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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Thursday, November 2, 2006

HEI sees net income decline

Advertiser Staff

At Hawaiian Electric Industries, revenue is up, earnings down

Hawaiian Electric Industries reported a 14 percent decline in third-quarter earnings, despite a 16 percent increase in revenue.

THE NUMBERS

Revenue: $569.8 million vs. $491.3 million a year ago

Net income: $32.3 million vs. $37.5 million a year ago

Earnings per share: 40 cents vs. 46 cents a year ago

Fiscal 2006 revenue: $1.55 billion, up 19 percent from FY2005

Fiscal 2006 net income: $91.9 million, up 2 percent from FY2005

REASONS

  • American Savings Bank worked to boost deposits in the face of narrowing interest rate margins. The bank offered an identity theft recovery program free of charge to all consumer checking customers and introduced an enhanced rewards program.

  • Operation and maintenance expenses at the utilities rose by $7.2 million. On O'ahu and Maui, generation reserve margins during peak periods were strained, resulting in more frequent and more extensive maintenance.

    WHAT THEY ARE SAYING

    HEI's kilowatt hour sales were flat quarter-over-quarter. "While the number of customers continued to grow, usage was down due in large part to cooler, less humid weather and customer conservation."

    Constance Lau
    HEI's president and chief executive officer

    WHAT'S NEXT

    HEI said comprehensive assessments are ongoing but major damage from last month's earthquakes was avoided. The results of these assessments may result in increases in other operation and maintenance expenses in the future.

    The state Public Utilities Commission is conducting a formal investigation into the causes of power outages in the wake of last month's earthquakes.

    Hawaiian Electric Industries' net income declined in the third quarter primarily because of lower returns on investments.

    Lower earnings at the company's American Savings Bank subsidiary more than offset a gain in earnings at its utilities.

    HEI supplies power to more than 400,000 customers in Hawai'i through its electric utilities and provides banking and other financial services through American Savings Bank.

    The company's utility subsidiaries are continuing to assess the impact of last month's earthquakes, which could result in operation and maintenance expenses in the future.