AGL Energy Reports H1 Fiscal 2009 Results

Published: 25-Feb-2009

AGL Energy Limited (AGL Energy) has reported revenues of $297.7 million for the first half of fiscal 2009. It also reported underlying net profit after tax (NPAT) of $192.5 million for the first half of fiscal 2009, up 5.3%, compared with the previous year.

Result Overview:

-- Operating EBIT from continuing operations $322.7 million, up 10.2%

-- Statutory NPAT $1,654.8 million

-- Underlying NPAT $192.5 million, up 5.3%

-- Non-core asset sales deliver $1.5 billion profit after tax

-- Credit rating restored to ‘BBB’ stable outlook

-- Fiscal year 2009 (FY09) earnings guidance of $370 million to $400 million maintained

Commenting on the half-year results, AGL Energy managing director, Michael Fraser, said: “It’s pleasing that we have been able to deliver a strong set of results for the half-year, confirming that we are on track to meet our upgraded full-year guidance. This has been a particularly busy and productive period for AGL. The business is performing well, we have strengthened our balance sheet and we are continuing to implement our integrated energy company strategy.

“In addition, we have maintained our interim dividend at 26 cents at a time when many companies are under pressure to suspend or reduce dividend payments.”

AGL Energy’s retail energy business has recorded an operating EBIT of $145.7 million for the half-year, up 8.1% on the previous corresponding period. The increase was primarily due to higher winter gas sales and tariff increases, partly offset by a temporary increase in operating costs associated with the implementation of the new SAP billing platform. Operating EBIT/Sales was 5.8%, up from 5.7% in the previous corresponding period.

AGL Energy’s merchant energy business delivered an operating EBIT result of $211.9 million, up 35.1% on the previous corresponding period. Wholesale electricity EBIT rose 20.6% to $182.9 million. Wholesale Gas EBIT rose 124.5% to $61.3 million.

Gas & Power Development Operating EBIT was down 57.9% to $34.5 million due largely to a lower contribution from PNG and to timing differences which resulted in reduced wind farm development fees.

Strengthening the Balance Sheet

During the half-year, AGL Energy completed its program of divesting non-core assets. The PNG oil and gas assets were sold for more than $1.1 billion and the stake in QGC sold for nearly $1.2 billion. AGL Energy’s investment in Elgas was sold for $221 million. AGL Energy also disposed of its interest in the North Queensland gas pipeline.

Following completion of the non-core asset divestment program, the ratings agency Standard & Poor’s affirmed AGL Energy’s ‘BBB’ long-term credit rating and revised the rating outlook to stable from negative.

Integrated energy company strategy

During the half-year, AGL Energy continued to deliver on its integrated energy company strategy. In December 2008, AGL Energy acquired 100% of the interests in PEL 285 in the Gloucester basin for $370 million, expanding its equity gas footprint in its core NSW market. AGL Energy also launched the ultimately successful takeover bid for Sydney Gas Limited shortly before year’s end.

The final release of project phoenix was successfully implemented in November 2008, with the remaining 1.6 million mass market customers transferred to the SAP billing platform. The Phoenix project now moves to the business transformation stage with annualised benefits of $35 million expected to be realised in FY2010.

During the half-year, additional wind farm developments were acquired from Allco and Investec to further add to a pipeline of renewable generation projects. AGL Energy also acquired a cornerstone investment in Torrens Energy Limited through a Geothermal Alliance to commercialize base load geothermal projects close to the National electricity market.

Looking ahead

The construction of the 140MW Bogong hydro power station and 71MW Hallett II wind farm continued on schedule and on budget, with both assets on track to be fully operational during the first half of FY2010.

Fraser said: “AGL will continue to pursue the ongoing disciplined roll out of our integrated strategy. This will include expanding our renewable energy portfolio; exploring and developing our gas acreage and reserves; developing our gas generation portfolio; and delivering benefits through the Phoenix Business Transformation Program.

“The integrated strategy supports the delivery of sustainable shareholder returns in challenging economic conditions and through various market cycles,” Fraser concluded.

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