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Alliant Energy (LNT) Beats on Q4 Earnings, Adds Customers
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Alliant Energy Corporation (LNT - Free Report) reported fourth-quarter 2020 operating earnings of 24 cents, which beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 23 cents per share by 4.3%. However, earnings were 47.7% lower than the year-ago figure.
Total Revenues
Fourth-quarter revenues came in at $817 million, declining 7.2% year over year. The year-over-year decline was primarily due to lower contribution from its Electric and Gas utility operations.
Alliant Energy Corporation Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise
For the fourth quarter, the company’s retail electric and gas utility customers grew 0.6% and 0.6% year over year, respectively. However, the increase in electric and gas utility customers did not result in a year-over-year rise in electric and gas sales volume. Electric volumes dropped due to a decline in sales volume to commercial and industrial group and other customer classes, while increase in sales volumes from the residential group marginally offset the decline. Gas volumes for the reported quarter dropped due to a decline in sales volume to all customer classes.
Total operating expenses were $705 million for the reported quarter, decreasing 1.9% from $719 million in the year-ago period. The reduction in expenses was due to lower electric fuel and purchased power expenses.
Operating income was $112 million, down 30.4% from $161 million in the year-ago quarter.
Interest expenses were $68 million, down 1.5% from the prior-year quarter.
Financial Update
Cash and cash equivalents were $54 million as of Dec 31, 2020, up from $16.3 million in the corresponding period of 2019.
Long-term debt (excluding current portion) was $6,769 million as of Dec 31, 2020, higher than $5,533 million in the comparable period of 2019.
For 2020, cash flow from operating activities was $501 million compared with $660 million a year ago.
Guidance
Alliant Energy reiterated its 2021 earnings guidance in the range of $2.50-$2.64 per share. The guidance assumes normal temperatures in its service territories, and takes into account the ability of Interstate Power and Light Company and Winconsin Power and Light to earn authorized rates of return.
Zacks Rank
Currently, Alliant Energy carries a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell).
ALLETE, Inc. (ALE - Free Report) reported fourth-quarter 2020 adjusted earnings of 90 cents per share, which beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 72 cents by 25%.
WEC Energy Group (WEC - Free Report) reported fourth-quarter 2020 earnings per share of 76 cents, which beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 74 cents by 2.7%.
Xcel Energy Inc. (XEL - Free Report) posted fourth-quarter 2020 operating earnings of 54 cents per share, in line with the Zacks Consensus Estimate.
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Alliant Energy (LNT) Beats on Q4 Earnings, Adds Customers
Alliant Energy Corporation (LNT - Free Report) reported fourth-quarter 2020 operating earnings of 24 cents, which beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 23 cents per share by 4.3%. However, earnings were 47.7% lower than the year-ago figure.
Total Revenues
Fourth-quarter revenues came in at $817 million, declining 7.2% year over year. The year-over-year decline was primarily due to lower contribution from its Electric and Gas utility operations.
Alliant Energy Corporation Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise
Alliant Energy Corporation price-consensus-eps-surprise-chart | Alliant Energy Corporation Quote
Operational Highlights
For the fourth quarter, the company’s retail electric and gas utility customers grew 0.6% and 0.6% year over year, respectively. However, the increase in electric and gas utility customers did not result in a year-over-year rise in electric and gas sales volume. Electric volumes dropped due to a decline in sales volume to commercial and industrial group and other customer classes, while increase in sales volumes from the residential group marginally offset the decline. Gas volumes for the reported quarter dropped due to a decline in sales volume to all customer classes.
Total operating expenses were $705 million for the reported quarter, decreasing 1.9% from $719 million in the year-ago period. The reduction in expenses was due to lower electric fuel and purchased power expenses.
Operating income was $112 million, down 30.4% from $161 million in the year-ago quarter.
Interest expenses were $68 million, down 1.5% from the prior-year quarter.
Financial Update
Cash and cash equivalents were $54 million as of Dec 31, 2020, up from $16.3 million in the corresponding period of 2019.
Long-term debt (excluding current portion) was $6,769 million as of Dec 31, 2020, higher than $5,533 million in the comparable period of 2019.
For 2020, cash flow from operating activities was $501 million compared with $660 million a year ago.
Guidance
Alliant Energy reiterated its 2021 earnings guidance in the range of $2.50-$2.64 per share. The guidance assumes normal temperatures in its service territories, and takes into account the ability of Interstate Power and Light Company and Winconsin Power and Light to earn authorized rates of return.
Zacks Rank
Currently, Alliant Energy carries a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell).
You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
Other Releases
ALLETE, Inc. (ALE - Free Report) reported fourth-quarter 2020 adjusted earnings of 90 cents per share, which beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 72 cents by 25%.
WEC Energy Group (WEC - Free Report) reported fourth-quarter 2020 earnings per share of 76 cents, which beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 74 cents by 2.7%.
Xcel Energy Inc. (XEL - Free Report) posted fourth-quarter 2020 operating earnings of 54 cents per share, in line with the Zacks Consensus Estimate.
These Stocks Are Poised to Soar Past the Pandemic
The COVID-19 outbreak has shifted consumer behavior dramatically, and a handful of high-tech companies have stepped up to keep America running. Right now, investors in these companies have a shot at serious profits. For example, Zoom jumped 108.5% in less than 4 months while most other stocks were sinking.
Our research shows that 5 cutting-edge stocks could skyrocket from the exponential increase in demand for “stay at home” technologies. This could be one of the biggest buying opportunities of this decade, especially for those who get in early.
See the 5 high-tech stocks now>>