AEP Reports Strong 2020 Earnings; Raises 2021 Operating Earnings Guidance
American Electric Power (AEP) announced its fourth-quarter 2020 results, showing GAAP earnings of $436 million ($0.88 per share), a substantial increase from $154 million ($0.31 per share) in Q4 2019. For the full year, GAAP earnings reached $2.2 billion ($4.44 per share), up from $1.921 billion ($3.89 per share) in 2019. The company raised its 2021 earnings guidance to $4.55 to $4.75 per share. AEP plans to add over 10,000 megawatts of renewable energy by 2030 and aims for an 80% reduction in carbon emissions by 2030, moving towards net-zero by 2050.
- GAAP earnings rose to $436 million in Q4 2020, a significant increase from $154 million in Q4 2019.
- Full-year GAAP earnings increased to $2.2 billion, up from $1.921 billion in 2019.
- Raised 2021 operating earnings guidance to $4.55 - $4.75 per share.
- Plans to add more than 10,000 megawatts of wind and solar generation by 2030.
- Revenue decreased from $15.6 billion in 2019 to $14.9 billion in 2020.
COLUMBUS, Ohio, Feb. 25, 2021 /PRNewswire/ --
AMERICAN ELECTRIC POWER Preliminary, unaudited results | ||||||||||||||
Fourth Quarter ended December 31 | Year-to-date ended December 31 | |||||||||||||
2020 | 2019 | Variance | 2020 | 2019 | Variance | |||||||||
Revenue ($ in billions): | 3.6 | 3.6 | — | 14.9 | 15.6 | (0.7) | ||||||||
Earnings ($ in millions): | ||||||||||||||
GAAP | 435.5 | 153.5 | 282.0 | 2,200.1 | 1,921.1 | 279.0 | ||||||||
Operating (non-GAAP) | 432.7 | 294.1 | 138.6 | 2,198.6 | 2,094.8 | 103.8 | ||||||||
EPS ($): | ||||||||||||||
GAAP | 0.88 | 0.31 | 0.57 | 4.44 | 3.89 | 0.55 | ||||||||
Operating (non-GAAP) | 0.87 | 0.60 | 0.27 | 4.44 | 4.24 | 0.20 | ||||||||
EPS based on 496 million shares 4Q 2020, 494 million shares 4Q 2019, 496 million shares YTD 2020 and 494 million shares YTD 2019. | ||||||||||||||
American Electric Power (Nasdaq: AEP) today reported fourth-quarter 2020 earnings, prepared in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), of
Year-end 2020 GAAP earnings were
A full reconciliation of GAAP earnings to operating earnings for the quarter and year-to-date is included in the tables at the end of this news release.
"Throughout 2020, our employees continued their critical work to keep safe, reliable power flowing to our customers during the pandemic. I'm grateful for their agility and commitment to providing this essential service in our communities. We remain focused on working proactively with our customers to help them manage their energy bills and offer support for those who are facing economic hardships during this time," said Nicholas K. Akins, AEP's chairman, president and chief executive officer.
"Our earnings performance in 2020 was driven by our long-term strategy to invest in the infrastructure and energy solutions that enhance service for our customers and support the transition to a clean energy future, while remaining focused on cost efficiency. We've raised our 2021 operating earnings guidance range to
"We continue to transform our generation fleet and plan to add more than 10,000 megawatts of wind and solar generation in our regulated states by 2030. We've also established revised carbon dioxide emissions reduction goals as we accelerate our transition to a clean energy future. Our new goals are to achieve an
"Investments in our transmission system will help ensure we can maintain a reliable and resilient grid and advance the adoption of efficient, cost-effective renewables to support the path to net zero emissions. In 2020, our Transmission Holding Co. contributed
"We saw some improvement in load at the end of 2020 as the economy began to bounce back from the impacts of the pandemic. Overall, we expect modest load growth this year as the economy continues to recover, led by expected growth in industrial sales," Akins said.
SUMMARY OF RESULTS BY SEGMENT $ in millions | ||||||||||||
GAAP Earnings | 4Q 20 | 4Q 19 | Variance | YTD 20 | YTD 19 | Variance | ||||||
Vertically Integrated Utilities (a) | 166.9 | 64.3 | 102.6 | 1,061.6 | 982.0 | 79.6 | ||||||
Transmission & Distribution Utilities (b) | 93.3 | 29.4 | 63.9 | 496.4 | 451.0 | 45.4 | ||||||
AEP Transmission Holdco (c) | 134.4 | 111.5 | 22.9 | 504.8 | 516.3 | (11.5) | ||||||
Generation & Marketing (d) | 15.9 | (26.7) | 42.6 | 226.9 | 112.8 | 114.1 | ||||||
All Other | 25.0 | (25.0) | 50.0 | (89.6) | (141.0) | 51.4 | ||||||
Total GAAP Earnings (Loss) | 435.5 | 153.5 | 282.0 | 2,200.1 | 1,921.1 | 279.0 | ||||||
Operating Earnings (non-GAAP) | 4Q 20 | 4Q 19 | Variance | YTD 20 | YTD 19 | Variance | ||||||
Vertically Integrated Utilities (a) | 155.1 | 136.5 | 18.6 | 1,095.2 | 1,072.1 | 23.1 | ||||||
Transmission & Distribution Utilities (b) | 93.8 | 71.0 | 22.8 | 508.3 | 492.8 | 15.5 | ||||||
AEP Transmission Holdco (c) | 134.6 | 111.5 | 23.1 | 508.7 | 516.4 | (7.7) | ||||||
Generation & Marketing (d) | 24.2 | 0.1 | 24.1 | 178.0 | 148.9 | 29.1 | ||||||
All Other | 25.0 | (25.0) | 50.0 | (91.6) | (135.4) | 43.8 | ||||||
Total Operating Earnings (non-GAAP) | 432.7 | 294.1 | 138.6 | 2,198.6 | 2,094.8 | 103.8 | ||||||
A full reconciliation of GAAP earnings with operating earnings is included in tables at the end of this news release. | |
(a) | Includes AEP Generating Co., Appalachian Power, Indiana Michigan Power, Kentucky Power, Kingsport Power, Public Service Co. of Oklahoma, Southwestern Electric Power and Wheeling Power |
(b) | Includes Ohio Power and AEP Texas |
(c) | Includes wholly-owned transmission-only subsidiaries and transmission-only joint ventures |
(d) | Includes AEP OnSite Partners, AEP Renewables, competitive generation in ERCOT and PJM as well as marketing, risk management and retail activities in ERCOT, PJM and MISO |
EARNINGS GUIDANCE
AEP management raised its 2021 operating earnings guidance range to
WEBCAST
AEP's quarterly discussion with financial analysts and investors will be broadcast live over the internet at 9 a.m. Eastern today at http://www.aep.com/webcasts. The webcast will include audio of the discussion and visuals of charts and graphics referred to by AEP management. The charts and graphics will be available for download at http://www.aep.com/webcasts.
AEP's earnings are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States and represent the company's earnings as reported to the Securities and Exchange Commission. The company's operating earnings, a non-GAAP measure representing GAAP earnings excluding special items as described in the news release and charts, provide another representation for investors to evaluate the performance of the company's ongoing business activities. AEP uses operating earnings as the primary performance measurement when communicating with analysts and investors regarding its earnings outlook and results. The company uses operating earnings data internally to measure performance against budget, to report to AEP's Board of Directors and also as an input in determining performance-based compensation under the company's employee incentive compensation plans.
American Electric Power, based in Columbus, Ohio, is focused on building a smarter energy infrastructure and delivering new technologies and custom energy solutions to our customers. AEP's approximately 16,800 employees operate and maintain the nation's largest electricity transmission system and more than 223,000 miles of distribution lines to efficiently deliver safe, reliable power to nearly 5.5 million regulated customers in 11 states. AEP also is one of the nation's largest electricity producers with approximately 30,000 megawatts of diverse generating capacity, including more than 5,300 megawatts of renewable energy. AEP's family of companies includes utilities AEP Ohio, AEP Texas, Appalachian Power (in Virginia and West Virginia), AEP Appalachian Power (in Tennessee), Indiana Michigan Power, Kentucky Power, Public Service Company of Oklahoma, and Southwestern Electric Power Company (in Arkansas, Louisiana, east Texas and the Texas Panhandle). AEP also owns AEP Energy, AEP Energy Partners, AEP OnSite Partners, and AEP Renewables, which provide innovative competitive energy solutions nationwide. For more information, visit aep.com.
This report made by American Electric Power and its Registrant Subsidiaries contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Although AEP and each of its Registrant Subsidiaries believe that their expectations are based on reasonable assumptions, any such statements may be influenced by factors that could cause actual outcomes and results to be materially different from those projected. Among the factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements are: changes in economic conditions, electric market demand and demographic patterns in AEP service territories; the impact of pandemics, including COVID-19, and any associated disruption of AEP's business operations due to impacts on economic or market conditions, electricity usage, employees, customers, service providers, vendors and suppliers; inflationary or deflationary interest rate trends; volatility in the financial markets, particularly developments affecting the availability or cost of capital to finance new capital projects and refinance existing debt; the availability and cost of funds to finance working capital and capital needs, particularly during periods when the time lag between incurring costs and recovery is long and the costs are material; decreased demand for electricity; weather conditions, including storms and drought conditions, and AEP's ability to recover significant storm restoration costs; the cost of fuel and its transportation, the creditworthiness and performance of fuel suppliers and transporters and the cost of storing and disposing of used fuel, including coal ash and spent nuclear fuel; the availability of fuel and necessary generation capacity and the performance of AEP's generation plants; AEP's ability to recover fuel and other energy costs through regulated or competitive electric rates; AEP's ability to build or acquire renewable generation, transmission lines and facilities (including the ability to obtain any necessary regulatory approvals and permits) when needed at acceptable prices and terms, including favorable tax treatment, and to recover those costs; new legislation, litigation and government regulation, including changes to tax laws and regulations, oversight of nuclear generation, energy commodity trading and new or heightened requirements for reduced emissions of sulfur, nitrogen, mercury, carbon, soot or particulate matter and other substances that could impact the continued operation, cost recovery, and/or profitability of AEP's generation plants and related assets; evolving public perception of the risks associated with fuels used before, during and after the generation of electricity, including coal ash and nuclear fuel; timing and resolution of pending and future rate cases, negotiations and other regulatory decisions, including rate or other recovery of new investments in generation, distribution and transmission service and environmental compliance; resolution of litigation; AEP's ability to constrain operation and maintenance costs; prices and demand for power generated and sold at wholesale; changes in technology, particularly with respect to energy storage and new, developing, alternative or distributed sources of generation; AEP's ability to recover through rates any remaining unrecovered investment in generation units that may be retired before the end of their previously projected useful lives; volatility and changes in markets for coal and other energy-related commodities, particularly changes in the price of natural gas; changes in utility regulation and the allocation of costs within regional transmission organizations, including ERCOT, PJM and SPP; changes in the creditworthiness of the counterparties with whom AEP has contractual arrangements, including participants in the energy trading market; actions of rating agencies, including changes in the ratings of AEP debt; the impact of volatility in the capital markets on the value of the investments held by AEP's pension, OPEB, captive insurance entity and nuclear decommissioning trust and the impact of such volatility on future funding requirements; accounting standards periodically issued by accounting standard-setting bodies; other risks and unforeseen events, including wars, the effects of terrorism (including increased security costs), embargoes, naturally occurring and human-caused fires, cyber security threats and other catastrophic events; and the ability to attract and retain the requisite work force and key personnel.
American Electric Power | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Financial Results for the Fourth Quarter of 2020 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Reconciliation of GAAP to Operating Earnings (non-GAAP) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
2020 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Vertically | Transmission | AEP | Generation | Corporate | Total | EPS | |||||||||||||||||
($ millions) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
GAAP Earnings (Loss) | 166.9 | 93.3 | 134.4 | 15.9 | 25.0 | 435.5 | $ | 0.88 | |||||||||||||||
Special Items | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Mark-to-Market Impact of Commodity Hedging Activities | (a) | — | — | — | 4.4 | — | 4.4 | 0.01 | |||||||||||||||
COVID-19 | (b) | 1.7 | 0.5 | 0.2 | 0.1 | — | 2.5 | — | |||||||||||||||
CARES Act | (d) | — | — | — | 3.8 | — | 3.8 | 0.01 | |||||||||||||||
Virginia Triennial Review | (e) | (13.5) | — | — | — | — | (13.5) | $ | (0.03) | ||||||||||||||
Total Special Items | (11.8) | 0.5 | 0.2 | 8.3 | — | (2.8) | $ | (0.01) | |||||||||||||||
Operating Earnings (Loss) | 155.1 | 93.8 | 134.6 | 24.2 | 25.0 | 432.7 | $ | 0.87 | |||||||||||||||
Financial Results for the Fourth Quarter of 2019 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Reconciliation of GAAP to Operating Earnings (non-GAAP) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
2019 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Vertically Utilities | Transmission | AEP | Generation | Corporate | Total | EPS | |||||||||||||||||
($ millions) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
GAAP Earnings (Loss) | 64.3 | 29.4 | 111.5 | (26.7) | (25.0) | 153.5 | $ | 0.31 | |||||||||||||||
Special Items | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Mark-to-Market Impact of Commodity Hedging Activities | (a) | — | — | — | 2.3 | — | 2.3 | 0.01 | |||||||||||||||
Severance Charges | (c) | (1.2) | — | — | — | — | (1.2) | — | |||||||||||||||
Previously Retired Coal Generation Assets | (f) | 73.4 | — | — | — | — | 73.4 | 0.15 | |||||||||||||||
Conesville Impairment | (f) | — | — | — | 24.5 | — | 24.5 | 0.05 | |||||||||||||||
Texas Base Rate Case | (g) | — | 41.6 | — | — | — | 41.6 | 0.08 | |||||||||||||||
Total Special Items | 72.2 | 41.6 | — | 26.8 | — | 140.6 | $ | 0.29 | |||||||||||||||
Operating Earnings (Loss) | 136.5 | 71.0 | 111.5 | 0.1 | (25.0) | 294.1 | $ | 0.60 | |||||||||||||||
(a) | Reflected in Revenues and Income Tax Expense |
(b) | Reflected in Fuel Expenses, Other Operation Expenses and Income Tax Expense |
(c) | Reflected in Other Related Charges and Income Tax Expense |
(d) | Reflected in Income Tax Expense |
(e) | Reflected in Revenues, Other Operation Expenses and Income Tax Expense |
(f) | Reflected in Asset Impairments and Other Related Charges and Income Tax Expense |
(g) | Reflected in Revenues, Asset Impairments and Other Related Charges, Interest Expense and Income Tax Expense |
American Electric Power | |||||||||
Summary of Selected Sales Data | |||||||||
Regulated Connected Load | |||||||||
(Data based on preliminary, unaudited results) | |||||||||
Three Months Ended December 31 | |||||||||
ENERGY & DELIVERY SUMMARY | 2020 | 2019 | Change | ||||||
Vertically Integrated Utilities | |||||||||
Retail Electric (in millions of kWh): | |||||||||
Residential | 7,222 | 7,574 | (4.6) | % | |||||
Commercial | 5,452 | 5,656 | (3.6) | % | |||||
Industrial | 8,525 | 8,719 | (2.2) | % | |||||
Miscellaneous | 549 | 568 | (3.3) | % | |||||
Total Retail | 21,748 | 22,517 | (3.4) | % | |||||
Wholesale Electric (in millions of kWh): (a) | 3,871 | 3,596 | 7.6 | % | |||||
Total KWHs | 25,619 | 26,113 | (1.9) | % | |||||
Transmission & Distribution Utilities | |||||||||
Retail Electric (in millions of kWh): | |||||||||
Residential | 5,642 | 5,793 | (2.6) | % | |||||
Commercial | 5,844 | 5,949 | (1.8) | % | |||||
Industrial | 5,959 | 5,797 | 2.8 | % | |||||
Miscellaneous | 181 | 184 | (1.6) | % | |||||
Total Retail (b) | 17,626 | 17,723 | (0.5) | % | |||||
Wholesale Electric (in millions of kWh): (a) | 512 | 804 | (36.3) | % | |||||
Total KWHs | 18,138 | 18,527 | (2.1) | % | |||||
(a) | Includes off-system sales, municipalities and cooperatives, unit power and other wholesale customers |
(b) | Represents energy delivered to distribution customers |
American Electric Power | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Financial Results for Year-to-Date 2020 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Reconciliation of GAAP to Operating Earnings (non-GAAP) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
2020 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Vertically | Transmission | AEP | Generation | Corporate | Total | EPS | |||||||||||||||||
($ millions) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
GAAP Earnings (Loss) | 1,061.6 | 496.4 | 504.8 | 226.9 | (89.6) | 2,200.1 | $ | 4.44 | |||||||||||||||
Special Items | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Mark-to-Market Impact of Commodity Hedging Activities | (a) | — | — | — | (6.1) | — | (6.1) | (0.01) | |||||||||||||||
COVID-19 | (b) | 15.6 | 4.8 | 0.8 | 0.2 | — | 21.4 | 0.05 | |||||||||||||||
Achieving Excellence Program | (c) | 30.7 | 9.1 | 3.1 | 1.3 | 0.4 | 44.6 | 0.09 | |||||||||||||||
CARES Act | (d) | 0.8 | (2.0) | — | (44.3) | (2.4) | (47.9) | (0.10) | |||||||||||||||
Virginia Triennial Review | (e) | (13.5) | — | — | — | — | (13.5) | (0.03) | |||||||||||||||
Total Special Items | 33.6 | 11.9 | 3.9 | (48.9) | (2.0) | (1.5) | $ | — | |||||||||||||||
Operating Earnings (Loss) | 1,095.2 | 508.3 | 508.7 | 178.0 | (91.6) | 2,198.6 | $ | 4.44 | |||||||||||||||
Financial Results for Year-to-Date 2019 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Reconciliation of GAAP to Operating Earnings (non-GAAP) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
2019 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Vertically | Transmission | AEP Transmission Holdco | Generation | Corporate | Total | EPS | |||||||||||||||||
($ millions) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
GAAP Earnings (Loss) | 982.0 | 451.0 | 516.3 | 112.8 | (141.0) | 1,921.1 | $ | 3.89 | |||||||||||||||
Special Items | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Mark-to-Market Impact of Commodity Hedging Activities | (a) | — | — | — | 5.9 | — | 5.9 | 0.01 | |||||||||||||||
Severance Charges | (c) | 16.7 | 0.2 | 0.1 | (0.1) | 0.5 | 17.4 | 0.04 | |||||||||||||||
Acquisition Fees | (c) | — | — | — | 5.8 | 5.1 | 10.9 | 0.02 | |||||||||||||||
Previously Retired Coal Generation Assets | (f) | 73.4 | — | — | — | — | 73.4 | 0.15 | |||||||||||||||
Conesville Impairment | (f) | — | — | — | 24.5 | — | 24.5 | 0.05 | |||||||||||||||
Texas Base Rate Case | (g) | — | 41.6 | — | — | — | 41.6 | 0.08 | |||||||||||||||
Total Special Items | 90.1 | 41.8 | 0.1 | 36.1 | 5.6 | 173.7 | $ | 0.35 | |||||||||||||||
Operating Earnings (Loss) | 1,072.1 | 492.8 | 516.4 | 148.9 | (135.4) | 2,094.8 | $ | 4.24 | |||||||||||||||
(a) | Reflected in Revenues and Income Tax Expense |
(b) | Reflected in Fuel Expenses, Other Operation Expenses and Income Tax Expense |
(c) | Reflected in Other Related Charges and Income Tax Expense |
(d) | Reflected in Income Tax Expense |
(e) | Reflected in Revenues, Other Operation Expenses and Income Tax Expense |
(f) | Reflected in Asset Impairments and Other Related Charges and Income Tax Expense |
(g) | Reflected in Revenues, Asset Impairments and Other Related Charges, Interest Expense and Income Tax Expense |
American Electric Power | |||||||||
Summary of Selected Sales Data | |||||||||
Regulated Connected Load | |||||||||
(Data based on preliminary, unaudited results) | |||||||||
Twelve Months Ended December 31 | |||||||||
ENERGY & DELIVERY SUMMARY | 2020 | 2019 | Change | ||||||
Vertically Integrated Utilities | |||||||||
Retail Electric (in millions of kWh): | |||||||||
Residential | 31,526 | 32,359 | (2.6) | % | |||||
Commercial | 22,225 | 23,839 | (6.8) | % | |||||
Industrial | 32,860 | 35,252 | (6.8) | % | |||||
Miscellaneous | 2,185 | 2,302 | (5.1) | % | |||||
Total Retail | 88,796 | 93,752 | (5.3) | % | |||||
Wholesale Electric (in millions of kWh): (a) | 16,987 | 20,090 | (15.4) | % | |||||
Total KWHs | 105,783 | 113,842 | (7.1) | % | |||||
Transmission & Distribution Utilities | |||||||||
Retail Electric (in millions of kWh): | |||||||||
Residential | 26,518 | 26,407 | 0.4 | % | |||||
Commercial | 23,998 | 25,018 | (4.1) | % | |||||
Industrial | 22,432 | 23,289 | (3.7) | % | |||||
Miscellaneous | 749 | 779 | (3.9) | % | |||||
Total Retail (b) | 73,697 | 75,493 | (2.4) | % | |||||
Wholesale Electric (in millions of kWh): (a) | 1,859 | 2,335 | (20.4) | % | |||||
Total KWHs | 75,556 | 77,828 | (2.9) | % | |||||
(a) | Includes off-system sales, municipalities and cooperatives, unit power and other wholesale customers |
(b) | Represents energy delivered to distribution customers |
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SOURCE American Electric Power
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