NRG Energy, Inc. (NYSE: NRG) today reported a third quarter 2021 net income of $1,618 million, or $6.60 per diluted common share and Adjusted EBITDA for the third quarter of $767 million.
"Our platform has demonstrated resilient year-to-date performance, despite facing supply chain constraints driven by economy-wide shortages. As a result, we are focusing on mitigating near-term impacts," said Mauricio Gutierrez, NRG President and Chief Executive Officer. "As we turn towards the remainder of the year, we will look forward to continued progress on our strategic priorities, including the completion of our announced asset sales and furthering our customer-focused strategy."
Consolidated Financial Results | ||||||||||||||||
Three Months Ended | Nine Months Ended | |||||||||||||||
($ in millions) | 9/30/2021 | 9/30/2020 | 9/30/2021 | 9/30/2020 | ||||||||||||
Net Income | $ | 1,618 | $ | 249 | $ | 2,614 | $ | 683 | ||||||||
Cash provided by Operating Activities | $ | 1,478 | 694 | $ | 1,855 | $ | 1,386 | |||||||||
Adjusted EBITDAa | $ | 767 | $ | 752 | $ | 1,990 | $ | 1,674 | ||||||||
Free Cash Flow Before Growth Investments (FCFbG) | $ | 395 | $ | 625 | $ | 1,163 | $ | 1,157 | ||||||||
a. Three and nine months ended 9/30/2021 excludes the loss due to Winter Storm Uri of $21 million and $1,070 million, respectively
Segments Results
Table 1: Net Income/(Loss) | ||||||||||||||||
($ in millions) | Three Months Ended | Nine Months Ended | ||||||||||||||
Segment | 9/30/2021 | 9/30/2020 | 9/30/2021 | 9/30/2020 | ||||||||||||
Texas | $ | 251 | $ | 287 | $ | 600 | $ | 799 | ||||||||
East | 1,976 | 145 | 3,107 | 307 | ||||||||||||
West/Services/Othera | (609) | (183) | (1,093) | (423) | ||||||||||||
Net Income | $ | 1,618 | $ | 249 | $ | 2,614 | $ | 683 | ||||||||
a. Includes Corporate segment
Third quarter net income was $1,618 million, $1,369 million higher than third quarter 2020, driven by the acquisition of Direct Energy and the resulting mark-to-market on economic hedge positions in 2021 versus 2020 which were driven by large movements in gas prices and power prices.
Table 2: Adjusted EBITDA | ||||||||||||||||
($ in millions) | Three Months Ended | Nine Months Ended | ||||||||||||||
Segment | 9/30/2021 | 9/30/2020 | 9/30/2021 | 9/30/2020 | ||||||||||||
Texas | $ | 446 | $ | 514 | $ | 1,004 | $ | 1,087 | ||||||||
East | 229 | 140 | 781 | 359 | ||||||||||||
West/Services/Othera | 92 | 98 | 205 | 228 | ||||||||||||
Adjusted EBITDAb | $ | 767 | $ | 752 | $ | 1,990 | $ | 1,674 | ||||||||
a. Includes Corporate segment
b. Three and nine months ended 9/30/2021 excludes the loss due to Winter Storm Uri of $21 million and $1,070 million, respectively
The following discussion of financial results exclude the impact from Winter Storm Uri:
Texas: Third quarter Adjusted EBITDA was $446 million, $68 million lower than third quarter of 2020. This decrease was driven by increased costs to service retail load resulting from increased power and fuel costs as well as replacement power due to the extended forced outage at Limestone. These were partially offset by an increase due to the acquisition of Direct Energy.
East: Third quarter Adjusted EBITDA was $229 million, $89 million higher than third quarter of 2020. This increase was driven by the acquisition of Direct Energy partially offset by lower retail volumes and higher supply costs.
West/Services/Other: Third quarter Adjusted EBITDA was $92 million, $6 million lower than third quarter of 2020. This decrease is due to lower equity earnings from the sale of Agua Caliente in February 2021 and prior year MISO uplift payments resulting from out-of-market dispatch during extreme weather. These were partially offset by an increase due to the acquisition of Direct Energy.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Table 3: Corporate Liquidity | ||||||||
($ in millions) | 09/30/21 | 12/31/20 | ||||||
Cash and Cash Equivalents | $ | 259 | $ | 3,905 | ||||
Restricted Cash | 14 | 6 | ||||||
Total | $ | 273 | $ | 3,911 | ||||
Total Revolving Credit Facility and collective collateral facilities | 3,041 | 3,129 | ||||||
Total Liquidity, excluding collateral received | $ | 3,314 | $ | 7,040 | ||||
As of September 30, 2021, NRG cash was at $0.3 billion, and $3.0 billion was available under the Company’s credit facilities. Total liquidity was $3.3 billion. Overall liquidity as of the end of the third quarter 2021 was approximately $3.7 billion lower than at the end of 2020, driven by the closing of the $3.6 billion Direct Energy acquisition, the impact of Winter Storm Uri and $255 million of deleveraging.
NRG Strategic Developments
Texas Legislation and Winter Storm Uri Updates
Following Winter Storm Uri, the Texas legislature passed an omnibus reliability and customer-protection bill, SB3, in addition to two other statutes, HB4492 and SB1580, that provide for the financial stabilization of the market through securitization. The Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT) has implemented these laws by adopting mandatory weatherization standards for the electric sector, proposing market design reforms that prevent extraordinary energy price excursions in ERCOT while providing supplementary revenues for dispatchable resources, and issuing orders that cumulatively provide for $2.9 billion of financial relief to load-serving entities and their customers, as well as short-paid entities. The PUCT is expected to announce additional information regarding the ERCOT market re-design on December 20, 2021. ERCOT is also expected to publish its calculation of eligible entities’ share of securitization proceeds related to extraordinary uplift costs on December 7, 2021, with such proceeds expected to be disbursed in the first quarter of 2022. ERCOT expects to disburse proceeds of the smaller market-participant default securitization in 2021.
The Company expects Winter Storm Uri's total 2021 loss before income tax to be $1,070 million driven by resettlement data, ERCOT system wide counterparty defaults, provisions for credits losses, increased uplift charges to load, ancillary charges, and other estimates including results from other regions. The Company plans to mitigate the loss by a range of $370-$570 million which includes, but is not limited to, customer bad debt mitigation, counterparty default recovery, ERCOT default and uplift regulatory securitization as noted above, and one-time cost savings. The total net impact to cash flow is expected to be $600 million based on the mid-point of the mitigants, of which $65 million will be realized in 2022 for bill credits owed to large Commercial and Industrial (C&I) customers.
Issuance of 2032 Senior Notes and Redemption of 2026 and 2027 Senior Notes
On August 23, 2021, the Company issued $1.1 billion of aggregate principal amount at par of 3.875% senior notes due 2032. The 2032 Senior Notes were issued under NRG's Sustainability-Linked Bond Framework, which sets out certain sustainability targets, including reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Failure to meet such sustainability targets will result in a 25-basis point increase to the interest rate payable on the 2032 Senior Notes from and including August 15, 2026.
The proceeds along with cash on hand were used to fund the redemption of higher interest notes including $1.0 billion 7.250% Senior Notes due 2026 and $355 million of 6.625% senior notes due 2027 on August 24, 2021. In connection with the redemptions, a $57 million loss on debt extinguishment was recorded, which included the write-off of previously deferred financing costs of $9 million, during the nine months ended September 30, 2021. The Company will realize annual interest savings of $53 million.
Narrowing 2021 Guidance and Initiating 2022 Guidance
NRG is narrowing its Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted Cash from Operations, and Free Cash Flow Before Growth Investments (FCFbG) guidance for 2021 which excludes the full year impact of Winter Storm Uri. NRG is also initiating guidance for fiscal year 2022.
Table 4: 2021 and 2022 Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted Cash from Operations, and FCFbG Guidance | ||||
2021 | 2022 | |||
(In millions) | Revised Guidance | Guidance | ||
Adjusted EBITDAa | $2,400 - $2,500 | $1,950 - $2,250 | ||
Adjusted Cash Flow from Operations | $1,640 - $1,740 | $1,380 - $1,680 | ||
FCFbG | $1,440 - $ 1,540 | $1,140 - $1,440 | ||
a. Non-GAAP financial measure; see Appendix Tables A-4 for GAAP Reconciliation to Net Income that excludes fair value adjustments related to derivatives. The Company is unable to provide guidance for Net Income due to the impact of such fair value adjustments related to derivatives in a given year.
Capital Allocation Update
On October 15, 2021, NRG declared a quarterly dividend on the Company's common stock of $0.325 per share, payable on November 15, 2021 to stockholders of record as of November 1, 2021. Beginning in the first quarter of 2022, NRG will increase the annual dividend by 8% to $1.40 per share.
The Company deleveraged by a total of $255 million of senior notes through September 30, 2021. The Company’s deleveraging program will extend into 2023 growing into its target investment grade metrics of 2.5 - 2.75x, primarily through the full realization of Direct Energy’s run-rate earnings. The Company remains committed to maintaining a strong balance sheet and to achieving investment grade credit metrics.
The Company's common stock dividend and debt reductions are subject to available capital, market conditions, and compliance with associated laws and regulations.
Earnings Conference Call
On November 4, 2021, NRG will host a conference call at 9:00 a.m. Eastern to discuss these results. Investors, the news media, and others may access the live webcast of the conference call and accompanying presentation materials by logging on to NRG’s website at www.nrg.com and clicking on “Investors” then "Presentations & Webcasts." The webcast will be archived on the site for those unable to listen in real time.
About NRG
At NRG, we’re bringing the power of energy to people and organizations by putting customers at the center of everything we do. We generate electricity and provide energy solutions and natural gas to millions of customers through our diverse portfolio of retail brands. A Fortune 500 company, operating in the United States and Canada, NRG delivers innovative solutions while advocating for competitive energy markets and customer choice, working towards a sustainable energy future. More information is available at www.nrg.com. Connect with NRG on Facebook, LinkedIn and follow us on Twitter @nrgenergy.
Forward-Looking Statements
In addition to historical information, the information presented in this presentation includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Exchange Act. These statements involve estimates, expectations, projections, goals, assumptions, known and unknown risks and uncertainties and can typically be identified by terminology such as “may,” “should,” “could,” “objective,” “projection,” “forecast,” “goal,” “guidance,” “outlook,” “expect,” “intend,” “seek,” “plan,” “think,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “predict,” “target,” “potential” or “continue” or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology. Such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements about the Company’s future revenues, income, indebtedness, capital structure, plans, expectations, objectives, projected financial performance and/or business results and other future events, and views of economic and market conditions.
Although NRG believes that its expectations are reasonable, it can give no assurance that these expectations will prove to be correct, and actual results may vary materially. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated herein include, among others: the potential impact of COVID-19 or any other pandemic on the Company’s operations, financial position, risk exposure and liquidity; general economic conditions, including global supply chain disruptions; hazards customary in the power industry; weather conditions and extreme weather events; competition in wholesale power and gas markets; the volatility of energy and fuel prices; failure of customers or counterparties to perform under contracts; changes in the wholesale power and gas markets; changes in government or market regulations; the condition of capital markets generally and our ability to access capital markets; cyberterrorism and inadequate cybersecurity; unanticipated outages at our generation facilities; adverse results in current and future litigation; failure to identify, execute or successfully implement acquisitions or dispositions; our ability to implement value enhancing improvements to plant operations and companywide processes including weatherization of our physical assets; our ability to achieve our net debt targets; our ability to achieve investment grade credit metrics; our ability to achieve our growth plan; our ability to retain retail customers; our ability to realize value through our market operations strategy; the ability to successfully integrate businesses of acquired companies, including Direct Energy; our ability to realize anticipated benefits of transactions (including expected cost savings and other synergies) or the risk that anticipated benefits may take longer to realize than expected; our ability to proceed with projects under development or the inability to complete the construction of such projects on schedule or within budget; the inability to maintain or create successful partnering relationships; our ability to operate our business efficiently; and our ability to execute our Capital Allocation Plan. Achieving investment grade credit metrics is not an indication of or guarantee that the Company will receive investment grade credit ratings. Debt and share repurchases may be made from time to time subject to market conditions and other factors, including as permitted by United States securities laws. Furthermore, any common stock dividend is subject to available capital and market conditions.
NRG undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. The adjusted EBITDA and free cash flow guidance are estimates as of November 4, 2021. These estimates are based on assumptions the company believed to be reasonable as of that date. NRG disclaims any current intention to update such guidance, except as required by law. The foregoing review of factors that could cause NRG’s actual results to differ materially from those contemplated in the forward-looking statements included in this presentation should be considered in connection with information regarding risks and uncertainties that may affect NRG's future results included in NRG's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission at www.sec.gov.
NRG ENERGY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES | |||||||||||||||
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS | |||||||||||||||
(Unaudited) | |||||||||||||||
Three months ended
| Nine months ended
| ||||||||||||||
(In millions, except for per share amounts) | 2021 | 2020 | 2021 | 2020 | |||||||||||
Operating Revenues | |||||||||||||||
Total operating revenues | $ | 6,609 | $ | 2,809 | $ | 19,943 | $ | 7,066 | |||||||
Operating Costs and Expenses | |||||||||||||||
Cost of operations (excluding depreciation and amortization shown below) | 3,692 | 2,034 | 13,496 | 4,925 | |||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization | 199 | 99 | 569 | 318 | |||||||||||
Impairment losses | — | 29 | 306 | 29 | |||||||||||
Selling, general and administrative costs | 318 | 216 | 973 | 592 | |||||||||||
Provision for credit losses | 64 | 26 | 715 | 74 | |||||||||||
Acquisition-related transaction and integration costs | 17 | 12 | 81 | 13 | |||||||||||
Total operating costs and expenses | 4,290 | 2,416 | 16,140 | 5,951 | |||||||||||
Gain on sale of assets | — | — | 17 | 6 | |||||||||||
Operating Income | 2,319 | 393 | 3,820 | 1,121 | |||||||||||
Other Income/(Expense) | |||||||||||||||
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates | 15 | 36 | 23 | 37 | |||||||||||
Impairment losses on investments | — | — | — | (18) | |||||||||||
Other income, net | 8 | 11 | 42 | 52 | |||||||||||
Interest expense | (122) | (99) | (374) | (292) | |||||||||||
Total other expense | (156) | (52) | (366) | (222) | |||||||||||
Income Before Income Taxes | 2,163 | 341 | 3,454 | 899 | |||||||||||
Income tax expense | 545 | 92 | 840 | 216 | |||||||||||
Net Income | 1,618 | 249 | 2,614 | 683 | |||||||||||
Income per Share | |||||||||||||||
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding — basic | 245 | 244 | 245 | 246 | |||||||||||
Income per Weighted Average Common Share — Basic | $ | 6.60 | $ | 1.02 | $ | 10.67 | $ | 2.78 | |||||||
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding — diluted | 245 | 245 | 245 | 247 | |||||||||||
Income per Weighted Average Common Share — Diluted | $ | 6.60 | $ | 1.02 | $ | 10.67 | $ | 2.77 | |||||||
NRG ENERGY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES | ||||||||||||||||
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME | ||||||||||||||||
(Unaudited) | ||||||||||||||||
Three months ended September 30, | Nine months ended September 30, | |||||||||||||||
(In millions) | 2021 | 2020 | 2021 | 2020 | ||||||||||||
Net Income | $ | 1,618 | $ | 249 | $ | 2,614 | $ | 683 | ||||||||
Other Comprehensive (Loss)/Income | ||||||||||||||||
Foreign currency translation adjustments | (11) | 4 | (6) | 2 | ||||||||||||
Defined benefit plans | 1 | — | 20 | — | ||||||||||||
Other comprehensive (loss)/income | (10) | 4 | 14 | 2 | ||||||||||||
Comprehensive Income | $ | 1,608 | $ | 253 | $ | 2,628 | $ | 685 | ||||||||
NRG ENERGY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES | |||||||
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS | |||||||
September 30, 2021 | December 31, 2020 | ||||||
(In millions, except share data) | (Unaudited) | (Audited) | |||||
ASSETS | |||||||
Current Assets | |||||||
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 259 | $ | 3,905 | |||
Funds deposited by counterparties | 1,748 | 19 | |||||
Restricted cash | 14 | 6 | |||||
Accounts receivable, net | 3,096 | 904 | |||||
Inventory | 445 | 327 | |||||
Derivative instruments | 8,528 | 560 | |||||
Cash collateral paid in support of energy risk management activities | 21 | 50 | |||||
Prepayments and other current assets | 461 | 257 | |||||
Total current assets | 14,572 | 6,028 | |||||
Property, plant and equipment, net | 1,976 | 2,547 | |||||
Other Assets | |||||||
Equity investments in affiliates | 167 | 346 | |||||
Operating lease right-of-use assets, net | 293 | 301 | |||||
Goodwill | 1,801 | 579 | |||||
Intangible assets, net | 2,915 | 668 | |||||
Nuclear decommissioning trust fund | 957 | 890 | |||||
Derivative instruments | 2,671 | 261 | |||||
Deferred income taxes | 1,994 | 3,066 | |||||
Other non-current assets | 619 | 216 | |||||
Total other assets | 11,417 | 6,327 | |||||
Total Assets | $ | 27,965 | $ | 14,902 | |||
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY | |||||||
Current Liabilities | |||||||
Current portion of long-term debt and finance leases | $ | 504 | $ | 1 | |||
Current portion of operating lease liabilities | 79 | 69 | |||||
Accounts payable | 1,967 | 649 | |||||
Derivative instruments | 6,032 | 499 | |||||
Cash collateral received in support of energy risk management activities | 1,748 | 19 | |||||
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities | 1,679 | 678 | |||||
Total current liabilities | 12,009 | 1,915 | |||||
Other Liabilities | |||||||
Long-term debt and finance leases | 7,957 | 8,691 | |||||
Non-current operating lease liabilities | 257 | 278 | |||||
Nuclear decommissioning reserve | 316 | 303 | |||||
Nuclear decommissioning trust liability | 619 | 565 | |||||
Derivative instruments | 1,489 | 385 | |||||
Deferred income taxes | 74 | 19 | |||||
Other non-current liabilities | 1,166 | 1,066 | |||||
Total other liabilities | 11,878 | 11,307 | |||||
Total Liabilities | 23,887 | 13,222 | |||||
Commitments and Contingencies | |||||||
Stockholders' Equity | |||||||
Common stock; $0.01 par value; 500,000,000 shares authorized; 423,545,261 and 423,057,848 shares issued
| 4 | 4 | |||||
Additional paid-in-capital | 8,525 | 8,517 | |||||
Retained earnings/(accumulated deficit) | 971 | (1,403) | |||||
Less treasury stock, at cost - 178,765,948, and 178,825,915 shares at September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively | (5,230) | (5,232) | |||||
Accumulated other comprehensive loss | (192) | (206) | |||||
Total Stockholders' Equity | 4,078 | 1,680 | |||||
Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity | $ | 27,965 | $ | 14,902 | |||
NRG ENERGY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES | |||||||
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS | |||||||
(Unaudited) | |||||||
Nine months ended September 30, | |||||||
(In millions) | 2021 | 2020 | |||||
Cash Flows from Operating Activities | |||||||
Net Income | $ | 2,614 | $ | 683 | |||
Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash provided by operating activities: | |||||||
Distributions from and equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates | 8 | 6 | |||||
Depreciation and amortization | 569 | 318 | |||||
Accretion of asset retirement obligations | 21 | 46 | |||||
Provision for credit losses | 715 | 74 | |||||
Amortization of nuclear fuel | 39 | 40 | |||||
Amortization of financing costs and debt discounts | 30 | 23 | |||||
Loss on debt extinguishment, net | 57 | 1 | |||||
Amortization of in-the-money contracts, emissions allowances and retirements of RECs | 111 | 60 | |||||
Amortization of unearned equity compensation | 16 | 17 | |||||
Net gain on sale and disposal of assets | (29) | (22) | |||||
Impairment losses | 306 | 47 | |||||
Changes in derivative instruments | (4,419) | (7) | |||||
Changes in deferred income taxes and liability for uncertain tax benefits | 782 | 202 | |||||
Changes in collateral deposits in support of energy risk management activities | 1,970 | 96 | |||||
Changes in nuclear decommissioning trust liability | 38 | 39 | |||||
Oil lower of cost or market adjustment | — | 29 | |||||
Changes in other working capital | (973) | (266) | |||||
Cash provided by operating activities | 1,855 | 1,386 | |||||
Cash Flows from Investing Activities | |||||||
Payments for acquisitions of businesses, net of cash acquired | (3,534) | (277) | |||||
Capital expenditures | (219) | (167) | |||||
Net sales/(purchases) of emission allowances | 6 | (15) | |||||
Investments in nuclear decommissioning trust fund securities | (460) | (360) | |||||
Proceeds from the sale of nuclear decommissioning trust fund securities | 424 | 318 | |||||
Proceeds from sale of assets, net of cash disposed | 198 | 15 | |||||
Changes in investments in unconsolidated affiliates | — | 2 | |||||
Cash used by investing activities | (3,585) | (484) | |||||
Cash Flows from Financing Activities | |||||||
Payments of dividends to common stockholders | (239) | (221) | |||||
Payments for share repurchase activity | (9) | (229) | |||||
Net receipts/(payments) from settlement of acquired derivatives that include financing elements | 396 | (6) | |||||
Repayments of long-term debt and finance leases | (1,360) | (62) | |||||
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt | 1,100 | 59 | |||||
Payments for debt extinguishment costs | (48) | — | |||||
Payments of debt issuance costs | (18) | (24) | |||||
Proceeds from issuance of common stock | 1 | 1 | |||||
Net repayments of Revolving Credit Facility and Receivables Securitization Facilities | — | (83) | |||||
Purchase of and distributions to noncontrolling interests from subsidiaries | — | (2) | |||||
Cash used by financing activities | (177) | (567) | |||||
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents | (2) | (2) | |||||
Net (Decrease)/Increase in Cash and Cash Equivalents, Funds Deposited by Counterparties and Restricted
| (1,909) | 333 | |||||
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Funds Deposited by Counterparties and Restricted Cash at Beginning of Period | 3,930 | 385 | |||||
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Funds Deposited by Counterparties and Restricted Cash at End of Period | $ | 2,021 | $ | 718 | |||
Appendix Table A-1: Third Quarter 2021 Adjusted EBITDA Reconciliation by Operating Segment
The following table summarizes the calculation of Adjusted EBITDA and provides a reconciliation to Net Income/(Loss):
($ in millions) | Texas | East | West/Services/ Other1 | Corp/Elim | Total | |||||
Net Income/(Loss) | 251 | 1,976 | 130 | (739) | 1,618 | |||||
Plus: | ||||||||||
Interest expense, net | — | 1 | 3 | 117 | 121 | |||||
Income tax | — | 13 | 1 | 531 | 545 | |||||
Loss on debt extinguishment | — | — | — | 57 | 57 | |||||
Depreciation and amortization | 84 | 88 | 20 | 7 | 199 | |||||
ARO Expense | 3 | 4 | — | — | 7 | |||||
Contract amortization | 7 | (54) | 5 | — | (42) | |||||
EBITDA | 345 | 2,028 | 159 | (27) | 2,505 | |||||
Winter Storm Uri | 19 | — | — | 2 | 21 | |||||
Adjustment to reflect NRG share of adjusted EBITDA in
| — | — | 17 | — | 17 | |||||
Acquisition-related transaction & integration costs | 1 | — | — | 16 | 17 | |||||
Legal Settlement | — | (15) | — | 3 | (12) | |||||
Deactivation costs | — | — | 1 | — | 1 | |||||
Other non recurring charges | (1) | (1) | 2 | 3 | 3 | |||||
Mark to market (MtM) (gains)/losses on economic hedges | 82 | (1,783) | (84) | — | (1,785) | |||||
Adjusted EBITDA | 446 | 229 | 95 | (3) | 767 | |||||
1 Includes International
Third Quarter 2021 condensed financial information by Operating Segment:
($ in millions) | Texas | East | West/Services/ Other1 | Corp/Elim | Total | |||||
Operating revenues | 2,636 | 3,087 | 886 | — | 6,609 | |||||
Cost of fuel, purchased power and other cost of sales2 | 1,797 | 2,582 | 727 | 1 | 5,107 | |||||
Economic gross margin3 | 839 | 505 | 159 | (1) | 1,502 | |||||
Operations & maintenance and other cost of operations4 | 203 | 148 | 52 | (2) | 401 | |||||
Selling, marketing, general and administrative | 150 | 125 | 44 | 12 | 331 | |||||
Provision for credit losses | 58 | 3 | 3 | — | 64 | |||||
Other (income)5 | 1 | — | (35) | (6) | (40) | |||||
Winter Storm Uri impact | (19) | — | — | (2) | (21) | |||||
Adjusted EBITDA | 446 | 229 | 95 | (3) | 767 | |||||
1 Includes International
2 Includes capacity, emissions credits, and TDSP expenses in Texas and East
3 Excludes MtM gains of $1,785 million and contract amortization of $42 million
4 Excludes deactivation costs of $1 million
5 Excludes acquisition-related transaction & integration of $17 million
The following table reconciles the condensed financial information to Adjusted EBITDA:
($ in millions) | Condensed
| Interest, tax,
| MtM | Deactivation | Winter
| Other adj. | Adjusted
| |||||||
Operating revenues | 6,609 | 3 | (3) | — | 2 | (2) | 6,609 | |||||||
Cost of operations (excluding
| 3,280 | 45 | 1,782 | — | 15 | — | 5,122 | |||||||
Depreciation and Amortization | 199 | (199) | — | — | — | — | — | |||||||
Gross margin | 3,130 | 157 | (1,785) | — | (13) | (2) | 1,487 | |||||||
Operations & maintenance and
| 412 | — | — | (1) | — | (10) | 401 | |||||||
Selling, marketing, general &
| 318 | — | — | — | (2) | 13 | 329 | |||||||
Provision for credit losses | 64 | — | — | — | (32) | 1 | 33 | |||||||
Other expense/(income)1 | 718 | (666) | — | — | — | (95) | (43) | |||||||
Net Income/(Loss) | 1,618 | 823 | (1,785) | 1 | 21 | 89 | 767 | |||||||
1 Other adj. includes acquisition-related transaction & integration costs of $17 million, and adjustment to reflect NRG share of adjusted EBITDA in unconsolidated affiliates of $17 million
Appendix Table A-2: Third Quarter 2020 Adjusted EBITDA Reconciliation by Operating Segment
The following table summarizes the calculation of Adjusted EBITDA and provides a reconciliation to Net Income/(Loss):
($ in millions) | Texas | East | West/Services/ Other1 | Corp/Elims | Total | |||||
Net Income/(Loss) | 287 | 145 | 23 | (206) | 249 | |||||
Plus: | ||||||||||
Interest expense, net | — | 3 | 1 | 93 | 97 | |||||
Income tax | — | 1 | — | 91 | 92 | |||||
Depreciation and amortization | 49 | 33 | 10 | 7 | 99 | |||||
ARO Expense | 22 | 3 | 3 | — | 28 | |||||
Contract amortization | 2 | — | — | — | 2 | |||||
EBITDA | 360 | 185 | 37 | (15) | 567 | |||||
Adjustment to reflect NRG share of adjusted EBITDA in
| — | — | 25 | — | 25 | |||||
Acquisition-related transaction & integration costs | — | — | — | 12 | 12 | |||||
Reorganization costs | — | — | — | (1) | (1) | |||||
Deactivation costs | — | 2 | — | — | 2 | |||||
Other non recurring charges | 2 | (2) | 3 | (3) | — | |||||
Impairments | — | — | 29 | — | 29 | |||||
Mark to market (MtM) (gains)/losses on economic hedges | 152 | (45) | 11 | — | 118 | |||||
Adjusted EBITDA | 514 | 140 | 105 | (7) | 752 | |||||
1 Includes International and remaining renewables
Third Quarter 2020 condensed financial information by Operating Segment:
($ in millions) | Texas | East | West/Services/
| Corp/Elim | Total | |||||
Operating revenues | 1,991 | 623 | 159 | (3) | 2,770 | |||||
Cost of fuel, purchased power and other cost of sales2 | 1,140 | 301 | 75 | (1) | 1,515 | |||||
Economic gross margin3 | 851 | 322 | 84 | (2) | 1,255 | |||||
Operations & maintenance and other cost of operations4 | 187 | 113 | 28 | (1) | 327 | |||||
Selling, marketing, general & administrative | 129 | 68 | 16 | 6 | 219 | |||||
Provision for credit losses | 24 | 1 | 1 | — | 26 | |||||
Other (income)5 | (3) | — | (66) | — | (69) | |||||
Adjusted EBITDA | 514 | 140 | 105 | (7) | 752 | |||||
1 Includes International and remaining renewables
2 Includes capacity, emissions credits, and TDSP expenses in Texas and East
3 Excludes MtM gain of $118 million and contract amortization of $2 million
4 Excludes deactivation costs of $2 million
5 Excludes acquisition-related transaction & integration costs of $12 million
The following table reconciles the condensed financial information to Adjusted EBITDA:
($ in millions) | Condensed
| Interest, tax,
| MtM | Deactivation | Other adj. | Adjusted
| ||||||
Operating revenues | 2,809 | — | (39) | — | — | 2,770 | ||||||
Cost of operations (excluding depreciation and
| 1,674 | (2) | (157) | — | — | 1,515 | ||||||
Depreciation and amortization | 99 | (99) | — | — | — | — | ||||||
Gross margin | 1,036 | 101 | 118 | — | — | 1,255 | ||||||
Operations & maintenance and other cost of
| 360 | — | — | (4) | (29) | 327 | ||||||
Selling, marketing, general & administrative | 216 | — | — | — | 3 | 219 | ||||||
Provision for credit losses | 26 | — | — | — | — | 26 | ||||||
Other expense/(income)1 | 185 | (189) | — | — | (65) | (69) | ||||||
Net Income/(Loss) | 249 | 290 | 118 | 4 | 91 | 752 | ||||||
1 Other adj. includes adjustment to reflect NRG share of adjusted EBITDA in unconsolidated affiliates of $25 million and acquisition-related transaction & integration costs of $12 million
Appendix Table A-3: YTD Third Quarter 2021 Adjusted EBITDA Reconciliation by Operating Segment
The following table summarizes the calculation of Adjusted EBITDA and provides a reconciliation to Net Income/(Loss):
($ in millions) | Texas | East | West/Services/Other1 | Corp/Elim | Total | |||||
Net Income/(Loss) | 600 | 3,107 | 251 | (1,344) | 2,614 | |||||
Plus: | ||||||||||
Interest expense, net | 1 | (1) | 9 | 364 | 373 | |||||
Income tax | — | 29 | 3 | 808 | 840 | |||||
Loss on debt extinguishment | — | — | — | 57 | 57 | |||||
Depreciation and amortization | 245 | 238 | 65 | 21 | 569 | |||||
ARO Expense | 10 | 9 | 2 | — | 21 | |||||
Contract amortization | — | 23 | 15 | — | 38 | |||||
EBITDA | 856 | 3,405 | 345 | (94) | 4,512 | |||||
Winter Storm Uri Impact | 1,211 | (136) | (13) | 8 | 1,070 | |||||
Adjustment to reflect NRG share of adjusted EBITDA in
| 1 | — | 55 | — | 56 | |||||
Acquisition-related transaction & integration costs | 1 | — | — | 80 | 81 | |||||
Legal settlements | — | (15) | — | 11 | (4) | |||||
Deactivation costs | — | 16 | 1 | — | 17 | |||||
Gain on sale of business | — | — | (17) | (15) | (32) | |||||
Other non recurring charges | 2 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 7 | |||||
Impairments | — | 306 | — | — | 306 | |||||
Mark to market (MtM) (gains)/losses on economic hedges | (1,067) | (2,796) | (160) | — | (4,023) | |||||
Adjusted EBITDA | 1,004 | 781 | 212 | (7) | 1,990 | |||||
1 Includes International
YTD Third Quarter 2021 condensed financial information by Operating Segment:
($ in millions) | Texas | East | West/Services/Other1 | Corp/Elim | Total | |||||
Operating revenues | 8,367 | 9,070 | 2,628 | (4) | 20,061 | |||||
Cost of fuel, purchased power and other cost of sales2 | 6,791 | 7,340 | 2,172 | 1 | 16,304 | |||||
Economic gross margin3 | 1,576 | 1,730 | 456 | (5) | 3,757 | |||||
Operations & maintenance and other cost of operations4 | 656 | 423 | 177 | (4) | 1,252 | |||||
Selling, marketing, general and administrative | 434 | 388 | 128 | 32 | 982 | |||||
Provision for credit losses | 701 | 7 | 8 | (1) | 715 | |||||
Other (income)5 | (8) | (5) | (82) | (17) | (112) | |||||
Winter Storm Uri impact | (1,211) | 136 | 13 | (8) | (1,070) | |||||
Adjusted EBITDA | 1,004 | 781 | 212 | (7) | 1,990 | |||||
1 Includes International
2 Includes capacity, emissions credits, and TDSP expenses in Texas and East
3 Excludes MtM gains of $4,023 million and contract amortization of $38 million
4 Excludes deactivation costs of $17 million
5 Excludes acquisition-related transaction & integration costs of $81 million and legal settlements of ($4) million
The following table reconciles the condensed financial information to Adjusted EBITDA:
($ in millions) | Condensed
| Interest, tax,
| MtM | Deactivation | Winter
| Other adj. | Adjusted
| |||||||
Operating revenues | 19,943 | 19 | 99 | — | (2,663) | 13 | 17,411 | |||||||
Cost of operations (excluding
| 12,201 | (20) | 4,122 | — | (3,052) | 2 | 13,253 | |||||||
Depreciation and amortization | 569 | (569) | — | — | — | — | — | |||||||
Gross margin | 7,173 | 608 | (4,023) | — | 389 | 11 | 4,158 | |||||||
Operations & maintenance and
| 1,295 | — | — | (36) | 2 | (9) | 1,252 | |||||||
Selling, marketing, general &
| 973 | — | — | — | (23) | 12 | 962 | |||||||
Provision for credit losses | 715 | — | — | — | (637) | — | 78 | |||||||
Other expense/(income)1 | 1,576 | (1,212) | — | — | (23) | (465) | (124) | |||||||
Net Income/(Loss) | 2,614 | 1,820 | (4,023) | 36 | 1,070 | 473 | 1,990 | |||||||
1 Other adj. includes impairments of $306 million, acquisition-related transaction & integration costs of $81 million, adjustment to reflect NRG share of adjusted EBITDA in unconsolidated affiliates of $56 million, and gain on sale of business of $32 million
Appendix Table A-4: YTD Third Quarter 2020 Adjusted EBITDA Reconciliation by Operating Segment
The following table summarizes the calculation of Adjusted EBITDA and provides a reconciliation to Net Income/(Loss):
($ in millions) | Texas | East | West/Services/Other1 | Corp/Elims | Total | |||||
Net Income/ (Loss) | 799 | 307 | 97 | (520) | 683 | |||||
Plus: | ||||||||||
Interest expense, net | — | 10 | 2 | 272 | 284 | |||||
Income tax | — | — | 1 | 215 | 216 | |||||
Loss on debt extinguishment | — | 1 | — | — | 1 | |||||
Depreciation and amortization | 167 | 97 | 28 | 26 | 318 | |||||
ARO Expense | 29 | 14 | 4 | (1) | 46 | |||||
Contract amortization | 4 | — | — | — | 4 | |||||
EBITDA | 999 | 429 | 132 | (8) | 1,552 | |||||
Adjustment to reflect NRG share of adjusted EBITDA in
| 2 | — | 72 | — | 74 | |||||
Acquisition-related transaction & integration costs | — | — | — | 13 | 13 | |||||
Reorganization costs | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | |||||
Deactivation costs | 2 | 1 | 2 | — | 5 | |||||
Gain on sale of business | — | — | — | (15) | (15) | |||||
Other non recurring charges | 4 | (1) | — | 7 | 10 | |||||
Impairments | 18 | — | 29 | — | 47 | |||||
Mark to market (MtM) (gains)/losses on economic hedges | 62 | (70) | (5) | — | (13) | |||||
Adjusted EBITDA | 1,087 | 359 | 230 | (2) | 1,674 | |||||
1 Includes International and remaining renewables
YTD Third Quarter 2020 condensed financial information by Operating Segment:
($ in millions) | Texas | East | West/Services/Other1 | Corp/Elim | Total | |||||
Operating revenues | 4,927 | 1,669 | 401 | (9) | 6,988 | |||||
Cost of fuel, purchased power and other cost of sales2 | 2,850 | 792 | 161 | (4) | 3,799 | |||||
Economic gross margin3 | 2,077 | 877 | 240 | (5) | 3,189 | |||||
Operations & maintenance and other cost of operations4 | 581 | 330 | 89 | (3) | 997 | |||||
Selling, marketing, general & administrative | 346 | 187 | 40 | 16 | 589 | |||||
Provision for credit losses | 69 | 4 | — | 1 | 74 | |||||
Other (income)5 | (6) | (3) | (119) | (17) | (145) | |||||
Adjusted EBITDA | 1,087 | 359 | 230 | (2) | 1,674 | |||||
1 Includes International and remaining renewables
2 Includes capacity, emissions credits, and TDSP expenses in Texas and East
3 Excludes MtM gain of $13 million and contract amortization of $4 million
4 Excludes deactivation costs of $5 million
5 Excludes acquisition-related transaction & integration costs of $13 million
The following table reconciles the condensed financial information to Adjusted EBITDA:
($ in millions) | Condensed
| Interest, tax,
| MtM | Deactivation | Other adj. | Adjusted
| ||||||
Operating revenues | 7,066 | — | (78) | — | — | 6,988 | ||||||
Cost of operations (excluding depreciation and
| 3,868 | (4) | (65) | — | — | 3,799 | ||||||
Depreciation and amortization | 318 | (318) | — | — | — | — | ||||||
Gross margin | 2,880 | 322 | (13) | — | — | 3,189 | ||||||
Operations & maintenance and other cost of
| 1,057 | — | — | (14) | (46) | 997 | ||||||
Selling, marketing, general & administrative | 592 | — | — | — | (3) | 589 | ||||||
Provision for credit losses | 74 | — | — | — | — | 74 | ||||||
Other expense/(income) 1 | 474 | (501) | — | — | (118) | (145) | ||||||
Net Income/(Loss) | 683 | 823 | (13) | 14 | 167 | 1,674 | ||||||
1 Other adj. includes adjustment to reflect NRG share of adjusted EBITDA in unconsolidated affiliates of $74 million, impairments $47 million, and gain on sale of business of $15 million
Appendix Table A-5: 2021 and 2020 Three Months Ended September 30 Adjusted Cash Flow from Operations Reconciliations
The following table summarizes the calculation of adjusted cash flow operating activities providing a reconciliation to net cash provided by operating activities:
Three Months Ended | ||||||
($ in millions) | September 30, 2021 | September 30, 2020 | ||||
Adjusted EBITDA | 767 | 752 | ||||
Winter Storm Uri loss | (21) | — | ||||
Interest payments | (143) | (68) | ||||
Income tax | (20) | (15) | ||||
Collateral / working capital / other | 895 | 25 | ||||
Cash Provided by Operating Activities | 1,478 | 694 | ||||
Winter Storm Uri: | ||||||
Loss | 21 | — | ||||
C&I credits and remaining open accounts receivables | 4 | — | ||||
Net receipts from settlement of acquired derivatives that include financing elements | 205 | — | ||||
Merger and integration costs | 16 | 12 | ||||
Encina site improvement and GenOn pension | 4 | 1 | ||||
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents | (3) | (2) | ||||
Proceeds from investment and asset sales | — | 3 | ||||
Adjustment for change in collateral | (1,274) | (38) | ||||
Nuclear decommissioning trust liability | (9) | (5) | ||||
Adjusted Cash Flow from Operating Activities | 442 | 665 | ||||
Maintenance Capital Expenditures, net | (47) | (39) | ||||
Environmental Capital Expenditures, net | — | (1) | ||||
Free Cash Flow Before Growth Investments (FCFbG) | 395 | 625 | ||||
Appendix Table A-6: 2021 and 2020 Nine Months Ended September 30 Adjusted Cash Flow from Operations Reconciliations
The following table summarizes the calculation of adjusted cash flow operating activities providing a reconciliation to net cash provided by operating activities:
Nine Months Ended | ||||||
($ in millions) | September 30, 2021 | September 30, 2020 | ||||
Adjusted EBITDA | 1,990 | 1,674 | ||||
Winter Storm Uri loss | (1,070) | — | ||||
Interest payments | (333) | (240) | ||||
Income tax | (8) | (19) | ||||
Collateral / working capital / other | 1,276 | (29) | ||||
Cash Provided by Operating Activities | 1,855 | 1,386 | ||||
Winter Storm Uri: | ||||||
1,070 | — | |||||
(107) | — | |||||
Net receipts from settlement of acquired derivatives that include financing elements | 396 | — | ||||
Merger and integration costs | 82 | 15 | ||||
Encina site improvement and GenOn pension | 19 | 4 | ||||
Proceeds from investment and asset sales | — | 15 | ||||
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents | (2) | (2) | ||||
Adjustment for change in collateral | (1,970) | (96) | ||||
Nuclear decommissioning trust liability | (36) | (42) | ||||
Adjusted Cash Flow from Operating Activities | 1,307 | 1,280 | ||||
Maintenance Capital Expenditures, net | (142) | (121) | ||||
Environmental Capital Expenditures, net | (2) | (2) | ||||
Free Cash Flow Before Growth Investments (FCFbG) | 1,163 | 1,157 | ||||
Appendix Table A-7: YTD Third Quarter 2021 Sources and Uses of Liquidity
The following table summarizes the sources and uses of liquidity through third quarter of 2021:
($ in millions) | Nine months ended
| |
Sources: | ||
Cash provided by operating activities1 | 1,855 | |
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt | 1,100 | |
Proceeds from asset sales | 198 | |
Net receipts from settlement of acquired derivatives that include financing elements | 396 | |
Net sales of emission allowances | 6 | |
Uses: | ||
Payments for acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired | (3,534) | |
Funds deposited by counterparties | (1,729) | |
Decrease in Credit Facility | (88) | |
Growth investments and acquisitions, net | (75) | |
Maintenance and Environmental CapEx, net | (144) | |
Net investments/proceeds from nuclear decommission trust fund securities | (36) | |
Payments for share repurchase activity | (9) | |
Common Stock Dividends | (239) | |
Repayments of long-term debt and finance leases | (1,360) | |
Payments for debt extinguishment costs | (48) | |
Payments of debt issuance costs | (18) | |
Other Investing and Financing | (1) | |
Change in Total Liquidity | (3,726) | |
1 Cash provided by operating activities includes GenOn pension, Encina site improvements, and small book acquisitions
Appendix Table A-8: 2021 and 2022 Guidance Reconciliation
The following table summarizes the calculation of Adjusted EBITDA providing reconciliation to Net (Loss)/Income, and the calculation of Free Cash Flow before Growth providing reconciliation to Cash from Operations:
2021 | 2022 | ||||
($ in millions) | Guidance | Guidance | |||
Net (loss)/Income1 | $ (370) - (270) | $ 480 - 780 | |||
Winter Storm Uri | 1,070 | — | |||
Interest expense, net | 440 | 380 | |||
Income tax | (110) | 210 | |||
Depreciation, amortization, contract amortization, and ARO
| 850 | 760 | |||
Adjustment to reflect NRG share of adjusted EBITDA in
| 75 | 70 | |||
Impairments | 306 | — | |||
Loss on debt extinguishment | 57 | — | |||
Other costs3 | 80 | 50 | |||
Adjusted EBITDA | 2,400 - 2,500 | 1,950 - 2,250 | |||
Interest payments, net | (440) | (395) | |||
Income tax | (30) | (20) | |||
Working capital / other assets and liabilities | (320) | (165) | |||
Cash provided by Operating Activities | 1,610-1,710 | 1,370 - 1,670 | |||
Adjustments: proceeds from investment and asset sales, collateral,
| 30 | 10 | |||
Adjusted Cash flow from Operations | 1,640 - 1,740 | 1,380 - 1,680 | |||
Maintenance capital expenditures, net | (190) - (205) | (220) - (240) | |||
Environmental capital expenditures, net | (5) - (10) | (5) - (10) | |||
Free Cash Flow before Growth | $ 1,440 - 1,540 | $ 1,140 - 1,440 | |||
1 For purposes of guidance fair value adjustments related to derivatives are assumed to be zero
2 Provisional amounts related to the Direct Energy acquisition are subject to revision until evaluations are completed; for details see Note 4 of NRG 3Q21 10Q
3 Includes deactivation costs and integration expenses
EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are non-GAAP financial measures. These measurements are not recognized in accordance with GAAP and should not be viewed as an alternative to GAAP measures of performance. The presentation of Adjusted EBITDA should not be construed as an inference that NRG’s future results will be unaffected by unusual or non-recurring items.
EBITDA represents net income before interest expense (including loss on debt extinguishment), income taxes, depreciation and amortization, asset retirement obligation expenses, contract amortization consisting of amortization of power and fuel contracts and amortization of emission allowances. EBITDA is presented because NRG considers it an important supplemental measure of its performance and believes debt-holders frequently use EBITDA to analyze operating performance and debt service capacity. EBITDA has limitations as an analytical tool, and you should not consider it in isolation, or as a substitute for analysis of our operating results as reported under GAAP. Some of these limitations are:
- EBITDA does not reflect cash expenditures, or future requirements for capital expenditures, or contractual commitments;
- EBITDA does not reflect changes in, or cash requirements for, working capital needs;
- EBITDA does not reflect the significant interest expense, or the cash requirements necessary to service interest or principal payments, on debt or cash income tax payments;
- Although depreciation and amortization are non-cash charges, the assets being depreciated and amortized will often have to be replaced in the future, and EBITDA does not reflect any cash requirements for such replacements; and
- Other companies in this industry may calculate EBITDA differently than NRG does, limiting its usefulness as a comparative measure.
Because of these limitations, EBITDA should not be considered as a measure of discretionary cash available to use to invest in the growth of NRG’s business. NRG compensates for these limitations by relying primarily on our GAAP results and using EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA only supplementally. See the statements of cash flow included in the financial statements that are a part of this news release.
Adjusted EBITDA is presented as a further supplemental measure of operating performance. As NRG defines it, Adjusted EBITDA represents EBITDA excluding impairment losses, gains or losses on sales, dispositions or retirements of assets, any mark-to-market gains or losses from forward position of economic hedges, adjustments to exclude the Adjusted EBITDA related to the non-controlling interest, gains or losses on the repurchase, modification or extinguishment of debt, the impact of restructuring and any extraordinary, unusual or non-recurring items plus adjustments to reflect the Adjusted EBITDA from our unconsolidated investments. The reader is encouraged to evaluate each adjustment and the reasons NRG considers it appropriate for supplemental analysis. As an analytical tool, Adjusted EBITDA is subject to all of the limitations applicable to EBITDA. In addition, in evaluating Adjusted EBITDA, the reader should be aware that in the future NRG may incur expenses similar to the adjustments in this news release.
Management believes Adjusted EBITDA is useful to investors and other users of NRG's financial statements in evaluating its operating performance because it provides an additional tool to compare business performance across companies and across periods and adjusts for items that we do not consider indicative of NRG’s future operating performance. This measure is widely used by debt-holders to analyze operating performance and debt service capacity and by equity investors to measure our operating performance without regard to items such as interest expense, taxes, depreciation and amortization, which can vary substantially from company to company depending upon accounting methods and book value of assets, capital structure and the method by which assets were acquired. Management uses Adjusted EBITDA as a measure of operating performance to assist in comparing performance from period to period on a consistent basis and to readily view operating trends, as a measure for planning and forecasting overall expectations, and for evaluating actual results against such expectations, and in communications with NRG's Board of Directors, shareholders, creditors, analysts and investors concerning its financial performance.
Adjusted cash flow from operating activities is a non-GAAP measure NRG provides to show cash from operations with the reclassification of net payments of derivative contracts acquired in business combinations from financing to operating cash flow, as well as the add back of merger, integration, related restructuring costs, changes in the nuclear decommissioning trust liability, and the impact of extraordinary, unusual or non-recurring items. The Company provides the reader with this alternative view of operating cash flow because the cash settlement of these derivative contracts materially impact operating revenues and cost of sales, while GAAP requires NRG to treat them as if there was a financing activity associated with the contracts as of the acquisition dates. The Company adds back merger, integration related restructuring costs as they are one time and unique in nature and do not reflect ongoing cash from operations and they are fully disclosed to investors. The company excludes changes in the nuclear decommissioning trust liability as these amounts are offset by changes in the decommissioning fund shown in cash from investing.
Free cash flow (before Growth investments) is adjusted cash flow from operations less maintenance and environmental capital expenditures, net of funding, preferred stock dividends and distributions to non-controlling interests and is used by NRG predominantly as a forecasting tool to estimate cash available for debt reduction and other capital allocation alternatives. The reader is encouraged to evaluate each of these adjustments and the reasons NRG considers them appropriate for supplemental analysis. Because we have mandatory debt service requirements (and other non-discretionary expenditures) investors should not rely on free cash flow before Growth investments as a measure of cash available for discretionary expenditures.
Free Cash Flow before Growth Investment is utilized by Management in making decisions regarding the allocation of capital. Free Cash Flow before Growth Investment is presented because the Company believes it is a useful tool for assessing the financial performance in the current period. In addition, NRG’s peers evaluate cash available for allocation in a similar manner and accordingly, it is a meaningful indicator for investors to benchmark NRG's performance against its peers. Free Cash Flow before Growth Investment is a performance measure and is not intended to represent net income (loss), cash from operations (the most directly comparable U.S. GAAP measure), or liquidity and is not necessarily comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other companies.
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