FirstEnergy Closes on $3.5 Billion FirstEnergy Transmission, LLC 30% Interest Sale

Rhea-AI Summary

FirstEnergy Corp. strengthens its balance sheet with a $3.5 billion investment from Brookfield Super-Core Infrastructure Partners, supporting the Energize365 grid investment program. The transaction marks a significant financial milestone for FirstEnergy, enhancing its growth prospects and capitalizing on strategic equity financings.

Insights

Financial Analyst

The sale of an additional 30% stake in FirstEnergy Transmission, LLC to Brookfield represents a significant capital infusion for FirstEnergy Corp., enhancing its liquidity and reducing leverage. The proceeds of $3.5 billion, with $2.3 billion in cash and $1.2 billion in notes, are substantial for FirstEnergy's balance sheet. The valuation at 36x trailing 12-month price-to-earnings is notably higher than the average for utility companies, which typically trade around 20x P/E. This premium could reflect the strategic importance of FET's assets or expectations of higher growth or profitability.

Investors should note that the completion of $7 billion in equity financings since late 2021 at an equivalent share price of $87 indicates a proactive approach to capital management. The transaction's impact on FirstEnergy's stock could be positive, as it signals confidence from a reputable infrastructure investment firm and provides financial flexibility for the Energize365 grid investment program, which is a significant commitment to infrastructure improvements over five years.

Energy Sector Analyst

FirstEnergy's Energize365 grid investment program aligns with broader industry trends towards grid modernization and resilience. The infrastructure improvements are critical in adapting to increased renewable energy integration and the electrification of the economy. The strategic partnership with Brookfield, a firm known for long-term infrastructure investments, suggests a shared vision for the future of energy, focusing on decarbonization and stable long-term cash flows.

The scale of the investment, $26 billion over five years, is ambitious and indicates FirstEnergy's commitment to maintaining and enhancing its operational excellence, reliability and safety. This level of investment could set a precedent within the utility sector and may influence how other companies approach grid modernization and capital allocation. Stakeholders should monitor the execution of the Energize365 program, as its success could impact FirstEnergy's operational efficiency and customer satisfaction in the long term.

Market Research Analyst

Brookfield's follow-on investment in FirstEnergy's transmission subsidiary is a strategic move that reflects confidence in the utility sector's stability and growth potential. The transaction provides FirstEnergy with the means to fund its ambitious Energize365 program, which could enhance the company's competitiveness in the industry. By focusing on grid investment, FirstEnergy is positioning itself to meet future energy demands and regulatory requirements, potentially leading to increased market share and customer loyalty.

From a market perspective, the partnership with Brookfield could be perceived as a positive indicator by investors, as it provides a vote of confidence in FirstEnergy's long-term strategy and financial health. The emphasis on decarbonization and electrification within the investment rationale aligns with global trends and investor interests in sustainable and socially responsible investments. The impact on FirstEnergy's stock will depend on the company's ability to effectively deploy the capital towards its stated goals and demonstrate progress in its grid investment initiatives.

Follow-on investment by Brookfield Super-Core Infrastructure Partners strengthens FirstEnergy's balance sheet, supports sustainable, long-term growth through industry-leading Energize365 grid investment program

AKRON, Ohio, March 25, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE: FE) announced today it has completed the previously disclosed sale of an additional 30% ownership interest in its FirstEnergy Transmission, LLC (FET) subsidiary to Brookfield Super-Core Infrastructure Partners (Brookfield) for $3.5 billion.

FirstEnergy received $2.3 billion of cash proceeds at closing, with the remaining $1.2 billion in interest-bearing notes due from Brookfield, which are expected to be paid off by the end of 2024. Proceeds from the transaction will be used to further strengthen FirstEnergy's balance sheet and support its five-year, $26 billion Energize365 grid investment program. 

This transaction follows Brookfield's purchase of a 19.9% ownership interest in FET for $2.4 billion in 2022 and, with its closing, FirstEnergy will have completed approximately $7 billion in strategic equity financings at an equivalent share price of $87 per share, or 36x trailing 12-month price-to-earnings valuation since late 2021.

"With the successful completion of this transaction, FirstEnergy is entering a new era of financial strength and growth," said Brian X. Tierney, FirstEnergy President and Chief Executive Officer. "We are pleased to leverage this strong foundation to make important investments to deliver reliable and safe power to our customers and meet the energy challenges of the future."

"We are pleased to build on our successful partnership with FirstEnergy with a scaled follow-on investment in FET," said Natalie Hadad, Managing Partner in Brookfield's Infrastructure Group and Co-Head of Brookfield Super-Core Infrastructure Partners (BSIP). "FET is a marquee, high-quality business with unique long-term capital investment and value creation opportunities, which is well aligned with our mutual objectives around the decarbonization and electrification of the economy. This transaction underscores BSIP's strategy of investing in essential infrastructure assets that generate stable long-term cashflows across market cycles."

FirstEnergy is dedicated to integrity, safety, reliability and operational excellence. Its electric distribution companies form one of the nation's largest investor-owned electric systems, serving more than 6 million customers in Ohio, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, West Virginia, Maryland and New York. The company's transmission subsidiaries operate approximately 24,000 miles of transmission lines that connect the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions. Follow FirstEnergy online at www.firstenergycorp.com and on X, formerly known as Twitter, @FirstEnergyCorp.

Forward-Looking Statements: This news release includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 based on information currently available to management. Such statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties and readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. These statements include declarations regarding management's intents, beliefs and current expectations. These statements typically contain, but are not limited to, the terms "anticipate," "potential," "expect," "forecast," "target," "will," "intend," "believe," "project," "estimate," "plan" and similar words. Forward-looking statements involve estimates, assumptions, known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, which may include the following: the potential liabilities, increased costs and unanticipated developments resulting from government investigations and agreements, including those associated with compliance with or failure to comply with the Deferred Prosecution Agreement entered into July 21, 2021 with the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Ohio; the risks and uncertainties associated with government investigations and audits regarding Ohio House Bill 6, as passed by Ohio's 133rd General Assembly ("HB 6") and related matters, including potential adverse impacts on federal or state regulatory matters, including, but not limited to, matters relating to rates; the risks and uncertainties associated with litigation, arbitration, mediation, and similar proceedings, particularly regarding HB 6 related matters, including risks associated with obtaining dismissal of the derivative shareholder lawsuits; changes in national and regional economic conditions, including recession, rising interest rates, inflationary pressure, supply chain disruptions, higher energy costs, and workforce impacts, affecting us and/or our customers and those vendors with which we do business; weather conditions, such as temperature variations and severe weather conditions, or other natural disasters affecting future operating results and associated regulatory actions or outcomes in response to such conditions; legislative and regulatory developments, including, but not limited to, matters related to rates, compliance and enforcement activity, cyber security, and climate change; the risks associated with physical attacks, such as acts of war, terrorism, sabotage or other acts of violence, and cyber-attacks and other disruptions to our, or our vendors', information technology system, which may compromise our operations, and data security breaches of sensitive data, intellectual property and proprietary or personally identifiable information; the ability to meet our goals relating to employee, environmental, social and corporate governance opportunities, improvements, and efficiencies, including our greenhouse gas ("GHG") reduction goals; the ability to accomplish or realize anticipated benefits through establishing a culture of continuous improvement and our other strategic and financial goals, including, but not limited to, overcoming current uncertainties and challenges associated with the ongoing government investigations, executing our Energize 365 transmission and distribution investment plan, executing on our rate filing strategy, controlling costs, improving our credit metrics, growing earnings and strengthening our balance sheet; changing market conditions affecting the measurement of certain liabilities and the value of assets held in our pension trusts may negatively impact our forecasted growth rate, results of operations, and may also cause us to make contributions to our pension sooner or in amounts that are larger than currently anticipated; mitigating exposure for remedial activities associated with retired and formerly owned electric generation assets; changes to environmental laws and regulations, including but not limited to those related to climate change; changes in customers' demand for power, including but not limited to, economic conditions, the impact of climate change, emerging technology, particularly with respect to electrification, energy storage and distributed sources of generation;  the ability to access the public securities and other capital and credit markets in accordance with our financial plans, the cost of such capital and overall condition of the capital and credit markets affecting us, including the increasing number of financial institutions evaluating the impact of climate change on their investment decisions; future actions taken by credit rating agencies that could negatively affect either our access to or terms of financing or our financial condition and liquidity; changes in assumptions regarding factors such as economic conditions within our territories, the reliability of our transmission and distribution system, or the availability of capital or other resources supporting identified transmission and distribution investment opportunities; the potential of non-compliance with debt covenants in our credit facilities; the ability to comply with applicable reliability standards and energy efficiency and peak demand reduction mandates; human capital management challenges, including among other things, attracting and retaining appropriately trained and qualified employees and labor disruptions by our unionized workforce; changes to significant accounting policies; any changes in tax laws or regulations, including, but not limited to, the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, or adverse tax audit results or rulings; and the risks and other factors discussed from time to time in our Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") filings. Dividends declared from time to time on FirstEnergy Corp.'s common stock during any period may in the aggregate vary from prior periods due to circumstances considered by FirstEnergy Corp.'s Board of Directors at the time of the actual declarations. A security rating is not a recommendation to buy or hold securities and is subject to revision or withdrawal at any time by the assigning rating agency. Each rating should be evaluated independently of any other rating. These forward-looking statements are also qualified by, and should be read together with, the risk factors included in FirstEnergy Corp.'s (a) Item 1A. Risk Factors, (b) Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, and (c) other factors discussed herein and in FirstEnergy's other filings with the SEC. The foregoing review of factors also should not be construed as exhaustive. New factors emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for management to predict all such factors, nor assess the impact of any such factor on FirstEnergy Corp.'s business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements. FirstEnergy Corp. expressly disclaims any obligation to update or revise, except as required by law, any forward-looking statements contained herein or in the information incorporated by reference as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

 

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SOURCE FirstEnergy Corp.

FAQ

What is the significance of Brookfield Super-Core Infrastructure Partners' $3.5 billion investment in FirstEnergy?

Brookfield's investment strengthens FirstEnergy's balance sheet and supports its Energize365 grid investment program, enhancing the company's financial position and growth prospects.

How much did FirstEnergy receive in cash proceeds from the transaction?

FirstEnergy received $2.3 billion in cash proceeds at closing from the transaction with Brookfield.

What is the total amount of strategic equity financings completed by FirstEnergy?

FirstEnergy has completed approximately $7 billion in strategic equity financings, with an equivalent share price of $87 per share.

What is the purpose of the proceeds from the transaction?

The proceeds from the transaction will be used to further strengthen FirstEnergy's balance sheet and support its Energize365 grid investment program.

How many miles of transmission lines do FirstEnergy's transmission subsidiaries operate?

FirstEnergy's transmission subsidiaries operate approximately 24,000 miles of transmission lines connecting the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions.