Entergy Sees 4Q EPS Above Street, Below Year Earlier On Higher Tax Costs

Entergy Corp. (ETR) forecast fourth-quarter earnings slightly above Wall Street estimates as higher earnings at its utility and wholesale commodities businesses helped offset increased income tax expense.

The merchant power and utility projects per-share earnings of 93 cents while analysts surveyed by Thomson Reuters expect 91 cents. A year earlier, Entergy's earnings were $1.30 a share, and the company attributed the decrease to lower results at its parent and other segment.

The company said it will record charges for outside services related to the proposed divestment and subsequent merger of its electric transmission business.

Entergy last month unveiled plans to spin off its electric transmission business and merge the operation with ITC Holdings Corp. (ITC) in an effort to increase its financial flexibility and protect its credit quality.

Entergy reported in November its third-quarter profit rose 27% as a tax settlement significantly reduced its income tax expense and utility earnings surged.

Shares closed Friday at $69.93 and were inactive premarket. The stock has risen 2.1% over the past three months.

-By Melodie Warner, Dow Jones Newswires; 212-416-2283; [e-mail]