Horizon Energy cuts guidance on regulation, acquisition; Mainzeal losses still to come

Monday 11th February 2013

Eastern Bay of Plenty electricity lines company Horizon Energy has sliced its forecast earnings by a fifth on the cost of regulation and last year's Aquaheat acquisition, and signalled there may be more to come due to its exposure to the collapse of Mainzeal Property and Construction.

The Whakatane-based company expects to post net profit of $3.4 million in the year ending March 31, down from a previous forecast of $4.3 million, Horizon said in a statement. That's down from earnings of $6.4 million a year earlier. The downgrade doesn't include any loss arising from the Mainzeal receivership, which it said last week would hit its bottom line.

Chairman Rob Tait said the reduction was due to increased transmission costs, a provision made for a Commerce Commission required price decision, expected losses from its Aquaheat subsidiary and acquisition costs relating to the purchase.

Horizon also warned any mark to market changes in the value of its interest rate swap portfolio between this month and the end of the financial year may impact on the forecast.

The infrequently traded shares were unchanged at $3.40 on Friday, and have gained 3 percent this year.

BusinessDesk.co.nz

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