Earnings Analysis - Ameren

LONDON, March 24, 2015 /PRNewswire/ --

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Investor-Edge.com has issued free earnings analysis on Ameren Corp. (NYSE: AEE). On February 25, 2015, the company reported its financial results for Q4 FY14 and full year FY14 (period ended December 31, 2014). Click on http://get.Investor-Edge.com/pdf/?c=Ameren&d=24-Mar-2015&s=AEE to read our free earnings review on Ameren Corporation (Ameren). The company's net income attributable to Ameren from continuing operations was $587 million, or $2.40 per diluted share, for full year FY14. Chairman, President and CEO of Ameren, Warner L. Baxter, stated the company delivered strong earnings growth in FY14 as it continued to successfully execute its strategic plan, which centers on investing in electric and gas utility infrastructure for the benefit of its customers and shareholders, while exercising disciplined cost management. Our free coverage report can be accessed at:

http://get.Investor-Edge.com/pdf/?c=Ameren&d=24-Mar-2015&s=AEE

Earnings Overview 

During Q4 FY14, Ameren's total operating revenues came in at $1.37 billion compared to $1.32 billion in Q4 FY13. Analysts from Bloomberg had estimated total operating revenues of $1.44 billion in the reported quarter. The company's electric operating revenues were $1.05 billion in Q4 FY14 compared to $1.01 billion in Q4 FY13. Moreover, Ameren's gas operating revenues increased to $321 million in Q4 FY14 from $313 million in Q4 FY13. Free research on AEE can be downloaded in PDF format at:

http://get.Investor-Edge.com/pdf/?c=Ameren&d=24-Mar-2015&s=AEE

In Q4 FY14, net income attributable to Ameren from continuing operations stood at $46 million, or $0.19 per diluted share, compared to $48 million, or $0.19 per diluted share, in Q4 FY13. Bloomberg analysts had expected net income attributable to Ameren from continuing operations of $38 million, or $0.16 per diluted share, for Q4 FY14. Ameren's Missouri segment reported Q4 FY14 net loss of $5 million versus net income of $33 million in Q4 FY13. Furthermore, Ameren's Illinois segment's net income increased to $45 million in Q4 FY14 from $21 million in Q4 FY13.

For FY14, Ameren's total operating revenues came in higher at $6.05 billion compared to $5.84 billion in FY13. Bloomberg analysts had estimated total operating revenues of $6.05 billion for FY14. The company's electric operating revenues were $4.91 billion in FY14 compared to $4.83 billion in FY13. Additionally, Ameren's gas operating revenues increased to $1.14 billion in FY14 from $1.01 billion in FY13.

In FY14, net income attributable to Ameren from continuing operations increased by $75 million, or $0.30 per diluted share, from $512 million, or $2.10 per diluted share, in FY13. Bloomberg analysts had expected net income attributable to Ameren from continuing operations of $576 million, or $2.37 per diluted share, for FY14. Ameren Missouri segment's net income was $390 million in FY14 compared to $395 million in FY13. In addition, Ameren Illinois segment's net income increased to $201 million in FY14 from $160 million in FY13. Sign up and read the free analyst's notes on AEE at:

http://get.Investor-Edge.com/pdf/?c=Ameren&d=24-Mar-2015&s=AEE

Ameren's net cash provided by operating activities from continuing operations was $1.56 billion in FY14 compared to $1.64 billion in FY13. As of December 31, 2014, the company had cash and cash equivalents balance of $5 million compared to $30 million as of December 31, 2013.

For its FY15 outlook, Ameren anticipates diluted earnings per share (EPS) to be in a range of $2.45 to $2.65. The company continues to expect diluted EPS from continuing operations to grow at a 7% to 10% compound annual rate from 2013 through 2018. On top, rate base is projected to grow at a 6% compound annual rate over the 2014 through 2019 period.

Stock Performance  

On the day of the earnings release, February 25, 2015, Ameren's stock edged 0.33% higher, finishing the session at $43.13. Since then, the stock has moved both ways. On the last close, Monday, March 23, 2015, the company's shares ended 0.59% lower at $42.41. Ameren's shares vacillated between $42.37 and $42.90 during the session. A total of 1.55 million shares were traded which was below the stock's three months average volume of 1.85 million shares. Over the last one month and previous three months, Ameren's shares have lost 1.65% and 7.06%, respectively. However, the stock has advanced 4.77% over the past one year. Shares in the company closed above their 200-day moving average of $41.48. Furthermore, the stock traded at a PE ratio of 17.60 and has a Relative Strength Index (RSI) of 51.68. Visit Investor-Edge and access the latest research on AEE at:

http://get.Investor-Edge.com/pdf/?c=Ameren&d=24-Mar-2015&s=AEE

Sneak Peek to Corporate Insider Trading  

In the last one month, there were 12 insider transactions made by 12 individuals. Between February 27, 2015 and March 09, 2015, a total of 83,018 shares were disposed at an average price of $42.40 per share and for a total value of $3.52 million. The following are some of the abovementioned transactions: on February 27, 2015, Warner L. Baxter sold 15,842 shares at an average price of $42.41 per share. On the same day, Martin J. Lyons, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer at Ameren, and Daniel F. Cole, Ameren Services Chairman and President, disposed 13,201 and 10,851 shares, respectively, at an average price of $42.41 per share. Complimentary in-depth research on AEE is available at:

http://get.Investor-Edge.com/pdf/?c=Ameren&d=24-Mar-2015&s=AEE

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