AES Delivers High End of 2018 Guidance; Sets 7% to 9% Expected Annual Growth Rate Through 2022

2018 Strategic Highlights

  • Prepaid a total of $1 billion in Parent debt in 2018, including accelerated payment of $150 million in the fourth quarter, reducing Parent leverage to 3.95x, consistent with investment grade metrics
  • Completed construction of a total of 1.3 GW in 2018, including 215 MW of renewables in the fourth quarter
  • Signed long-term contracts for approximately 2 GW in 2018, including 125 MW in the fourth quarter, bringing backlog to 5.8 GW
  • Continued success in signing new long-term renewables contracts, leading to the introduction of a longer-term target to reduce carbon intensity by 70% from 2016 to 2030; now expect to achieve a 50% reduction from 2016 to 2022
  • Fluence energy storage JV with Siemens awarded 286 MW of new projects in 2018, for a total of 766 MW delivered or awarded

2018 Financial Results

  • 2018 Diluted EPS of $1.48, compared to a loss of $0.77 in 2017
  • 2018 Adjusted EPS of $1.24, compared to $1.08 in 2017 and 2018 guidance of $1.15 to $1.25
  • Initiating 2019 guidance for Adjusted EPS of $1.28 to $1.40 and expectation for 2019 Parent Free Cash Flow of $700 to $750 million; targeting 7% to 9% annual growth in Adjusted EPS and Parent Free Cash Flow through 2022

2019 Guidance and Expectations Through 2022 (Graphic: Business Wire)

ARLINGTON, Va.--()--The AES Corporation (NYSE: AES) today reported financial results for the year ended December 31, 2018.

"2018 was a very good year for AES, demonstrated by our strong financial results and excellent progress toward achieving our strategic goals, including enhancing the resilience of our portfolio and increasing the profitability of our business. We finished the year at the high end of our ranges for both Adjusted EPS and Parent Free Cash Flow, completed construction of 1.3 GW of new projects and grew our backlog to 5.8 GW," said Andrés Gluski, AES President and Chief Executive Officer. "We expect to generate $4 billion in discretionary cash through 2022, which we will allocate to deliver double-digit annual total returns to our shareholders."

"In 2018, we paid down $1 billion in Parent debt, including $150 million of accelerated repayments in the fourth quarter. As a result, we achieved a key investment grade financial metric of 3.95x Parent leverage, one year ahead of our plan, providing us more comfort in our ability to attain investment grade ratings in 2020," said Gustavo Pimenta, AES Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. "Reflecting our progress on our strategic goals, and our increased confidence in our forecast, we are extending our longer-term outlook by two years, and now expect 7% to 9% average annual growth in Adjusted EPS and Parent Free Cash Flow through 2022."

Key Full Year 2018 Financial Results

Full year 2018 Diluted Earnings Per Share from Continuing Operations (Diluted EPS) was $1.48, an increase of $2.25 compared to full year 2017, reflecting 2018 gains on the sale of assets, primarily in the Philippines, and the impact of the one-time transition tax resulting from the enactment of the U.S. Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, primarily recorded in 2017.

Full year 2018 Adjusted Earnings Per Share (Adjusted EPS, a non-GAAP financial measure) increased $0.16 to $1.24, primarily driven by higher margins, particularly at the Company's US and Utilities and South America Strategic Business Units (SBUs), and lower Parent Company interest expense. These impacts were partially offset by asset sales in the Philippines and Kazakhstan.

Detailed Strategic Highlights

  • In 2018, the Company paid down $1 billion in Parent debt, including $150 million in the fourth quarter of 2018
    • Reduced Parent debt by 21%, to $3,686 million, compared to December 31, 2017
    • In December 2018, the Company achieved a key investment grade financial metric of 3.95x Parent leverage one year earlier than previously planned
  • As of December 31, 2018, the Company's backlog of 5,787 MW includes:
    • 3,841 MW under construction and coming on-line through 2021; and
    • 1,946 MW of renewables signed under long-term PPAs, including 125 MW in the fourth quarter of 2018:
      • 80 MW Vientos Nequinos wind project with commercial and industrial customers in Argentina
      • 25 MW of solar capacity at AES Distributed Energy (AES DE) with commercial and industrial customers in the U.S.
      • 20 MW Castilla solar project with Ecopetrol in Colombia
  • In 2018, the Company agreed to sell approximately 48% of its interest in sPower's operating portfolio
    • In October 2018, the Company signed the first agreement to sell approximately 24% to a subsidiary of Ullico Inc.
    • In December 2018, the Company signed a second agreement to sell approximately 24% to a private markets infrastructure manager
    • These transactions, once closed, combined with other steps the Company has taken, including two completed refinancings and a reduction in operating costs, will increase the Company's return on sPower's operating portfolio to 13%
    • Once these sales close, AES' ownership in sPower's operating portfolio will decrease from 50% to approximately 26%
  • In 2018, the Company signed long-term agreements to sell 25 TBTU of LNG annually in the Dominican Republic, which will contribute to growth beyond 2020

Guidance and Expectations1

The Company is initiating 2019 guidance for Adjusted EPS of $1.28 to $1.40, compared to 2018 Adjusted EPS of $1.24. The Company also expects 2019 Parent Free Cash Flow of $700 to $750 million, compared to 2018 Parent Free Cash Flow of $689 million. The Company is also setting an annual growth rate target of 7% to 9% through 2022 for both Adjusted EPS and Parent Free Cash Flow, from a 2018 base.

 
1 Adjusted EPS and Parent Free Cash Flow are non-GAAP financial measures. See attached "Non-GAAP Measures" for definition of Adjusted EPS and see below for definition of Parent Free Cash Flow. The Company is not able to provide a corresponding GAAP equivalent reconciliation for its Adjusted EPS guidance without unreasonable effort. See "Non-GAAP measures" for description of the adjustments to reconcile Adjusted EPS to Diluted EPS.
2 2018 Adjusted EPS guidance was $1.15 to $1.25 and 2018 Parent Free Cash Flow expectation was $600 million to $675 million.
3

From a base of 2018 Adjusted EPS of $1.24 and 2018 Parent Free Cash Flow of $689 million.

 

The Company's 2019 guidance, expectations and growth rate target through 2022 are based on foreign currency and commodity forward curves as of December 31, 2018.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

See Non-GAAP Financial Measures for definitions of Adjusted Earnings Per Share and Adjusted Pre-Tax Contributions, as well as reconciliations to the most comparable GAAP financial measures. Parent Free Cash Flow should not be construed as an alternative to Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities which is determined in accordance with GAAP.

Parent Free Cash Flow is equal to Subsidiary Distributions less cash used for interest costs, development, general and administrative activities, and tax payments by the Parent Company. Parent Free Cash Flow is used for dividends, share repurchases, growth investments, recourse debt repayments, and other uses by the Parent Company.

Attachments

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations, Segment Information, Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, Non-GAAP Financial Measures and Parent Financial Information.

Conference Call Information

AES will host a conference call on Wednesday, February 27, 2019 at 9:00 a.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST). Interested parties may listen to the teleconference by dialing 1-888-317-6003 at least ten minutes before the start of the call. International callers should dial +1-412-317-6061. The Conference ID for this call is 2385618. Internet access to the conference call and presentation materials will be available on the AES website at www.aes.com by selecting “Investors” and then “Presentations and Webcasts.”

A webcast replay, as well as a replay in downloadable MP3 format, will be accessible at www.aes.com beginning shortly after the completion of the call.

About AES

The AES Corporation (NYSE: AES) is a Fortune 500 global power company. We provide affordable, sustainable energy to 15 countries through our diverse portfolio of distribution businesses as well as thermal and renewable generation facilities. Our workforce is committed to operational excellence and meeting the world’s changing power needs. Our 2018 revenues were $11 billion and we own and manage $33 billion in total assets. To learn more, please visit www.aes.com. Follow AES on Twitter @TheAESCorp.

Safe Harbor Disclosure

This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933 and of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, those related to future earnings, growth and financial and operating performance. Forward-looking statements are not intended to be a guarantee of future results, but instead constitute AES’ current expectations based on reasonable assumptions. Forecasted financial information is based on certain material assumptions. These assumptions include, but are not limited to, our accurate projections of future interest rates, commodity price and foreign currency pricing, continued normal levels of operating performance and electricity volume at our distribution companies and operational performance at our generation businesses consistent with historical levels, as well as the execution of PPAs, conversion of our backlog and growth investments at normalized investment levels and rates of return consistent with prior experience.

Actual results could differ materially from those projected in our forward-looking statements due to risks, uncertainties and other factors. Important factors that could affect actual results are discussed in AES’ filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), including, but not limited to, the risks discussed under Item 1A: “Risk Factors” and Item 7: Management’s Discussion & Analysis in AES’ 2018 Annual Report on Form 10-K and in subsequent reports filed with the SEC. Readers are encouraged to read AES’ filings to learn more about the risk factors associated with AES’ business. AES undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Any Stockholder who desires a copy of the Company’s 2018 Annual Report on Form 10-K dated on or about February 27, 2019 with the SEC may obtain a copy (excluding Exhibits) without charge by addressing a request to the Office of the Corporate Secretary, The AES Corporation, 4300 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, Virginia 22203. Exhibits also may be requested, but a charge equal to the reproduction cost thereof will be made. A copy of the Form 10-K may be obtained by visiting the Company’s website at www.aes.com.

 
THE AES CORPORATION
Consolidated Statements of Operations
 
Year Ended December 31,
2018   2017   2016
(in millions, except per share amounts)
Revenue:
Regulated $ 2,939 $ 3,109 $ 3,310
Non-Regulated 7,797   7,421   6,971  
Total revenue 10,736   10,530   10,281  
Cost of Sales:
Regulated (2,473 ) (2,650 ) (2,839 )
Non-Regulated (5,690 ) (5,415 ) (5,059 )
Total cost of sales (8,163 ) (8,065 ) (7,898 )
Operating margin 2,573   2,465   2,383  
General and administrative expenses (192 ) (215 ) (194 )
Interest expense (1,056 ) (1,170 ) (1,134 )
Interest income 310 244 245
Loss on extinguishment of debt (188 ) (68 ) (13 )
Other expense (58 ) (58 ) (80 )
Other income 72 120 64
Gain (loss) on disposal and sale of business interests 984 (52 ) 29
Asset impairment expense (208 ) (537 ) (1,096 )
Foreign currency transaction gains (losses) (72 ) 42 (15 )
Other non-operating expense (147 )   (2 )
INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS BEFORE TAXES AND EQUITY IN EARNINGS OF AFFILIATES 2,018 771 187
Income tax expense (708 ) (990 ) (32 )
Net equity in earnings of affiliates 39   71   36  
INCOME (LOSS) FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS 1,349 (148 ) 191
Income (loss) from operations of discontinued businesses, net of income tax benefit (expense) of $(2), $(21), and $229, respectively (9 ) (18 ) 151
Gain (loss) from disposal and impairments of discontinued businesses, net of income tax benefit (expense) of $(44), $0, and $266, respectively 225   (611 ) (1,119 )
NET INCOME (LOSS) 1,565 (777 ) (777 )
Noncontrolling interests:
Less: Income from continuing operations attributable to noncontrolling interests and redeemable stock of subsidiaries (364 ) (359 ) (211 )
Less: Loss (income) from discontinued operations attributable to noncontrolling interests 2   (25 ) (142 )
NET INCOME (LOSS) ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE AES CORPORATION $ 1,203   $ (1,161 ) $ (1,130 )
AMOUNTS ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE AES CORPORATION COMMON STOCKHOLDERS:
Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of tax $ 985 $ (507 ) $ (20 )
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax 218   (654 ) (1,110 )
NET INCOME (LOSS) ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE AES CORPORATION $ 1,203   $ (1,161 ) $ (1,130 )
BASIC EARNINGS PER SHARE:
Income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to The AES Corporation common stockholders, net of tax $ 1.49 $ (0.77 ) $ (0.04 )
Income (loss) from discontinued operations attributable to The AES Corporation common stockholders, net of tax 0.33   (0.99 ) (1.68 )
NET INCOME (LOSS) ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE AES CORPORATION COMMON STOCKHOLDERS $ 1.82   $ (1.76 ) $ (1.72 )
DILUTED EARNINGS PER SHARE:
Income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to The AES Corporation common stockholders, net of tax $ 1.48 $ (0.77 ) $ (0.04 )
Income (loss) from discontinued operations attributable to The AES Corporation common stockholders, net of tax 0.33   (0.99 ) (1.68 )
NET INCOME (LOSS) ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE AES CORPORATION COMMON STOCKHOLDERS $ 1.81   $ (1.76 ) $ (1.72 )
DIVIDENDS DECLARED PER COMMON SHARE $ 0.53   $ 0.49   $ 0.45  
 
 
THE AES CORPORATION
Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited)
 
Three Months Ended December 31,
2018   2017
(in millions, except per share amounts)
Revenue:
Regulated $ 724 $ 660
Non-Regulated 1,898   1,983  
Total revenue 2,622   2,643  
Cost of Sales:
Regulated (617 ) (562 )
Non-Regulated (1,359 ) (1,436 )
Total cost of sales (1,976 ) (1,998 )
Operating margin 646   645  
General and administrative expenses (58 ) (60 )
Interest expense (257 ) (310 )
Interest income 79 59
Loss on extinguishment of debt (1 ) (24 )
Other expense (21 ) 9
Other income 42 17
Gain (loss) on disposal and sale of business interests 128 (3 )
Asset impairment expense (42 ) (277 )
Foreign currency transaction gains (losses) (28 ) 28
Other non-operating expense (142 )  
INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS BEFORE TAXES AND EQUITY IN EARNINGS OF AFFILIATES 346 84
Income tax expense (199 ) (744 )
Net equity in earnings of affiliates 8   38  
INCOME (LOSS) FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS 155 (622 )
Loss from operations of discontinued businesses, net of income tax benefit of $0 and $3, respectively (53 )
Gain (loss) from disposal and impairments of discontinued businesses 26   (611 )
NET INCOME (LOSS) 181 (1,286 )
Noncontrolling interests:
Less: Income from continuing operations attributable to noncontrolling interests and redeemable stock of subsidiaries (53 ) (61 )
Less: Loss from discontinued operations attributable to noncontrolling interests   5  
NET INCOME (LOSS) ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE AES CORPORATION $ 128   $ (1,342 )
AMOUNTS ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE AES CORPORATION COMMON STOCKHOLDERS:
Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of tax $ 102 $ (683 )
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax 26   (659 )
NET INCOME (LOSS) ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE AES CORPORATION $ 128   $ (1,342 )
BASIC EARNINGS PER SHARE:
Income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to The AES Corporation common stockholders, net of tax $ 0.15 $ (1.03 )
Income (loss) from discontinued operations attributable to The AES Corporation common stockholders, net of tax 0.04   (1.00 )
NET INCOME (LOSS) ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE AES CORPORATION COMMON STOCKHOLDERS $ 0.19   $ (2.03 )
DILUTED EARNINGS PER SHARE:
Income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to The AES Corporation common stockholders, net of tax $ 0.15 $ (1.03 )
Income (loss) from discontinued operations attributable to The AES Corporation common stockholders, net of tax 0.04   (1.00 )
NET INCOME (LOSS) ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE AES CORPORATION COMMON STOCKHOLDERS $ 0.19   $ (2.03 )
DIVIDENDS DECLARED PER COMMON SHARE $ 0.27   $ 0.25  
 
 
THE AES CORPORATION
Strategic Business Unit (SBU) Information
(Unaudited)
   

Three Months Ended
December 31,

Year Ended
December 31,

(in millions) 2018   2017 2018   2017
REVENUE
US and Utilities SBU $ 978 $ 983 $ 4,230 $ 4,162
South America SBU 869 875 3,533 3,252
MCAC SBU 452 399 1,728 1,519
Eurasia SBU 320 386 1,255 1,590
Corporate, Other and Eliminations 3     (10 ) 7
Total Revenue $ 2,622   $ 2,643   $ 10,736   $ 10,530
 
 
THE AES CORPORATION
Consolidated Balance Sheets
   

December 31,
2018

December 31,
2017

(in millions, except share

and per share data)

ASSETS
CURRENT ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents $ 1,166 $ 949
Restricted cash 370 274
Short-term investments 313 424
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $23 and $10, respectively 1,595 1,463
Inventory 577 562
Prepaid expenses 130 62
Other current assets 807 630
Current assets of discontinued operations and held-for-sale businesses 57   2,034  
Total current assets 5,015   6,398  
NONCURRENT ASSETS
Property, Plant and Equipment:
Land 449 502
Electric generation, distribution assets and other 25,242 24,119
Accumulated depreciation (8,227 ) (7,942 )
Construction in progress 3,932   3,617  
Property, plant and equipment, net 21,396   20,296  
Other Assets:
Investments in and advances to affiliates 1,114 1,197
Debt service reserves and other deposits 467 565
Goodwill 1,059 1,059
Other intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization of $457 and $441, respectively 436 366
Deferred income taxes 97 130
Service concession assets, net of accumulated amortization of $0 and $206, respectively 1,360
Loan receivable 1,423
Other noncurrent assets 1,514   1,741  
Total other assets 6,110   6,418  
TOTAL ASSETS $ 32,521   $ 33,112  
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
CURRENT LIABILITIES
Accounts payable $ 1,329 $ 1,371
Accrued interest 191 228
Accrued non-income taxes 250 252
Accrued and other liabilities 962 980
Non-recourse debt, including $479 and $1,012, respectively, related to variable interest entities 1,659 2,164
Current liabilities of discontinued operations and held-for-sale businesses 8   1,033  
Total current liabilities 4,399   6,028  
NONCURRENT LIABILITIES
Recourse debt 3,650 4,625
Non-recourse debt, including $2,922 and $1,358 respectively, related to variable interest entities 13,986 13,176
Deferred income taxes 1,280 1,006
Other noncurrent liabilities 2,723   2,595  
Total noncurrent liabilities 21,639   21,402  
Commitments and Contingencies
Redeemable stock of subsidiaries 879 837
EQUITY
THE AES CORPORATION STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Common stock ($0.01 par value, 1,200,000,000 shares authorized; 817,203,691 issued and 662,298,096 outstanding at December 31, 2018 and 816,312,913 issued and 660,388,128 outstanding at December 31, 2017) 8 8
Additional paid-in capital 8,154 8,501
Accumulated deficit (1,005 ) (2,276 )
Accumulated other comprehensive loss (2,071 ) (1,876 )
Treasury stock, at cost (154,905,595 and 155,924,785 shares at December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively) (1,878 ) (1,892 )
Total AES Corporation stockholders’ equity 3,208 2,465
NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS 2,396   2,380  
Total equity 5,604   4,845  
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY $ 32,521   $ 33,112  
 
 
THE AES CORPORATION
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(Unaudited)
   

Three Months Ended
December 31,

Year Ended
December 31,

2018   2017 2018   2017
OPERATING ACTIVITIES: (in millions) (in millions)
Net income (loss) $ 181 $ (1,286 ) $ 1,565 $ (777 )
Adjustments to net income (loss):
Depreciation and amortization 233 285 1,003 1,169
Loss (gain) on disposal and sale of business interests (128 ) 3 (984 ) 52
Impairment expenses 183 277 355 537
Deferred income taxes 92 675 313 672
Provisions for contingencies 13 4 14 34
Loss on extinguishment of debt 1 24 188 68
Loss on sale and disposal of assets 4 9 27 43
Net loss (gain) from disposal and impairments of discontinued businesses (26 ) 611 (269 ) 611
Other 111 87 317 160
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
(Increase) decrease in accounts receivable (81 ) 102 (206 ) (177 )
(Increase) decrease in inventory (23 ) 38 (36 ) (28 )
(Increase) decrease in prepaid expenses and other current assets (37 ) (33 ) (22 ) 107
(Increase) decrease in other assets (10 ) (29 ) (32 ) (295 )
Increase (decrease) in accounts payable and other current liabilities 91 1 62 163
Increase (decrease) in income tax payables, net and other tax payables 54 57 (7 ) 53
Increase (decrease) in other liabilities 4   (22 ) 55   112  
Net cash provided by operating activities 662   803   2,343   2,504  
INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Capital expenditures (529 ) (590 ) (2,121 ) (2,177 )
Acquisitions of business interests, net of cash and restricted cash acquired (19 ) (66 ) (609 )
Proceeds from the sale of business interests, net of cash and restricted cash sold 224 69 2,020 108
Sale of short-term investments 292 598 1,302 3,540
Purchase of short-term investments (196 ) (637 ) (1,411 ) (3,310 )
Contributions to equity investments (44 ) (40 ) (145 ) (89 )
Other investing (62 ) (25 ) (84 ) (62 )
Net cash used in investing activities (315 ) (644 ) (505 ) (2,599 )
FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Borrowings under the revolving credit facilities 431 667 1,865 2,156
Repayments under the revolving credit facilities (643 ) (891 ) (2,238 ) (1,742 )
Issuance of recourse debt 1,000 1,025
Repayments of recourse debt (152 ) (1,933 ) (1,353 )
Issuance of non-recourse debt 419 519 1,928 3,222
Repayments of non-recourse debt (272 ) (629 ) (1,411 ) (2,360 )
Payments for financing fees (7 ) (4 ) (39 ) (100 )
Distributions to noncontrolling interests (141 ) (161 ) (340 ) (424 )
Contributions from noncontrolling interests and redeemable security holders 3 14 43 73
Dividends paid on AES common stock (86 ) (79 ) (344 ) (317 )
Payments for financed capital expenditures (89 ) (79 ) (275 ) (179 )
Proceeds from sales to noncontrolling interests, net of transaction costs 34 94
Other financing 57   (26 ) 101   (52 )
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities (480 ) (635 ) (1,643 ) 43  
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash (4 ) (13 ) (54 ) 8
(Increase) decrease in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash of discontinued operations and held-for-sale businesses 18   (21 ) 74   (128 )
Total increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash (119 ) (510 ) 215 (172 )
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, beginning 2,122   2,298   1,788   1,960  
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, ending $ 2,003   $ 1,788   $ 2,003   $ 1,788  
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES:
Cash payments for interest, net of amounts capitalized $ 320 $ 399 $ 1,003 $ 1,196
Cash payments for income taxes, net of refunds 57 86 370 377
SCHEDULE OF NONCASH INVESTING AND FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Non-cash acquisition of intangible assets 2 16
Non-cash contributions of assets and liabilities for the Fluence transaction 20
Non-cash exchange of debentures for the acquisition of the Guaimbê Solar Complex 119
Non-cash acquisition of the remaining interest in a Distributed Energy equity affiliate 23 23
Dividends declared but not yet paid 90 86 90 86
Conversion of Alto Maipo loans and accounts payable into equity 279
Return Share Transfer Payment due 75 75
 
 

THE AES CORPORATION

NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES

(Unaudited)

RECONCILIATION OF ADJUSTED PRE-TAX CONTRIBUTION (PTC) AND ADJUSTED EPS

 

Adjusted PTC is defined as pre-tax income from continuing operations attributable to The AES Corporation excluding gains or losses of the consolidated entity due to (a) unrealized gains or losses related to derivative transactions and equity securities; (b) unrealized foreign currency gains or losses; (c) gains, losses, benefits and costs associated with dispositions and acquisitions of business interests, including early plant closures; (d) losses due to impairments; (e) gains, losses and costs due to the early retirement of debt; and (f) costs directly associated with a major restructuring program, including, but not limited to, workforce reduction efforts, relocations and office consolidation. Adjusted PTC also includes net equity in earnings of affiliates on an after-tax basis adjusted for the same gains or losses excluded from consolidated entities.

 

Adjusted EPS is defined as diluted earnings per share from continuing operations excluding gains or losses of both consolidated entities and entities accounted for under the equity method due to (a) unrealized gains or losses related to derivative transactions and equity securities; (b) unrealized foreign currency gains or losses; (c) gains, losses, benefits and costs associated with dispositions and acquisitions of business interests, including early plant closures, and the tax impact from the repatriation of sales proceeds; (d) losses due to impairments; (e) gains, losses and costs due to the early retirement of debt; (f) costs directly associated with a major restructuring program, including, but not limited to, workforce reduction efforts, relocations and office consolidation; and (g) tax benefit or expense related to the enactment effects of 2017 U.S. tax law reform and related regulations and any subsequent period adjustments related to enactment effects.

 

The GAAP measure most comparable to Adjusted PTC is income from continuing operations attributable to AES. The GAAP measure most comparable to Adjusted EPS is diluted earnings per share from continuing operations. We believe that Adjusted PTC and Adjusted EPS better reflect the underlying business performance of the Company and are considered in the Company’s internal evaluation of financial performance. Factors in this determination include the variability due to unrealized gains or losses related to derivative transactions or equity securities remeasurement, unrealized foreign currency gains or losses, losses due to impairments and strategic decisions to dispose of or acquire business interests, retire debt or implement restructuring initiatives, which affect results in a given period or periods. In addition, for Adjusted PTC, earnings before tax represents the business performance of the Company before the application of statutory income tax rates and tax adjustments, including the effects of tax planning, corresponding to the various jurisdictions in which the Company operates. Given its large number of businesses and complexity, the Company concluded that Adjusted PTC is a more transparent measure that better assists investors in determining which businesses have the greatest impact on the Company's results. Adjusted PTC and Adjusted EPS should not be construed as alternatives to income from continuing operations attributable to AES and diluted earnings per share from continuing operations, respectively, which are determined in accordance with GAAP.

 

Effective January 1, 2018, the Company changed the definitions of Adjusted PTC and Adjusted EPS to exclude unrealized gains or losses from equity securities resulting from a newly effective accounting standard. We believe excluding these gains or losses provides a more accurate picture of continuing operations. Factors in this determination include the variability due to unrealized gains or losses related to equity securities remeasurement.  The Company has also reflected these changes in the comparative period.

 
 
THE AES CORPORATION
NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES
(Unaudited)
RECONCILIATION OF ADJUSTED PRE-TAX CONTRIBUTION (PTC) AND ADJUSTED EPS
               

Three Months Ended
December 31, 2018

Three Months Ended
December 31, 2017

Twelve Months Ended
December 31, 2018

Twelve Months Ended
December 31, 2017

Net of NCI (1)

 

Per Share
(Diluted) Net
of NCI (1)

Net of NCI (1)

 

Per Share
(Diluted) Net
of NCI (1)

Net of NCI (1)  

Per Share
(Diluted) Net
of NCI (1)

Net of NCI (1)  

Per Share
(Diluted) Net
of NCI (1)

(in millions, except per share amounts)
Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of tax, attributable to AES and Diluted EPS $ 102 $ 0.15 $ (683 ) $ (1.03 ) $ 985 $ 1.48 $ (507 ) $ (0.76 ) (2)
Add: Income tax expense attributable to AES 152   689   563   828  
Pre-tax contribution $ 254 $ 6 $ 1,548 $ 321
Adjustments
Unrealized derivative and equity securities losses (gains) $ 29 $ 0.05 $ 4 $ 0.01 $ 33 $ 0.05 $ (3 ) $
Unrealized foreign currency losses (gains) 9 0.02 (5 ) (0.01 ) 51 0.09 (3) (59 ) (0.10 )
Disposition/acquisition losses (gains) (112 ) (0.17 ) (4) 14 0.02 (934 ) (1.41 ) (5) 123 0.19 (6)
Impairment expense 135 0.20 (7) 278 0.42 (8) 307 0.46 (9) 542 0.82 (10)
Loss on extinguishment of debt 3 19 0.03 (11) 180 0.27 (12) 62 0.09 (13)
Restructuring costs (3 ) 31 0.05 31 0.05
U.S. Tax Law Reform Impact 0.13 (14) 1.08 (15) 0.18 (16) 1.08 (15)
Less: Net income tax expense (benefit)   (0.02 )   (0.14 ) (17)   0.12   (18)   (0.29 ) (19)
Adjusted PTC and Adjusted EPS $ 315   $ 0.36   $ 347   $ 0.43   $ 1,185   $ 1.24   $ 1,017   $ 1.08  
 
_____________________________
 
(1) NCI is defined as Noncontrolling Interests
(2) In calculating diluted loss per share under GAAP of ($0.77), the Company excluded common stock equivalents from the weighted average shares as their inclusion would be anti-dilutive. However, for purposes of calculating Adjusted EPS, the impact of anti-dilutive common stock equivalents of $0.01 was included, resulting in Non-GAAP diluted loss per share of ($0.76).
(3) Amount primarily relates to unrealized FX losses of $22 million, or $0.03 per share, associated with the devaluation of long-term receivables denominated in Argentine pesos, and unrealized FX losses of $14 million, or $0.02 per share, on intercompany receivables denominated in Euros and British pounds at the Parent Company.
(4) Amount primarily relates to gain on sale of CTNG of $86 million, or $0.13 per share and gain on remeasurement of contingent consideration at AES Oahu of $32 million, or $0.05 per share.
(5) Amount primarily relates to gain on sale of Masinloc of $772 million, or $1.16 per share, gain on sale of CTNG of $86 million, or $0.13 per share, gain on sale of Electrica Santiago of $36 million, or $0.05 per share, gain on remeasurement of contingent consideration at AES Oahu of $32 million, or $0.05 per share, gain on sale related to the Company's contribution of AES Advancion energy storage to the Fluence joint venture of $23 million, or $0.03 per share and realized derivative gains associated with the sale of Eletropaulo of $21 million, or $0.03 per share; partially offset by loss on disposal of the Beckjord facility and additional shutdown costs related to Stuart and Killen at DPL of $21 million, or $0.03 per share.
(6) Amount primarily relates to loss on sale of Kazakhstan CHPs of $49 million, or $0.07 per share, realized derivative losses associated with the sale of Sul of $38 million, or $0.06 per share, loss on sale of Kazakhstan HPPs of $33 million, or $0.05 per share, and costs associated with early plant closures at DPL of $24 million, or $0.04 per share; partially offset by gain on Masinloc contingent consideration of $23 million, or $0.03 per share and gain on sale of Miami Fort and Zimmer of $13 million, or $0.02 per share.
(7) Amount primarily relates to asset impairment at Nejapa of $37 million, or $0.06 per share and other-than-temporary impairment of Guacolda of $96 million, or $0.14 per share.
(8) Amount primarily relates to asset impairments at Laurel Mountain of $121 million, or $0.18 per share and DPL of $109 million, or $0.17 per share.
(9) Amount primarily relates to asset impairments at Shady Point of $157 million, or $0.24 per share, and Nejapa of $37 million, or $0.06 per share, and other-than-temporary impairment of Guacolda of $96 million, or $0.14 per share.
(10) Amount primarily relates to asset impairments at Kazakhstan CHPs of $94 million, or $0.14 per share, at Kazakhstan HPPs of $92 million, or $0.14 per share, at Laurel Mountain of $121 million, or $0.18 per share, at DPL of $175 million, or $0.27 per share and at Kilroot of $37 million, or $0.05 per share.
(11) Amount primarily relates to losses on early retirement of debt at AES Gener of $20 million, or $0.02 per share.
(12) Amount primarily relates to loss on early retirement of debt at the Parent Company of $171 million, or $0.26 per share.
(13) Amount primarily relates to losses on early retirement of debt at the Parent Company of $92 million, or $0.14 per share, at AES Gener of $20 million, or $0.02 per share, and at IPALCO of $9 million or $0.01 per share; partially offset by a gain on early retirement of debt at AES Argentina of $65 million, or $0.10 per share.
(14) Amount relates to a SAB 118 charge to finalize the provisional estimate of one-time transition tax on foreign earnings of $161 million, or $0.24 per share, partially offset by a SAB 118 income tax benefit to finalize the provisional estimate of remeasurement of deferred tax assets and liabilities to the lower corporate tax rate of $77 million, or $0.11 per share.
(15) Amount relates to a one-time transition tax on foreign earnings of $675 million, or $1.02 per share and the remeasurement of deferred tax assets and liabilities to the lower corporate tax rate of $39 million, or $0.06 per share.
(16) Amount relates to a SAB 118 charge to finalize the provisional estimate of one-time transition tax on foreign earnings of $194 million, or $0.29 per share, partially offset by a SAB 118 income tax benefit to finalize the provisional estimate of remeasurement of deferred tax assets and liabilities to the lower corporate tax rate of $77 million, or $0.11 per share.
(17) Amount primarily relates to the income tax benefit associated with asset impairment losses and restructuring costs of $66 million, or $0.10 and $10 million or $0.02 per share respectively for the three months ended December 31, 2017.
(18) Amount primarily relates to the income tax expense under the GILTI provision associated with the gains on sales of business interests, primarily Masinloc, of $97 million, or $0.15 per share, and income tax expense associated with gains on sale of CTNG of $36 million, or $0.05 per share and Electrica Santiago of $13 million, or $0.02 per share; partially offset by income tax benefits associated with the loss on early retirement of debt at the Parent Company of $36 million, or $0.05 per share, and income tax benefits associated with the impairment at Shady Point of $33 million, or $0.05 per share.
(19) Amount primarily relates to the income tax benefit associated with asset impairments of $148 million, or $0.22 per share.
 
 
The AES Corporation
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
 

Parent Company Cash Flow
($ in Millions)

2018
Subsidiary Distributions1 (a) $ 1,186
Cash Interest (b) $ (244 )
Corporate Overhead $ (187 )
Parent-Funded SBU Overhead $ (51 )
Business Development/Taxes $ (15 )
Cash for Development, General & Administrative and Tax (c) $ (250 )
Parent Free Cash Flow2 (a - b - c) $ 689
 

1

 

Subsidiary Distributions should not be construed as an alternative to Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities which is determined in accordance with GAAP. Subsidiary Distributions are important to the Parent Company because the Parent Company is a holding company that does not derive any significant direct revenues from its own activities but instead relies on its subsidiaries’ business activities and the resultant distributions to fund the debt service, investment and other cash needs of the holding company. The reconciliation of the difference between the Subsidiary Distributions and Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities consists of cash generated from operating activities that is retained at the subsidiaries for a variety of reasons which are both discretionary and non-discretionary in nature. These factors include, but are not limited to, retention of cash to fund capital expenditures at the subsidiary, cash retention associated with non-recourse debt covenant restrictions and related debt service requirements at the subsidiaries, retention of cash related to sufficiency of local GAAP statutory retained earnings at the subsidiaries, retention of cash for working capital needs at the subsidiaries, and other similar timing differences between when the cash is generated at the subsidiaries and when it reaches the Parent Company and related holding companies.

 
2 Parent Free Cash Flow (a non-GAAP financial measure) should not be construed as an alternative to Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities which is determined in accordance with GAAP. Parent Free Cash Flow is equal to Subsidiary Distributions less cash used for interest costs, development, general and administrative activities, and tax payments by the Parent Company. Parent Free Cash Flow is used for dividends, share repurchases, growth investments, recourse debt repayments, and other uses by the Parent Company.
 
 
The AES Corporation
Parent Financial Information
Parent only data: last four quarters        
(in millions) 4 Quarters Ended

Total subsidiary distributions & returns of capital to Parent

December 31,
2018

September 30,
2018

June 30,
2018

March 31,
2018

Actual   Actual   Actual   Actual
Subsidiary distributions (1) to Parent & QHCs $ 1,186 $ 1,255 $ 1,240 $ 1,345
Returns of capital distributions to Parent & QHCs     (67 )   (65 )  
Total subsidiary distributions & returns of capital to Parent $ 1,186     $ 1,188     $ 1,175     $ 1,345
Parent only data: quarterly
(in millions) Quarter Ended

Total subsidiary distributions & returns of capital to Parent

December 31,
2018

September 30,
2018

June 30,
2018

March 31,
2018

Actual   Actual   Actual   Actual
Subsidiary distributions (1) to Parent & QHCs $ 390 $ 175 $ 270 $ 351
Returns of capital distributions to Parent & QHCs            
Total subsidiary distributions & returns of capital to Parent $ 390     $ 175     $ 270     $ 351

Parent Company Liquidity (2)

(in millions) Balance at

December 31,
2018

September 30,
2018

June 30,
2018

March 31,
2018

Actual   Actual   Actual   Actual
Cash at Parent & Cash at QHCs (3) $ 24 $ 43 $ 151 $ 76
Availability under credit facilities 1,022     1,042     687     807
Ending liquidity $ 1,046     $ 1,085     $ 838     $ 883
 
_____________________________
 

(1)

Subsidiary distributions should not be construed as an alternative to Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities which is determined in accordance with GAAP. Subsidiary distributions are important to the Parent Company because the Parent Company is a holding company that does not derive any significant direct revenues from its own activities but instead relies on its subsidiaries’ business activities and the resultant distributions to fund the debt service, investment and other cash needs of the holding company. The reconciliation of the difference between the subsidiary distributions and the Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities consists of cash generated from operating activities that is retained at the subsidiaries for a variety of reasons which are both discretionary and non-discretionary in nature. These factors include, but are not limited to, retention of cash to fund capital expenditures at the subsidiary, cash retention associated with non-recourse debt covenant restrictions and related debt service requirements at the subsidiaries, retention of cash related to sufficiency of local GAAP statutory retained earnings at the subsidiaries, retention of cash for working capital needs at the subsidiaries, and other similar timing differences between when the cash is generated at the subsidiaries and when it reaches the Parent Company and related holding companies.

(2)

Parent Company Liquidity is defined as cash at the Parent Company plus available borrowings under existing credit facility plus cash at qualified holding companies (QHCs). AES believes that unconsolidated Parent Company liquidity is important to the liquidity position of AES as a Parent Company because of the non-recourse nature of most of AES’ indebtedness.

(3)

The cash held at QHCs represents cash sent to subsidiaries of the company domiciled outside of the US. Such subsidiaries had no contractual restrictions on their ability to send cash to AES, the Parent Company. Cash at those subsidiaries was used for investment and related activities outside of the US. These investments included equity investments and loans to other foreign subsidiaries as well as development and general costs and expenses incurred outside the US. Since the cash held by these QHCs is available to the Parent, AES uses the combined measure of subsidiary distributions to Parent and QHCs as a useful measure of cash available to the Parent to meet its international liquidity needs.
 

Contacts

Investor Contact: Ahmed Pasha 703-682-6451
Media Contact: Amy Ackerman 703-682-6399

Contacts

Investor Contact: Ahmed Pasha 703-682-6451
Media Contact: Amy Ackerman 703-682-6399