OGE Energy Corp.’s OGE fourth-quarter 2018 earnings of 27 cents per share surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 24 cents by 12.5%. However, the reported figure plunged 81.8% from $1.48 registered in the year-ago quarter. The downturn can be attributed to lower earnings from the utility business.For 2018, the company reported earnings of $2.12 per share, which outpaced the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.08 by 1.9%. However, the bottom line declined 31.6% from $3.10 registered in the prior year.RevenuesOGE Energy’s operating revenues of $511.8 million rose 2% from the prior-year quarter’s $501.9 million. The upside was primarily driven by year-over-year higher residential, industrial, oilfield and integrated market revenues.For 2018, the company generated operating revenues of $2.27 billion, which inched up 0.4% from the prior-year figure of $2.26 billion.OGE Energy Corporation Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise OGE Energy Corporation Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise | OGE Energy Corporation QuoteOperational HighlightsTotal sales in the reported quarter amounted to 6.8 million megawatt-hours (MWh), almost in line with 6.7 million MWh in the prior-year quarter. Higher system sales were offset by lower integrated market sales. Meanwhile, the company’s customer count inched up 0.9% to 849,372.Cost of sales summed $228.9 million compared with $201.1 million in the prior-year quarter.Total operating expenses rose 4.6% year over year to $224.9 million on account of higher operation and maintenance expenses, depreciation and amortization expenses as well as higher taxes (other than income).Consequently, operating income decreased 32.3% to $58 million from the year-ago quarter’s $85.7 million.Interest expenses totaled $37.8 million in the fourth quarter, up from $35.8 million a year ago.Other Highlights of the ReleaseOGE Energy reported net income of $425.5 million in 2018, down from the prior-year figure of $619 million.OG&E: The segment’s net income rose 7.2% to $328 million in 2018, from $306 million in 2017.Natural Gas Midstream Operations: The segment posted net income of $109 million compared with $324 million in the prior year.2019 GuidanceOGE Energy expects its earnings for 2019 to lie in the range of $2.05-$2.20 per share. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2019 earnings is pegged at $2.19, near the high end of the company’s guided range.Zacks RankOGE Energy carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.Recent Utility ReleasesEntergy Corporation ETR reported fourth-quarter 2018 adjusted earnings of 60 cents per share, which surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 48 cents by 25%.Ameren Corporation’s AEE fourth-quarter 2018 earnings of 28 cents per share from continuing operations missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 32 cents by 12.5%.American Electric Power Co. AEP reported fourth-quarter 2018 operating earnings of 72 cents per share, in line with the Zacks Consensus Estimate.Wall Street’s Next AmazonZacks EVP Kevin Matras believes this familiar stock has only just begun its climb to become one of the greatest investments of all time. It’s a once-in-a-generation opportunity to invest in pure genius.Click for details >>Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Ameren Corporation (AEE): Free Stock Analysis Report Entergy Corporation (ETR): Free Stock Analysis Report American Electric Power Company, Inc. (AEP): Free Stock Analysis Report OGE Energy Corporation (OGE): Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research