Edison International Reports Financial Results for the Third Quarter of 2003 - Part I

Edison International Reports Financial Results for the Third Quarter of 2003 -
Part I 


ROSEMEAD, Calif., Nov. 5  /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Edison International (EIX)
recorded third-quarter 2003 earnings per share of $1.67, compared to $1.08 per
share in the same period last year.  The increase primarily reflects the
resolution of certain regulatory proceedings at Southern California Edison (SCE)
in the third quarter of 2003 and write-offs of capitalized costs at Edison
Mission Energy (EME) in the same period last year.

The 2003 third-quarter results also include a gain of 14 cents per share from
discontinued operations due to the sale of SCE's fuel oil pipeline and storage
business.  The 2002 third quarter results include earnings from discontinued
operations of two cents per share at EME's Lakeland project. Excluding earnings
from discontinued operations, EIX's earnings from continuing operations were
$1.53 per share in the third quarter of 2003 compared to $1.06 per share in
2002.

  THIRD-QUARTER EARNINGS DETAIL

  Earnings from Continuing Operations
  -----------------------------------



SCE's earnings from continuing operations were $329 million in the third quarter
of 2003, compared with $234 million in the third quarter of 2002. This $95
million increase reflects the resolution of certain regulatory proceedings
recorded in the third quarter of 2003.  The proceedings include the California
Public Utilities Commission's (CPUC) allocation of certain overhead costs
between the CPUC and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC)
jurisdictions, the final disposition of the Procurement Related Obligations
Account (PROACT) following the CPUC's review, and the Palo Verde nuclear
incentive awards.  These favorable results were partially offset by
performance-based ratemaking (PBR) rewards received in 2002, higher net interest
expense and depreciation expense.

EME's 2003 third quarter earnings from continuing operations of $200 million
were higher than the 2002 third quarter earnings from continuing operations by
$57 million primarily due to higher U.S. wholesale energy prices, the start of
operations at Phase II of the Sunrise project in June 2003, increased earnings
from Contact Energy and the ISAB and Paiton projects, and the write-off of
capitalized costs in 2002.  These favorable results were partially offset by
lower capacity revenues from EME's Midwest Generation subsidiary due to certain
units being released from power purchase agreements in 2003 and lower state tax
benefits than in 2002.  EME's earnings are seasonal with higher earnings
expected during the summer months.

Earnings in the third quarter of 2003 for Edison Capital were $14 million
compared to $27 million in the same period last year.  The decrease is primarily
due to lower state tax benefits.

Mission Energy Holding Company's results were unchanged from its results in the
same period last year.  "EIX parent and other" incurred a loss of $18 million in
the third quarter of 2003 compared to a loss of $35 million in the third quarter
of 2002.  The decrease in the loss reflects an insurance premium refund to EME
from EIX's insurance subsidiary in the third quarter of 2002 and an asset
impairment charge at its Edison O&M Services unit in the third quarter of 2002.

   Earnings from Discontinued Operations
   -------------------------------------



The third-quarter financial results include a $44 million, after-tax, gain on
the sale of SCE's fuel oil pipeline and storage business in 2003 and earnings
from discontinued operations of $6 million in 2002 from EME's Lakeland project.

                                          Quarter Ended Sept. 30,
   Earnings (Loss) Per Share (Unaudited)       2003  2002      Change
   -------------------------------------    -------------------------------
   Core Earnings (Loss):
     Southern California Edison              $1.01     $0.72      $0.29
     Edison Mission Energy                    0.61      0.44       0.17
     Edison Capital                           0.04      0.08      (0.04)
     Mission Energy Holding Co.              (0.07)    (0.07)       --
     EIX parent company and other            (0.06)    (0.11)      0.05
   -----------------------------------------------------------------------
   EIX Core Earnings -
   EIX Consol. Earnings from Continuing Ops.   1.53      1.06      0.47
   =======================================================================

   Earnings from Discontinued Operations:
     SCE's Fuel Oil Pipeline and
       Storage Business                        0.14        --      0.14
     EME's FFF & Lakeland Projects               --      0.02     (0.02)
   -----------------------------------------------------------------------
   EIX Consol. Earnings from
    Discontinued Ops.                          0.14      0.02      0.12

   =======================================================================
   Total EIX Consolidated Earnings            $1.67     $1.08     $0.59
   -----------------------------------------------------------------------



                                          Quarter Ended Sept. 30,
   Earnings (Loss) (in millions) (Unaudited)    2003     2002      Change
   -------------------------------------    -------------------------------
   Core Earnings (Loss):
     Southern California Edison                $329      $234       $95
     Edison Mission Energy                      200       143        57
     Edison Capital                              14        27       (13)
     Mission Energy Holding Co.                 (25)      (24)       (1)
     EIX parent company and other               (18)      (35)       17
   -----------------------------------------------------------------------


   EIX Core Earnings -
   EIX Consol. Earnings from Continuing Ops.    500       345       155
   =======================================================================

   Earnings from Discontinued Operations:
     SCE's Fuel Oil Pipeline and
      Storage Business                           44        --        44
     EME's FFF & Lakeland Projects               --         6        (6)
     Edison Enterprises Companies                --         1        (1)
  -----------------------------------------------------------------------

   EIX Consol. Earnings from Discontinued Ops.   44         7        37
   =======================================================================

   Total EIX Consolidated Earnings             $544      $352      $192


  YEAR-TO-DATE EARNINGS SUMMARY



EIX recorded earnings per share of $1.92 for the nine-month period ending
September 30, 2003, compared to $3.38 for the same period last year on a
reported basis.  Excluding SCE's gain of $480 million for implementation of the
CPUC's utility-retained generation (URG) decision in 2002, earnings from
continuing operations were $585 million for the nine months ended September 30,
2003, compared to $599 million for the same period last year.  This decrease in
core earnings was primarily the result of an EME 2003 asset impairment charge of
46 cents per share, partially offset by SCE's resolution of certain regulatory
proceedings in 2003 and EME's write-offs of capitalized costs in 2002.

2003 earnings from discontinued operations include SCE's gain on sale and
operating results from its fuel oil pipeline and storage business, and
adjustments from the sale of EME's Fiddler's Ferry and Ferrybridge (FFF) and
Lakeland projects.  2002 earnings from discontinued operations are primarily
related to operating results from EME's Lakeland project.  EME's 2003 loss from
the change in accounting principle of $9 million resulted from implementation of
a new accounting standard for asset retirement obligations.

  YEAR-TO-DATE EARNINGS DETAIL

  Earnings (Loss) from Continuing Operations
  ------------------------------------------



Excluding the $480 million gain in 2002 to implement the URG decision, SCE's
earnings from continuing operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2003
increased by $55 million compared to the same period last year.  This increase
in core earnings primarily reflects the resolution of certain regulatory
proceedings at SCE recorded in the third quarter of 2003.  These proceedings
include the CPUC's allocation of certain overhead costs, the final disposition
of the PROACT account following the CPUC's review, and Palo Verde nuclear
incentive awards.  These favorable results were partially offset by regulatory
items recorded in 2002 including the CPUC decisions regarding SCE's PBR and
URG-related issues.  Earnings were also affected by higher operations and
maintenance expenses and depreciation expenses, partially offset by higher
revenue.

EME's earnings from continuing operations for the nine-month period ending
September 30, 2003, decreased by $67 million compared to the same period last
year primarily due to the asset impairment charge of $150 million, after-tax,
for Midwest Generation's peaking facilities last quarter, partially offset by
the start of operations at Phase II of the Sunrise project in June 2003 and the
write-off of capitalized costs in 2002.  EME's 2003 results were favorably
impacted by higher U.S. wholesale energy prices and increased earnings from
Contact Energy and the Paiton project.   These favorable items were partially
offset by a reduction in revenue from the Illinois power plants, which reflects
the release of certain power and capacity in 2003 from power purchase
agreements, lower ancillary revenues and mark-to-market losses on forward
contracts at the First Hydro project, and lower state tax benefits.

Edison Capital's earnings for the nine months ended September 30, 2003 were $41
million, down $17 million from the same period last year.  This decrease is
primarily due to lower state tax benefits and a maturing lease portfolio which
produces lower income, partially offset by lower interest expense.

Earnings for the nine months ended September 30, 2003 for Mission Energy Holding
Company were substantially unchanged from the results in the same period last
year.  "EIX parent and other" incurred a loss of $61 million for the nine-month
period ending September 30, 2003, compared to a loss of $79 million in the same
period last year.  The decrease in the loss reflects an insurance premium refund
to EME from EIX's insurance subsidiary and an asset impairment charge at Edison
O&M Services in the third quarter of 2002.

  Earnings from Discontinued Operations
  -------------------------------------



The increase in earnings from discontinued operations primarily reflects the
2003 gain on sale and operating results from SCE's fuel oil pipeline and storage
business, partially offset by a loss from discontinued operations at EME from
adjustments related to the sale of the FFF and Lakeland projects in 2003 and
operating income from Lakeland in 2002.

  Change in Accounting Principle
  ------------------------------



EME's results for the nine-month period ending September 30, 2003 include a
three-cent, or $9 million, charge for the cumulative effect of a change in
accounting principle for asset retirement obligations adopted in 2003. Because
SCE follows accounting principles for rate-regulated enterprises, implementation
of the asset retirement standard did not affect its earnings.

                                          Year-To-Date Ended Sept. 30,
   Earnings (Loss) Per Share (Unaudited)       2003       2002     Change
   -------------------------------------   ------------------------------
   Core Earnings (Loss):
     Southern California Edison                  $2.00   $1.83    $0.17
     Edison Mission Energy                        0.08    0.29    (0.21)
     Edison Capital                               0.13    0.18    (0.05)
     Mission Energy Holding Co.                  (0.22)  (0.22)      --
     EIX parent company and other                (0.19)  (0.24)    0.05
   -----------------------------------------------------------------------
   Edison International Core Earnings            1.80    1.84     (0.04)
   -----------------------------------------------------------------------

    SCE implementation of URG decision            --      1.47    (1.47)
   -----------------------------------------------------------------------
   EIX Consol. Earnings from Continuing Ops.     1.80    3.31    (1.51)
   ======================================================================

   Earnings from Discontinued Operations:
     SCE's Fuel Oil Pipeline and
      Storage Business                           0.15      --     0.15
     EME's FFF & Lakeland Projects                --      0.07    (0.07)
   -----------------------------------------------------------------------
   EIX Consol. Earnings from Discontinued Ops.   0.15    0.07     0.08
   ======================================================================

   EME Change in Accounting Principle           (0.03)     --    (0.03)
   ======================================================================

   Total EIX Consolidated Earnings              $1.92   $3.38   $(1.46)
   ======================================================================

                                       Year-To-Date Ended Sept. 30,
   Earnings (Loss) (in millions) (Unaudited)     2003     2002   Change
   Core Earnings (Loss):
     Southern California Edison                   $650     $595    $55
     Edison Mission Energy                          28       95    (67)
     Edison Capital                                 41       58    (17)
     Mission Energy Holding Co.                    (73)     (70)    (3)
     EIX parent company and other                  (61)     (79)    18
   -----------------------------------------------------------------------
   Edison International Core Earnings              585      599    (14)
   -----------------------------------------------------------------------

    SCE implementation of URG decision              --      480   (480)
   -----------------------------------------------------------------------
   EIX Consol. Earnings from Continuing Ops.       585    1,079   (494)
   ======================================================================

   Earnings (Loss) from Discontinued Operations:
     SCE's Fuel Oil Pipeline and Storage Business   50       --     50
     EME's FFF & Lakeland Projects                  (2)      21    (23)
     Edison Enterprises Companies                   --        1     (1)
   -----------------------------------------------------------------------
   EIX Consol. Earnings from
    Discontinued Operations                         48       22     26
   =======================================================================

   EME Change in Accounting Principle               (9)      --     (9)
   =======================================================================
   Total EIX Consolidated Earnings                $624   $1,101  $(477)
   =======================================================================



        Reminder:  EIX to Hold Conference Call Today



Today, EIX will hold a conference call to discuss its third quarter 2003
financial results at 8:30 a.m. PST.  Although two-way participation in the
telephone call is limited to financial analysts and investors, all other
interested parties are invited to participate in a "listen-only mode" through a
simultaneous webcast on the company's Web site at
http://www.edisoninvestor.com/. Financial and other statistical information to
be presented during the call also will be available on the Web site.  The
domestic call-in number is [phone] and the Call ID# is 9500.

Based in Rosemead, Calif., Edison International is the parent company of
Southern California Edison, Edison Mission Energy and Edison Capital. 

FIRST AND FINAL ADD -- TABULAR MATERIAL -- TO FOLLOW

DATASOURCE: Edison International



CONTACT:  Edison International, [phone]



Web site:  http://www.edison.com/ 

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