AES Corp (NYSE:AES) saw its shares edge slightly higher in pre-market trading after it stuck to its 2020 earnings growth target despite posting a sharply wider fourth-quarter loss.
In a statement, the power company unveiled a loss from its continuing operations of US$683mln, or US$1.03 a share, against a loss of compared with a loss of US$232mln, or 35 US cents a share, a year earlier.
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Excluding items, AES reported an adjusted profit of 43 US cents a share for the quarter, up from 30 US cents a share recorded a year ago.
Revenue fared no better in the quarter, falling to US$2.64bn from the US$2.66bn recorded a year earlier.
AES said that for the full 2017, adjusted profit stood at US$1.08 a share, in line with the company's guidance of US$1.00 to US$1.10 a share.
The company reiterated its annual earnings growth target of 8%-10% through 2020.
For 2018, AES is guiding adjusted profit at US$1.15 to US$1.25 a share, with growth driven by new businesses, cost savings and lower parent interest.
In pre-market trade, its shares were up 0.96% at US$10.55.