Sempra Energy Earnings Rise on Latin America Growth

By Angela Chen 

Sempra Energy said that growth in its Latin American units as a result of tax reform and favorable currency rates led to stronger-than-expected earnings in the December quarter, though revenue missed expectations.

For 2015, the company expects earnings, excluding items, of $4.60 to $5 a share, in line with analyst expectations of $4.84 a share. San Diego-based Sempra owns energy utilities, pipelines, facilities and terminals in the U.S. and Latin America.

In the most recently ended quarter, Sempra Mexico earnings rose to $53 million from $26 million due to tax deform, the effect of the stronger dollar, and inflation. Similarly, lower deferred taxes in Peru helped Sempra South American Utilities' earnings rise to $63 million from $43 million.

San Diego Gas & Electric reported a profit of $128 million, up from $119 million a year earlier due to lower legal costs and higher margin from electric transmission.

Sempra Natural Gas earned $11 million, up from $9 million a year earlier.

However, Southern California Gas earnings fell to $76 million, a decline from $98 million a year earlier due to lower income-tax expense in 2013.

In all, Sempra, reported a profit of $297 million up from $282 million a year earlier. On a per-share basis, earnings rose to $1.18 from $1.13. Excluding a charge related to the early closure of a station, earnings were $1.23 a share.

Revenue increased 1.5% to $2.75 billion.

Analysts polled by Thomson Reuters had expected a per-share profit of $1.08 and revenue of $2.92 billion.

Shares of Sempra have been off about 2% this year through Wednesday's close.

Write to Angela Chen at [e-mail]

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