(Reuters) – NRG Energy (NYSE:) beat third-quarter core profit estimates on Friday due to lower supply costs across its service territories, and raised its 2024 profit outlook, sending its shares up over 3% before the bell.
U.S. prices fell in the quarter compared to the previous year, making it cheaper to supply the fuel across NRG’s service territory.
The utility, however, reported a loss of $767 million in the third quarter, compared with a year-ago profit of $343 million due to setbacks on its economic hedges. NRG said declining ERCOT forward power prices in Texas led to a hit of $1.63 billion on net profit.
Hedging can help companies reduce risk and protect energy traders from unexpected or adverse price fluctuations.
The Houston, Texas-based utility said it now expects the 2024 adjusted profit forecast to be between $5.95 and $6.75 per share, from a prior outlook of $5.00-$6.30 per share.
In 2025, the company expects annual adjusted profit of $6.75-$7.75 per share, the midpoint of which is higher than analysts’ expectations of $6.80 per share, according to data compiled by LSEG.
NRG Energy reported adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization of $1.06 billion for the three months ended Sept. 30, compared with expectations of $997.9 million.
However, adjusted earnings per share of $1.90 missed analysts’ estimates of $2 per share.
