Earnings Release Highlights
- GAAP Net Income of $0.51 per share and Adjusted (non-GAAP) Operating Earnings of $1.04 per share for the third quarter of 2020
- Raising our guidance range for full year 2020 Adjusted (non-GAAP) Operating Earnings from $2.80 - $3.10 per share to $3.00 - $3.20 per share
- Strong utility reliability and customer operations performance - every utility achieved top quartile in outage frequency & duration, customer satisfaction, abandon rate, and gas odor response
- Generation’s nuclear fleet ran with a capacity factor of 96.0%
- Pepco filed the second multi-year plan in Maryland; filing proposes flat distribution rates for the first two years
- Conducting a strategic review of our corporate structure to determine how best to create value and position our businesses for success
CHICAGO — Exelon Corporation (Nasdaq: EXC) today reported its financial results for the third quarter of 2020.
“Our financial results exceeded expectations, and our utility and generation operational performance remained strong despite the challenges of the pandemic, record heat and extreme storms, including tropical storm Isaias on the East Coast and a hurricane-scale derecho that spawned 13 tornadoes across our ComEd territory in the Midwest,” said Christopher M. Crane, president and CEO of Exelon. “We also confronted difficult strategic decisions on specific generation assets during the quarter, including our plans to prematurely retire our Byron and Dresden nuclear stations in Illinois in 2021 due to broken energy policies that don’t fairly value clean energy resources. In addition, our gas-fired Mystic plant in Boston will retire in 2024 when its cost of service agreement expires. We expect to finish the year strong as we maintain our focus on safe, reliable operations, reducing costs, supporting clean energy policies and positioning the company for the future.”
“Excellent operational performance and our success in managing costs during the pandemic continues to drive strong financial performance, resulting in adjusted (non-GAAP) third-quarter earnings of $1.04 per share, which exceeded our guidance of $0.80 to $0.90 per share,” said Joseph Nigro, senior executive vice president and CFO of Exelon. “So far this year, we have invested $4.5 billion at our utilities to improve infrastructure and further increase grid reliability for customers, with more on the way as we move forward with new proposed capital projects across our service territories over the next several years. We are raising our year-end earnings guidance to $3.00 to $3.20 per share from $2.80 to $3.10 per share.”
Third Quarter 2020
Exelon's GAAP Net Income for the third quarter of 2020 decreased to $0.51 per share from $0.79 per share in the third quarter of 2019. Adjusted (non-GAAP) Operating Earnings for the third quarter of 2020 increased to $1.04 per share from $0.92 per share in the third quarter of 2019. For the reconciliations of GAAP Net Income to Adjusted (non-GAAP) Operating Earnings, refer to the tables beginning on page 5.
Adjusted (non-GAAP) Operating Earnings in the third quarter of 2020 primarily reflect:
- Higher utility earnings primarily due to regulatory rate increases at BGE and PHI and favorable weather conditions at PECO, partially offset by storm costs related to the August 2020 storm at PECO, net of tax repairs, and at PHI; and
- Higher Generation earnings primarily due to higher capacity revenues and lower operating and maintenance expense, partially offset by a reduction in load due to COVID-19.
Operating Company Results1
ComEd
ComEd's third quarter of 2020 GAAP Net Income and Adjusted (non-GAAP) Operating Earnings remained relatively consistent with the third quarter of 2019. Due to revenue decoupling, ComEd's distribution earnings are not affected by actual weather or customer usage patterns.
PECO
PECO’s third quarter of 2020 GAAP Net Income and Adjusted (non-GAAP) Operating Earnings remained relatively consistent with the third quarter of 2019, primarily due to favorable weather conditions, offset by higher storm costs due to the August 2020 storm net of tax repairs.
BGE
BGE’s third quarter of 2020 GAAP Net Income and Adjusted (non-GAAP) Operating Earnings remained relatively consistent with the third quarter of 2019, primarily due to regulatory rate increases, offset by an increase in various expenses. Due to revenue decoupling, BGE's distribution earnings are not affected by actual weather or customer usage patterns.
PHI
PHI’s third quarter of 2020 GAAP Net Income increased to $216 million from $189 million in the third quarter of 2019. PHI’s Adjusted (non-GAAP) Operating Earnings for the third quarter of 2020 increased to $220 million from $209 million in the third quarter of 2019, primarily due to regulatory rate increases, partially offset by storm costs related to the August 2020 storm. Due to revenue decoupling, PHI's distribution earnings related to Pepco Maryland, DPL Maryland, and Pepco District of Columbia are not affected by actual weather or customer usage patterns.
Generation
Generation's third quarter of 2020 GAAP Net Income decreased to $49 million from $257 million in the third quarter of 2019. Generation’s Adjusted (non-GAAP) Operating Earnings for the third quarter of 2020 increased to $456 million from $352 million in the third quarter of 2019, primarily due to higher capacity revenues and lower operating and maintenance expense, partially offset by a reduction in load due to COVID-19.
As of Sept. 30, 2020, the percentage of expected generation hedged is 97%-100% and 87%-90% for 2020 and 2021, respectively.
1 Exelon’s five business units include ComEd, which consists of electricity transmission and distribution operations in northern Illinois; PECO, which consists of electricity transmission and distribution operations and retail natural gas distribution operations in southeastern Pennsylvania; BGE, which consists of electricity transmission and distribution operations and retail natural gas distribution operations in central Maryland; PHI, which consists of electricity transmission and distribution operations in the District of Columbia and portions of Maryland, Delaware, and New Jersey and retail natural gas distribution operations in northern Delaware; and Generation, which consists of owned and contracted electric generating facilities and wholesale and retail customer supply of electric and natural gas products and services, including renewable energy products and risk management services.
Recent Developments and Third Quarter Highlights
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COVID-19: Exelon continues to monitor developments related to the global outbreak (pandemic) of the 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and has taken proactive measures to protect the health and safety of employees, contractors, and customers. As a provider of critical resources, Exelon has robust plans and contingencies in place to ensure business and operational continuity across a wide range of potentially disruptive events, including extensive preparedness for major public health crises. Exelon and its operating companies are working in close coordination with designated state and local emergency preparedness and health officials, and at the federal level through the Electric Subsector Coordinating Council. All Exelon employees have access to up-to-date information and resources and are following Centers for Disease Control guidelines to ensure safety. In addition, Exelon utilities have established incident command centers to address emergent customer and employee needs in real time.
The estimated impact to Generation’s Net income as a result of COVID-19 is approximately $45 million and $140 million for the three and nine months ended Sept. 30, 2020, respectively, and primarily reflects the impact of reduction in load, incremental credit loss expense and direct costs related to COVID-19.
The estimated impact to the Utility Registrants’ Net income as a result of COVID-19 is approximately $65 million for the nine months ended Sept. 30, 2020, and primarily reflects the impact of reduction in load for the Utility Registrants and direct costs related to COVID-19 primarily for PECO. The estimated net impact to the Utility Registrants’ Net income for the three months ended Sept. 30, 2020, is approximately $15 million and primarily reflects the impact of reduction in load offset by the reversal of incremental credit loss expense and direct costs related to COVID-19 recorded in the second quarter of 2020, which were recorded as regulatory assets in the third quarter of 2020.
At Generation and PECO, direct costs related to COVID-19 are excluded from Adjusted (non-GAAP) Operating Earnings.
Generation also expects a reduction in operating revenues in the fourth quarter of 2020 primarily due to expected reduction in electric load.
Exelon identified and is pursuing approximately $250 million in cost savings across its operating companies to offset the expected unfavorable impacts on operating revenues. The cost savings for the year are expected to be higher than originally anticipated.
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Early Retirement of Generation Facilities: In August 2020, Exelon Generation announced that it intends to retire the Byron Generating Station (Byron) in September 2021, Dresden Generating Station (Dresden) in November 2021, and Mystic Units 8 & 9 (Mystic) at the expiration of the cost of service commitment in May 2024. As a result, in the third quarter of 2020, Exelon and Generation recognized a $500 million impairment of the New England asset group and one-time non-cash charges for Byron, Dresden, and Mystic of $260 million related to materials and supplies inventory reserve adjustments, employee-related costs, and construction work-in-progress impairments, among other items. In addition, there will be ongoing annual financial impacts stemming from shortening the expected economic useful lives of these facilities, primarily related to accelerated depreciation of plant assets (including any Asset Retirement Costs (ARC)) and accelerated amortization of nuclear fuel. Exelon’s and Generation’s third quarter 2020 results include an incremental $180 million of pre-tax expense for these items. These charges are excluded from Adjusted (non-GAAP) Operating Earnings.
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PECO Pennsylvania Natural Gas Distribution Rate Case: On Sept. 30, 2020, PECO filed an application with the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PAPUC) to increase its annual natural gas distribution rates by $69 million, reflecting an ROE of 10.95%. PECO currently expects a decision in the second quarter of 2021 but cannot predict if the PAPUC will approve the application as filed.
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Pepco Maryland Electric Rate Case: On Oct. 26, 2020, Pepco filed an application for a three-year cumulative multi-year plan for April 1, 2021, through March 31, 2024, with the Maryland Public Service Commission (MDPSC) to increase its electric distribution rates by $56 million effective April 1, 2023, and $54 million effective April 1, 2024, to recover capital investments made in 2019 and planned capital investments from 2020 to March 31, 2024, reflecting an ROE of 10.2%. Pepco currently expects a decision in the second quarter of 2021 but cannot predict if the MDPSC will approve the application as filed.
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Nuclear Operations: Generation’s nuclear fleet, including its owned output from the Salem Generating Station and 100% of the CENG units, produced 44,884 gigawatt-hours (GWhs) in the third quarter of 2020, compared with 46,215 GWhs in the third quarter of 2019. Excluding Salem, the Exelon-operated nuclear plants at ownership achieved a 96.0% capacity factor for the third quarter of 2020, compared with 95.5% for the third quarter of 2019. The number of planned refueling outage days in the third quarter of 2020 totaled 17, compared with 15 in the third quarter of 2019. There were 4 non-refueling outage days in the third quarter of 2020 and 15 in the third quarter of 2019.
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Fossil and Renewables Operations: The Dispatch Match rate for Generation’s fossil and hydro fleet was 98.9% in the third quarter of 2020, compared with 97.5% in the third quarter of 2019. Energy Capture for the wind and solar fleet was 91.9% in the third quarter of 2020, compared with 96.5% in the third quarter of 2019. The lower performance in the quarter was attributed to turbines in outage awaiting parts to perform repairs.
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Financing Activities: On Sept. 23, 2020, Pepco issued $150 million of its First Mortgage Bonds, 3.28% Series due Sept. 23, 2050. Pepco used the proceeds to repay existing indebtedness and for general corporate purposes.
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Review of Corporate Structure: Exelon is currently conducting a strategic review of its corporate structure to determine how to best create value and position its businesses for success. As part of the review, Exelon is considering separating Exelon Generation from Exelon Utilities. As Exelon continues this review, it is focused on creating value and taking into account the interests of all stakeholders – investors, employees, customers and the communities it serves. There can be no assurance that the strategic review will result in any particular action, nor can there be any assurance regarding the timing of any action. Exelon will provide an update on its progress on its next earnings call. Exelon has retained advisors to assist with the review process.
GAAP/Adjusted (non-GAAP) Operating Earnings Reconciliation
Adjusted (non-GAAP) Operating Earnings for the third quarter of 2020 do not include the following items (after tax) that were included in reported GAAP Net Income:
(in millions)
|
Exelon
Earnings per
Diluted
Share
|
Exelon
|
ComEd
|
PECO
|
BGE
|
PHI
|
Generation
|
2020 GAAP Net Income (Loss)
|
$0.51
|
$501
|
$196
|
$138
|
$53
|
$216
|
$49
|
Mark-to-Market Impact of Economic Hedging Activities (net of taxes of $62 and $64, respectively)
|
(0.19)
|
(183)
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
(192)
|
Unrealized Gains Related to Nuclear Decommissioning Trust (NDT) Fund Investments (net of taxes of $161)
|
(0.18)
|
(172)
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
(172)
|
Asset Impairments (net of taxes of $126)
|
0.38
|
375
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
375
|
Plant Retirements and Divestitures (net of taxes of $111)
|
0.34
|
329
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
329
|
Cost Management Program (net of taxes of $5, $0, $0, $1 and $4, respectively)
|
0.02
|
15
|
—
|
1
|
1
|
1
|
12
|
Change in Environmental Liabilities (net of taxes of $6)
|
0.02
|
17
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
17
|
COVID-19 Direct Costs (net of taxes of $3, $1, $0, and $2, respectively)
|
0.01
|
10
|
—
|
2
|
—
|
1
|
7
|
Asset Retirement Obligation (net of taxes of $1)
|
—
|
3
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
3
|
—
|
Acquisition Related Costs (net of taxes of $1)
|
—
|
2
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
2
|
Income Tax-Related Adjustments (entire amount represents tax expense)
|
0.06
|
62
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
(1)
|
(28)
|
Noncontrolling Interests (net of taxes of $12)
|
0.06
|
57
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
57
|
2020 Adjusted (non-GAAP) Operating Earnings
|
$1.04
|
$1,017
|
$197
|
$141
|
$54
|
$220
|
$456
|
Adjusted (non-GAAP) Operating Earnings for the third quarter of 2019 do not include the following items (after tax) that were included in reported GAAP Net Income:
(in millions)
|
Exelon
Earnings per
Diluted
Share
|
Exelon
|
ComEd
|
PECO
|
BGE
|
PHI
|
Generation
|
2019 GAAP Net Income
|
$0.79
|
$772
|
$200
|
$140
|
$55
|
$189
|
|
Apr 09, 2024
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