NRG ENERGY, INC. files 8-K: results of operations
Item 2.02 Results of Operations and Financial Condition
• Delivered exceptional fleet reliability performance through Winter Storm Fern; 94% ERCOT fleet in-the-money availability
• Commercial operations at 415 MW T.H. Wharton facility expected by the end of May 2026; all three Texas Energy Fund projects on time and on budget
• Texas residential VPP program surpassed 200 MW; on track for 1 GW by 2035
HOUSTON — May 6, 2026 —NRG Energy, Inc. (NYSE: NRG) today announced financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2026, and reports GAAP Net Income of $125 million, GAAP Earnings per Share (EPS) — basic of $0.52, and GAAP Cash Used by Operating Activities of $(169) million. The Company's non-GAAP metrics are Adjusted Net Income of $308 million, Adjusted EPS of $1.49, Adjusted EBITDA of $1,080 million, and Free Cash Flow before Growth Investments (FCFbG) of $(66) million for the first quarter of 2026.
"Our team executed well this quarter. The fleet performed, and our retail and commercial businesses delivered affordable, reliable power to the customers and communities that count on us,” said Robert Gaudette, President & CEO. “Demand for our product continues to grow, and NRG has the platform, the people and the assets to capitalize on the opportunity ahead. We have momentum across the business and are well-positioned heading into summer. I am grateful to Larry for his leadership, proud of this team and focused on deploying capital with discipline to create durable, long-term value.”
Consolidated Financial Results
Table 1:
a Adjusted Net Income, Adjusted EPS, Adjusted EBITDA, and FCFbG are non-GAAP financial measures; see Appendix tables A-1 through A-3 for GAAP reconciliations. Adjusted EPS, Adjusted Net Income, and Adjusted EBITDA exclude fair value adjustments related to derivatives b Adjusted Net Income as shown here is 'Adjusted Net Income available for common stockholders'; see Appendix tables A-1 and A-2 c GAAP Net Income per Weighted Average Common Share - Basic d Adjusted EPS calculated based on Adjusted Net Income divided by weighted average number of common shares outstanding - basic
NRG reported a GAAP Net Income of $125 million, a decrease of $625 million for the first quarter of 2026 compared to the same period in 2025. This decrease was primarily due to unrealized non-cash losses from mark-to-market economic hedges, driven by a decrease in natural gas prices, as compared to prior year which saw gains. Certain economic hedge positions are required to be marked-to-market each period, while the associated customer contracts are not. This accounting treatment can result in temporary unrealized gains or losses that do not reflect the expected economics at settlement. Results were further impacted by mild weather in Texas and increased supply costs in the East, as reflected in the Adjusted EBITDA results below, along with receipt of W.A. Parish insurance proceeds in the first quarter of 2025.
Adjusted Net Income for the first quarter 2026 is $308 million, $223 million lower than prior year, primarily driven by a $46 million decrease in Adjusted EBITDA, which includes the financial impacts described in the segment results below, in addition to higher interest expense and depreciation and amortization related to the completed acquisition of generation assets and CPower from LS Power. Adjusted EPS is $1.49 for the first quarter 2026, $1.19 lower than prior year. The first quarter 2026 Adjusted EPS results include the financial impacts from Adjusted Net Income and impacts of shares issued as part of the completed acquisition of generation assets and CPower from LS Power.
NRG is reaffirming its guidance for 2026 as set forth below.
Table 2: Adjusted Net Income, Adjusted EPS, Adjusted EBITDA, and FCFbG Guidance for 2026 a
2026 Capital Allocation The Company plans to return $1.0 billion to shareholders through share repurchases and approximately $407 million through common stock dividends in 2026, as part of its previously announced 2026 capital allocation plan. Through April 30, 2026, the Company completed $817 million in share repurchases and distributed $102 million in common stock dividends.
On April 28, 2026, NRG closed on $2.6 billion of Senior Unsecured Notes and Senior Secured Notes, and $900 million of new Term Loan B. The proceeds will be utilized to repay the $1.5 billion 2032 Lightning Senior Secured Notes, related transaction fee, expenses and premiums, and a portion of the outstanding borrowings under the NRG revolving credit facility. These refinancings will create more than $10 million of annual interest savings, while extending average debt maturities and shifting nearly $1.0 billion of debt from secured to unsecured.
On April 21, 2026, NRG declared a quarterly dividend of $0.475 per common share, or $1.90 per share on an annualized basis. The dividend is payable on May 15, 2026, to common stockholders of record as of May 1, 2026.
NRG's share repurchase program and common stock dividend are subject to maintaining satisfactory credit metrics, available capital, market conditions, and compliance with associated laws and regulations. The timing and amount of any shares of common stock repurchased under the share repurchase authorization will be determined by NRG’s management based on market conditions and other factors. NRG will only repurchase shares when management believes it would not jeopardize the Company’s ability to maintain satisfactory credit ratings.
NRG Strategic Developments
Leadership Succession
On April 30, 2026, Robert Gaudette, President, succeeded Larry Coben as Chief Executive Officer, and Antonio Carrillo succeeded Dr. Coben as Chair of the Board, completing the leadership transition announced on January 7, 2026. Mr. Gaudette was also elected to serve on the Board of Directors at the 2026 Annual Meeting of Shareholders. Dr. Coben will serve as an advisor to NRG through the end of 2026.
Texas Energy Fund (TEF)
The Company expects commercial operations at its first project, the 415 MW T.H. Wharton facility, by the end of May 2026. All three of NRG's TEF projects, totaling 1.5 GW of new generation, remain on track and on budget. These projects highlight NRG’s dedication to providing reliable, affordable power generation to support the increasing energy demands of Texas consumers.
Segment Results Table 3: Adjusted EBITDA a
a Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure; see Appendix tables A-1 and A-2 for GAAP reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA (by operating segment) to GAAP Net Income (by operating segment). Adjusted EBITDA excludes fair value adjustments related to derivatives b Includes Corporate activities
Texas: First quarter 2026 Adjusted EBITDA is $216 million, $83 million lower than the prior year. The decrease is primarily driven by mild winter weather, including a ~30% decrease in heating degree days as compared to prior year leading to lower retail load, and additional operating expenses for the new generation assets.
East: First quarter 2026 Adjusted EBITDA is $464 million, $10 million lower than the prior year. The decrease is primarily driven by higher power supply costs during Winter Storm Fern, partially offset by the contribution of the generation assets and CPower acquired from LS Power.
West/Other: First quarter 2026 Adjusted EBITDA is $106 million, $33 million higher than the prior year. The increase is primarily driven by lower power supply costs.
Vivint Smart Home: First quarter 2026 Adjusted EBITDA is $294 million, $14 million higher than the prior year. The increase is attributable to strong growth in customer count and an increase in monthly recurring service margin per customer.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Table 4: Corporate Liquidity
a Total capacity of the revolving credit facility and collective collateral facilities was $9.3 billion and $7.7 billion as of March 31, 2026 and December 31, 2025, respectively
As of March 31, 2026, NRG's unrestricted cash was approximately $0.2 billion, and $3.0 billion was available under the Company’s credit facilities. Total liquidity was $3.3 billion, which was $6.4 billion lower than December 31, 2025, primarily driven by the use of cash and borrowings under the revolving credit facility to fund the acquisition of generation assets and CPower from LS Power.
Earnings Conference Call
On May 6, 2026, NRG will host a conference call at 9:00 a.m. Eastern (8:00 a.m. Central) to discuss these results. Investors, the news media and others may access the live webcast of the conference call and accompanying presentation materials through the investor relations website under “presentations and webcasts” on investors.nrg.com. The webcast will be archived on the site for those unable to listen in real-time.