Reliant Energy

NRG Energy Posts Loss On Higher Expenses; Plans Annual Dividend

NRG Energy Inc.

(NRG) posted a fourth-quarter loss driven by higher expenses and lower income at the company's largest retail electricity provider, though results beat analysts' forecast.NRG, of Princeton, N.J., also said it plans to launch an annual stock dividend of 36 cents a share starting in the third quarter.Power-plant operators like NRG that sell power on the wholesale market have seen their revenue decline as natural-gas prices have plunged, driving power prices lower.One way the company plans to get through the current low gas and electricity prices is by taking advantage of summer price increases in Texas, where limited power-plant resources strain the grid in summer, NRG Chief Executive David Crane said."We hope to turn around the outcome for us of another tight Texas summer," Crane said during a conference call with analysts.Shares of NRG were recently trading 0.9% higher at about $17.35. The stock hit a three-year low in January as natural-gas prices plunged, but it has g...

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