TOPEKA, Kan., Oct. 31, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Westar Energy, Inc. (NYSE:WR) today announced earnings of $158 million, or $1.11 per share, for the third quarter 2017 compared with earnings of $155 million, or $1.09 per share, for the third quarter 2016. Earnings for the nine months ended Sept. 30, 2017 were $290 million, or $2.03 per share, compared with $293 million, or $2.06 per share, for the same period in 2016.
Higher earnings per share for the third quarter were driven by lower income tax expense. Partially offsetting the lower income tax expense were lower residential and commercial sales due primarily to mild weather, a decrease in corporate-owned life insurance income, and an increase in depreciation related to Western Plains Wind Farm.
Lower earnings per share for the nine months ended Sept. 30, 2017 were driven by the effect of mild weather resulting in lower residential and commercial sales. Also contributing to lower earnings was a decrease in corporate-owned life insurance income and increased depreciation due to Western Plains Wind Farm. Partially offsetting lower sales was lower income tax expense.
Conference Call and Additional Company Information
Westar Energy management will host a conference call Wednesday, Nov. 1 with the investment community at 10:00 a.m. ET (9:00 a.m. CT). Investors, media and the public may listen to the conference call by dialing (844) 646-4526, conference ID 96033428. A webcast of the live conference call will be available at www.WestarEnergy.com.
Members of the media are invited to listen to the conference call and then contact Gina Penzig with any follow-up questions.
This earnings announcement, a package of detailed third-quarter financial information, the company’s quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the period ended Sept. 30, 2017 and other filings the company has made with the Securities and Exchange Commission are available on the company’s website at www.WestarEnergy.com.
As Kansas’ largest electric utility, Westar Energy, Inc. (NYSE:WR) provides customers the safe, reliable electricity needed to power their businesses and homes. We have 7,800 MW of electric generation capacity that includes renewables and traditional power sources with half the electricity supplied to our more than 700,000 customers from emissions free sources: nuclear, wind and solar, with a third coming from renewables. We are a leader in electric transmission in Kansas coordinating a network of lines and substations that supports one of the largest consolidations of wind energy in the nation. Our employees live, volunteer and work in the communities we serve.
Forward-looking statements: Certain matters discussed in this news release are “forward-looking statements.” The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 has established that these statements qualify for safe harbors from liability. Forward-looking statements may include words like “believe,” “anticipate,” “target,” “expect,” “pro forma,” “estimate,” “intend,” “guidance” or words of similar meaning. Forward-looking statements describe future plans, objectives, expectations or goals. Although Westar Energy believes that its expectations are based on reasonable assumptions, all forward-looking statements involve risk and uncertainty. The factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from these forward-looking statements include those discussed herein as well as (1) those discussed in the company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended Dec. 31, 2016 (a) under the heading, “Forward-Looking Statements,” (b) in ITEM 1. Business, (c) in ITEM 1A. Risk Factors, (d) in ITEM 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, and (e) in ITEM 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data: Notes 3, 14 and 16; (2) those discussed in the company’s Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q filed on May 9, 2017, Aug. 8, 2017 and Oct. 31, 2017, (a) under the heading “Forward-Looking Statements.” (b) in ITEM 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, (c) in Part I, Financial Information, ITEM 1. Financial Statements: Notes 3, 11, 12 (in the Form 10-Q filed on May 9, 2017), and 13 (in the Form 10-Q filed on Aug. 8, 2017 and Oct. 31, 2017), and (d) ITEM 1A. Risk Factors; and (3) other factors discussed in the company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date such statement was made, and the company does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date on which such statement was made.
Media Contact: Gina Penzig Media Relations Manager Phone: 785-575-8089 Gina.Penzig@westarenergy.com Media line: 888-613-0003
