(Sempra, 7.May.2019) — Sempra Energy today reported first-quarter 2019 earnings of $441 million, or $1.59 per diluted share, up from first-quarter 2018 earnings of $347 million, or $1.33 per diluted share. On an adjusted basis, the company’s first-quarter 2019 earnings increased to $534 million, or $1.92 per diluted share, from $372 million, or $1.43 per diluted share, in the first quarter 2018.
“Our earnings performance this quarter reflects our strategic focus, improved capital investments and commitment to a high-performance culture, as we work to achieve our mission to be North America’s premier energy infrastructure company,” said Jeffrey W. Martin, chairman and CEO of Sempra Energy. “Sempra Energy is well positioned at the intersection of two key trends – the transition toward cleaner energy, and the U.S.’ rise as a global energy leader – and this creates a unique opportunity for our company’s continued growth.”
These financial results reflect certain significant items, as described on an after-tax basis in the following table of GAAP earnings reconciled to adjusted earnings for the first quarter of 2018 and 2019.
OPERATING HIGHLIGHTS
In April, Oncor Electric Delivery Company LLC (Oncor) and Sempra Energy reached a settlement agreement with several Texas stakeholders for Oncor’s proposed acquisition of InfraREIT, Inc. and Sempra Energy’s proposed acquisition of 50% of Sharyland Utilities, LP.
The last regulatory step in the transaction is approval of a final order from the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT). If approved by the PUCT, Oncor and Sempra Energy expect to close the transaction in mid-2019.
San Diego Gas & Electric Company and Southern California Gas Co. are awaiting a proposed decision for their 2019 General Rate Case from the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), which is expected in mid-2019. Additionally, the California utilities filed their application in the Cost-of-Capital proceeding with the CPUC on April 22.
Sempra Energy also announced in April that Cameron LNG has begun pipeline feed gas flow to the first liquefaction train, which is the final commissioning step for Train 1 of the liquefaction-export facility in Hackberry, La. Production of LNG at the facility is expected to occur this quarter.
In March, Sempra Energy also increased its projected share of full run-rate earnings from the first three trains at Cameron LNG to be between $400 million and $450 million annually, up from the previous projection of $365 million to $425 million. Sempra Energy expects to begin recognizing earnings from Train 1 in mid-2019.
Additionally, IEnova recently announced two new capacity contracts with a global integrated oil company. This included an additional contract for 740,000 barrels of storage at the previously announced Manzanillo marine terminal development project, as well as the storage of up to 290,000 barrels of capacity at a new storage terminal project in Guadalajara. The Guadalajara terminal is IEnova’s seventh terminal project and one of 12 projects currently in development or under construction.
The sales process of Sempra Energy’s equity interests in its South American businesses, including its 83.6% stake in Luz del Sur S.A.A. in Peru and 100% stake in Chilquinta Energía S.A. in Chile, also remains on track. First-round bids are expected in June.
2019 EARNINGS GUIDANCE
Sempra Energy today affirmed its 2019 adjusted earnings-per-share guidance range of $5.70 to $6.30 and 2020 earnings-per-share guidance range of $6.70 to $7.50. The earnings-per-share guidance range for 2020 does not include impacts from the planned sale of Sempra Energy’s South American businesses.
NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES
Non-GAAP financial measures for Sempra Energy include first-quarter 2018 and 2019 adjusted earnings, adjusted diluted weighted-average shares outstanding, adjusted earnings per share and 2019 adjusted earnings-per-share guidance. See Table A for additional information regarding these non-GAAP financial measures.
INTERNET BROADCAST
Sempra Energy will broadcast a live discussion of its earnings results over the Internet today at 12 p.m. ET with senior management of the company. Access is available by logging onto the website at www.sempra.com. For those unable to log onto the live webcast, the teleconference will be available on replay a few hours after its conclusion by dialing (888) 203-1112 and entering passcode 7994290.
Sempra Energy’s mission is to be North America’s premier energy infrastructure company. With 2018 reported revenues of more than $11.6 billion, the San Diego- based company is the utility holding company with the largest U.S. customer base. The Sempra Energy companies’ more than 20,000 employees are focused on delivering energy with purpose to approximately 40 million consumers worldwide. Sempra Energy has been consistently recognized for its leadership in diversity and inclusion, and social responsibility, and is a member of the S&P 500 Utilities Index and the Dow Jones Utility Index.
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