Entergy(ETR) - 2023 Q4 - Annual Results

News Release Summary & Business Highlights This section provides an overview of Entergy's strong FY2023 financial performance, 2024 guidance, and key operational achievements FY2023 Results and 2024 Guidance Release Entergy reported strong FY2023 adjusted EPS of $6.77, marking its eighth consecutive year in the upper half of guidance, and initiated its 2024 guidance Key FY2023 Financial Data (Adjusted) | Metric | 2023 Q4 (Adjusted) | 2023 Full Year (Adjusted) | | :------------------- | :----------------------- | :------------------- | | EPS ($) | $0.52 | $6.77 | | Performance | Eighth consecutive year in upper half of guidance | Eighth consecutive year in upper half of guidance | - The company initiated its 2024 adjusted EPS guidance range of $7.05 to $7.35[2] - Business highlights include Mississippi's approval of a $10 billion Amazon Web Services data center project, Louisiana Public Service Commission's approval of two solar facilities adding approximately 225 megawatts of renewable energy capacity, New Orleans City Council's ruling on reasonable Hurricane Ida recovery costs, and the company's 22nd consecutive year on the Dow Jones Sustainability Index[3][4] Consolidated Earnings & Business Segment Results This section details Entergy's consolidated earnings, including GAAP and non-GAAP measures, and the financial performance of its Utility and Parent & Other segments Consolidated Earnings (GAAP and Non-GAAP measures) Entergy reported significant growth in reported earnings for Q4 and full-year 2023, primarily due to various adjustments, with adjusted earnings also showing a modest year-over-year increase Consolidated Earnings (After-tax, Million Dollars) | Metric | 2023 Q4 | 2022 Q4 | Change (Q4) | 2023 Full Year | 2022 Full Year | Change (Full Year) | | :------------------- | :------------- | :------------- | :--------------- | :--------- | :--------- | :--------- | | Reported Earnings | 988 | 106 | 881 | 2,357 | 1,103 | 1,253 | | Less Adjustments | 877 | (1) | 877 | 919 | (217) | 1,136 | | Adjusted Earnings (Non-GAAP) | 111 | 107 | 4 | 1,438 | 1,320 | 118 | | Estimated Weather Impact | (12) | (1) | (12) | 91 | 86 | 5 | Consolidated EPS (After-tax, Dollars per Share) | Metric | 2023 Q4 | 2022 Q4 | Change (Q4) | 2023 Full Year | 2022 Full Year | Change (Full Year) | | :------------------- | :------------- | :------------- | :--------------- | :--------- | :--------- | :--------- | | Reported EPS | 4.64 | 0.51 | 4.13 | 11.10 | 5.37 | 5.73 | | Less Adjustments | 4.12 | - | 4.12 | 4.33 | (1.05) | 5.38 | | Adjusted EPS (Non-GAAP) | 0.52 | 0.51 | 0.01 | 6.77 | 6.42 | 0.35 | | Estimated Weather Impact | (0.06) | - | (0.05) | 0.43 | 0.42 | 0.01 | Business Segment Results This section details the financial performance of Entergy's Utility and Parent & Other segments for full-year 2023, highlighting key drivers and adjustments impacting their respective earnings Utility Segment The Utility segment reported substantial growth in full-year 2023 reported earnings, driven by significant income tax benefits and regulatory liability reversals, partially offset by regulatory provisions and asset write-offs Utility Segment Full-Year Earnings (After-tax, Million Dollars) | Metric | 2023 Full Year | 2022 Full Year | Change | | :------------------- | :--------- | :--------- | :--- | | Reported Earnings | 2,507 | 1,407 | 1,100 | | Adjusted Earnings | 1,896 | 1,686 | 210 | - In Q4 2023, the company recorded $568 million in income tax benefits from 2016-2018 IRS audit resolutions and $98 million ($72 million after-tax) in regulatory provisions to share benefits with customers[12] - In Q4 2023, the company reversed $106 million in regulatory liabilities related to Hurricane Isaac securitization[13] - In Q1 2023, E-LA received storm cost recovery securitization proceeds, resulting in $129 million in reduced income tax expense and $31 million in increased storm expense carryover costs, partially offset by $15 million in reduced other income and $103 million in provisions for customer sharing of securitization benefits[15][19] Parent & Other Segment The Parent & Other segment reported a reduced reported loss in 2023 compared to 2022, primarily due to significant income tax benefits from IRS audit resolutions and the phased exit of the EWC business Parent & Other Segment Full-Year Earnings (After-tax, Million Dollars) | Metric | 2023 Full Year | 2022 Full Year | Change | | :------------------- | :--------- | :--------- | :--- | | Reported Loss | (151) | (303) | 152 | | Adjusted Loss | (458) | (366) | (92) | - The EWC business completed its exit in 2022, with remaining activities included in Parent & Other from 2023; EWC reported $63 million in earnings in 2022, including $166 million from the Palisades nuclear plant sale[21] - Other drivers for the full-year 2023 Parent & Other segment variance include reduced income tax expense in Q4 2023 due to 2016-2018 IRS audit resolutions, the impact of the DOE spent fuel litigation settlement on asset write-offs and impairments in Q3 2023, and increased interest expense from higher short-term borrowing rates[22][30] Earnings Per Share Guidance This section outlines Entergy's adjusted EPS guidance for 2024, emphasizing the non-GAAP nature of this metric and the exclusion of certain unpredictable adjustments 2024 Adjusted EPS Guidance Entergy initiated its 2024 adjusted EPS guidance, noting that this non-GAAP measure excludes certain unpredictable adjustments that cannot be reasonably forecasted - Entergy initiated its 2024 adjusted EPS guidance range of $7.05 to $7.35[24] - The company did not provide a reconciliation of non-GAAP to GAAP guidance, as all potential adjustments, such as regulatory charges related to pending regulatory complaints and significant income tax items, cannot be reasonably predicted or quantified[25] Earnings Teleconference & Company Information This section provides details for the upcoming earnings teleconference and an overview of Entergy's business scope, operational areas, and commitment to sustainability Teleconference Details and Company Overview This section provides details for the upcoming earnings teleconference and a brief overview of Entergy's business scope, operational areas, and commitment to sustainability and corporate citizenship - The earnings teleconference will be held on Thursday, February 22, 2024, at 10:00 AM CT, accessible via Entergy's website or by calling 888-440-4149 (Conference ID 9024832), with replay available until February 29, 2024[27] - Entergy is a Fortune 500 company providing electric service to 3 million customers through its operating companies in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas, committed to investing in energy system reliability and resilience and transitioning to cleaner, more efficient energy solutions[28] - Headquartered in New Orleans, Louisiana, Entergy has approximately 12,000 employees, with its common stock listed on the New York Stock Exchange and NYSE Chicago under the ticker symbol "ETR"[28][29] Non-GAAP Financial Measures This section defines Entergy's non-GAAP financial measures, such as adjusted earnings and adjusted EPS, explaining their purpose in financial reporting and internal assessment Explanation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures This section defines Entergy's non-GAAP financial measures, such as adjusted earnings and adjusted EPS, explaining their purpose in financial reporting and internal assessment, and emphasizing their supplementary nature to GAAP measures - Non-GAAP financial measures are typically numerical measures of a company's performance, financial position, or cash flows that exclude or include amounts different from those excluded or included in the most directly comparable measures calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP[33] - Entergy's reported adjusted earnings and adjusted EPS exclude certain "adjustments" which management considers unusual or non-recurring items or events not reflective of Entergy's ongoing business, such as significant tax items and other specific costs, expenses, or items[34] - Management uses these non-GAAP financial measures for financial planning and analysis, reporting financial results to the board, employees, shareholders, analysts, and investors, and for internal assessment of financial performance, believing they aid investors in evaluating Entergy's ongoing business performance, making period-to-period comparisons, and comparing financial performance with other companies in the utility industry[35] - Non-GAAP financial measures should not replace GAAP financial measures, and investors should fully review Entergy's consolidated financial statements and public reports, not relying solely on a single financial measure; as non-GAAP measures are not standardized, they may not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies[37] Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This section advises readers against undue reliance on forward-looking statements, as they are subject to various risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from projections Risks and Uncertainties of Forward-Looking Statements This section warns that forward-looking statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied - Forward-looking statements include Entergy's 2024 earnings guidance, current financial and operating outlook, industrial load growth outlook, climate transition and resilience plans, goals, beliefs, or expectations, and other plans, beliefs, or expectations contained in this news release[39] - Forward-looking statements are subject to various risks, uncertainties, and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied, including rate proceedings, storm recovery, nuclear facility operations, decommissioning trust values, legislative and regulatory actions, business strategy execution, catastrophic events (such as cybersecurity threats), and changes in legal, regulatory, market, or economic conditions[41] - Entergy undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, except as required by federal securities laws[40] Appendices This section provides detailed appendices covering consolidated results, earnings variance analysis, utility operating and financial measures, consolidated financial measures, definitions, and GAAP to non-GAAP reconciliations Appendix A: Consolidated Results and Adjustments This appendix details the reconciliation of reported (GAAP) to adjusted (non-GAAP) consolidated earnings for Q4 and full-year 2023 versus 2022, broken down by business segment, and summarizes operating cash flow Consolidated Earnings Reconciliation (After-tax, Million Dollars) | Segment | 2023 Q4 (Reported) | 2023 Q4 (Adjusted) | 2023 Full Year (Reported) | 2023 Full Year (Adjusted) | | :------------- | :----------------------- | :----------------------- | :------------------- | :------------------- | | Utility | 844 | 242 | 2,507 | 1,896 | | Parent & Other | 144 | (132) | (151) | (458) | | Consolidated | 988 | 111 | 2,357 | 1,438 | Total Adjustments (After-tax, Million Dollars) | Period | 2023 | 2022 | Change | | :--- | :----- | :----- | :--- | | Q4 | 877 | (1) | 877 | | Full Year | 919 | (217) | 1,136 | - Key full-year 2023 adjustments include $568 million in income tax benefits for the Utility segment from 2016-2018 IRS audit resolutions, $106 million reversal of E-LA Hurricane Isaac securitization regulatory liability, $129 million income tax benefit from E-LA securitization; and for Parent & Other, $275 million income tax benefit from 2016-2018 IRS audit resolutions, and $40 million from the DOE spent fuel litigation settlement[48] Consolidated Operating Cash Flow (OCF) (Full Year, Million Dollars) | Segment | 2023 Full Year | 2022 Full Year | Change | | :------------- | :--------- | :--------- | :--- | | Utility | 4,878 | 3,031 | 1,847 | | Parent & Other | (584) | (446) | (138) | | Consolidated | 4,294 | 2,585 | 1,709 | - Operating cash flow increased year-over-year primarily due to reduced fuel and purchased power payments in the Utility segment, increased non-capital storm restoration expenditures in 2022, lower pension contributions, and higher interest income, partially offset by reduced utility customer revenues, 2022 E-NO storm securitization proceeds, increased interest expense, and the EWC business exit[52] Appendix B: Earnings Variance Analysis This appendix analyzes the year-over-year changes in reported and adjusted EPS for the Utility and Parent & Other segments for Q4 and full-year 2023 versus 2022, attributing variances to specific operational and financial drivers Full-Year 2023 vs 2022 Consolidated EPS Variance Analysis (Adjusted) | Metric | 2022 EPS (Adjusted) | Operating Revenues Less Expenses | Other O&M Expenses | Other Income (Deductions) | Income Tax – Other | Share Impact | 2023 EPS (Adjusted) | | :------------------- | :----------------------- | :--------------- | :----------- | :------------------- | :------------- | :------- | :----------------------- | | Consolidated | 6.42 | 0.91 | 0.13 | 0.38 | 0.02 | (0.23) | 6.77 | - Key drivers for Utility segment EPS growth include operating revenues less fuel, purchased power, and regulatory charges ($2.89 reported, $0.85 adjusted), other O&M expenses ($0.22), other income ($0.70 reported, $0.59 adjusted), and income tax – other ($2.63 reported, $0.04 adjusted)[56] - Key drivers for Parent & Other segment EPS growth include operating revenues less fuel, purchased power, and regulatory charges ($0.06), asset write-offs and impairments (($0.63) reported, ($0.01) adjusted), and income tax – other ($1.32 reported, ($0.02) adjusted)[56] - Significant regulatory actions include customer sharing of IRS audit resolution tax benefits, E-TX adjustments to regulatory provisions, E-LA provisions for customer sharing of securitization benefits, and SERI's increased provisions for potential refunds[59] Appendix C: Utility Operating and Financial Measures This appendix presents key operating and financial metrics for the Utility segment, including GWh sales by customer class and retail electric customer counts, comparing Q4 and full-year 2023 to 2022 Total Retail Sales (GWh) | Period | 2023 | 2022 | Change (%) | Weather-Adjusted Change (%) | | :--- | :----- | :----- | :--------- | :------------------- | | Q4 | 27,320 | 27,382 | (0.2)% | 0.8% | | Full Year | 119,858 | 120,129 | (0.2)% | (0.1)% | - Weather-adjusted retail sales for full-year 2023 were essentially flat, with residential and commercial sales both decreasing by 0.6%, while industrial sales grew by 0.6% due to new/expanding customers (primarily in primary metals, industrial gas, and petrochemicals) and increased small industrial sales, partially offset by lower cogeneration sales[65] - As of December 31, 2023, total retail electric customers numbered 3,014,279, representing a 0.4% year-over-year increase[64] Appendix D: Consolidated Financial Measures This appendix provides a comparative summary of key GAAP and non-GAAP consolidated financial metrics for full-year 2023 versus 2022, including Return on Equity (ROE), debt metrics, and liquidity Key Financial Metrics (Full-Year 2023 vs 2022) | Metric | 2023 | 2022 | Change | | :-------------------------------------- | :----- | :----- | :--- | | Reported ROE (GAAP) | 17.1% | 9.0% | 8.1% | | Adjusted ROE (Non-GAAP) | 10.4% | 10.7% | (0.3)% | | Total Debt (Million Dollars) | 26,335 | 26,829 | (494) | | Debt-to-Capital Ratio | 63.8% | 66.9% | (3.1)% | | Debt-to-Capital Ratio (Excluding Securitized Debt, Non-GAAP) | 63.5% | 66.6% | (3.1)% | | Total Liquidity (Million Dollars) | 4,478 | 4,465 | 13 | | Net Liquidity (Million Dollars) | 3,340 | 3,638 | (298) | | FFO to Debt Ratio (Excluding Securitized Debt, Non-GAAP) | 14.3% | 12.4% | 1.9% | Appendix E: Definitions, Abbreviations, and Acronyms This appendix provides definitions for operating, GAAP, and non-GAAP financial measures, along with a comprehensive list of abbreviations and acronyms used in the earnings release materials - Key definitions include: Adjustments (unusual or non-recurring items not reflective of ongoing business as deemed by management), Adjusted EPS (reported EPS less adjustments), Adjusted ROE (12-month rolling adjusted net income attributable to Entergy Corporation divided by average common equity), FFO (operating cash flow less AFUDC on borrowed funds, working capital items in operating cash flow, and securitization regulatory charges), Total Liquidity (sum of cash and available revolving credit facilities), and Net Liquidity (cash and available revolving credit facilities less commercial paper borrowings)[69] - The list of abbreviations and acronyms includes ADIT (Accumulated Deferred Income Taxes), AFUDC (Allowance for Funds Used During Construction), APSC (Arkansas Public Service Commission), E-AR (Entergy Arkansas, LLC), E-LA (Entergy Louisiana, LLC), E-MS (Entergy Mississippi, LLC), E-NO (Entergy New Orleans, LLC), E-TX (Entergy Texas, Inc.), EPS (Earnings Per Share), FERC (Federal Energy Regulatory Commission), GAAP (Generally Accepted Accounting Principles), IRS (Internal Revenue Service), LPSC (Louisiana Public Service Commission), MISO (Midcontinent Independent System Operator), O&M (Operations and Maintenance), OCF (Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities), P&O (Parent & Other), SEC (U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission), SERI (System Energy Resources, Inc.), and TCJA (Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017)[70] Appendix F: Other GAAP to Non-GAAP Reconciliations This appendix provides detailed reconciliations for various non-GAAP financial measures, including Return on Equity (ROE), debt ratios (excluding securitized debt), total liquidity, net liquidity, and Funds From Operations (FFO) to debt ratio, to their most comparable GAAP measures ROE Reconciliation (Last 12 Months, Million Dollars) | Metric | 2023 | 2022 | | :------------------------------------------ | :----- | :----- | | Reported Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Entergy Corporation | 2,357 | 1,103 | | Adjustments | 919 | (217) | | Adjusted Earnings (Non-GAAP) | 1,438 | 1,320 | | Average Common Equity | 13,795 | 12,302 | | Reported ROE | 17.1% | 9.0% | | Adjusted ROE (Non-GAAP) | 10.4% | 10.7% | Debt Ratios and Liquidity Reconciliation (2023 vs 2022, Million Dollars) | Metric | 2023 | 2022 | | :------------------------------------------ | :----- | :----- | | Total Debt | 26,335 | 26,829 | | Total Debt Excluding Securitized Debt | 26,072 | 26,536 | | Debt-to-Capital Ratio | 63.8% | 66.9% | | Debt-to-Capital Ratio (Excluding Securitized Debt, Non-GAAP) | 63.5% | 66.6% | | Total Liquidity (Non-GAAP) | 4,478 | 4,465 | | Net Liquidity (Non-GAAP) | 3,340 | 3,638 | | FFO to Debt Ratio (Excluding Securitized Debt, Non-GAAP) | 14.3% | 12.4% | Financial Statements This section presents Entergy's consolidated financial statements, including balance sheets, income statements, and cash flow statements, for the specified periods Consolidating Balance Sheets The consolidating balance sheets detail the assets, liabilities, and stockholders' equity for Entergy Corporation, its Utility segment, and Parent & Other segment as of December 31, 2023, and 2022 Total Assets (As of December 31, 2023, Thousand Dollars) | Segment | Amount | | :------------- | :----------- | | Utility | 63,887,038 | | Parent & Other | (4,183,642) | | Consolidated | 59,703,396 | Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity (As of December 31, 2023, Thousand Dollars) | Segment | Amount | | :------------- | :----------- | | Utility | 63,887,038 | | Parent & Other | (4,183,642) | | Consolidated | 59,703,396 | - As of December 31, 2023, consolidated cash and cash equivalents decreased from $224,164 thousand in 2022 to $132,548 thousand, consolidated long-term debt decreased from $23,623,512 thousand in 2022 to $23,008,839 thousand, and total consolidated stockholders' equity increased from $12,966,985 thousand in 2022 to $14,622,647 thousand[77][78][80][81] Consolidating Income Statements The consolidating income statements present revenues, expenses, and net income (loss) for Entergy Corporation, its Utility segment, and Parent & Other segment for the three months and full years ended December 31, 2023, and 2022 Consolidated Net Income (Year-to-Date, Thousand Dollars) | Period | 2023 | 2022 | | :--- | :--------- | :--------- | | Full Year | 2,362,310 | 1,097,138 | Consolidated Operating Revenues (Year-to-Date, Thousand Dollars) | Period | 2023 | 2022 | | :--- | :----------- | :----------- | | Full Year | 12,147,412 | 13,764,237 | Net Income Attributable to Entergy Corporation (Year-to-Date, Thousand Dollars) | Period | 2023 | 2022 | | :--- | :----------- | :----------- | | Full Year | 2,356,536 | 1,103,166 | Consolidated Cash Flow Statements The consolidated cash flow statements detail cash flows from operating, investing, and financing activities for Entergy Corporation for the three months and full years ended December 31, 2023, and 2022 Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities (Year-to-Date, Thousand Dollars) | Period | 2023 | 2022 | Change | | :--- | :--------- | :--------- | :--------- | | Full Year | 4,294,328 | 2,585,490 | 1,708,838 | Net Cash Used in Investing Activities (Year-to-Date, Thousand Dollars) | Period | 2023 | 2022 | Change | | :--- | :---------- | :---------- | :---------- | | Full Year | (4,628,977) | (5,709,897) | 1,080,920 | Net Cash Provided by Financing Activities (Year-to-Date, Thousand Dollars) | Period | 2023 | 2022 | Change | | :--- | :--------- | :--------- | :---------- | | Full Year | 243,033 | 2,906,012 | (2,662,979) | Net Decrease in Cash and Cash Equivalents (Year-to-Date, Thousand Dollars) | Period | 2023 | 2022 | Change | | :--- | :--------- | :--------- | :--------- | | Full Year | (91,616) | (218,395) | 126,779 |