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Our utility financial “checkup” examines projections for utility balance sheets and credit metrics. Tax reform was the overarching theme in 2018 for utility balance sheets and precipitated a large portion of the equity deals completed this year; in total, we saw +$19B completed across our coverage via blocks, forwards, or internally. Since our mid-year review, we now project slightly better FFO/debt in 2020 (+0.5%) due to equity issuances and asset sales. EV/EBITDA is now a half-turn higher given the run-up in equity valuations. Overall, we continue to see utility financial metrics stagnating with higher leverage at certain companies leading to wide P/E dispersion.

Last week, as the California utilities collapsed amidst the fire risks, we saw increasing investor focus on second derivative impacts. One of the obvious ones relates to renewables contracts with the CA utilities, especially PCG who drew down their bank lines last week. The primary concern is what will happen to these contracts in the event that PCG files for bankruptcy due to all the fire-related claims. This primarily impacted NEP and CWEN, given they have the most exposure, though there has been somewhat of a relief rally as investors realized the chance of a PCG bankruptcy in the near-term is low. Importantly, even if there was a surprise filing at some point, we believe these power contracts with the California utilities are likely to hold up. We are buyers on the recent weakness and view NEP as a top idea here. 

SO’s 3Q18 EPS of $1.14 beat consensus of $1.08, due to regulatory outcomes and weather. SO pointed to the top end of its $2.95-3.05 FY18 guidance and affirmed its 4-6% LT EPS growth target off original guidance of $2.80-2.95. SO announced the sale of its unregulated Mankato CC for $650M, implying $0.01 of accretion and an $855/kW valuation using the plant’s capacity expansion. As it has done with other asset sales over the last year, SO will use the proceeds to reduce equity needs. The GA PSC election results appear constructive. Mankato and the elections, coupled with no new surprises in Vogtle, sent SO stock 200bp higher today vs the UTY, but SO trails it by 600bp YTD. We continue to be cautious on the stock going into Vogtle peak construction period. 

This week we take a look at power prices ahead of Q3 reports, as generators often mark their guidance to forward curves around the end of each quarter. This is particularly meaningful for both NRG and VST, who are expected to issue / refresh 2019 guidance. Aside from ERCOT 2018, the forward pricing story in Q3 was largely positive when compared to 2Q18, even amidst flattish natural gas. While ERCOT contracts were down 10% in 2018, further out on the curve (2019-2021) was up 5-10%. This dynamic is likely explained by a summer that failed to yield scarcity pricing despite peak demand records, but the recognition that supply/demand conditions are likely to remain tight for the foreseeable future. Gas plant new build has failed to move forward and core demand growth remains robust. In PJM, contracts were up 5-7% in 2019-2020, while 2018/2021 contracts were up only modestly at 1-2%. Finally, out West (NP-15/SP-15/Mid-C) forwards were up 10% for 2019, while more mixed in outer years.