By Ilan Brat
Full-year earnings for European utilities are expected to be
mostly lower, with power plant outages and economic weakness in
Europe dragging on power-production earnings. Operations in other
markets could be a bright spot for some firms.
The focus will continue to be on efforts to strengthen balance
sheets by selling assets and reducing capital expenditure.
Enel SpA (ENEL.MI)-Feb. 5, timing unknown
Enel's 2012 earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and
amortization, or Ebitda, is expected to fall about 5.1% because of
the recessionary drop in electricity and natural gas demand in
Italy. The company's net debt is predicted to fall 6.4%, compared
with the end of September. Investors will be watching for details
of capital expenditure reductions and the renegotiation of natural
gas supply contracts.
Iberdrola SA (IBE.MC)-Feb. 14, pre-market
Economic weakness in its home market will weigh on the Spanish
utility's full-year figures, as power production continues to drop.
Renewable energy will be a bright spot, as well as operations in
emerging markets. Investors will be listening for comments on the
impact of new energy taxes and the company's divestment program,
which is a key sign of Iberdrola's ability to reduce debt.
Electricité de France SA (EDF.FR)-Feb. 14, after market
close
EDF is expected to see its net profit for 2012 increase by
around 50%, thanks to delayed compensation from the French
government for costs previously incurred in a renewable energy
subsidy scheme. Power output is expected to be a little below that
of 2011, due to several planned nuclear reactor outages. Investors
will be looking for a medium-term outlook and financing details of
nuclear projects in the U.K.
Centrica PLC (CNA.LN)-Feb. 27, at 0700 GMT
Full-year revenue is expected to be up around 5% and Ebitda up
10%, with analysts citing growth in power and gas production, and
Centrica's North American business as key drivers. Investors will
be looking out for whether Centrica will invest a possible 800
million pounds of excess free cash flow on growth in the U.S., or
return it to shareholders. A final decision on whether to invest in
new U.K. nuclear power plants in early 2013 will be on the
agenda.
CEZ AS (BAACEZ.PR)-Feb. 28, at 0700 GMT
The Czech utility may struggle to fulfill fiscal-year 2012
guidance due to higher annual financial expenses, a downward
revaluation of shares it holds in Hungary's MOL Nyrt (MOL.BU),
losses at its troubled Albanian unit and the decline in sale prices
for electricity. The outlook for 2013 will be key, with analysts
expecting flat earnings and warning of a potential write-down of
billions of koruna (CZK1 billion = $52.6 million) on Albanian
distribution assets. The company could benefit from the end of a
temporary Czech tax on carbon emission allowances or the sale of
its loss-making Albanian unit.
GDF Suez SA (GSZ.FR)-Feb. 28, before market open
Full-year net profit is seen down around 15% on lower output
following nuclear outages in Belgium, a profit shortfall due to a
regulated-tariff cap in France, and higher corporate taxes also in
France. Investors will be looking for details of potential asset
sales, on top of the EUR5 billion of divestments already agreed,
and whether the company will bid for some of Spanish company
Repsol's liquefied natural gas assets.
RWE (RWE.XE)-Mar. 5, pre-market
Full-year operating profit and Ebitda are expected to grow,
thanks in large part to the company's fleet of coal and lignite
power plants, which are benefiting from relatively low fuel and
carbon costs. Investors' focus is expected to remain firmly on
RWE's effort to conserve cash and reduce debt, as its asset-sale
program significantly lags its EUR7 billion target for the end of
2013. This may force RWE to reduce capital expenditure or close
loss-making power plants to cut debt.
(Geraldine Amiel in Paris, Liam Moloney in Rome, Cassie Werber
in London, Sean Carney in Prague and Jan Hromadko in Frankfurt
contributed to the story.)
-Write to Ilan Brat at ilan.brat@wsj.com
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