Fortis Q2 profit rises, capital plan reaffirmed, US$1B notes priced
Q2 profit and revenue rise Fortis earned C$396 million (C$0.78 a share) in the second quarter, up from C$384 million, as revenue rose 4.1% to C$2.93 billion. Higher sales and rate base growth lift earnings, which supports the dividend and the stock.
The quarter's profit growth is the core new financial result behind the period.
Big five-year building plan reaffirmed Fortis spent C$2.7 billion in the first half and stuck with its C$5.6 billion annual and roughly C$26-28.8 billion five-year construction plans. That spending grows the rate base about 7% a year, which is the main engine for future earnings and 4-6% dividend growth.
The reaffirmed capital plan is the long-term driver of earnings and dividend growth.
Tilbury LNG expansion approved British Columbia approved the Tilbury LNG Phase 1B expansion, costing up to about C$2.2 billion, with construction starting 2027 and service by 2031. It is extra spending beyond the current plan, a new source of future earnings, though it also adds project and cost risk.
The Tilbury approval is a concrete new growth project beyond the existing plan.
US$1 billion debt raised, and valuation debate Fortis priced US$1 billion of long-term notes at 6.6-6.9% interest to repay maturing debt. That adds fixed interest cost but locks in funding for its building program. Meanwhile one analysis claims the shares are 70% below fair value, while analyst estimates call them roughly fairly priced.
The new borrowing and the split valuation views are the remaining fresh items this period.