services business of Southern Company Gas. Presenting earnings and earnings per share excluding Wholesale Gas Services provides investors with an additional measure of operating performance that excludes the volatility resulting from mark-to-market and lower of weighted average cost or current market price accounting adjustments.
4. Earnings for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018 include the settlement proceeds of Mississippi Power Company's claim for lost revenue resulting from the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. Further proceeds are not expected.
5. Earnings for the six months ended June 30, 2018 include additional net tax benefits as a result of implementing federal tax reform legislation, which was signed into law in December 2017. During 2018, Southern Company obtained and analyzed additional information that was not initially available or reported as provisional amounts at December 31, 2017. Additional adjustments are not expected.

 

1. Financial comparisons to the prior year were impacted by (i) Southern Company Gas' disposition of: (a) Pivotal Home Solutions on June 4, 2018, (b) Elizabethtown Gas and Elkton Gas on July 1, 2018, and (c) Florida City Gas on July 29, 2018; (ii) the disposition of Southern Power Company's ownership interest in Plants Oleander and Stanton on December 4, 2018; (iii) Southern Power Company's sale of (a) a 33% equity interest in a limited partnership indirectly owning substantially all of its solar facilities on May 22, 2018 and (b) a noncontrolling interest in its subsidiary owning eight operating wind facilities on December 11, 2018; and (iv) the disposition of Gulf Power Company on January 1, 2019.

SOURCE Southern Company

For further information: Media: Southern Company Media Relations, 404-506-5333 or 1-866-506-5333; Investor Relations: Scott Gammill, 404-506-0901, sagammil@southernco.com

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