NiSource Inc. on Feb. 20 reported fourth-quarter 2017 net operating earnings of $110.3 million, or 33 cents per share, beating the S&P Capital IQ consensus normalized EPS estimate of 32 cents. The result compares to net operating earnings of $107.6 million, or 33 cents per share, for the same period in 2016.
On a GAAP basis, the company posted fourth-quarter a loss from continuing operations of $52.4 million, or 16 cents per share, compared with income of $88.8 million, or 28 cents per share, in the comparable quarter of 2016.
NiSource booked $397.5 million, or $1.21 per share, in full-year 2017 net operating earnings, compared with $351.2 million, or $1.09 per share, in 2016. The consensus normalized EPS estimate for 2017 was $1.20, according to S&P Capital IQ.
Full-year 2017 income from continuing operations totaled $128.6 million, or 39 cents per share, a decrease from $328.1 million, or $1.02 per share, in 2016.
For 2018, NiSource expects to record net operating earnings in the range of $1.26 per share to $1.32 per share and make capital investments of $1.7 billion to $1.8 billion based upon the expected regulatory implementation of the federal tax reform.
The company also expects to grow its net operating EPS and dividend by 5% to 7% each year through 2020, as it continues to expect to invest $1.6 billion to $1.8 billion annually in its utility infrastructure programs through 2020.
