'Following a sound first half of the year, we are on track to deliver the targets disclosed to the market for 2018. Excellent management of the free market, positive trends in the regulated market and the recovery in the gas margin underpinned a healthy set of earnings for the first six months of the year. This combination of factors came amid high energy commodity prices driven, among other things, by the sharp increase in demand from Asia, in addition to the shut-down of several nuclear power plants in Spain and lower wind output. These circumstances were the main reasons of a smaller-than-expected reduction in wholesale market prices, although hydro power output picked up, reaching levels that were above the last years' average, and wind output increased by 10%. Against this backdrop of high energy purchase prices, yet lower than in 2017, the positive results posted by company are once again testament to the solid management of Endesa's businesses in a challenging and ever-changing environment', said Endesa Chief Executive Officer José Bogas.

  • The positive EBITDA performance (+12%) was driven by factors including:

-The company's strategy in the free market helped pave the way for a 19% margin increase in the business, allowing its EBITDA to grow by 42%. This increase was the result of:

-A 2.3% drop in wholesale electricity prices.

-A marked improvement in the gas business, which contributed 65 million euros to Endesa's gross margin in the first half of the year. Excluding one-offs, the improvement in the gas business amounts to 87%.Adjusted EBITDA (i.e. excluding one-offs) from the free market business rose by 26%.

-The regulated business margin increased by 0.4% -4% in adjusted terms-, mainly through improved remuneration of electricity distribution, which resulted in a 1.4% increase in regulated EBITDA.

  • Fixed operating expenses were broadly flat year-on-year, offsetting the impact from inflation and company's growth, as envisaged in Endesa's Strategic Plan.
  • EBIT increased by 17% following the EBITDA increase.
  • As a result of all these factors, net income grew by 15%.

Operating cash flow, net financial debt and investments

  • Operating cash flow picked back up in the second quarter of 2018, in the wake of the exceptional decline of working capital through March, which had adversely affected operating cash flow in the first quarter. This situation should continue to correct over the course of the year.
  • Net financial debt increased by 970 million euros compared to December 31st, 2017 due to several factors, such as payment of 748 million euros in dividends and the acquisition of the five Gestinver wind farms with a total capacity of 132 MW.
  • Gross investments amounted to 554 million euros, up 41% mainly due to the wind projects that Endesa is developing as a result of the wind and photovoltaic power that the company won in the renewable energy auctions held by the Energy Ministry in 2017.

Operating results

Attachments

  • Original document
  • Permalink

Disclaimer

Endesa SA published this content on 24 July 2018 and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed by Public, unedited and unaltered, on 24 July 2018 10:32:10 UTC