Debt RefinancingSome earnings headwinds are coming from the outcomes in both PA and OH rate cases, and the refinancing of low-cost debt at the holding company.
Financial PerformanceManagement stated that it would be ‘challenged’ to meet the lower end of the 14%-15% FFO to debt metric in part due to a $120mn accrual taken to resolve legacy HB 6 investigations.
Regulatory RisksDespite higher earnings estimates, the Underperform rating is reiterated to reflect risk associated with the Ohio rate proceedings and ongoing HB 6 investigations at various state and federal agencies.