AGL Energy Limited (AGK) reconfirmed that it expects FY08 full year underlying net profit after tax of between $330 to $360 million.
The power retailer said the confirmation was based on a review of earnings for the year to date, including preliminary results for April 2008.
The latest forecast is inline with the one made in October 2007 and confirmed in February 2008 after the release of the group’s results for the six months ended 31 December 2007.
AGL Energy said that earnings before interest tax, depreciation and amortisation would to be in the range $830 to $875 million.
The group did point out that its forecast assumed average weather conditions for May and June and no unexpected circumstances for the remainder of the financial year.
In a statement to the market, AGL said its businesses have performed well since 31 December 2007 with earnings for the second half influenced by a strong performance from Torrens Island Power Station, predominantly due to a sustained period of extreme weather conditions in South Australia in March.
However, the group, warned that the result was partly offset by a lower than expected contribution from AGL's 32% interest in Loy Yang A Power Station, mainly due to lower than anticipated electricity pool prices in Victoria over the summer months.
The company also said that increased level of sales and marketing activity that were previously foreshadowed were showing encouraging results with a net gain in customer account numbers since 31 December 2007.
After paying a 26c interim dividend in April, AGL said it anticipates that the FY08 full year dividend will be in the range of 52c to 55c per share, fully franked.