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What happened
Shares of utility NRG Energy (NRG 1.57%) fell 12.5% in August, according to data provided by S&P Global Market Intelligence, after the company reported a surprising loss in the second quarter.
So what
Sales fell 22.4% in the quarter to $2.6 billion, but net loss exploded to $271 million from $9 million a year ago. That included $198 million in impairments and $80 million of losses on asset sales. Cash from operations did grow from $198 million to $319 million, so cash flows are improving.
What didn't change was NRG Energy's expectation of $3.0 billion to $3.2 billion in adjusted EBITDA for the year and free cash flow, before growth investments, of $1.0 billion to $1.2 billion. The downside is that NRG Energy still has $19 billion of debt, which has made losses very concerning for investors.
Now what
There are rays of hope that NRG Energy can turn its business around, but the second quarter was a reminder that NRG Energy is still in a struggling utility market. A lack of demand growth and low fossil fuel prices have left wholesale power producers like NRG Energy with shrinking margins and losses. Until the utility market improves in a more meaningful way, shares will struggle to recover.
