ST. LOUIS, Aug. 2 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Ameren Corporation (NYSE: AEE) today announced second quarter 2007 net income of $143 million, or 69 cents per share, compared to second quarter 2006 net income of $123 million, or 60 cents per share. Net income for the first six months of 2007 was $266 million, or $1.29 per share, compared to $193 million, or 94 cents per share, in the first half of 2006. Second quarter and first half 2007 earnings were not impacted by the recently announced Illinois rate relief and customer assistance settlement agreement. Costs associated with this settlement agreement will be recorded in the company's 2007 third quarter and future periods should recently passed legislation be signed into law by the Governor of Illinois.
"Our second quarter earnings benefited principally from higher power prices for sales from our non-rate regulated generation business segment and warmer summer weather," said Gary L. Rainwater, chairman, president and chief executive officer of Ameren Corporation. "These benefits were reduced by a planned maintenance and refueling outage at AmerenUE's Callaway nuclear plant, higher fuel costs and increased costs of operating and investing in our utility businesses."
Ameren's Missouri regulated business segment, which includes AmerenUE's electric and gas utility operations, contributed $66 million to net income in the second quarter of 2007 - $12 million less than the year-ago period. This segment contributed $89 million to net income in the first half of 2007 - $24 million below the year-ago period. The Illinois regulated business segment, which includes the electric and gas distribution utility businesses of AmerenCIPS, AmerenCILCO and AmerenIP, contributed $19 million to Ameren's net income in the second quarter of 2007 - $14 million less than the second quarter of 2006. This segment contributed $48 million to net income in the first half of 2007, compared to $42 million in the same period a year ago. Ameren's non-rate-regulated electric generation segment contributed $56 million to net income in the second quarter of 2007 - $43 million more than the year-ago period. This segment contributed $126 million to net income in the first half of 2007 - $86 million more than the year-ago period.
Ameren's earnings in the second quarter of 2007 were favorably affected by higher electric margins in its non-rate-regulated generation business segment due to the replacement of below-market power sales contracts that expired in 2006. Those contracts were replaced with higher-priced, market-based power sales contracts in 2007. Electric margins in Ameren's Missouri and Illinois rate-regulated business segments benefited from greater cooling demand caused by warmer summer weather. Cooling degree days increased 12 percent in the second quarter of 2007, compared to the same period in 2006, and were over 30 percent above normal. Increases in fuel and related transportation, labor and benefits, bad debt, depreciation and financing costs reduced the benefit of the higher power prices and warmer weather.
Ameren also announced today that it has updated its 2007 non-GAAP earnings guidance. The company now expects non-GAAP 2007 earnings to range between $3.15 and $3.40 per share and GAAP earnings to range between $2.80 and $3.05 per share. The 2007 non-GAAP earnings per share guidance excludes the 9 cents per share negative impact of the severe January 2007 storms; the estimated 26 cents per share negative impact in 2007 of the recent settlement agreement among parties in Illinois to provide comprehensive rate relief and customer assistance; the 5 cents per share positive impact resulting from the reversal of accruals made in 2006 for low-income energy assistance and energy efficiency program funding commitments in Illinois; and the 5 cents per share negative impact of a Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) order retroactively adjusting prior years' regional transmission organization costs. The earnings guidance range was updated to reflect finalization of rate matters in Missouri and Illinois; lower-than-expected power plant output; increased financing and legal costs; and higher-than-expected operating expenses for the remainder of 2007, including increased utility delivery system reliability spending. Ameren's earnings guidance for 2007 assumes normal weather and is subject to, among other things, regulatory and legislative decisions, plant operations, energy market and economic conditions, severe storms, unusual or otherwise unexpected gains or losses and other risks and uncertainties outlined in Ameren's Forward-looking Statements. The non-GAAP segment earnings contribution guidance given below also excludes the impact of factors discussed above. Segment guidance reflects single point estimates, but a range of outcomes could occur around each segment's earnings.
Missouri Regulated Operations
Second quarter 2007 earnings for the Missouri regulated business segment were down, compared to the same period in 2006, primarily because of the planned maintenance and refueling outage at the Callaway nuclear plant and higher fuel costs. Warmer summer weather, reduced costs associated with the Taum Sauk Plant upper reservoir breach and increased electric margins resulting from the termination of the joint dispatch agreement on December 31, 2006, benefited earnings in the Missouri regulated business segment in the second quarter of 2007, compared to the second quarter of 2006.
Full year 2007 non-GAAP net income for the Missouri regulated business segment is now expected to approximate $305 million. Factors significantly impacting 2007 earnings expectations include better-than-expected weather thus far in 2007, increased spending for delivery system reliability improvements, a FERC order that will increase future purchased power costs under a cost- based contract and higher financing costs. The earnings impact of the Missouri electric and gas rate cases was generally in line with previous earnings guidance.
Illinois Regulated Operations
Earnings for the Illinois regulated business segment for the second quarter of 2007 decreased as compared to the same period in 2006 primarily because of increased bad debt expenses caused by significantly higher customer electric bills, increased depreciation and amortization expenses, higher legal costs and higher financing costs resulting from reduced credit ratings and increased borrowings. Warmer summer weather in 2007 benefited earnings in the Illinois regulated business segment.
Full year 2007 GAAP earnings for the Illinois regulated business segment are expected to be reduced by approximately $23 million, after taxes, as a result of the recently announced settlement agreement among parties in Illinois for comprehensive rate relief and customer assistance. After-tax earnings are also expected to be reduced in 2008, 2009 and 2010 by $9 million, $6 million and $1 million, respectively, as a result of this agreement. Rate relief and customer assistance costs will not be recoverable from customers.
Full year 2007 non-GAAP net income for the Illinois regulated business segment is now expected to approximate $100 million. The change in expected 2007 earnings is primarily a result of the outcome of the rehearing of a 2006 electric delivery services rate order by the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC), higher legal costs and higher financing costs as a result of credit rating downgrades and increased borrowings.
Non-Rate-Regulated Generation Operations
Second quarter 2007 earnings for Ameren's non-rate-regulated generation business segment increased, compared to the year-ago period, because of the replacement of below-market power sales contracts, which expired in 2006, with higher-priced, market-based contracts in 2007.
However, during the second quarter of 2007, the non-rate-regulated generation business segment did experience higher power plant operation and maintenance costs, which offset a portion of the benefits of higher-priced, market-based contracts.
Full year 2007 GAAP earnings for the non-rate-regulated generation business segment are expected to be reduced by approximately $31 million, after taxes, as a result of the recent settlement agreement among parties in Illinois for comprehensive rate relief and customer assistance. Earnings are also expected to be reduced in 2008, 2009 and 2010 by $13 million, $9 million and $1 million, after taxes respectively, as a result of this agreement.
Full year 2007 non-GAAP net income for the non-rate-regulated generation business segment is now expected to approximate $275 million. The change in expected 2007 earnings is primarily because of reduced power plant availability and increased operating and maintenance costs.
Ameren will conduct a conference call for financial analysts at 9:00 a.m. (Central Time) on Thursday, Aug. 2, to discuss second quarter 2007 earnings, the recent Illinois settlement agreement and other matters. Investors, the news media and the public may listen to a live Internet broadcast of the call at http://www.ameren.com/ by clicking on "Q2 2007 Ameren Corporation Earnings Conference Call," then the appropriate audio link. A slide presentation will also be available on Ameren's Web site that summarizes recent regulatory and legislative matters in Illinois and Missouri, reconciles earnings per share for the second quarter and first half of 2007 to the same periods in 2006, and reconciles 2007 non-GAAP earnings per share guidance to 2006 earnings per share on a comparable share basis. This presentation will be posted in the "Investors" section of the Web site under "Presentations." The analyst call will also be available for replay on the Internet for one year. Telephone playback of the conference call will also be available beginning at 11:00 a.m. (Central Time), from Aug. 2 through Aug. 9, by dialing, U.S. (800) 405-2236, international (303) 590-3000 and entering the number: 11094080#.
With assets of over $20 billion, Ameren serves approximately 2.4 million electric customers and almost one million natural gas customers in a 64,000 square mile area of Missouri and Illinois. Ameren owns a diverse mix of electric generating plants strategically located in its Midwest market with a generating capacity of more than 16,200 megawatts.
Regulation G Statement
Ameren has presented certain information in this release on a diluted cents per share basis. These diluted per share amounts reflect certain factors that directly impact Ameren's total earnings per share. 2007 non-GAAP earnings per share excludes the impact of January 2007 severe storms, the reversal of accruals made in 2006 for low-income energy assistance and energy efficiency program funding commitments in Illinois, and the March 2007 FERC order. The 2007 non-GAAP earnings per share guidance also excludes the earnings impact of the recent settlement agreement among parties in Illinois for comprehensive rate relief and customer assistance. Ameren believes this information is useful because it enables readers to better understand the impact of these factors on Ameren's results of operations and earnings per share.
Forward-looking Statements
Statements in this release not based on historical facts are considered "forward-looking" and, accordingly, involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those discussed. Although such forward-looking statements have been made in good faith and are based on reasonable assumptions, there is no assurance that the expected results will be achieved. These statements include (without limitation) statements as to future expectations, beliefs, plans, strategies, objectives, events, conditions, and financial performance. In connection with the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, we are providing this cautionary statement to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated. The following factors, in addition to those discussed elsewhere in this release and in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, could cause actual results to differ materially from management expectations as suggested by such forward-looking statements:
- regulatory or legislative actions, including changes in regulatory
policies and ratemaking determinations, such as the failure of the
Illinois governor to enact legislation implementing the settlement
agreement in principle, including the comprehensive rate relief
program, or the enactment of legislation rolling back and freezing
electric rates at 2006 levels or imposing a generation "tax" on Ameren
Energy Generating Company, AmerenEnergy Resources Generating Company
and Electric Energy, Inc. or similar actions that impair the full and
timely recovery of costs in Illinois;
- the impact of the termination of the joint dispatch agreement;
- changes in laws and other governmental actions, including monetary and
fiscal policies;
- the effects of increased competition in the future due to, among other
things, deregulation of certain aspects of our business at both the
state and federal levels, and the implementation of deregulation, such
as occurred when the electric rate freeze and power supply contracts
expired in Illinois at the end of 2006;
- the effects of participation in the Midwest Independent Transmission
System Operator;
- the availability of fuel such as coal, natural gas, and enriched
uranium used to produce electricity; the availability of purchased
power and natural gas for distribution; and the level and volatility of
future market prices for such commodities, including the ability to
recover the costs for such commodities;
- the effectiveness of our risk management strategies and the use of
financial and derivative instruments;
- prices for power in the Midwest;
- business and economic conditions, including their impact on interest
rates;
- disruptions of the capital markets or other events that make access to
necessary capital more difficult or costly;
- the impact of the adoption of new accounting standards and the
application of appropriate technical accounting rules and guidance;
- actions of credit rating agencies and the effects of such actions;
- weather conditions and other natural phenomena;
- the impact of system outages caused by severe weather conditions or
other events;
- generation plant construction, installation and performance, including
costs associated with AmerenUE's Taum Sauk pumped-storage hydroelectric
plant incident and the plant's future operation;
- recoverability through insurance of costs associated with AmerenUE's
Taum Sauk pumped-storage hydroelectric plant incident;
- operation of AmerenUE's nuclear power facility, including planned and
unplanned outages, and decommissioning costs;
- the effects of strategic initiatives, including acquisitions and
divestitures;
- the impact of current environmental regulations on utilities and power
generating companies and the expectation that more stringent
requirements, including those related to greenhouse gases, will be
introduced over time, which could have a negative financial effect;
- labor disputes, future wage and employee benefits costs, including
changes in returns on benefit plan assets;
- the inability of our counterparties and affiliates to meet their
obligations with respect to contracts and financial instruments;
- the cost and availability of transmission capacity for the energy
generated or required to satisfy energy sales;
- legal and administrative proceedings; and
- acts of sabotage, war, terrorism or intentionally disruptive acts.
Given these uncertainties, undue reliance should not be placed on these forward-looking statements. Except to the extent required by the federal securities laws, we undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect new information, future events, or otherwise.
AMEREN CORPORATION (AEE)
CONSOLIDATED OPERATING STATISTICS
Three Months Ended Six Months Ended
June 30, June 30,
2007 2006 2007 2006
Electric Sales - KWH (in millions):
Missouri Regulated
Residential 3,190 2,884 6,714 6,120
Commercial 3,485 3,458 6,873 6,684
Industrial 2,311 2,403 4,627 4,686
Other 174 173 358 347
Native 9,160 8,918 18,572 17,837
Interchange sales 2,219 3,175 4,967 6,734
Subtotal 11,379 12,093 23,539 24,571
Illinois Regulated
Residential
Generation and delivery service 2,711 2,482 5,513 5,376
Commercial
Generation and delivery service 1,839 2,797 3,813 5,449
Delivery service only 1,243 67 2,315 133
Industrial
Generation and delivery service 394 2,792 1,236 5,087
Delivery service only 2,831 734 5,435 1,648
Other 143 143 291 300
Subtotal 9,161 9,015 18,603 17,993
Non-rate-regulated Generation
Non-affiliate sales 5,593 6,755 11,712 12,369
Affiliate sales 1,768 3,774 3,594 8,854
Subtotal 7,361 10,529 15,306 21,223
Eliminate affiliate sales (1,771) (7,546) (3,577) (14,676)
Eliminate Illinois Regulated / Non-
rate-regulated Generation common
customers (1,488) (626) (3,044) (1,369)
Ameren Total 24,642 23,465 50,827 47,742
Electric Revenues (in millions):
Missouri Regulated
Residential $244 $225 $435 $406
Commercial 215 221 372 372
Industrial 100 114 179 190
Other 20 24 44 44
Native 579 584 1,030 1,012
Non-affiliate interchange sales 89 55 211 121
Affiliate interchange sales - 48 - 120
Subtotal 668 687 1,241 1,253
Illinois Regulated
Residential
Generation and delivery service 302 197 591 386
Commercial
Generation and delivery service 177 200 361 368
Delivery service only 11 1 19 2
Industrial
Generation and delivery service 24 120 75 217
Delivery service only 8 1 10 2
Other 50 23 98 51
Subtotal 572 542 1,154 1,026
Non-rate-regulated Generation
Non-affiliate energy sales 289 232 607 499
Affiliate native energy sales 116 162 240 322
Affiliate other sales 9 5 18 8
Subtotal 414 399 865 829
Eliminate affiliate sales (140) (250) (288) (519)
Ameren Total $1,514 $1,378 $2,972 $2,589
AMEREN CORPORATION (AEE)
CONSOLIDATED OPERATING STATISTICS
Three Months Ended Six Months Ended
June 30, June 30,
2007 2006 2007 2006
Electric Generation - KWH (in
millions):
Missouri Regulated 11.5 11.9 23.8 24.6
Non-rate-regulated Generation
Genco 4.0 3.1 8.2 6.7
AERG 1.1 1.6 2.6 3.3
EEI 1.9 1.9 3.9 3.9
Subtotal 7.0 6.6 14.7 13.9
Ameren Total 18.5 18.5 38.5 38.5
Fuel Cost per KWH (cents)
Missouri Regulated 1.284 1.028 1.177 0.999
Non-rate-regulated Generation 1.598 1.620 1.662 1.562
Gas Sales - Dth (in thousands)
Missouri Regulated 1,395 1,184 7,124 6,057
Illinois Regulated 13,562 11,473 58,371 51,920
Net Income by Segment (in millions):
Missouri Regulated 66 78 89 113
Illinois Regulated 19 33 48 42
Non-rate-regulated Generation 56 13 126 40
Other 2 (1) 3 (2)
Ameren Total $143 $123 $266 $193
June 30, December 31,
2007 2006
Common Stock:
Shares outstanding (in millions) 207.5 206.6
Book value per share $31.93 $31.87
Capitalization Ratios:
Common equity 49.0% 50.6%
Preferred stock 1.5% 1.5%
Debt, net of cash 49.5% 47.9%
AMEREN CORPORATION (AEE)
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
(Unaudited, in millions)
June 30, December 31,
2007 2006
ASSETS
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents $687 $137
Accounts receivable - trade 562 418
Unbilled revenue 304 309
Miscellaneous accounts and notes
receivable 222 160
Materials and supplies, at average
cost 612 647
Other current assets 178 203
Total current assets 2,565 1,874
Property and Plant, Net 14,538 14,286
Investments and Other Assets:
Investments in leveraged leases 13 13
Nuclear decommissioning trust fund 301 285
Goodwill 831 831
Intangible Assets 206 217
Other assets 730 641
Regulatory assets 1,347 1,431
Total investments and other assets 3,428 3,418
TOTAL ASSETS $20,531 $19,578
LIABILITIES AND
STOCKHOLDERS'
EQUITY
Current Liabilities:
Current maturities of long-term debt $203 $456
Short-term debt 1,619 612
Accounts and wages payable 455 671
Taxes accrued 120 58
Other current liabilities 423 405
Total current liabilities 2,820 2,202
Long-term Debt, Net 5,511 5,285
Preferred Stock of Subsidiary Subject
to Mandatory Redemption 18 18
Deferred Credits and Other
Liabilities:
Accumulated deferred income taxes,
net 2,039 2,144
Accumulated deferred investment tax
credits 113 118
Regulatory liabilities 1,216 1,234
Asset retirement obligations 564 549
Accrued pension and other
postretirement benefits 1,040 1,065
Other deferred credits and
liabilities 378 169
Total deferred credits and other
liabilities 5,350 5,279
Preferred Stock of Subsidiaries Not
Subject to Mandatory Redemption 195 195
Minority Interest in Consolidated
Subsidiaries 19 16
Stockholders' Equity:
Common stock 2 2
Other paid-in capital, principally
premium on common stock 4,551 4,495
Retained earnings 2,023 2,024
Accumulated other comprehensive loss 42 62
Total stockholders' equity 6,618 6,583
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS'
EQUITY $20,531 $19,578
AMEREN CORPORATION (AEE)
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME
(Unaudited, in millions, except per share amounts)
Three Months Ended Six Months Ended
June 30, June 30,
2007 2006 2007 2006
Operating Revenues:
Electric $1,514 $1,378 $2,972 $2,589
Gas 209 172 770 761
Total operating revenues 1,723 1,550 3,742 3,350
Operating Expenses:
Fuel 263 247 526 499
Purchased power 314 277 687 550
Gas purchased for resale 133 104 554 557
Other operations and maintenance 426 394 822 746
Depreciation and amortization 169 162 345 323
Taxes other than income taxes 96 90 198 203
Total operating expenses 1,401 1,274 3,132 2,878
Operating Income 322 276 610 472
Other Income and Expenses:
Miscellaneous income 20 11 34 16
Miscellaneous expense (4) (1) (4) (1)
Total other income 16 10 30 15
Interest Charges 108 87 206 164
Income Before Income Taxes, Minority
Interest and Preferred Dividends of
Subsidiaries 230 199 434 323
Income Taxes 78 68 149 112
Income Before Minority Interest and
Preferred Dividends of Subsidiaries 152 131 285 211
Minority Interest and Preferred
Dividends of Subsidiaries 9 8 19 18
Net Income $143 $123 $266 $193
Earnings per Common Share - Basic and
Diluted $0.69 $0.60 $1.29 $0.94
Average Common Shares Outstanding 207.1 205.4 206.9 205.1
AMEREN CORPORATION (AEE)
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited, in millions)
Six Months Ended
June 30,
2007 2006
Cash Flows From Operating Activities:
Net income $266 $193
Adjustments to reconcile net income
to net cash provided by operating
activities:
Gain on sales of emission allowances (2) -
Depreciation and amortization 357 340
Amortization of nuclear fuel 15 16
Amortization of debt issuance costs
and premium/discounts 10 7
Deferred income taxes and investment
tax credits, net (8) (19)
Loss on sale of noncore properties - 4
Minority interest 13 12
Other 7 1
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Receivables, net (195) 168
Materials and supplies 35 25
Accounts and wages payable (62) (214)
Taxes accrued 59 (33)
Assets, other (69) 63
Liabilities, other 67 10
Pension and other postretirement
obligations, net 50 46
Net cash provided by operating
activities 543 619
Cash Flows From Investing Activities:
Capital expenditures (715) (449)
Combustion turbine acquisitions - (292)
Nuclear fuel expenditures (24) (25)
Proceeds from sale of noncore
properties - 11
Purchases of securities - nuclear
decommissioning trust fund (75) (53)
Sales of securities - nuclear
decommissioning trust fund 65 48
Purchases of emission allowances (9) (38)
Sales of emission allowances 3 4
Other 1 (1)
Net cash used in investing activities (754) (795)
Cash Flows From Financing Activities:
Dividends on common stock (263) (260)
Capital issuance costs (3) (2)
Short-term debt, net 1,007 204
Dividends paid to minority interest (10) (14)
Redemptions, repurchases and
maturities of long-term debt (443) (86)
Issuances:
Common stock 48 57
Long-term debt 425 232
Net cash provided by financing
activities 761 131
Net Change In Cash and Cash
Equivalents 550 (45)
Cash and Cash Equivalents at
Beginning of Year 137 96
Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of
Period $687 $51
SOURCE: Ameren Corporation
CONTACT: Analysts - Bruce Steinke, +1-314-554-2574, bsteinke@ameren.com,
or Missouri/National Media - Tim Fox, +1-314-554-3120, tfox@ameren.com, or
Illinois Media - Shelley Epstein, +1-309-677-5489, sepstein@ameren.com, or
Investors - Investor Services, 1-800-255-2237, invest@ameren.com, all for
Ameren
Web site: http://www.ameren.com/