Edison: sales revenues up 23.5% to over 5 billion euros

Second quarter results strongly better than first quarter’s, foremost in the electric power operations; EBITDA for the hydrocarbons operations down for contingent reasons. Outlook for full year 2008, which foresees results in line with those achieved in 2007, is confirmed.

Milan, July 25, 2008 – Edison’s Board of Directors met today at the Company’s Foro Buonaparte headquarters to review the Semiannual Report at June 30, 2008.

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE EDISON GROUP (in millions of euro)

	First half 2008	First half 2007	%
Sales revenues	5,005	4,052	23.5
EBITDA	809	904	(10.5)
EBIT	442	572	(22.7)
Profit before taxes	337	466	(27.7)
Net profit	102	256	(60.2)

 

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE GROUP'S ELECTRIC POWER AND HYDROCARBONS OPERATIONS (in mill. of euros)

	First half 2008	First half 2007	%
Electric Power Op.
Sales revenues	3,864	3,244	19.1
EBITDA	636	621	2.4
Hydrocarbons Op.
Sales revenues	2,444	1,986	23.1
EBITDA	209	315	(33.7)

Operating Performance of the Group in the First Half of 2008
In the first half of 2008, Edison reported sharply higher revenues of 5,005 million euros, or 23.5% more than in the same period last year, thanks to higher unit sales by both the electric power operations (+5.1%) and the hydrocarbons operations (+9.6%) and an increase in unit revenues made possible by a significant rise in the prices of benchmark commodities. In Italy, gross demand for electric power was relatively flat compared with the first six months of 2007 (168.6 TWh). In this environment, Edison boosted total unit sales by 5.1% (+16.8% in the deregulated markets), significantly outperforming the market as a whole.

During the first six months of 2008, demand for natural gas grew to about 45.3 billion cubic meters, or about 7.6% more than in the same period a year ago. Colder weather during the first quarter than in the first three months of 2007 and higher demand from thermoelectric power plants are the main reasons for this improvement. Edison outperformed the market in this business segment as well, boosting unit sales by 9.6%. During the first half of 2008, the prices of energy commodities were up by substantial amounts, with the average price of crude oil rising to US$109.10 per barrel, or 72.5% more than in the first six months of 2007.

The electric power operations reported EBITDA of 636 million euros, for a gain of 2.4% compared with the first half of 2007 (+5% net of the sale of some CIP6 power plants), as the positive impact of an increase in unit sales and higher margins earned on sales in the deregulated market more than offset a substantial earnings shortfall in the CIP6 segment. As for the hydrocarbons operations, EBITDA were down 33.7% to 209 million euros. This reduction is mainly the result of price changes in the benchmark oil market and of the different timing with which these changes are reflected, on the one hand, in the formulas that determine procurement costs and, on the other, in those applicable to sales prices. The negative effect of these different dynamics was particularly pronounced during a period when prices of benchmark commodities rose rapidly. The results reported by both businesses were also affected by negative and positive non-recurring events, which included the renegotiation in 2008 of the natural gas supply contract with Russia. However, the net effect of these developments was about the same in the first half of 2008 and 2007. Overall, EBITDA for the first half of 2008 totaled 809 million euros, for a year-over-year decrease of 10.5% (-9% on a comparable scope of consolidation basis).

As a result of these developments and of higher depreciation and explorations expenses, EBIT was 442 million euros (-22.7% compared with the first half of 2007). Profit before taxes totaled 337 million euros (-27.7%) owing in part to the recognition of provisions totaling 40 million euros set aside in connection with tax disputes involving primarily asset divestitures that date back to the early 1990s. Net profit for the first six months of 2008 totaled 102 million euros, or 154 million euros less than the 256 million euros earned in the same period last year, owing primarily to the effect of tax-related items. Specifically, in addition to the provisions discussed above, the recently enacted Decree Law No. 112 of June 25, 2008 had an impact of 101 million euros.

Sales Volume and Revenues
During the first six months of 2008, Edison booked sales revenues of 5,005 million euros, or 23.5% more than in the same period a year ago, with the electric power operations and the hydrocarbons operations reporting gains of 19.1% and 23.1%, respectively. In both businesses, this improvement was the combined result of higher unit sales and of an increase in unit revenues, made possible by a sharp rise in the prices of benchmark commodities.

The electric power operations reported unit sales of 32,682 GWh. The a gain of 5.1% compared with the first half of 2007 reflects in part the effect of the full availability of all the facilities that sell their power in the deregulated market. The increase of 16.8% to customers in this market was offset in part by an 18.4% reduction in CIP6 sales, attributable mainly to the sale of power plants mentioned above and the expiration of some contracts.

The hydrocarbons operations sold a total of 7,462 million cubic meters of natural gas, or 9.6% more than in the first half of 2007. Specifically, unit sales were up 2.2% for residential users, 19.2% for industrial users and 2.8% for thermoelectric users.

EBITDA
In the first six months of 2008, the electric power operations reported EBITDA of 636 million euros, up 2.4% compared with the 621 million euros earned in the first half of 2007 (+5% on a comparable scope of consolidation basis), reflecting the positive impact of significantly higher unit sales and margins in the deregulated segments of the market. The improvement in this area of business more than offset a substantial shortfall in the CIP6 segment, where EBITDA were penalized by the sale of some power plants (15 million euros), the expiration of some contracts (more than 30 million euros) and the impact of Resolution No. 249/06, which allowed only a partial recovery of fuel costs. On the other hand, the publication of Resolutions No. 77/08 and No. 80/08 by the Electric Power and Natural Gas Authority resulted in refunds of the costs incurred over the entire length of the contracts to comply with emissions trading and green certificate requirements.

At 209 million euros, the EBITDA booked by hydrocarbons operations were 33.7% lower than the 315 million euros earned in the first half of 2007. Changing conditions in the benchmark oil market and the different timing with which these changes are reflected in the formulas applied to purchasing and sales prices are the primary reasons for this decrease. The negative effect of these different dynamics was particularly pronounced during a period when prices of benchmark commodities rose rapidly. Within the hydrocarbons operations, the margins earned by the production activities were lower than in the previous years despite a highly favorable scenario, as the volumes produced decreased due to technical problems in some gas and oil fields.

Overall, EBITDA totaled 809 million euros in the first six months of 2008, or 10.5% less than in the same period last year, with the hydrocarbons operations accounting for virtually the entire decrease (-9% on a comparable scope of consolidation basis).

EBIT, Profit Before Taxes, Net Profit
Reflecting the impact of the developments discussed above, the effect of an increase in depreciation, resulting from the commissioning of new production capacity in the second half of 2007, and higher exploration expenses, EBIT were down 22.7% to 442 million euros at June 30, 2008 (572 million euros in the first six months of 2007). The profit before taxes decreased to 337 million euros (-27.7%), owing in part to the recognition of provisions totaling 40 million euros set aside in connection with tax disputes involving primarily asset divestitures that date back to the early 1990s. Group interest in net profit amounted to 102 million euros in the first half of 2008, compared with 256 million euros in the same period last year (-60.2%). This decrease is the result of tax-related items. Specifically, in addition to the provisions discussed above, Decree Law No. 112 of June 25, 2008 (the so-called “Robin Hood Tax”) had a negative impact of 101 million euros (72 million euros for deferred taxes and 29 million euros for current taxes).

Indebtedness
At June 30, 2008, net borrowings totaled 2,839 million euros, or 152 million euros more than the 2,687 million euros owed at December 31, 2007.
A positive operating cash flow and the proceeds generated by the sale of CIP6 thermoelectric power plants and of a 51% interest in Dolomiti Edison Energy Srl offset in part the impact of outlays for capital investments (242 million euros), net financial expense (lower than in the first half of 2007), purchases of equity investments (which included 139 million euros for 5% of Edipower and 44 million euros contributed to Terminale GNL Adriatico), the distribution of dividends (281 million euros) and the payment of income taxes.

The debt/equity ratio was 0.36, compared to 0.41 in the first half of 2007 and 0.33 at December 31, 2007.

Outlook for the Balance of 2008
Assuming a comparable scope of consolidation, the results achieved during the second quarter of this year, which showed a marked improvement compared with the previous three months in terms of the unit sales and margins generated in the deregulated market, coupled with further progress in implementing a policy focused on optimizing the energy portfolio and the full availability of all power plants, should enable the Group to report for all of 2008 results in line with those achieved in 2007.

Results of the Group’s Parent Company
At June 30, 2008, Edison Spa, the Group’s Parent Company, reported a net profit of 263 million euros, compared with a net profit of 391 million euros in the first six months of 2007.

Conference Call
The Group’s operating results for the first half of 2008 will be discussed today at 3:30 PM CET during a conference call. Journalists may follow the presentation by telephone in listen-only mode by dialing +39 02 802 09 27. The presentation will also be available at the Group’s website: www.edison.it

Edison’s Press Office: Tel. +39 02 62227331
ufficiostampa@edison.it
Edison’s Investor Relations: Tel. +39 02 62228415
investor.relations@edison.it
www.edison.it

As required by Article 154-bis, Section 2, of the Uniform Finance Law (Legislative Decree No. 58/1998), Marco Andreasi, in his capacity as “Dirigente Preposto alla redazione dei documenti contabili societari” of Edison Spa, attests that the accounting information contained in this press release is consistent with the data in the Company’s documents, accounting records and other records. The Semiannual Report is the subject of a limited audit, which is currently in the completion phase.

The Semiannual Report at June 30, 2008, the Report of the Independent Auditors and any remarks by the Statutory Auditors will be available upon request at the Company’s headquarters (31 Foro Buonaparte, Milan) and at the offices of Borsa Italiana Spa within the statutory deadline. It may also be consulted at the Group’s website: www.edison.it

The Group’s balance sheet, statement of income, cash flow statement and statement of changes in consolidated shareholders’ equity are annexed to this press release.

Public disclosure required by Consob Resolution No. 11971 of May 14, 1999, as amended.