NRG Energy, Inc. Reports Third Quarter Results

Increases 2023 Share Repurchases to $1.15 Billion

Increases 2023 Guidance

Initiates Strong 2024 Financial Guidance Above 2023 Investor Day Plan

  • Solid third quarter performance with GAAP Net Income of $343 million and Adjusted EBITDA of $973 million; increasing mid-point of 2023 Adjusted EBITDA guidance by $95 million
  • Completed sale of STP for $1.75 billion
  • Increasing 2023 share repurchase allocation by 15% to $1.15 billion; executed $200 million of share repurchases to date and expect to complete the remaining $950 million through new accelerated share repurchase program
  • On track to achieve 2023 debt reduction target of $1.4 billion; executed $800 million of debt reduction to date and expect to complete remaining $600 million by year-end
  • Initiating 2024 financial guidance above Investor Day plan and announcing 2024 capital allocation plan of $1.16 billion returned to shareholders and $500 million of debt reduction; increasing annual common stock dividend by 8% to $1.63 per share

HOUSTON–(BUSINESS WIRE)–NRG Energy, Inc. (NYSE: NRG) today reported third quarter 2023 Net Income of $343 million. Adjusted EBITDA for the third quarter was $973 million, Cash Provided by Operating Activities was $566 million, and Free Cash Flow Before Growth Investments (FCFbG) was $355 million.

I am proud of our team’s work in the quarter, which is reflected in our solid financial and operational performance and the increased guidance we are announcing today. Our results continue to validate the ability of NRG’s consumer strategy to generate substantial cash flows and significant long-term shareholder value,” said Mauricio Gutierrez, NRG President and Chief Executive Officer. “We are well-positioned to finish the year strong and enter 2024 with significant momentum. We have line of sight to achieving our 2025 growth targets and believe that our continued focus on the emerging demand-side management opportunity will drive additional value to consumers and shareholders.”

Consolidated Financial Results

Table 1

 

Three Months Ended

Nine Months Ended

($ in millions)

9/30/2023

9/30/2022

9/30/2023

9/30/2022

Net Income/(Loss)

$

343

$

67

$

(684

)

$

2,316

Cash Provided/(Used) by Operating Activities

$

566

$

(1,431

)

$

(462

)

$

1,758

Adjusted EBITDA

$

973

$

480

$

2,438

$

1,402

Free Cash Flow Before Growth Investments (FCFbG)

$

355

$

(42

)

$

983

$

294

NRG’s third quarter and year-to-date Adjusted EBITDA grew significantly year-over-year as the Company realized strong consolidated financial and operational performance. The home and business integrated retail platforms continued to trend above plan with expanded margins, near-record retention, and increased customer count through the sale of energy and secondary products tailored to meet customers’ growing individual needs. Actions to enhance NRG’s diversified supply strategy provided predictable supply costs despite volatile load and power price conditions in Texas. Smart Home continued to surpass its plan with expanded margins, more products sold, favorable retention, and increased customer count.

Given the strong financial performance, NRG has been able to execute on its debt reduction and share repurchase programs on an accelerated basis. Through October 31, 2023, NRG reduced debt by $800 million and repurchased $200 million of common stock. Following the closing of the STP transaction, NRG plans to execute $600 million of debt reduction before the end of the year and initiate a $950 million accelerated share repurchase program.

Increasing 2023 Guidance and Initiating 2024 Guidance

NRG is raising the mid-point of its 2023 Adjusted EBITDA guidance by $95 million, inclusive of the negative impacts of an earnings reduction from the sale of STP and an increase in accruals as part of the Company’s annual incentive plan reflecting the expected financial outperformance for the year.

In addition to raising its 2023 guidance, NRG initiated strong 2024 financial guidance above its June 2023 Investor Day plan.

Table 2: Adjusted EBITDA, Cash Provided by Operating Activities, and FCFbG Guidancea

 

2023

2023

2024

(In millions)

Original Guidance

Revised Guidance

Guidance

Adjusted EBITDA

$3,010 – $3,250

$3,150 – $3,300

$3,300 – $3,550

Cash Provided by Operating Activities

$1,610 – $1,850

$1,750 – $1,900

$1,825 – $2,075

FCFbG

$1,620 – $1,860

$1,725 – $1,875

$1,825 – $2,075

a. Adjusted EBITDA and FCFbG are non-GAAP financial measures; see Appendix Table A-8 for GAAP Reconciliation from Net Income to FCFbG. Adjusted EBITDA excludes fair value adjustments related to derivatives. The Company is unable to provide guidance for Net Income due to the impact of such fair value adjustments related to derivatives in a given year. Cash Provided by Operating Activities does not include changes in collateral deposits in support of risk management activities which are primarily associated with fair value adjustments related to derivatives.

2023 Capital Allocation

In June 2023, NRG revised its long-term capital allocation policy to target approximately 80% of cash available for allocation to be returned to shareholders, after debt reduction. As part of the revised capital allocation framework, the Company announced an increase to its share repurchase authorization to $2.7 billion, to be executed through 2025.

NRG is increasing its 2023 share repurchase allocation from $997 million to $1.15 billion following strong year-to-date financial and operational performance, and the sale of Gregory. During the three months ended September 30, 2023, the Company completed $50 million of share repurchases at an average price of $37.82. Through October 31, 2023, an additional $150 million of share repurchases were executed at an average price of $40.17. Following the closing of the STP transaction, the Company plans to initiate a $950 million accelerated share repurchase program.

As part of the plan to achieve its target investment grade credit metrics, the Company plans to reduce debt by $1.4 billion in 2023 with $900 million funded from cash from operations and an additional $500 million with proceeds from the sale of STP. As of October 31, 2023, NRG had reduced debt by $800 million. Following the closing of STP, the Company plans to execute the remaining $600 million in debt reduction by year end.

2024 Capital Allocation

The Company is announcing its 2024 capital allocation plan, consistent with its capital allocation priorities and 2023 Investor Day roadmap. The plan includes $500 million in debt reduction, $825 million in share repurchases, an 8% increase of the annual common dividend to $1.63 per share consistent with the Company’s 7-9% long-term growth target, and $342 million in growth and other.

NRG’s share repurchase program and common stock dividend are subject to maintaining satisfactory credit metrics, available capital, market conditions, and compliance with associated laws and regulations. The timing and amount of any shares of NRG’s common stock that are repurchased under the share repurchase authorization will be determined by NRG’s management based on market conditions and other factors. NRG will only repurchase shares when management believes it would not jeopardize the Company’s ability to maintain satisfactory credit ratings.

NRG Strategic Developments

Sale of 44% Equity Interest in the South Texas Project (STP)

On November 1, 2023, the Company closed on the sale of its 44% equity interest in STP for $1.75 billion, unlocking significant shareholder value. Net proceeds from the transaction were approximately $1.6 billion after transaction adjustments, taxes, and fees.

Sale of Gregory

On October 2, 2023, the Company closed on the sale of its 100% ownership in the Gregory natural gas generating facility for $102 million. The asset historically generated negative to modestly positive cash flow.

W.A. Parish Return-to-Service

In May 2022, W.A. Parish Unit 8 came offline as a result of damage to the steam turbine/generator. The extended forced outage ended in mid-August with a partial (~50%) return to service. In early September, the unit returned to full operations.

Retirement of Joliet

During the second quarter of 2022, the Company announced the planned retirement of the Joliet generating facility in 2023. On September 1, 2023, the Joliet generating facility was fully retired.

Segments Results

Table 3: Net Income/(Loss)

 

($ in millions)

Three Months Ended

Nine Months Ended

Segment

9/30/2023

9/30/2022

9/30/2023

9/30/2022

Texas

$

463

$

(481

)

$

1,532

$

1,052

East

316

557

(1,187

)

2,083

West/Services/Othera

(432

)

(9

)

(963

)

(819

)

Vivint Smart Homeb

$

(4

)

N/A

$

(66

)

N/A

Net Income/(Loss)

$

343

$

67

$

(684

)

$

2,316

a. Includes Corporate segment

b. Vivint Smart Home acquired in March 2023

Net Income for the third quarter of 2023 was $276 million higher than the third quarter of 2022, primarily driven by lower retail supply costs in Texas and approximately $50 million in property damage insurance recoveries for W.A. Parish, which are excluded from Adjusted EBITDA. Partially offsetting the increases were lower contributions from the services business and Cottonwood and an increase in accruals as part of the Company’s annual incentive plan reflecting the expected financial outperformance for the year.

Net Loss for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 was $684 million, $3.0 billion lower than the prior year. This was driven by unrealized mark-to-market non-cash losses on economic natural gas and power hedges in the first quarter of 2023. Certain hedge positions are required to be marked-to-market every period, while the customer contracts related to these items are not, resulting in temporary unrealized non-cash losses or gains on the economic hedges that are not reflective of the expected economics at future settlement.

Table 4: Adjusted EBITDA

 

($ in millions)

Three Months Ended

Nine Months Ended

Segment

9/30/2023

9/30/2022

9/30/2023

9/30/2022

Texas

$

552

$

196

$

1,310

$

670

East

171

183

562

583

West/Services/Othera

25

101

51

149

Vivint Smart Homeb

$

225

N/A

$

515

N/A

Adjusted EBITDA

$

973

$

480

$

2,438

$

1,402

a. Includes Corporate segment

b. Vivint Smart Home acquired in March 2023

Texas: Third quarter Adjusted EBITDA was $552 million, $356 million higher than the third quarter of 2022. This increase was primarily driven by lower retail supply costs, including the impact of lower realized power prices, NRG’s diversified supply strategy, and improved plant performance coupled with the 2022 impact of the W.A. Parish Unit 8 extended outage, and lower restorations costs for W.A. Parish in the third quarter of 2023 as compared to the third quarter of 2022.

East: Third quarter Adjusted EBITDA was $171 million, $12 million lower than the third quarter of 2022. This decline was primarily driven by asset retirements.

West/Services/Other: Third quarter Adjusted EBITDA was $25 million, $76 million lower than the third quarter of 2022. This decline was primarily driven by lower contributions from the services business and Cottonwood.

Vivint Smart Home: Adjusted EBITDA was $225 million in the third quarter of 2023, with subscriber growth of 7% over the third quarter of 2022 and expanded monthly recurring service margin.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Table 5: Corporate Liquidity

 

($ in millions)

9/30/23

12/31/22

Cash and Cash Equivalents

$

401

$

430

Restricted Cash

11

40

Total

412

470

Total Revolving Credit Facility and collective collateral facilities

3,723

2,324

Total Liquidity, excluding collateral deposited by counterparties

$

4,135

$

2,794

As of September 30, 2023, NRG’s unrestricted cash was $401 million, and $3.7 billion was available under the Company’s credit facilities. Total liquidity was $4.1 billion, $1.3 billion higher than at the end of 2022. This increase was due to specific initiatives to optimize the amount of collateral supporting NRG’s market operations activity and increases in credit facilities.

On August 29, 2023, the Company formed a new Delaware trust, Alexander Funding Trust II, which issued $500 million pre-capitalized trust securities redeemable July 31, 2028 (the P-Caps). This P-Caps will replace the Company’s existing pre-capitalized trust securities redeemable 2023 issued by Alexander Funding Trust, which mature on November 15, 2023.

Earnings Conference Call

On November 2, 2023, NRG will host a conference call at 9:00 a.m. Eastern (8:00 a.m. Central) to discuss these results. Investors, the news media and others may access the live webcast of the conference call and accompanying presentation materials through the investor relations website under “presentations and webcasts” on investors.nrg.com. The webcast will be archived on the site for those unable to listen in real time.

About NRG

NRG Energy is a leading energy and home services company powered by people and our passion for a smarter, cleaner, and more connected future. A Fortune 500 company operating in the United States and Canada, NRG delivers innovative solutions that help people, organizations, and businesses achieve their goals while also advocating for competitive energy markets and customer choice. More information is available at www.nrg.com. Connect with NRG on Facebook and LinkedIn, and follow us on X (formerly known as Twitter), @nrgenergy.

Forward-Looking Statements

In addition to historical information, the information presented in this press release includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Exchange Act. These statements involve estimates, expectations, projections, goals, assumptions, known and unknown risks and uncertainties and can typically be identified by terminology such as “may,” “should,” “could,” “objective,” “projection,” “forecast,” “goal,” “guidance,” “outlook,” “expect,” “intend,” “seek,” “plan,” “think,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “predict,” “target,” “potential” or “continue” or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology. Such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements about the Company’s future revenues, income, indebtedness, capital structure, plans, expectations, objectives, projected financial performance and/or business results and other future events, and views of economic and market conditions.

Although NRG believes that its expectations are reasonable, it can give no assurance that these expectations will prove to be correct, and actual results may vary materially. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated herein include, among others, general economic conditions, including increasing interest rates and rising inflation, hazards customary in the power industry, weather conditions and extreme weather events, competition in wholesale power, gas and smart home markets, the volatility of energy and fuel prices, failure of customers or counterparties to perform under contracts, changes in the wholesale power and gas markets, changes in government or market regulations, the condition of capital markets generally and NRG’s ability to access capital markets, NRG’s ability to execute its market operations strategy, risks related to data privacy, cyberterrorism and inadequate cybersecurity, the loss of data, unanticipated outages at NRG’s generation facilities, NRG’s ability to achieve its net debt targets, adverse results in current and future litigation, complaints, product liability claims and/or adverse publicity, failure to identify, execute or successfully implement acquisitions or asset sales, risks of the smart home and security industry, including risks of and publicity surrounding the sales, subscriber origination and retention process, the impact of changes in consumer spending patterns, consumer preferences, geopolitical tensions, demographic trends, supply chain disruptions, NRG’s ability to implement value enhancing improvements to plant operations and companywide processes, NRG’s ability to achieve or maintain investment grade credit metrics, NRG’s ability to proceed with projects under development or the inability to complete the construction of such projects on schedule or within budget, the inability to maintain or create successful partnering relationships, NRG’s ability to operate its business efficiently, NRG’s ability to retain retail customers, the ability to successfully integrate businesses of acquired companies, including Direct Energy and Vivint Smart Home, NRG’s ability to realize anticipated benefits of transactions (including expected cost savings and other synergies) or the risk that anticipated benefits may take longer to realize than expected, and NRG’s ability to execute its capital allocation plan. Achieving investment grade credit metrics is not an indication of or guarantee that the Company will receive investment grade credit ratings. Debt and share repurchases may be made from time to time subject to market conditions and other factors, including as permitted by United States securities laws. Furthermore, any common stock dividend is subject to available capital and market conditions.

NRG undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. The adjusted EBITDA, cash provided by operating activities and free cash flow before growth guidance are estimates as of November 2, 2023. These estimates are based on assumptions NRG believed to be reasonable as of that date. NRG disclaims any current intention to update such guidance, except as required by law. The foregoing review of factors that could cause NRG’s actual results to differ materially from those contemplated in the forward-looking statements included in this press release should be considered in connection with information regarding risks and uncertainties that may affect NRG’s future results included in NRG’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission at www.sec.gov. For a more detailed discussion of these factors, see the information under the captions “Risk Factors” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in NRG’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, and in subsequent SEC filings. NRG’s forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this communication or as of the date they are made.

NRG ENERGY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(Unaudited)

 

Three months ended

September 30,

Nine months ended

September 30,

(In millions, except for per share amounts)

2023

2022

2023

2022

Revenue

Revenue

$

7,946

$

8,510

$

22,016

$

23,688

Operating Costs and Expenses

Cost of operations (excluding depreciation and amortization shown below)

6,421

7,802

20,161

18,619

Depreciation and amortization

308

145

813

485

Impairment losses

43

198

Selling, general and administrative costs

638

378

1,586

1,076

Acquisition-related transaction and integration costs

18

8

111

26

Total operating costs and expenses

7,385

8,376

22,671

20,404

Gain on sale of assets

22

202

51

Operating Income/(Loss)

561

156

(453

)

3,335

Other Income/(Expense)

Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates

6

11

16

Other income, net

14

21

43

33

Interest expense

(173

)

(105

)

(472

)

(313

)

Total other expense

(153

)

(73

)

(413

)

(280

)

Income/(Loss) Before Income Taxes

408

83

(866

)

3,055

Income tax expense/(benefit)

65

16

(182

)

739

Net Income/(Loss)

$

343

$

67

$

(684

)

$

2,316

Less: Cumulative dividends attributable to Series A Preferred Stock

17

38

Net Income/(Loss) Available for Common Stockholders

$

326

$

67

$

(722

)

$

2,316

Income/(Loss) per Share

Weighted average number of common shares outstanding — basic

230

235

230

238

Income/(Loss) per Weighted Average Common Share — Basic

$

1.42

$

0.29

$

(3.14

)

$

9.73

Weighted average number of common shares outstanding — diluted

232

235

230

238

Income/(Loss) per Weighted Average Common Share —Diluted

$

1.41

$

0.29

$

(3.14

)

$

9.73

NRG ENERGY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME/(LOSS)

(Unaudited)

 

Three months ended

September 30,

Nine months ended

September 30,

(In millions)

2023

2022

2023

2022

Net Income/(Loss)

$

343

$

67

$

(684

)

$

2,316

Other Comprehensive (Loss)/Income

Foreign currency translation adjustments

(8

)

(32

)

(45

)

Defined benefit plans

1

(2

)

17

Other comprehensive (loss)/income

(7

)

(34

)

(28

)

Comprehensive Income/(Loss)

$

336

$

33

$

(684

)

$

2,288

NRG ENERGY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

 

September 30, 2023

December 31, 2022

(In millions, except share data and liquidation preference on preferred stock)

(Unaudited)

(Audited)

ASSETS

Current Assets

Cash and cash equivalents

$

401

$

430

Funds deposited by counterparties

263

1,708

Restricted cash

11

40

Accounts receivable, net

3,764

4,773

Inventory

630

751

Derivative instruments

3,710

7,886

Cash collateral paid in support of energy risk management activities

2

260

Prepayments and other current assets

601

383

Current assets – held-for-sale

86

Total current assets

9,468

16,231

Property, plant and equipment, net

1,779

1,692

Other Assets

Equity investments in affiliates

146

133

Operating lease right-of-use assets, net

206

225

Goodwill

5,143

1,650

Customer relationships, net

2,299

943

Other intangible assets, net

1,907

1,189

Nuclear decommissioning trust fund

838

Derivative instruments

2,530

4,108

Deferred income taxes

2,540

1,881

Other non-current assets

739

251

Non-current assets – held-for-sale

1,153

5

Total other assets

16,663

11,223

Total Assets

$

27,910

$

29,146

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

Current Liabilities

Current portion of long-term debt and finance leases

$

920

$

63

Current portion of operating lease liabilities

91

83

Accounts payable

2,200

3,643

Derivative instruments

3,128

6,195

Cash collateral received in support of energy risk management activities

263

1,708

Deferred revenue current

731

176

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities

1,553

1,110

Current liabilities – held-for-sale

44

4

Total current liabilities

8,930

12,982

Other Liabilities

Long-term debt and finance leases

10,741

7,976

Non-current operating lease liabilities

148

180

Nuclear decommissioning reserve

340

Nuclear decommissioning trust liability

477

Derivative instruments

1,552

2,246

Deferred income taxes

129

134

Deferred revenue non-current

989

10

Other non-current liabilities

977

942

Non-current liabilities – held-for-sale

926

31

Total other liabilities

15,462

12,336

Total Liabilities

24,392

25,318

Commitments and Contingencies

Stockholders’ Equity

Preferred stock; 10,000,000 shares authorized; 650,000 Series A shares issued and

outstanding at September 30, 2023 (liquidation preference $1,000); 0 shares issued

and outstanding at December 31, 2022

650

Common stock; $0.01 par value; 500,000,000 shares authorized; 424,908,449 and

423,897,001 shares issued and 229,336,853 and 229,561,030 shares outstanding at

September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively

4

4

Additional paid-in-capital

8,527

8,457

Retained earnings

425

1,408

Treasury stock, at cost 195,571,596 and 194,335,971 shares at September 30, 2023

and December 31, 2022, respectively

(5,911

)

(5,864

)

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

(177

)

(177

)

Total Stockholders’ Equity

3,518

3,828

Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity

$

27,910

$

29,146

Contacts

Media
Chevalier Gray

832.331.8126

Investors
Brendan Mulhern

609.524.4767

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